Chapter 38: Business Meeting

The Strategic Planning Department staff gathered in the conference room as soon as they arrived at work.

flinch-flinch they jumped every time they walked into the meeting room.

“Are you asking because you don’t know?”

“I don’t know.”

“It’s because we look like a wreck.”

“Don’t act surprised. It was worse back at <Spectrum>.”

“That’s true too.”

Compared to that time, at <Spectrum> we were chewed up even more.

Now this is living relatively comfortably, comparatively.

I had watched all night, yet I still jumped whenever I looked at them now.

But it was amusing, so I didn’t say anything and let it be.

“Boss, everyone from Strategic Planning is here.”

“Good. Then let’s start right away.”

I looked around at the staff and began to speak.

“Before we get into the main agenda, I want to talk first about the path Ribbon Corporation will take going forward.”

Last night, Yuha and I discussed a lot.

What kind of company to make Ribbon Corporation into.

What path to take to achieve what we want.

What is best and what is worst.

After reviewing every possibility and every avenue, this is the result.

“I intend to make Ribbon Corporation a global company and the dominant force across all industries.”

This was the direction that reconciled my desire for revenge with sound corporate strategy after a night of talking with Yuha.

“We will strengthen the brand and make it influence every industry. Like the Kangseong Group.”

Kangseong Foods, Kangseong Steel, Kangseong Auto, and so on.

We will build the same standing as they have.

“We will go global and make everyone use our products.”

“That’s a difficult road.”

“Yes, and it will require a lot of your effort.”

If we are to become a company that affects every business, the Strategic Planning Department’s capability is crucial.

“Hmm….”

“…None of this looks easy.”

Maybe it was just my imagination, but it felt like I had placed one more weight on their shoulders.

Still, it didn’t seem to register strongly.

No wonder — Ribbon Corporation is still a small-to-medium company.

“If you only look at this, it will actually feel overwhelming. It will feel too distant.”

Too distant a goal weakens the will to walk toward it.

So we must set intermediate goals.

“That’s why we’ve established one immediate intermediate goal to tackle.”

The slide changed.

On the next slide, a single sentence was written in bold.

The expressions on the employees’ faces darkened as they looked at it.

“Boss….”

“Are you serious?”

“Ugh… how are we supposed to do this….”

Their faces all showed clear embarrassment, but what could they do.

Because to me this was the best option.

“Our first intermediate goal is the absorption and acquisition of Kangseong Foods.”

Kangseong Foods.

Tear apart and completely absorb this company that has a solid foothold in the food market.

That was our first task.

“I know it’s difficult. But if we can’t even solve this, Ribbon Corporation will never reach its ultimate destination.”

“Hah, hahahaha.”

They couldn’t say no, so they only gave hollow laughs.

It was ridiculous yet true.

Manager Hagicheol, who had been quietly listening, slightly raised his hand and asked.

“Boss, when you say ‘first intermediate goal,’ are there more goals like this?”

“Yes.”

“If you have plans, could you tell us?”

“Not hard.”

I intended to reveal them one by one as we achieved each, but if they wanted to know, fine.

I flipped the PPT and showed the mountains Ribbon Corporation would have to climb.

“After acquiring Kangseong Foods, we will start devouring the rest of the Kangseong Group one by one. They have many affiliates, but we can split and absorb them one at a time. We’ll grow our company to that scale as well.”

Conquering the domestic market would be next.

“If we absorb the Kangseong Group, we’d essentially control the domestic market. Then we’ll turn our sights global. Based on the markets we secure, we’ll aim for a 50% share of the global market.”

After conquering domestically, the next step is overseas.

“Once we reach that point, we can be said to dominate the offline market. Like major shareholders. Then what’s left is the online market. To dominate that online market…”

Once we’ve come this far, I can do what I’ve been planning.

“We will acquire Spectrum.”

“…You mean acquiring <Spectrum> will be the last step?”

“Yes.”

The staff showed some puzzlement at my analysis.

Spectrum’s growth had been insane, so they wondered if that plan made sense.

But they didn’t know what I knew.

The genius that Yoo Jinsang possesses.

“Spectrum will continue to grow. And by the time we accomplish the third intermediate goal, all online markets and services will pass through Spectrum.”

A world where not going through Spectrum would be a disadvantage was possible.

Because I saw that possibility, I started business with Yoo Jinsang.

“That’s why this is the right move.”

“A world where everything must go through <Spectrum>.”

“How dreadful….”

“Don’t worry. If Spectrum dominates online, we will have dominated offline.”

Never forget this.

By the time Spectrum reaches that point, we will have already entered and dominated the global market.

“It feels too far in the future. There are many uncertainties and doubts about feasibility.”

I turned off the PPT.

Although I had talked about grand goals, they didn’t seem to fully buy into them.

They only felt it was plausible.

I didn’t expect everyone to be fully committed.

“If you feel that way, you can set aside mid-to-long-term goals. If we take things one step at a time, they’ll be right in front of us, or we might already have achieved them.”

Enter new markets, dominate them, then use the capital and competitiveness obtained there to enter new markets again.

Develop new markets through organic links with previously secured markets, and secure other existing markets.

One step at a time.

Not alone, but together with everyone.

***

We took a short break and resumed the meeting.

During that time, everyone returned with a strange kind of energy in their eyes.

Ah, Yuha was an exception.

“How could you not tell us about this….” Yuha said, mascara slightly smudged, glaring reproachfully.

“It’s fun.”

He blamed me for not noticing the smeared mascara despite going to the bathroom a few times.

Hearing the small chuckles from the other staff, I re-entered the meeting.

Now that I’d talked about the goals, it was time to discuss what we would do first.

“Boss, do you have anything in mind?”

“Yes. To some extent.”

“Yes.”

At my cue, Yuha immediately handed out the fruit he had prepared to each staff member.

The employees, puzzled, just stared at the apples, pears, and grapes.

“I’ve distributed them all.”

“Okay, everyone, eat the fruit I just gave you.”

They were bewildered by the sudden tasting request.

But they were professionals used to corporate life.

They ate the fruit as told, and praise erupted immediately.

“It’s delicious.”

“Wow, this is really sweet. Is there honey in it?”

“If they sell this somewhere, I’d buy it every day.”

The response was unanimously positive.

It was unsurprising — these fruits were on a different level from ordinary ones.

After the praise subsided, everyone looked at me.

They were starting to wonder why I had them taste the fruit.

It was time to answer that curiosity.

“The fruit you just ate is the produce I recently procured. It’s currently stored in a rented warehouse.”

The warehouse I’d rented and left empty is now filled with fruit as of yesterday.

“The monthly supply available per fruit type is one ton.”

“One ton each for three types?”

“For now, yes. But we’ll secure more types and quantities over time.”

If we expand orchard land and city-scale production, the situation will change.

“By now you might have guessed the point.”

There was only one reason I had gone into detail.

“We will start a business using this fruit.”

At the word ‘business,’ a spark of excitement lit their eyes.

It had to — this would be the first business the Strategic Planning staff would prepare since joining the company.

“May I ask exactly what kind of business?”

“Of course. But I’ll ask in return.”

I wanted to enter the hypermarket business with these fruits.

Yuha wanted to use them to reinforce existing businesses and increase market share in current markets.

Each argument had clear logic, and our positions ran parallel.

So I proposed a compromise.

“What business would you run using these fruits?”

We didn’t have to suffer the work ourselves.

The company had elite employees we’d paid well to do this.

“Hmm….”

“Fruit wholesale? Distribution?”

“Isn’t the quantity awkward for wholesale? Better to process them and contact related companies.”

Opinions were divided.

Some ideas surfaced and faded, while serious discussions about distribution routes and costs took place.

…I felt a little sorry.

They were called the Strategic Planning Department but had only handled miscellaneous tasks until now.

The planning department had been supporting other departments’ work.

They had influence over other departments, but that was all.

It wasn’t the proper work for a real Strategic Planning Department.

Now it’s time to give them work worthy of their name.

To prepare businesses that will make more money using the resources I monopolize from the dimension!

There were many opinions coming out, which was good.

“Good. I’ll provide additional materials for that.”

I pointed to the documents on the table in front of them.

They were materials Yuha and I had prepared overnight.

Current available funds Ribbon Corporation could use, overlapping businesses, projects that would conflict, and those that would have positive synergies.

It was an analysis of Ribbon Corporation — the foundation for the Strategic Planning Department to prepare a new business.

“Prepare a new business plan based on the fruits you tasted. You may prepare individually or move as an integrated department.”

Regardless of the number of people.

“If there are multiple good proposals, I’m willing to adopt all of them.”

No limit on the number of deliverables.

“There is no set deadline. However, the longer it takes, the more you must include changes in market trends in your plan.”

I don’t care how long it takes.

“During this time, you will not be assigned other departments’ tasks. Focus only on this. Unleash your abilities and bring back great results.”

Great deliverables are all I ask for.

As soon as I finished speaking, the Strategic Planning staff’s eyes lit up.

Until a few days ago there had been no enthusiasm in the company, but this time it was different.

An environment had been created where they could fully display their talents.

Then let’s stoke the flames a little more.

“Also, I’ll announce the most important thing in this meeting.”

Everyone focused on every syllable as if not to miss a word.

I delivered a powerful incentive that guaranteed their attention wasn’t wasted.

“If the business plan you create is approved, the lead planner will receive an incentive equal to 50% of their annual salary and five days off.”

“Fifty percent and five days!”

“Wooaa!”

“You said days off too?”

“Yes. If done as a team, team members will receive an incentive equal to 30% of their annual salary and three days off.”

Actions speak louder than words, they say.

No sooner had I finished than the staff stirred in their seats.

They were ready to start market research and analysis immediately.

Some might even start teaming up with those they felt compatible with.

“All right, everyone, good work at the meeting. Let’s get to work.”

The employees gathered their materials and fruit and left the conference room.

Their departures radiated intense energy and vigor.

Watching their backs, Yuha came over with the documents.

“Good work.”

“Yes, you too.”

“But don’t you think the incentives were a bit too generous?”

“When you give, give boldly. It motivated everyone.”

“Tch. Am I not getting an incentive?”

“We’ll see about that.”

I stood and looked at Yuha.

“Yuha.”

“Yes?”

“If you think I’m treating people like tools again, tell me off properly.”

“I’ll whack you on the back of the head then.”

“Alright.”

I will take care of my people and build the company strong.

With Ribbon Corporation steadily and securely growing.

I will step on Yoo Jinsang and crush him.