Chapter 130: Business is All About Tricks
TL: Etude
Jiang Qin was completely unaware of the events unfolding at the Entrepreneurship Center because he had spent the entire afternoon at Linchuan University of Science and Technology following an interview at noon.
The business at the Xi Tian branch was doing quite well, already showing signs of long queues. However, the three neighboring tea shops were not sitting idly by.
To counter Xi Tians dominance, they had secretly joined forces and been running a price-cutting promotion for the past three days, turning the whole event into a highly competitive affair.
Jiang Qin thought this was quite normal since theres no business without competition.
He calmly had the part-time college students in his shop place a well-prepared signboard at the most conspicuous spot under the girls dormitory. Seizing the opportunity, he launched the concept of The First Cup of Xi Tian of Autumn, and had four banners hung at the four entrances north, south, east, and west. This strategy effectively left the three competing shops across the street without business for an entire afternoon.
Little Liu, why are you playing with your phone during work hours?
Boss, we dont have any customers; everyones gone to the other side.
The owner of the Really Tasty Tea Shop gritted his teeth in frustration as he watched the long queue at the opposing store.
At this moment, Jiang Qin was standing on the steps of Xi Tian, listening to Wei Lanlans work report while distributing flyers to students passing by.
The name Xi Tian itself was quite interesting. In their promotion, they intentionally separated the two characters, infusing the meaning of liking the sweetness of you, and combined with the First Cup of Xi Tian of Autumn, their marketing strategy was exceptionally powerful. (ignore it, doesnt make sense in English)
Price promotions are indeed very attractive to regular buyers, but if its about buying gifts, then promotions lose their significance.
Simply put, this trick is akin to marketing strategies that bind diamonds with love. Ordinary diamonds have little value by themselves, but once associated with love, even if theyre exorbitantly priced, people rush to buy them.
Whats most crucial is not the price, but the atmosphere created by marketing.
Boss, whats this trick? How is it so effective? Wei Lanlan was puzzled seeing the rapid return of customers.
Jiang Qin stood on the steps of the tea shop, grinning: Im giving the goddess the first cup of Xi Tian of Autumn. Shell be so happy, she might even give me the good guy card!
?????
Wei Lanlan was baffled, then watched as Jiang Qin walked away gracefully towards the opposite comprehensive building.
Linchuan University provided reasonable support for the work-study program. Although there was no substantial financial aid, they at least provided an activity classroom.
Now, this classroom was the new base for the content and technology teams, who, under the leadership of Dong Wenhao, were constantly stirring things up on the forum, striving to increase user retention.
Entering room 502, Jiang Qin began checking the data. He noticed that the forums retention rate at the university was quite good, with daily active users increasing from less than twenty thousand to forty thousand.
Of course, this was buoyed by the event, and the true retention rate would only be evident after the events conclusion.
Our Accounting Departments Cui Yan is the real campus beauty, the rest step aside!
Are you blind? Its obviously senior Gui Taoying whos the top campus beauty!
Just an ordinary Linchuan passerby here, but from the photos, Mao Dan is the prettiest!
Shut up, top! With heavy makeup and professional photoshoots, of course the pictures look good!
Excuse me, but once our Chemical Engineering Departments senior Pang Duo steps in, all the other beauties can retreat!
Jiang Qin browsed through several posts and found they were similar to Linchuans previous campus beauty selection posts. The biggest difference was the involvement of Linchuan students.
These students were quite playful, constantly instigating conflicts in the universitys forum section, inadvertently starting an interaction between the two schools.
Of course, there were many arguments, but for a forum, disputes often bring unexpected popularity.
Boss, should we delete these Linchuan posts?
Leave them, except for those that involve personal attacks. Let them participate. Who doesnt like to look at beauties? Its like a talent show. Watching others fervently select their campus beauties, this kind of participation is addictive. We cant neglect our old users for the sake of new ones.
After listening to Jiang Qin, Dong Wenhao found it reasonable: Then should I open up a voting channel for Linchuan as well?
Jiang Qin immediately waved his hand, No, dont open the voting. The campus beauty of Science and Technology University should only be chosen by its own students. Whats the point if Linchuan University gets involved? That would cause resentment.
Alright.
Oh, and Wenhao, I have a friend named Guo Zihang who studies computer science. Arrange for him to join and get some training. He might not pick up much technical stuff, but gaining some experience would be good, especially in improving his communication skills. The guy even struggles to speak with the cafeteria ladies.
Sure, boss. The tech team is currently led by Yang Shuai. Ill have him work with Yang Shuai.
Jiang Qin nodded, sent a message to Guo Zihang to come over, and got a nervous reply from him asking if he was really capable. Jiang Qin scoffed at the screen, thinking, how would I know if you can do it or not.
However, Guo eventually agreed, knowing his weaknesses and the necessity to overcome them. He realized that one day he would graduate, join society, and have to do things he wasnt good at.
Rather than being passively crushed by the gears of fate, its better to prepare in advance to avoid being caught off guard.
Having dealt with the forum issues, Jiang Qin quickly ate some biscuits and sachima to fill his stomach, then started preparing for the upcoming interviews for the poverty aid work-study positions.
Work-study wasnt just about slogans; having done the interviews and taken advantage of the publicity, it was time to get things done.
Of course, he wouldnt conduct the interviews alone. Jiang Qin had also involved Director Hu from the Youth League Committee and Zhang Mingan from the university office.
This was partly to involve them, giving them a sense of participation in this external project, and to foster their affinity for it, smoothing the transition for the upcoming group buying initiative.
On the other hand, being poor doesnt equate to being virtuous. By involving these two first, he could avoid bearing the brunt alone if any of the newly recruited caused trouble later.
Hello teachers, my name is Ran Fu from the Department of Chinese Language and Literature. I wish to join the forums content team.
Hello everyone, my name is Lai Cunqing from the Computer Science Department. I want to join the tech team.
Im candidate number 24, Jia Wenting
Im Liu Mingyu
Gao Mowen
The afternoon sun was warm. Jiang Qin sat expressionless in the central seat of the interview panel, his gaze sweeping over the nervous and nave faces. He kept scoring on the interview sheets and handed them to the scorekeeper.
Sheet after sheet, the faces of the candidates and their varying scores told their own stories.
This Lai Cunqing is not bad, quite articulate, Hu Maolin whispered to Jiang Qin.
Jiang Qin nodded, Hes decent, but lacks relevant project experience. I suggest sending him to the marketing team to start with some fieldwork.
Werent your team from Linchuan University also inexperienced at first?
That was because we were pressed for time and had to use whoever was available. But the dropout rate, whether due to inability or unwillingness to work, was quite high. Now, these positions are tied to poverty aid. Its better to be cautious.
After listening, Hu Maolin agreed, The marketing team is fine. Ive heard that the commission there is quite good. Lets keep him then.
Okay, Director.
Jiang Qin wrote a note on the interview sheet: Approved by Director Hu for archival purposes. In case of any issues, Director Hu, you cant blame me for inadequacy. He grinned cheekily.
You, with all your tricks! Hu Maolin exclaimed.
Zhang Mingan suddenly leaned in, coughing, Gentlemen, the school offices photographer is coming. Sit up straight and look lively.
At this, Jiang Qin and Hu Maolin immediately straightened their backs, putting on vibrant smiles.
An hour later, all 26 candidates had been interviewed. Director Hu suggested keeping 9, Zhang Mingan favored 7, and Jiang Qin personally found 3 to be satisfactory.
This outcome was influenced by their different perspectives. Director Hu was more concerned with fulfilling job quotas, Zhang Mingan favored candidates with a simple and honest appearance, while Jiang Qin focused on practicality whether the candidates were competent and useful.
Jiang Qin, are you busy this afternoon? Why dont you come to my office for a chat?
Id better not, Director Hu. I need to return to my university; theres some work waiting for me there. Next time, Ill treat you to a meal.
Watching Jiang Qins departing figure, Hu Maolin suddenly remembered that this young man was a student from Linchuan University and only collaborated with Science and Technology University.
Damn, it would have been great if he had filled out his exam answer sheet incorrectly.
After leaving the interview venue, Jiang Qin drove back to Linchuan University. Despite a day of rushing around and feeling physically exhausted, he still had to check on the progress of Su Nais group buying project. Being a boss was indeed not easy.
Jiang Qin parked his car at the entrance and walked into the Entrepreneurship Center, only to see Tang Lin and an unfamiliar young man standing at the door of the main office, both looking incredibly upset and the atmosphere quite tense.
Especially when Jiang Qin passed them in the corridor, both of them fixed their gaze on him.
Tang Lins eyes were filled with confusion, disbelief, and bewilderment.
The young man looked at him with wariness, envy, and undisguised jealousy.
?
Jiang Qin was puzzled, feeling something was off.
Was he looking better than usual today? Otherwise, where did that young mans jealousy come from?
But he didnt pay too much attention to it. After all, he wasnt familiar with Tang Lin and didnt even know the guy next to her. So, he walked upstairs to room 208.
It wasnt until his figure disappeared around the corner of the staircase that Xue Gang and Tang Lin withdrew their gaze, still feeling somewhat dazed.
That person is Jiang Qin?
Yes.
Didnt you say his success rate was only forty percent? Xue Gangs mouth twitched in disbelief.
Tang Lin bit her pale lips, Maybe I missed a zero?
You might as well not have invited me to boost my presence. I came all pumped up, didnt even get to talk to Hong Yan, and got overshadowed by someone who wasnt even there!
I didnt do it on purpose, it was a mistake!
Youre just spreading false information. Missing a zero is no big deal for you, but do you know how much psychological harm that does to me!?
Feeling utterly frustrated and fuming, Xue Gang turned and stormed off.
Tang Lin wanted to apologize, but as she looked up, she saw Xue Gang accidentally bump into the glass door at the entrance, causing her to shudder.
Senior, please take care.
Get lost!!!
Tang Lin nervously smiled for a while and then carefully opened the door, looking at her best friend who was sitting at her desk. After a whole afternoon of cooling off, Hong Yans mood had improved significantly, and her aggression had lessened, making Tang Lin feel somewhat relieved.
Tang Lin, can you help me organize these bound documents into the file bag?
Oh, sure.
Tang Lin hurried over, took out a file bag from the cabinet, and wanted to ask something but couldnt bring herself to do it.
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