Chapter 55: Heart-to-heart
Tao Tang naturally didn't know that he was being calculated by his little secretary.
He went to Zhao Qingmin's office and talked about it through a questionnaire.
"Secretary Zhao, the questionnaire has been received. I looked at the secretaries' statistics, and although they were not complete, they were pretty much telling. There are four issues that employees are most concerned about, the first is the increase in income, and they hope that the company will increase their wages every year. The second is the development of the company, and half of the questionnaire talked about development, which is very gratifying. The third is the problem of corruption, everyone believes that the company has a relatively serious phenomenon, especially in terms of employment. The fourth is welfare, which has been talked about a lot, mainly on the housing issue, and hopes that the company will build more affordable housing. In addition, there are many people who talk about quality problems, and believe that the main reason for the shrinkage of the market is product quality problems. By the way, there is also the phenomenon of thinking that the company is eating and drinking very seriously. There are not only at the company level, but also at the grassroots level. As long as you work overtime, you must eat and drink. The veteran comrades of the retirement management center have the greatest opinion on this. β
Zhao Qingmin looked at Tao Tang for a long time before saying, "What are you going to do?" I think, since you have just made such a show when you took office, there must be a coherent backhand. β
"Secretary Zhao, this is public opinion. We must pay attention. Whatever can be corrected, we must make immediate changes. Didn't the Central Committee talk about the mass line? This is the implementation of the mass line. β
If he didn't know that Tao Tang had been the leader of Shengdong Company for more than three years, Zhao Qingmin would have ridiculed Tao Tang for being naΓ―ve in his heart. Mass reaction? If we all govern according to the feedback of the masses, we will simply not be able to do it! However, Tao Tang came up with the Shengdong experience and saved a large factory in trouble, which was a real political achievement, which was fully recognized and highly praised by the headquarters. Zhao Qingmin didn't dare to ridicule Tao Tang, and now he didn't have the capital to wrestle with Tao Tang. The most important thing is that after experiencing the Yang Song case, Zhao Qingmin only hopes to retire from his current position for a few years peacefully, and he basically has no fighting spirit.
"Mr. Tao, you've been here for more than ten days, and I've always wanted to talk to you, if you don't have anything important, just listen to my nagging."
"I have already stated that you are the secretary of the party committee, the superior of my party, and you are the big brother, you have been working in Red Star for decades, and the situation is much more familiar than me. You say, I'm listening. β
"Mr. Tao, what I said is definitely from my heart. We don't talk about party spirit, we only talk about conscience. What you have done in the factory for more than ten days, I see it in my eyes, and everyone also sees it. Come early and leave late every day, don't eat small stoves to eat canteens, ride bicycles to the workshop, care about the hardships of employees, blow a breath of fresh air to our factory, and bring hope. To be honest, I admire and am happy. There's a good leader for Red Star. What I want to tell you today is a little bit of my heart, what I said is not right, don't be angry. β
"How so? You say. Tao Tang looked at Zhao Qingmin quietly.
"The first is your personal life. I think you're too disciplined. Yes, we are all leading cadres and should take the lead in implementing the organization's regulations in all aspects. However, egalitarianism has been criticized by the elderly, and it can't be said that the chief rides a horse, everyone rides a horse, right? Horseback riding is a job necessity. This was still the case during the war years, let alone now. You are the head of a factory, and you are single, what's wrong with eating a small stove? Who hasn't eaten a cafeteria when they're younger? No matter how big pot rice is made, you can't make a small stove. What should I do if I have a stomach problem? Mr. Jiang is old and in poor health, Mr. Ma is in charge of production, and he spends almost half of his time at the grassroots level every day. These are all small things, you do it right, do it well, meet the new requirements above, and it is a mobilization order for the company's team, which we should learn. I'm talking about a matter of proportion. Not a big deal. But there are a few things I want to say. β
Tao Tang didn't say anything and looked at Zhao Qingmin.
"Let's start with this questionnaire. I know that you want to understand the ideological dynamics of the employees and prescribe the right medicine. The opinions of the employees cannot be ignored, nor can they be taken as they say. Let's talk about salary, it's not that I don't want to be long, but I have a weak heart. I can't do things because of people, Lao Song was already aware of this problem when he was there, and he studied the transfer of capital more than once, but he was restricted by the conditions and couldn't afford it. Despite the difficulties, in 2011, it was not a gritted tooth adjustment and a per capita increase of 350 yuan, but the result? brought out a lot of contradictions, and there are still people calling for it. β
"Well, a lot of questionnaires talked about the unreasonableness of the last capital adjustment."
"About hospitality...... How long have you been here? I'm already saying that you're big on the shelf. β
"Oh? That's really going to be heard. β
"Nothing else, it's because of the reception. Truth be told, there are a lot fewer customers than before. Our factory is a large factory, a provincial and municipal, a group, always in an endless stream, in fact, it is normal. It's like living a life, and a family where ghosts don't come to the door must be doing well. For example, last week, the Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau came to check environmental protection, and Zhou Bing invited you, but you didn't go. Director Ping was not very happy. I listened to Lao Zhou. Mr. Tao, I have worked as an administrative deputy and have sat in this chair for five and a half years, and I don't think there is anyone who understands the general manager better than me. There's no way, if you don't drink a few glasses of wine, people will be unhappy, and if you don't do it, you will be put in small shoes. Song Yue was investigated, and one of them was eating and drinking. I won't hide it from you, when the Commission for Discipline Inspection questioned me, I spoke for Song Yue, can't you eat it? If this is also a problem, I, the party secretary, also have a big problem...... It is difficult for state-owned enterprises, and it is even more difficult for the leaders of state-owned enterprises, and it is even more difficult for the top leaders of state-owned enterprises. If you can't complete the business indicators, you can't pay the difference, and if there is a problem with safety and stability, it will not work. Especially in a very closed environment like Red Star, you are the patriarch, and the employees eat, drink, and sleep, no matter what, and you have to manage it well. You ordered the two workers of the power company to enter the factory, and there was a cheer below. But it has brought a lot of passivity to Xiao Liu's work, and once this opening is opened, I am afraid that it will not be blocked in the future. There is a shortage of people in the workshop, but there is no shortage of people in the organs, how many of these college graduates are willing to sink? This is still a trivial matter, Xiao Liu will understand, the key is to affect the problem, you see, if you don't do it, it will bring out a bunch of problems. The personnel control indicators are issued from above, which only decreases but does not increase every year, forcing enterprises to strictly control the entrance...... There is also a house, firstly, it is rumored that our factory is going to be relocated, and secondly, it is limited by the price, and the workers do not do it if it is high, and the factory cannot afford it if it is low. The batch of houses built in 09 lost more than 20 million yuan as a result of the audit, and it is still hanging on the books. It's hard to do good things......"
Zhao Qingmin looked at Tao Tang with a calm face, and felt that what he said was a bit too much, "These are not big problems, I can do work, such as personnel issues and the legacy of capital transfer, and I won't let these bad things distract you." There is one thing, I must say...... It's a matter of marketing. You went to East Lake, Li Luo felt the pressure and reflected it to me. The main thing is that the contract of more than 300 million. Li Luo felt that you slapped his face, it was not that he didn't want to sign, but he was worried that the cost would not be bearable. Li Luo is a person, he has the ability and the problem. Because we are the top leaders of the party and government, I can only tell you some things, is it a bit hasty? After all, there is a financial opinion left there. β
Tao Tang still listened quietly.
"Mr. Tao, you are the number one, and the red star is yours. I know that you are bent on doing a good job of Red Star, and I admire your experience in Shengdong. That's probably the main reason why the headquarters transferred you. I still say the same thing, I absolutely support your work and definitely help you make up for it. However, Mr. Tao, if you want to hurry, you can't reach it. The situation with Red Star is complicated and needs to be taken slowly. β
"Thank you, Secretary Zhao." Tao Tang saw that Zhao Qingmin's words were finished, "I also have something in my heart that I want to talk to you." It's kind of a heart-to-heart to the secretary. β
Tao Tang sorted out his thoughts, "Let's start with the questionnaire first. Indeed, I just want to know what the employees of Red Star are thinking, what they want us to do and what they don't want us to do...... I have always believed that the interests of the company and the interests of the employees are the same, and there is no fundamental conflict. Because we are a state-owned enterprise and a national team, we can't just pursue profit maximization like East Lake, we still have more things on our shoulders. Is this a burden? Not exactly. I firmly believe that even after more than 30 years of reform and development, private enterprises have been vigorously developing today, in terms of perfect management and staff quality, there is still a big gap between ordinary private enterprises and us, not to mention the perfect party and mass labor organizations. I saw that the provincial newspaper the day before yesterday reported on the riots of Foxconn employees in Beiyang, and in private enterprises, it is impossible for the interests of business owners and employees to be consistent, but state-owned enterprises can theoretically. Why is there a cadre-group antagonism? I'm afraid the reason has to start from us senior managers. β
Tao Tang poured himself a glass of white water and took a sip, "Secretary Zhao, what conditions do you think are needed to revive the Red Star?" β
"It's complicated." Zhao Qingmin was very happy that Tao Tang opened his heart to him, "I'm afraid one or two sentences can't be said clearly." But I think that a large company like ours with too heavy historical baggage may not be able to use simple measures, and it needs a big opportunity, such as strategic restructuring......"
"That's a clichΓ©. You mean relocation. I don't think the relocation will solve the problem of Red Star. The relocation will not solve the market problem first, the second will not solve the technical problem, the third will not receive sufficient financial compensation, and the fourth will definitely lead to the temporary withdrawal of Red Star from the market...... To be honest, I don't see any chance for Red Star to take off as a result. This brings a very serious problem, to solve the difficulties of the Red Star, not to rely on Pingquan, not to rely on the headquarters, and not to rely on the province. The local leaders will not really consider the problem from the standpoint of the red star, we are just a pawn of others. Solving the problems of the Red Star is ultimately up to us. It depends on the more than 20,000 employees of Red Star. β
Zhao Qingmin nodded. He agrees with Tao Tang's judgment, he has never looked forward to the relocation of Red Star, he thinks about it from himself, the relocation will bring countless contradictions, Tao Tang can pay attention to the operation, he, the party secretary, is responsible for stability, he doesn't want to be in endless trouble. Maybe he won't be able to finish that big thing in his years in office...... But he didn't think much of Tao Tang's last sentence, which was tantamount to saying it in vain.
Tao Tang took a sip of water, "The central government advocates the mass line and puts forward a series of specific requirements, which I think is a very wise move. The central authorities have seen the crux of the problem, and all the problems that have been exposed now have an inexplicable relationship with the detachment of the leadership from the masses. The same is true of Red Star, there is no need to be shy about it. What I want to tell you, or hope to agree with you, is how to stimulate the enthusiasm of employees and stimulate the attention of more than 20,000 people and thousands of collective workers to the survival and development of the enterprise! What a force this is? Why are the employees more and more antagonistic to us, the responsibility is ours, not the employees. Easier said than done, we people, do not put in hard work, do not pay sacrifices, will not win the trust of employees. I have done what I have done, and I will do it in the future, and this is the purpose. It's not about fame and reputation. My personal strength is limited, I need your support, I need the unified pace of the two-level team, and I must let the employees see our sincerity and see that we regard them as the owners of the enterprise rather than workers. β
That's exactly right. In one sentence, it is both an unquestionable truth and a super nonsense. Zhao Qingmin looked at Tao Tang and lit a cigarette. He doesn't have much addiction to cigarettes, only three or five cigarettes a day, and usually only smokes when he is upset.
"To win the trust of the workers, or to follow the mass line, we need actions, not slogans. Let's take a few things that we just discussed, it's definitely not right to eat and drink, and I think we must have hospitality standards, but they don't strictly enforce them. As for some government agencies who think I don't come forward, I'm like this in Shengdong, who I love, I have my own measure. Problems that belong to us, we actively and do what we can to rectify them. It's not a problem that doesn't belong to us, and they can't do anything about us. When the children of those two workers entered the factory, I didn't think about the follow-up issues. Personnel issues have always been sensitive, I understand. I think about it this way, the aging of employees in our factory has become more serious. I looked at a statistic and the average age was 35 years old. On the surface, it doesn't seem serious, but in reality it is not. I asked Pan Chenggui that in recent years, only technical school students and demobilized soldiers have been added to the skilled team, and the number has been decreasing year by year. Every year, college students who enter the factory have entered the management and technical positions, and it is okay to reserve some people in the technical mouth, and it is not a good thing to increase the management mouth, which will only make the institution more and more bloated. I think that as long as they are children of the factory, all college students can enter the factory, but they may not be arranged for cadre positions, who said that college students can't do skills? The key is still a question of treatment. This involves the reform of the salary system, which cannot be rushed, and it is necessary to do sufficient research and study, and it is also necessary to follow the mass line...... As for me eating in a big canteen, riding a bicycle to the workshop is also a problem, so it's more worrying. I know you care about me, but I'm going to keep going, and hopefully both teams will follow. I eat small stoves for free every day, and I take a luxury car to the workshop, and the employees will not regard me as a general manager, but as a boss and a capitalist. I won't hear anything real, and I won't get the support of the staff. Finally, there is marketing, and I have a hunch that the biggest trouble is here, and I also perceive some contradictions. Some may be caused by the mechanism, and some may be blamed on the leadership. Marketing is the head of the dragon, the head of the dragon sags, and the dragon body and tail can't dance. I don't believe in financial data, losses have always been relative, I am ruthless in Shengdong to implement lean management, to put it bluntly, it is saving. You may not expect how many things Shengdong Company has squeezed out from the implementation of lean management, which is thrilling. In the next step, I will personally grasp this matter, what does it mean not to do it? I'm afraid that the original management and business model can't do it. I hope you support this, whoever stands in my way in this regard, I will knock out someone's job, there is nothing to discuss. β
Zhao Qingmin remembered Ming Xiaoyue. His arrangement was completely on the right track, at least in tune with Tao Tang's beat...... This is the general manager's job, and he has no right to put his beak, "You can rest assured that I will support this and do a good job of making up for it." He did not express his position on Tao Tang's "speech", but expressed support for Tao Tang's preparation to pay close attention to cost and leanness.
"I know that you want to get rid of the adverse effects of the Yang Song case as soon as possible, and that's right. But simple statements will not work. I am not a Commission for Discipline Inspection, nor am I a member of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, and I dare not guarantee that there will be no problems in the two-level teams. That's it in April, we must pay close attention to May, we must complete it in strict accordance with the monthly plan, I want to have a meeting before the holiday, the scope is not large, I will talk about business and production, you will talk about party building and propaganda work, blow the wind to the main cadres, and strive to hand over a good answer sheet in May. β
"Yes." Zhao Qingmin nodded, "Mr. Tao, I don't mean anything else." I fully support your idea. However, I still think, don't be too self-disciplined, oh, I'm not encouraging you to go, but your position is really not easy. β
"Secretary, I have the confidence to mobilize the enthusiasm of the staff, but I can't do it without your support. Just now I mentioned propaganda work, I paid attention to the radio and the factory newspaper, and I have some ideas. In that case, I would like to say a few words about the propaganda work at the meeting. β
"That's good. You are the number one, and you are also supporting me. β
The conversation lasted almost an hour, and the atmosphere was generally good. Zhao Qingmin wanted to mention the matter of Ming Xiaoyue, but held back. It is impossible for Tao Tang to cross him to solve the vacancy of the finance department, and we will talk about it when the time comes. Zhao Qingmin turned to think that it would be good for him to have a tacit understanding with Tao Tang, at least it would increase his power. He is obviously much stronger than Song Yue in this regard.