mijobooks Chapter 248 New Year's Benefits
Chapter 248 New Year's Benefits
"Director Ma," Ling Yun said, looking at the workers coming and going, "what kind of welfare do you think we should give out this year?"
Ma Baoguo thought for a moment: "In previous years, we'd give out practical things like rice, flour, and oil. This year, business is good, so we can add something else, like... a rice cooker? Or a down jacket? The workers ride their bikes to and from get off work in the winter, it's quite cold."
"The down jackets are nice," Lingyun said. "Let's make them to order, with the factory logo printed on them. The colors need to be nice, and the quality needs to be good. What's your budget?"
"15,000 people, at 150 yuan per item, that's 2.25 million. Add rice, flour, and oil, and it's almost 3 million."
"Let's add some shopping cards," Ling Yun said. "Give each person a 500 yuan shopping voucher, which can be used at the newly opened supermarket nearby. Also, double the bonus for outstanding employees; it was 2,000 last year, and 4,000 this year. You calculate the total budget."
Ma Baoguo quickly calculated in his mind: 500 shopping vouchers, 15,000 people, 7.5 million. Assuming 10% are outstanding employees, that's 1,500 people, 4,000 each, 6 million. Add rice, flour, oil, and down jackets, and it's roughly 17 million.
"President Ling, isn't this... too much?" Ma Baoguo was a little reluctant to spend the money.
"Not much." Ling Yun finished the last sip of soup. "The employees have generated more than 200 million yuan in profit for the factory. It's only right to give back more than 10 million yuan. Money should be spent wisely, and employees are the key. The main reason is that the factory is expanding, and the funds need to be used to build a new factory. Otherwise, we should at least take 20% of the profits, 40 million yuan, to give everyone benefits."
"Understood." Ma Baoguo nodded. "I'll arrange for the purchasing team to go and discuss it this afternoon."
"There's also the year-end event," Lingyun said. "Last year it was an annual meeting with a lucky draw. This year we're going to make it bigger, rent a stadium, hire a professional host, let the employees submit their own programs, and the grand prize is a car."
"A car?!" Ma Baoguo was startled.
"A Santana, worth over 100,000 yuan. We'll also have ten first prizes: motorcycles. One hundred second prizes: color TVs. Five hundred third prizes: bicycles. And a 'sunshine award': a can of oil for everyone," Ling Yun said. "The budget will be kept under two million yuan. We want to make it lively, to give the employees something to look forward to."
Ma Baoguo took note of it. He knew that President Ling was determined to completely establish Xinghuo Electronics Factory's reputation. Good benefits and activities would make recruitment easier and workers more motivated in the future.
"In addition," Ling Yun added, "starting this year, we will establish the 'Spark Craftsman' Award. Each year, ten employees with the best skills and the greatest contributions will be selected, and each will be awarded 50,000 yuan and sent abroad for study and observation. Skilled workers should have status and a promising future."
"Great! This is great!" Ma Baoguo's eyes lit up. "Many veteran technicians lack this kind of respect."
"You can take care of the specific plan." Ling Yun put the bowl back in the recycling bin. "Hold a meeting this afternoon to finalize the welfare and activity plan, send out a notice, and make everyone happy."
"yes!"
At 2 PM, in the conference room on the third floor of the office building, it was the same group of people.
The topics are clear: year-end benefits and year-end activities.
Liu Hui, the head of the personnel department, first reported the preliminary plan: 500 yuan shopping vouchers per person, a custom-made down jacket, 10 kilograms of rice, and 5 liters of cooking oil. The budget is approximately 17 million yuan.
Sales manager Zhao Lijun added, "We can negotiate group purchase prices with supermarkets and garment factories, which should be able to bring the price down a bit."
Finance officer Wu Jianguo said, "We have sufficient funds in the account, and there are no problems with expenditures. However, we must pay attention to standardizing the procurement process and ensuring transparency in the bidding process to avoid problems."
Ma Baoguo looked at Ling Yun.
"Okay." Ling Yun nodded. "Purchasing should be done through open bidding, with administrative oversight. The products must be of good quality; there can't be any shoddy work. The down jackets must be custom-made; don't send them out that don't fit."
"Understood," Liu Hui wrote down.
Then, when discussing the year-end activities, Ma Baoguo shared Lingyun's ideas: rent a stadium, win a car, and hire a professional team.
The meeting room suddenly became lively.
"Cars! That's so appealing!"
"The rent for the stadium must be expensive, right?"
"Which host will you invite? From the provincial TV station?"
"How are programs selected? Do each department submit their recommendations?"
After an hour of discussion, the plan was basically finalized:
- Time: 6 PM on the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month (January 23rd)
- Location: Provincial Sports Center Gymnasium (capacity 8,000 people)
- Process: Brief opening remarks by the leader, employee performances (pre-selected), lucky draw, dinner (organized by each workshop).
- Prizes: Grand Prize (1 winner): Santana 2000 sedan; First Prize (10 winners): Motorcycle; Second Prize (100 winners): 25-inch color TV; Third Prize (500 winners): Bicycle; Sunshine Award: One can of peanut oil for each person.
- Budget: Preliminary estimate of 1.8 million, including venue, prizes, catering, and labor.
"What should we do with the car that won the grand prize?" Wu Jianguo, the finance manager, asked. "The employee who won the prize probably doesn't drive, or can't afford to maintain the car."
"The prize can be exchanged for cash," Ling Yun said. "Winners can choose to receive a car or 100,000 yuan in cash. But when advertising, mentioning a car will be more impactful."
"Good idea."
"In addition," Ling Yun said, "the 'Spark Craftsman' Award, the first one, will be awarded this year. Factory Director Ma will lead the review committee, which will be composed of members from the Technology Department, Production Department, and Human Resources Department. The standards must be strict, and we will rather have fewer than fewer qualified candidates. Those who are selected will be widely publicized, their names will be posted on the honor roll, and they will be featured in the factory newspaper, so that they can become role models for the entire factory."
"yes!"
The plan has been basically finalized, and each department is making preparations separately.
Before the meeting adjourned, Ling Yun stood up.
"One last thing," he said, looking at everyone, "benefits and activities are icing on the cake. The fundamental thing is still to make good products, expand the market, and increase profits. The tasks for 1998 are even greater. I hope everyone will continue to work hard."
"Definitely!" everyone shouted in unison.
It was five o'clock in the afternoon, and it was already dark. The factory area was brightly lit.
Ling Yun was about to leave when Ma Baoguo, Li Mo, and others saw him off at the office building entrance.
"Mr. Ling, how about staying for another two days?" Ma Baoguo said.
"I have something else to do." Ling Yun put on his down jacket. "Li Mo, I took the wireless keyboard and mouse samples with me. I'll give you feedback later."
"Okay." Li Mo nodded. "President Ling, shall I give you a ride?"
"No need, Zhao Hu will drive." Ling Yun waved his hand. "You guys go about your business."
Just as he was about to get into his car, he heard someone call out behind him, "President Ling!"
Turning around, I saw Wang Ping. She had changed into casual clothes, wearing a red cotton-padded jacket, and was panting heavily from running.
"Wang Ping? Is something wrong?" Ling Yun stopped.
Wang Ping ran up to them, took out a small cloth bag from her bosom, opened it, and inside was a pair of woolen gloves.
"Mr. Ling, this is... I knitted it myself." Her face flushed. "It's not expensive, but it's warm. You're often out and about, and your hands get cold. I'm giving it to you."
The gloves were dark gray, densely knitted, and with neat stitches.
Ling Yun took it and touched it: "Thank you. It's very warm."
Wang Ping smiled, revealing two dimples: "President Ling, thank you. Last year I was awarded Outstanding Employee, and this year I became a line leader, doubling my salary. I even paid for my younger brother's university tuition. My mother told me to work hard and repay the factory."
"You did a good job." Ling Yun put on the gloves, which fit perfectly. "Keep up the good work. Next year, aim to become the workshop foreman."
"Yes!" Wang Ping nodded vigorously.
As Ling Yun got into the car and closed the door, he said to Ma Baoguo, "Employees like Wang Ping should be promoted more often."
"clear."
The Audi drove out of the factory area and merged into the evening traffic.
Inside the car, Lingyun took off her gloves and examined them carefully. Two small characters were embroidered in red thread on the inside of the gloves: "Gratitude."
He smiled and put it back on.
Outside the window, the streetlights in Jinan gradually come on. Red lanterns are hung up on the small shops along the roadside; it's the Little New Year.