Yang Congrong’s fingers tapped rhythmically on the table as he finally nodded and said to me, “Although I’m reluctant to admit it, the problems you mentioned do exist, and they are ones we must face squarely… Please continue, I’m listening attentively.”
Jian Wei, sitting opposite Yang Congrong, finally breathed a sigh of relief. Throughout, I hadn’t felt even a hint of nervousness, because a leader who cannot accept different opinions is definitely unqualified. If Yang Congrong lacked even this basic leadership quality, he would never have built “Yiru Travel Network” into the nation’s largest independent travel website.
I organized my thoughts briefly before continuing, “We can define Yiru Travel Network as a B2C commercial website. In the current market environment, e-commerce platforms are indeed the new darlings of the retail industry. However, their inherent shortcomings such as poor experiential quality and difficulty in ensuring transaction security cannot be ignored. Of course, traditional retail also has many flaws. Therefore, both e-commerce and traditional retailers are avoiding their weaknesses and encroaching into each other’s domains. Against this backdrop, a new O2O sales model has emerged. I believe Yiru Travel Network should definitely be a pioneer in this O2O sales model. Therefore, besides being a traditional offline commercial travel website, we also need our own production capabilities, transitioning the website towards multifunctionality to form a real core competitiveness.”
Yang Congrong pondered for a long time with his chin resting on his hand before saying to me, “I’d like to hear specifics about this so-called productivity.”
I replied incisively, “Productivity means developing derivative products centered on the travel network, building our own enterprises, such as producing related travel goods, setting up an online travel goods store, and developing our own hotels within scenic areas, allowing online and offline models to penetrate each other and ultimately forming a complete tourism industry chain within our own system.”
Yang Congrong looked at me incredulously but didn’t rush to comment. At this moment, I finally felt nervous because the above statements were based solely on my personal judgment without actual data support. However, on second thought, if there were supporting evidence, it wouldn’t be called innovation anymore. Therefore, once an idea emerges, what’s often tested is the leader’s decision-making ability.
Finally, Yang Congrong said to me, “You indeed provided a developmental idea, but have you considered how much funding is required to develop according to this idea? Yiru Travel Network has gone through three rounds of financing so far, with the most recent round securing only $20 million, equivalent to about 124 million RMB.”
I smiled and said, “Given your reputation in the industry, as long as you have the confidence to pursue this path, raising funds won’t be a big problem. Of course, for the sake of prudence, we could also execute this idea more conservatively.”
“How would you do that conservatively?”
“For example, with the project of opening scenic area hotels, we could start with small-scale pilot operations to verify the feasibility of this idea.”
Yang Congrong looked at me and nodded with a smile, saying, “Your thinking is indeed thorough… I suppose guiding me to open scenic area hotels is probably your real intention, isn’t it?”
I glanced at Jian Wei, wondering if she had already mentioned to Yang Congrong that I run a scenic area guesthouse.
Jian Wei gave me a look indicating that she had.
I exhaled slightly to relax myself before saying to Yang Congrong, “Uncle Yang, I have to admit that I indeed operate a guesthouse outside the scenic area in Xitang. However, I wouldn’t dare to hope that this guesthouse could become a pilot hotel for Yiru Travel Network, as it has many inherent flaws. My real intention is simply to run a special advertising feature on your website.”
Yang Congrong asked with interest, “Tell me, what kind of special advertising feature do you hope to run on our website?”
I immediately informed him about the “Perfect Travel Plan” I had recently been preparing.
Yang Congrong smiled and said, “At its core, your Perfect Travel Plan is a modified form of joint marketing. It caters to the needs of some tourists, but on the other hand, it also has the suspicion of tied selling. Are you aware of this yourself?”
I nodded and said, “The problem you mentioned indeed exists, but our biggest advantage as small businesses is our flexibility and mobility. We have ample room to transform such tied selling into reputation-based selling.”
After listening to me, Yang Congrong praised, “You’re very clear about the strengths and weaknesses in business operations and know how to use your advantages to avoid disadvantages. This time, I choose to trust my instincts and give your guesthouse an opportunity…”
He paused slightly before continuing, “I also hope you can use this opportunity to reverse the weaknesses in guesthouse operations. If you can deliver excellent results, it won’t be impossible for your guesthouse to become a pilot hotel for Yiru Travel Network in the future!”
Jian Wei instinctively leaned forward and asked, “Uncle Yang, does that mean you agree to help Zhao Yang’s guesthouse run a special advertising feature on your website?”
Yang Congrong nodded seriously.
Jian Wei then cautiously added, “I have to declare in advance that he doesn’t have the money to pay for your advertising fees!”
Yang Congrong looked at me and said, “If he really had the money to pay these fees, he wouldn’t need to go all the way to Xitang to open a guesthouse… This advertising feature will be my gift to him as a return. His words today were indeed helpful to me. Whether we use it or not is another matter, but at least it provides a feasible idea for Yiru Travel Network’s future development.”
After receiving Yang Congrong’s assurance, Jian Wei was very happy and immediately clapped her hands, saying, “Pleased to cooperate, pleased to cooperate.”
Finally relieved, I stood up and shook hands with Yang Congrong.
As I was about to sit down, Jian Wei stood up and grabbed my sleeve, saying, “Zhao Yang, now tell Jian Boyu to his face that you will definitely make this guesthouse a nationally renowned chain of scenic area guesthouses.”
I was somewhat taken aback, and Jian Boyu was even more surprised. We looked at Jian Wei with the same expression but understood why she had such a request.
I knew that it was inappropriate to make any declarations in front of Jian Boyu while Yang Congrong was present. However, recalling past events, I felt an intense sense of oppression. Finally, I smiled at Jian Boyu and said, “Personally, I’m very grateful to Jian Wei for introducing me to Uncle Yang Congrong, giving my guesthouse the opportunity to gain advertising resources on Yiru Network. Therefore, to live up to her expectations, I will definitely manage this guesthouse well, with the goal of making it a nationally renowned chain of scenic area guesthouses.”
Jian Boyu’s expression was extremely grim, but he ultimately didn’t erupt, merely saying to me, “Young man, don’t be too arrogant about your talent.”
Jian Wei smiled meaningfully and then took over the conversation, “President Jian, do you admit now that he has talent?”
Jian Boyu’s expression turned even grimmer. Possibly because Yang Congrong was present, he still restrained himself and said to Jian Wei, “Vivi, don’t be so willful, and don’t bring personal emotions into such a business setting.”
Jian Wei continued to look at Jian Boyu with a complex expression, while Yang Congrong finally sensed something and came to the rescue by saying, “Old Jian, didn’t you have a meeting to attend this afternoon? You’d better hurry and not be late.”
Jian Boyu nodded, avoiding Jian Wei’s intense gaze, then picked up his briefcase and walked out the door.
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