Vol. 1 - Ch. 25 - Let’s change our mindset a little

When the CEO collapsed and was taken away; when the business partner chased after him, grabbed him by the collar and made a fuss; when he first encountered his mother lying unconscious in the intensive care unit, even when the nurse in charge silently patted him on the back and looked at him with sympathy, he all wanted to run away. He even had the illusion that there might be another path if he could escape reality.Was it out of fear? Out of anxiety? No. It was when he wanted it so badly. And when it was something he had never experienced before.

Even though he knew that there was only despair at the end of the escape, not paradise, he still sometimes dreamed of such an escape. But he could not do that.

It was not because of the eyes of others, or because of a sense of responsibility or duty as a human being, or any such grand reason. It was simply because he felt that he would not be able to face himself for the rest of his life if he ran away like that. That was the only reason.

Jae-Yoon wondered if this person felt the same way.

“Fortunately, you didn’t run away.”

“If I had run away, wouldn’t you have chased after me, grabbed me by the collar, and dragged me back, Mr. Min?”

Oh PD smiled at CEO Jeong’s joke.

CEO Jeong continued, looking at Oh PD, “I really enjoyed watching the broadcast. The directing was good too. Everyone wants to have those home appliances. In fact, I know it too, that we can’t beat the big companies.”

“You can be confident enough. You’ve proven it with this broadcast.”

“It was Mr. Min who set the stage for me to prove it. Thanks to that, it was also an opportunity to look back on our products objectively. And, Mr. Min?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you. I really mean it. Thanks to you, we were able to pay bonuses for the first time since the company was founded.”

Jae-Yoon replied with a smile instead of an answer.

In the midst of the warm and friendly conversation, CEO Jeong Do-Jun placed two large shopping bags on the table. Even without opening them, it was clear they contained MilkBot’s new model.

“Is this the new model?”

“As expected, you’re quick on the uptake. This is the product we’re developing, aiming for mass production next month.”

“Judging by the large boxes, it seems it has special features?”

“It’s a model with a mop cleaning tower installed.”

“Those are popular these days. If MilkBot made it, I’m looking forward to it.”

“We plan to supply this exclusively to It’s. From now on, new products will be exclusively selected by It’s first, I promise you that with my position as a CEO. Thanks to this broadcast, our employees’ morale has really improved.” CEO Jeong laughed playfully.

Oh PD took out the product. She examined it and exclaimed excitedly. It was clearly the sincere gaze of a 10-year veteran housewife.

“Exclusive launch... Of course, the price will be exclusive too? Wow, the design looks great. Milk Gray, Milk Pink. I’ll definitely order one when it goes live.”

“Of course, Oh PD, that’s a given.”

At CEO Jeong’s response, Jae-Yoon looked at him with a surprised expression. Where did the guy who said he would never cut the price go? Now he has an innocent face like a friendly client manager.

CEO Jeong continued confidently, “The release price is 1.49 million won. It even has a hot air drying feature.”

At the moment it crossed Jae-Yoon’s mind that the price was expensive, Oh Eun-Sun PD clapped her hands and said, “It’s 100,000 won cheaper than similar spec products from other companies. The launch price is good. If this had been released by Liv or Galaxy, it would definitely be over 2 million won.”

Oh PD started asking about the functions and prices as if she were in charge of the product.

Power consumption. Cleaning tank replacement cycle. Odor solution. A serious conversation ensued, leading to the most important topic: the price.

“The exclusive price for It’s Home Shopping will be 1.19 million won. Will you be satisfied with that?”

“Wow, of course. What do you think, Mr. Min?”

Jae-Yoon answered Oh PD’s question calmly, “How would I know? You would know better, Mrs. PD.”

“Who will be the MD in charge...? Would you like to do it together again this time?”

“Wow, I’m never going into the War Room again.”

“Then, since it’s a small home appliance, we’ll have to hire an MD from the Home Appliance Team or the General Team."

CEO Jeong and Oh PD clinked their coffee cups together and made their resolutions.

“Cheers! But Mr. Jeong, what about our commission…?”

“Oh, you didn’t know? We’ve recently been listed at Galaxy Department Store. We also have retail promotions set up on 7th Avenue and Poopang. CEO Min of It’s is our benefactor. We can’t cut the commission. Just make a proposal, and we’ll proceed accordingly. Not that you’d ask for a 50% commission, right?”

“How could we? It’s aims for the Fair Trade Commission’s standard contract. How about we draft the contract right away?”

There was a saying that you had to pull out the bull’s horns in one go. And so Oh PD left the CEO’s office with Jeong Do-Jun.

Watching Oh PD walk out, making a V sign with her right hand behind her back, Jae-Yoon was once again convinced that she was the central figure in the picture he was painting.

The last Monday of the month.

It would be the day of the Product Planning Department’s team leader meeting, and Jae-Yoon’s first assignment: the products that each team had selected as ‘products to be launched based on the MD’s judgment’ were to be put on trial.

Jae-Yoon reviewed the submitted materials. The products had become much more diverse. It even felt fresh, like a new season.

Products with guaranteed sales were the basics, the so-called ‘bread and butter’ products. But these were also necessary to bring a breath of fresh air. It was only natural to attract viewers from various age groups to home shopping.

“You came to work early.”

“So did you, Section Chief.”

It was not even 8 o’clock. Section Chief Lee Hyun-Woong tried to hide the documents he had prepared as he asked. It was the same data that Jae-Yoon was looking at.

“I guess you’re preparing for the meeting. There are a lot of innovative products.”

“Yes. I was surprised. It’s good to see more unique products because they definitely break the mold. There are also many interesting ones. What product are you most looking forward to, Mr. Lee?”

“Jeju Island’s gourmet meal kit, I’m really looking forward to that. I’m going to order it when it airs. I mentioned it briefly, and my wife seems to be looking forward to it too. I wanted to go there to eat, but I really hate waiting in line.”

The Food Team had always wanted a smooth flow. They had always focused on a lineup that was conscious of It’s Food, but Jeju’s famous gourmet meal kit was an innovative lineup that had never existed before.

“Which product stood out to you the most?”

Following Jae-Yoon’s index finger, Section Chief Lee’s gaze also moved.

“The memory foam pillow? Mogro has dominated the memory foam pillow market, haven’t they?”

“Well, the raw material cost for memory foam is similar. It’s a me-too product, but the price is less than half, so I think it has a good chance of being a hit.”

“Overall, what did you think?” Section Chief Lee Hyun-Woong asked with interest.

“It exceeded my expectations. I think real change and innovation will be possible now…”

“Breaking the mold is the most important thing. I didn’t know you would prepare so actively. Wow. It will take all night to read this carefully.”

It was the most excited Lee Hyun-Woong had ever seen him. Every time he turned a page of the data, he replaced his words with a colorful expression.

“Well, I’m curious about your next thought. Is the reorganization of the MD Team the most important thing?”

“Oh my. Is there a time when the director asks such a question? The most important thing is still the Product Planning Department.”

Anyway, home shopping was a channel that sold products. The first step in sales was product planning. However, no matter what channel it was, the finishing was more important for a businessman.

Jae-Yoon answered, making eye contact with Lee Hyun-Woong, “Before that, I plan to slowly work my way up from the bottom.”

“The bottom? You can’t mean the Customer Satisfaction Department?”

“Oh, while we’re on that topic, could you please request the personnel data and expenditure details from the Customer Satisfaction Department for the last two years? I’d like to review them.”

“Huh. So you did mean the Customer Satisfaction Department. I’ll have the relevant department prepare the materials right away and send them to you.”

At 8:55 a.m., Jae-Yoon gathered the documents and headed to the conference room attached to the CEO’s office. At this hour, it should normally be bustling outside, but the quiet atmosphere made him tilt his head in puzzlement as he grabbed the door handle to the conference room.

“Mr. Min, you’re here.”

The ten seats were tightly packed with no empty spaces. The eyes of ten people turned to Jae-Yoon at the same time. Meeting materials were being displayed on the meeting room’s roll screen. Jae-Yoon glanced around the meeting room.

As soon as Jae-Yoon appeared, everyone greeted him with polite gestures. The coffee cups placed in front of them were already more than half empty.

“You all came early.”

As soon as he took his seat, they answered one after another.

“Oh, of course. We have to be seated at least twenty minutes early.”

“Everything is set up, so you can start the meeting right away.”

“Mr. Min, please help yourself to some tea.”

The Home Appliances team leader handed him a glass of iced coffee. When he looked at the cup holder, he saw the logo of a famous independent café that was quite far from the company.

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it. It smells nice.”

Jae-Yoon had clearly just come in after drinking one, but his hand kept reaching for the fragrant coffee.

“Does it suit your taste?”

“Yes. It’s smooth and nice.”

“Oh, I’m glad. Then I’ll prepare it every time we have a meeting.”

The main topic of the meeting was definitely the plans that each team had brought. The team leaders exchanged honest opinions about the products. The name of the MD in charge, who was the original planner of the product, was also mentioned subtly.

Curious about the CEO’s true thoughts, Oh Chan-Seong, the team leader of the Miscellaneous Goods Team, asked, “Mr. Min, are you planning to provide an evaluation?”

“No, please proceed as you are. The conviction of the person in charge is always the right answer. You all put a lot of thought into preparing these, so we can’t put them on trial before they even air. The evaluation should come from consumers, not internal employees.”

Everyone nodded quietly at Jae-Yoon’s answer.

“Wow… Mr. Min. Thank you for understanding. I’ll prepare diligently and repay you with good results,” Oh Chan-Seong spoke in a much brighter voice.

He had been worried that it was just lip service. After all, the thoughts of those high up there often changed several times a day. It would not be an exaggeration to say that there were even some who did not remember what they said yesterday.

“Can I say something too?” Park Choong-In, who had been sitting quietly, slowly raised his hand.

The other nine people glanced at Park Choong-In, then fixed their eyes on the data.

“Yes, Mr. Park, please speak.” Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ n0vᴇl(ꜰ)ire.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

“I think…an evaluation might be necessary…”

Park Choong-In glanced around subtly. I’m sure there’s one or two team leaders who think the same as me. Two is better than one. Three is even better.

“Ahem, excuse me for a moment, Mr. Min. I’m curious about the thoughts of the other team leaders. Team Leader Kim, Team Leader Jang, what do you think? Is it really okay without a critique?” When he noticed them avoiding his gaze, he sighed and continued speaking, “Come on. Give us your thoughts. Are you all that confident?”

Park Choong-In’s question was met with lukewarm responses.

“Aren’t you the one lacking confidence, Team Leader Park?”

“No, that’s not what I’m…”

Oh Chan-Seong looked straight at Park Choong-In as he spoke. It was a rebellion from the youngest. This youngest member used to be so respectful to his seniors, but today, he spoke in a calmer and more serious tone than any other day.

“We’ve already agreed and decided on this, so if you try to backtrack now, it will put us in an awkward position.”

“Agreed, you say…”

“Mr. Min, if I may be so bold. The remarks made by the General Team team leader just now do not represent our opinion. I want to make that clear.”

Following Team Leader Oh Chan-Seong’s words, the Sports team leader, who had been twirling his pen while watching Park Choong-In, chipped in, “That’s right. I wonder if we’ve ever planned so comfortably since joining the company.”

The Home Appliances team leader also said, “We’ve already finalized the negotiations on commissions and quantities with our partners.”

The Women’s Fashion team leader added, “It’s only once a month, but thanks to this planning, the team atmosphere has really improved. We feel free to voice our opinions now. Rather than irresponsible planning...I’d like to convey that it has helped boost employee morale.”

As if they had been waiting, they calmly began to express their opinions.