Volume 3: Ascending High to Gaze Far Chapter 65: Development Strategy (Part 2)

A few days later, the company's development strategy and planning seminar was held as scheduled. Although the strategic plan had been distributed to the attendees in advance, I still asked Qin Yan to introduce and explain it at the meeting. Accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation, Qin Yan provided a comprehensive overview of the plan. Her delivery was both clear and professional, and with the aid of various charts and graphs in the slideshow, the plan felt much more vivid and tangible than merely reading through the printed text. Indeed, the caliber of a top-tier international consulting firm is truly exceptional; it seemed to have stunned everyone in the room, including myself.

For more than two hours of presentation, the conference room remained dead silent. Even after Qin Yan finished speaking, the room stayed quiet as if everyone was still digesting the information. It was only when I suggested giving a round of applause to thank Capet Consulting for their hard work that the attendees joined in unison.

Next came the discussion session, which was the part I valued the most. Through everyone's remarks and debates, I could gauge their perspectives and opinions on the plan, which was the single most crucial factor for its successful implementation.

However, the first two speakers expressed absolute approval, heaping praise on the plan's professionalism and cutting-edge nature. While I agreed with their positive assessment, what I wanted to hear were dissenting voices. For a plan of this magnitude, which involved some ideas and measures that could be described as disruptive reforms, it was simply impossible for everyone to agree entirely. Only when those with reservations spoke out clearly could I take targeted action. What I feared most was people nodding in agreement to my face while obstructing things behind the scenes.

With this in consideration, I addressed the room:

"Let's skip the favorable comments for now. The plan itself is very well-crafted, and Manager Qin and her team have put in a tremendous amount of effort. However, our focus today should be on how to further refine and improve it. I would now encourage everyone to share any questions or different perspectives you might have. If you have any new ideas or thoughts, feel free to bring them up as well. After all, nobody is infallible, and since you all know the company's situation much better, pooling everyone's wisdom is always beneficial. Manager Qin also mentioned that she would love to hear your feedback, and soliciting opinions is a necessary part of the planning process." With that, I glanced at Qin Yan, and she nodded in understanding.

After I said this, the room fell silent for a moment, but eventually, someone stepped forward to share their views. After all, finding flaws in a document prepared by such a high-caliber institution was also a way for them to showcase their own competence, especially for the middle-level managers who were eager for an opportunity to shine.

The first to stand up and speak was Fang Dakale, the Deputy Director of the Human Resources Department sitting near the back. He began:

"Manager Qin, esteemed leaders, after reading the plan and listening to Manager Qin's brilliant presentation just now, I feel deeply inspired by the future goals outlined. However, since Chairman Wang specifically asked us to focus on questions and different perspectives, I feel compelled to share my inner worries and doubts. They may not be entirely correct, but I offer them for your reference."

I looked at Fang Dakale with an encouraging gaze, signaling him to continue.

"According to the targets set in the plan, sales are essentially expected to double in three years and quadruple in five, with profit growth targeted at an even higher rate. I have deep concerns about whether this growth pace is achievable. Although there are many new reform initiatives to support it, I still worry that such growth will be hard to realize. Furthermore, if this plan is submitted and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission uses these metrics to evaluate our company in the future, I am afraid that failing to meet these targets when the time comes will negatively impact the income of the company's leadership."

"My thoughts might not be entirely correct; perhaps I'm just overthinking it," Fang Dakale added, reiterating his point at the end.

It was evident that he had mustered a great deal of courage to step forward and voice these opinions. Moreover, by tying his perspective to the evaluation criteria of the state assets commission, he cleverly aligned his remarks with his professional responsibilities while simultaneously signaling that he was looking out for the leadership team's remuneration. One had to admit that Fang Dakale had put a lot of thought into this. As he spoke, I noticed quite a few people nodding inadvertently.

With the ice broken and the first dissenting opinion voiced, Zhou Wenhua, the Director of the Finance and Capital Department sitting across from me, took the turn:

"Let me say a few words. Following Chairman Wang's instruction to skip the pleasantries, I feel Director Fang's points make sense. It's not that the targets proposed in the plan are entirely impossible to achieve—after all, the plan mentions many concrete reform measures, and we cannot judge future growth solely by past speeds, but..." Just when everyone thought he was going to counter Fang Dakale and endorse the plan's development goals, he made a sudden pivot.

"All these reform measures require massive financial support to materialize. As the head of the department managing funds, my biggest concern is fundraising. If we fail to secure the capital needed to back these measures, they may become impossible to execute. And the amount of funding required is by no means small; frankly, I haven't thought of any good solutions to solve this yet."

"The company's current financial situation is relatively sound, but that is based on the scale of our existing operations. The room we have to maneuver in terms of financing is very narrow, and there might be a massive funding gap compared to what these measures demand. As for going public to raise capital, that is something for the future—distant water cannot quench an immediate thirst. This is my primary concern. It may just be a limitation of my own capability, as I truly cannot think of a better solution. However, I still recommend that the plan include corresponding supplementary funding safeguards, and I would ask the experts to offer us more advice on this front."

Zhou Wenhua's comments were also rooted in the responsibilities of his department, and his logical reasoning was flawless; if anything, they hit the nail right on the head. After he finished speaking, I noticed even more worried expressions on people's faces. If things continued this way, the very foundational logic of the plan would be called into question. Yet, it was inconvenient for me to say too much at this moment. Fortunately, Zhou Wenhua directly asked the experts for advice, tossing the ball right to Qin Yan. I was also curious to see how Qin Yan would handle this challenge.