Volume 1: Little People Return 2014 Chapter 034: Differences of opinion
Although Guzhen is an industrial town and is prosperous due to industrialization, clan culture is still deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, which is also a major feature of the eastern Guangdong region.
As the business makes money, not only will there be more competitors, but some relatives will also inevitably emerge, but they are not Zhou Dongsheng's relatives.
On that day, Zhou Dongsheng was thinking about the early stock market in his office, trying to use the little he had learned to see through the mystery behind the data, but of course it was in vain.
"Hey, I'm looking for someone. I'm looking for Zhang Xuhui. He's my nephew." There was suddenly some noise outside.
Zhou Dongsheng stood up upon hearing this, opened the door and walked out, and saw an unkempt, bearded middle-aged man walking in leisurely, as if he was walking into his own home.
As it hits you, the smell of smoke, like aged pickled cabbage, is refreshing.
"Are you Zhang Xuhui's uncle? He is out discussing business. Please sit down for a while." Zhou Dongsheng greeted .
"You must be the young man who is in partnership with Xuhui. You guys are doing great. Young people are really amazing." Xuhui's uncle exclaimed in amazement and looked around from time to time.
The two of them sat down at the tea table area . In the eastern Guangdong region, any business cannot be separated from a tea table, which is also equivalent to a reception area.
As soon as they sat down, Uncle Xuhui took out a cigarette box very familiarly and handed one to Zhou Dongsheng. Zhou Dongsheng waved his hand to indicate that he didn't want to smoke.
Uncle Xuhui didn't take it seriously. He put the cigarette to his mouth, lit it, took a puff, and started puffing out smoke.
Zhou Dongsheng began to boil water to make tea, frowning slightly, as he was not used to the smell of cigarettes. But he was his elder after all, so he tried to guess the purpose of this person's visit and had a rough idea of what he was doing.
"I wonder what uncle you want to talk to Xuhui about?" Zhou Dongsheng asked casually while making tea.
"Nothing much. I just heard that my nephew's business is doing well, so I wanted to come and see if there's anything I, his uncle, can do to help."
"We are all family. Business matters should be looked after by our own people so we can feel more at ease. We cannot feel at ease with outsiders." Uncle Xuhui spoke without any scruples. As soon as he said this, the atmosphere became a little subtle.
Several people working nearby couldn't help but look over, and even Zhang Yanyan rolled his eyes. Aren't they the so-called "outsiders"?
"That's not the case. In business, it's more about the people working together. You can't make it big just by yourself."
Zhou Dongsheng pushed it back lightly with a smile on his face, and handed the tea to Uncle Xuhui as a courtesy to entertain guests.
"That being said, it's more reassuring to have our own people using it. What do you think? Is there anything you need someone to help look after? You can rest assured knowing that I, your elder, am here!" Uncle Xuhui took charge of everything.
"We're just starting out now, and we mainly need some chores like packing and delivery. I'm afraid you, uncle, can't handle computer matters." Zhou Dongsheng said frankly.
"Since there is a warehouse, you must need a warehouse manager, right? I am good at this. I did this in the big factory in town before. It is more than enough for me to come to your place."
Zhou Dongsheng finally came to his senses and realized that he was here to seek a sinecure.
With such a big business at present, adding a warehouse manager is purely a pure expenditure cost, not to mention that the other party is an elder, and it is hard to blame if he does a bad job.
But he was Xuhui's uncle after all, so Zhou Dongsheng couldn't make the decision. He smiled and invited him to have tea, then thought for a moment.
Family businesses are not uncommon in valley towns dominated by clan culture. Having relatives helping with management always makes the boss feel more at ease.
However, as the company grows bigger, relatives may become a shackle that hinders its development. After all, nepotism itself is a blow to the enthusiasm of outside employees.
One can become a leader simply by relying on a family relationship, without any ability foundation, or even by being an amateur commanding professionals. This not only affects efficiency, but also causes people to be passive and lazy.
If "Flowers in the Mist" wants to expand, it is best to eliminate this problem fundamentally.
Giving out a sinecure is not a burden for the current scale, but once there is one, there will be two, and it will be even harder to change the habit once it is formed.
The most important thing is that considering that Uncle Xuhui has been a heavy smoker for decades, he is not a good candidate to be in charge of the warehouse.
After thinking it through, Zhou Dongsheng said politely: "Uncle, we are still small at the moment and don't need a warehouse manager yet, but I will talk to Xuhui about this matter when he comes back. If I need anything in the future, I will definitely look for you first."
"Aren't you the boss too? It doesn't matter if you make the decision on this matter. I am Xuhui's uncle. Am I less trustworthy than outsiders?" Uncle Xuhui disagreed.
He kept talking about outsiders and didn't care about other people's feelings at all. I don't know what the employees think, but Zhou Dongsheng feels a little unhappy.
I respect you as my elder, but you can't treat me as a fool, right?
"These people joined our company and became our own people working together. They are not outsiders. I definitely trust them more than you, my uncle whom I met for the first time." Zhou Dongsheng took a sip of tea and said with a forced smile.
"Young man, you are still too honest and naive. When you encounter setbacks, you will understand what I mean." Uncle Xuhui waved his hand, looking like a veteran.
"Hey, uncle, why are you here?" At this time, Zhang Xuhui walked in from outside, saw his uncle and said with a smile.
"Xuhui, you're here. I heard that your business is doing well, so I came to see you." Xuhui's uncle greeted with a smile.
“No, we’re just starting out, it’s no big deal.” Xuhui smiled and sat down aside.
"Originally, uncle wanted to come and help you and look after your business, but people look down on my good intentions. Well, as a poor man, I'm used to being looked down upon. So I'll leave first." Uncle Xuhui said as he stood up, waved his hand and walked out.
Xuhui was stunned and looked at Zhou Dongsheng, as if he wanted to ask what happened, but he still chased after his uncle to send him off.
After a while, Zhang Xuhui came back, looking a little unhappy, and asked, "What happened?"
"Your uncle told you, right? He wants to come here to work as a warehouse manager." Zhou Dongsheng said helplessly.
"Xuhui, your uncle's words are so rude. He always says that we are outsiders and it's better to be our own people." Zhang Yanyan on the side couldn't help but interrupt.
"But he is my uncle after all, and he is also our elder, so we should give him some face." Zhang Xuhui couldn't help but say.
"I think it's better to have less interactions with relatives in business. Because of the relationship, many things can't be said directly."
"But the business is also yours. If you want to hire your uncle, I respect your opinion. Now we can even afford to support an idle person."
"I'm afraid that an uncle will come today and an aunt will come tomorrow."
"Let's take a step back and say that your uncle has been a heavy smoker for decades. He wouldn't be a good candidate to be a warehouse manager," Zhou Dongsheng asked back.
Zhang Yanyan on the side shut up obediently. This was a confrontation between two bosses, and it was not easy for him as a worker to get involved. However, psychologically, he was more inclined towards Zhou Dongsheng.
Just because of the phrase “we’re one of them”, other employees feel the same way.
"Brother Sheng, that's not what I meant, but he is my uncle and has watched me grow up, so I have to be considerate of him." Zhang Xuhui forced a smile.
This was probably the first disagreement they had had since they became partners, but that was always inevitable when doing business together.
"I understand. You have a share in the business. If you want to hire me, I respect your opinion, but smoking is definitely not allowed in the warehouse."
Although he holds the majority of the shares, Zhang Xuhui is the one who takes care of most things, so it is understandable that he has some selfish motives.
Zhou Dongsheng turned around and went back to his office to continue studying the stock market.
Zhang Yanyan on the side also returned to his seat obediently. It was indeed not easy to do business in partnership.
Zhang Xuhui stood there feeling somewhat lonely, still repeating in his heart, "But he is my uncle after all..."
…
