leonardwarren Chapter 198 Visiting Uncle
Chapter 198 Visiting Uncle
Seeing Ling Yun constantly thinking and taking notes, Ling Jun was very satisfied with his nephew's attitude.
"You need to understand that the core of management is goals, personnel management, and systems."
"Furthermore," Ling Jun added, "you need to establish a system. It's not about people managing people, it's about systems managing people. The system needs to be simple, transparent, and fair. For example, promotions—what do you look at? Performance, contributions—it all needs to be clearly stated in black and white. For example, how are salaries distributed? What are they linked to? People need to know what's going on. Once the system is established, you won't have to be the referee every day."
"What if my subordinates gang up on me and try to fool me?" Ling Yun asked a pointed question.
Ling Jun stared at him for several seconds.
"This shows two things," he said. "First, you have problems with your personnel management. Second, your oversight mechanisms are flawed."
He stood up and walked to the courtyard wall, where a calligraphy scroll hung, bearing the words "Seek Truth from Facts" in Mao Zedong's calligraphy.
"Oversight is not about suspicion, but about necessary checks and balances." He pointed to the calligraphy, "Finance must be independently audited, business operations must be reviewed regularly, and important decisions must be documented. It's not about distrusting anyone, but about preventing major problems from arising in the company. And—"
He turned back: "You need to have your own 'core troops.' Not to form cliques, but to have a few absolutely reliable people in key positions. They don't necessarily have to be the most capable, but they must be loyal and of one mind with you. In critical moments, they can give you accurate information and help you stabilize the situation."
"Isn't this nepotism?"
"Yes," Ling Jun said frankly, "but you have to be clear: use trusted confidants for key positions and capable people for ordinary positions. Zhuge Liang made a mistake by using Ma Su to defend Jieting—Ma Su was a trusted confidant, but not a capable person for defending a city. And what was the result? The loss of Jieting."
He sat down; the tea had gone cold, but he picked it up and drank it all in one gulp.
"So what you should do right now is not to agonize over which path to choose, but to do three things first."
Which three items?
"First, clarify the current business. Which are the cash cows, which are future growth drivers, and which are strategic moves that require significant investment but are necessary? Categorize them and manage them differently."
Lingyun nodded and wrote in his notebook: Business Review.
"Second, build a team." Ling Jun held up his second finger. "Find a few people who can handle things independently. Technology, production, sales, finance—each area needs a reliable person in charge. Your job is to manage these people and let them manage their subordinates."
"And the third one?"
"Third," Ling Jun looked at him, "think carefully about what you really want. Do you want to grow the company, take it public, cash out, and leave? Or do you want to build a career and leave something behind? Once you've figured this out, you'll have a better choice of path ahead."
The wind rustled the grape leaves in the yard. In the distance, the long, drawn-out sound of a ship's horn echoed from the harbor.
Lingyun closed his notebook and let out a long sigh.
"I understand," he said.
"You really understand?" Ling Jun laughed. "I think you're still full of questions."
"Take it slow," Ling Yun smiled. "It always takes time."
"Yes." Ling Jun patted him on the shoulder. "You're still young, not even thirty yet, and you've already achieved this much. That's very good. Don't rush, take it one step at a time. Remember one thing—"
He paused for a moment and then said:
"Strategically despise the enemy, tactically respect the enemy." In management terms, this means: be confident in the big picture and dare to think and act; but be cautious and proceed step by step in specific tasks.
Lingyun wrote down this sentence.
"By the way," Ling Jun suddenly asked, "Are you confident about that bet you made with Soros?"
Ling Yun was taken aback: "How did you know?"
"Your sister told me," Ling Jun laughed. "She's worried about you."
"I'm confident," Ling Yun said. "Hong Kong can't lose."
"That's good." Ling Jun stood up. "Come on, let's go inside and eat. Your aunt made mackerel dumplings, a specialty of Weihai."
The two went inside. Dumplings and several side dishes were already laid out on the dining table, and the old lady was serving soup in the kitchen.
During the meal, Ling Jun didn't talk about work anymore. Instead, they chatted about the weather in Weihai, his cousin's new house in Jinan, and Ling Yun's grandfather's health.
After finishing the meal, Lingyun offered to help wash the dishes, but was chased away by the old lady.
"Go away, you two go talk."
Back in the courtyard, it was already dark. The sea breeze in Weihai was even cooler at night, so Lingyun wrapped her coat tighter around herself.
"Uncle," he said, standing under the grape trellis, "thank you."
"No need to thank me." Ling Jun stood under the eaves, lit a cigarette, the red star glowing intermittently in the darkness. "We're family, it's nothing."
"I'm going back to Silicon Valley next week."
"Okay. Busy as you are, take care of yourself."
"Know."
After finishing his cigarette, Ling Jun stubbed it out.
"Xiaoyun," he said, "what you're doing now is big and difficult. But remember, even the biggest things are accomplished one by one. Safety comes first, not only in your career but also in your personal safety. In other countries, many people don't follow the rules."
"I've got it."
"Let's go back," Ling Jun waved his hand. "Is the driver waiting at the door?"
"exist."
"Drive carefully."
Ling Yun walked out of the courtyard, and the iron gate closed gently behind him.
Before getting on the bus, he looked back.
The lights in the courtyard were still on, casting dappled patterns on the ground through the leaves of the grape trellis.
After the conversation, Ling Yun felt a little more at ease, as if the tangled mess in her mind had been eased.
He knew where to start: production and research should be promoted together, but managed separately.
The car started and drove away from the residential compound.
In the courtyard, Ling Jun lit another cigarette and stood under the calligraphy of "Seeking Truth from Facts" for a long time.
He wondered how far this nephew could go.
Perhaps, it's further than anyone thinks.