After my divorce, I started to have good luck

Chen Feng nodded in understanding and said, "Such significant changes in personnel will certainly affect the company's operations. However, in my opinion, that's not the main issue. The main problem is the increase in competitors in the industry and the lack of outstanding capabilities in the two key departments: the Planning Department and the Sales Department."

Liu Meijun responded with a wry smile, "You're right. Since you left, that Yan Jun was also sent away. I've cleaned out a few people from the Planning Department, and after I recruited a few new ones, they struggled to adapt, and some of the planning schemes they came up with often got rejected by clients. As for the Sales Department, after I dismissed Cao Kun, several people just directly left, and these were the ones with quite impressive performance. What's worse is that they all went to work for a competitor. I recruited a few replacements at high salaries, but the performance hasn't shown much improvement."

Hearing this, Chen Feng felt some sympathy for Liu Meijun. The most important parts of Dianchuang Culture Company are the Planning Department and the Sales Department, as these departments directly generate economic benefits. But now both have been made nearly crippled, so naturally they can't bring much profit to the company.

Chen Feng thought for a moment, then said, "Looking at the current situation, the focus to improve the company still lies with these two departments. I believe you can headhunt from competitor firms—there are always people available if the pay is good enough."

Liu Meijun heard this and her eyes noticeably brightened; she didn't bother with formalities and directly leaned closer to inquire, "Can you tell me more about this?"

Seeing her eagerness, Chen Feng remembered Qin Xiaorou and the courtesy she's always shown him, then nodded and said, "I can, but it's not something that can be explained in a couple of sentences. Let's sit over there and talk."

Liu Meijun had just finished a meal with her best friend and was about to leave, while Chen Feng was still eating.

Seeing this, Liu Meijun felt somewhat embarrassed, but she urgently needed Chen Feng's guidance, so she thickened her face and nodded in gratitude, "Thanks a lot."

"You're welcome, it's just a few words."

So Liu Meijun went over to her friend and told her to leave first, then sat opposite Chen Feng at an empty table nearby. A waiter approached but was waved away by them. The service attitude here was still very good; seeing them occupying seats without ordering, they weren't rushed.

"It's normal to headhunt in the same industry; after all, everyone is just an employee, and whoever pays more draws the workforce. Our company used to be a leader in the industry, often targeted by competitors for headhunting. I was approached several times back then, but I was too stubborn to switch jobs. Later, when I wanted to switch, the opportunity was gone."

"It's okay if you don't know much about headhunting. There are plenty who do, such as headhunter companies that specialize in this, or some information consultancy firms offering related services. Just have the HR department handle it; they can't sit in the office playing games all day."

"Attracting top talent from the competition is one way. Another way is considering layoffs. For example, the HR department—don't think I was joking earlier—they really spend most of their working hours playing games. And in a company of our size, there's no need for over ten people in HR; cutting half is definitely necessary. Then there's the PR department—no need to keep so many idle people; many are just relatives. There's no need to keep them with pay year-round without working; they should be cleaned out."

Having been at Dianchuang for so many years, Chen Feng naturally knew the company deeply, and thus articulated his suggestions. Liu Meijun nodded from time to time, occasionally asked a question, always spot-on, stimulating Chen Feng's interest in discussing further.

They talked for nearly half an hour before Chen Feng concluded, "Ultimately, it's about cutting costs and expanding income while boosting competitiveness in the industry. The principle is simple; what's hard is executing it well. Anyway, now you're the boss. If you have the determination and offer substantial rewards, courageous and dedicated employees will emerge to drive up the company's performance."

"Hearing your words is more enlightening than reading ten years' worth of books," Liu Meijun said with an expression of admiration, "Your suggestions are very important to me. Once I return, I'll implement them one by one as you said. If I had known earlier, I would have consulted you much sooner rather than dragging it out until now."

Chen Feng smiled and said, "It's not too late, considering you mentioned earlier that other shareholders want to transfer their shares to you. If you're confident in managing the company well, you can consider taking them over at a lower price."

After a brief pause, Liu Meijun smiled and asked, "Why don't you take over their shares yourself?"

Chen Feng paused slightly, looked at her, and couldn't help but laugh, "If the price is right, I wouldn't mind taking them over. But I'm not sure how many shares they have now and what they're worth."

Liu Meijun was slightly surprised; she was mostly joking and probing with her words, not expecting Chen Feng to accept so casually, suggesting he really has done well for himself.

Liu Meijun quickly answered, "Together, they hold a total of 22% of the shares, worth about thirty to forty million based on Dianchuang's current market value."

Chen Feng was a bit surprised and asked, "Can Dianchuang's market value still exceed over a hundred million?"

At its peak, Dianchuang Culture Company was indeed worth one to two hundred million, but now, with the rise of the internet and increased competition in the industry, its market value has probably shrunk considerably.

However, Chen Feng's words were a bit hurtful, so Liu Meijun retorted with a hint of annoyance, "Of course it is. First, there's over two years remaining on the lease of that office floor, which alone is worth over twenty million. Additionally, Dianchuang's reputation and standing in the industry have always been relatively good. Moreover, our annual revenue has been keeping a scale of two to three hundred million with profits in the tens of millions."

Chen Feng didn't refute but nodded in agreement, "Alright then. I'll find a professional evaluation company to assess Dianchuang and then decide whether to acquire their shares."

Liu Meijun smilingly reminded, "You better act quickly. Because starting tomorrow, I plan to implement what you just suggested, and it might soon turn the company profitability around. By then, they might become reluctant to sell, or raise the price."

Chen Feng casually said, "If that's the case, I just won't buy."

Liu Meijun hurriedly said, "I'll give you a week. If there's no movement from your side within a week, I'll proceed with reforming the company as planned."

"Okay, then I won't hold back."

Liu Meijun smiled and said, "I'm doing this for myself. I hope the company has talent like you."

Chen Feng also smiled back, "It's mutually beneficial. Being the second boss of a company I once worked for doesn't sound bad to me."

Both exchanged smiles, ended the conversation without further talk, added each other on WeChat, and Liu Meijun bid farewell and left.