mijobooks Chapter 58: Unexpected Sales Volume, Expanding into Overseas Markets
Chapter 58: Unexpected Sales Volume, Expanding into Overseas Markets
The night is alluring.
As night falls, Hong Kong is ablaze with lights, a vibrant tapestry of colors. The reflections of the dazzling lights on both banks of Victoria Harbour make the night view of this "Pearl of the Orient" even more enchanting.
It's past 9 p.m.
The Lijiagang Company was still brightly lit.
In addition to ordinary employees, all the managers of various departments and even senior executives of the company were present at this moment, creating an atmosphere that was both tense and full of anticipation.
One phone call after another came in.
Shops are sending back their sales and pre-order data for the day, and the accounting department is quickly compiling the day's sales figures.
"Chairman, the statistics are complete."
With a face full of anticipation, Gao Fuhai excitedly stepped forward to take the compiled data and personally reported it to Li Jiagang.
When he saw the numbers on the data sheet, his hands couldn't help but tremble.
"Chairman, today's sales totaled 5065 units, meaning that all the washing machines the company produced during this period have been sold out."
clap clap clap! ! !
All the management members present applauded in unison, and the applause was thunderous and continuous.
Everyone's face was filled with uncontrollable joy and excitement.
For them, achieving this sales volume on the first day of the company's new product launch was simply a dream start.
Although the amount of stock prepared wasn't enormous, the fact that it sold out immediately was a huge surprise to everyone. At the same time, they all knew that the most exciting data was yet to come.
At this moment, Gao Fuhai's trembling voice continued to come out, and everyone quieted down and listened, afraid that they might not hear the accurate data clearly.
"At the same time... according to the statistics sent back by various stores, the total number of washing machine pre-orders today is 17,300 units."
"Mr. Li, based on our factory's current production capacity of 4000 units per week, it will take five weeks to deliver an order of 17300 units."
When Gao Fuhai reported the data, the entire room fell silent. Everyone was deeply shocked by the projected number, their faces filled with disbelief.
Although everyone was mentally prepared, knowing that the number of pre-orders today would be high, even Li Jiagang was surprised when he heard that a full 1.7 units had been pre-ordered.
I originally set a target of selling 5 to 7000 units a week before the promotion, and I would be very satisfied with selling 1.5 units in a month.
But now...
On the first day of product launch, 5 units of inventory were sold out, and another 1.7 units were pre-ordered.
This means that if his factory has enough washing machines to sell, it means that he can sell more than 2.2 units on the first day.
Even more?
Even if we calculate based on 2.2 units, multiplying by HK$1999 per unit, that equals approximately HK$4400 million. What does a daily turnover of HK$4400 million mean? In any case, if this figure gets out, it will definitely shock the entire city of Hong Kong, and he will once again become the focus of attention.
Li Jiagang was indeed surprised by this data. Although he knew that there were already many wealthy people in Hong Kong in 1978, and even ordinary working families had a lot of savings.
But he never expected that citizens would be so willing to spend nearly HK$2000 to buy a washing machine.
After a moment of silence...
It's unclear who broke the silence with applause first, but then all the managers high-fived each other in celebration.
"Congratulations, Chairman."
"Congratulations, Chairman! The product achieved a resounding success on its first day of sales, exceeding the target."
"Congratulations, Chairman..."
"Thank you all for your hard work today." Li Jiagang clapped his hands, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Although the first day's sales were very good, this further demonstrates that the consumption potential of the Hong Kong market far exceeds our expectations. We must make adjustments and changes immediately!"
"First: Mr. Gao, you must immediately contact the Japanese production line supplier and order ten more production lines. This order must be placed urgently."
"Okay, Chairman, I'll contact them right now." Gao Fuhai jogged towards the phone.
Li Jiagang nodded to him as well.
"Secondly: The sales department must accurately register the detailed information of all pre-ordering customers and organize the delivery schedule in chronological order. I don't want situations where customers pay a deposit but can't receive their goods on the delivery date!"
Third: When the technical department provides on-site installation, their service attitude must be warm and attentive. A poor attitude that damages the company's reputation is absolutely unacceptable!
Fourth: The administration department is responsible for coordinating and establishing a product after-sales service center. Contact information must be published in newspapers to ensure that customers who purchase our products can consult us at any time if they encounter any problems, and that we can resolve their issues as quickly as possible.
Fifth: Starting tomorrow, all customers who pre-order washing machines at any store will receive a complimentary gift. At the same time, please plan your delivery time carefully; under no circumstances will you receive the wrong item or be late!
"Sixth: On the factory side, we can plan how to free up enough space to prepare for the new production line to move in!"
"Seventh: Publicity Department, continue to create momentum and promote the company's brilliant sales results today as wildly as possible, ideally causing a sensation throughout Hong Kong and even attracting overseas media to report on it."
"Ninth: The purchasing department should order another 100,000 sets of production raw materials to take precautions and avoid any unexpected accidents. At least we should have enough production materials to get through the transition period."
"Tenth: The Business Department should compile a list of product access standards, safety certifications, and trademark compliance specifications for various countries and regions to prepare for future product exports."
………………
Li Jiagang issued a series of instructions.
With this successful product sale, Li Jiagang believes that the brand's awareness and the company's influence in Hong Kong have been established.
Next up is the overseas market.
No matter how developed Hong Kong is, and how strong its consumer spending power is, it is still just a small island with a population of only a few million.
Even if every household used his company's washing machines, he could only sell a million units at most.
But the overseas market is a different story.
Taiwan has tens of millions of people.
With hundreds of millions of people in Japan and tens of millions in South Korea, as well as in countries like Thailand and Malaysia, sales channels can be established in these regions, which would certainly generate far more revenue than Hong Kong.
Not to mention North America and Western Europe?
That's the real consumption area.
However, he also knew that it was not easy for a brand-new brand to open up overseas markets. It was not something that could be achieved simply by creating a small sales boom in Hong Kong.
Sufficient preparation is required for this.
First, you need to find a strong partner distributor in each country or region. Second, you need to establish connections and obtain product access qualifications.
The company's next step is to open up overseas markets and promote its products abroad.
Just then...
Li Yongsen, an uncle from Lijiagang, walked into his company with a faint smile on his face.
"Congratulations, Hong Kong boy!"
"Uncle, Brother Hua, what brings you here?" Upon seeing Li Yongsen and his cousin Li Jiahua arrive, Li Jiagang quickly went to greet them.
He even thought they were there to settle scores with him.
After all, his uncle had just said the day before yesterday that he had found a few women from good families for him, and that he would meet them then.
But then, she herself was rumored to be having an affair with the Miss Hong Kong who had just won the Miss Hong Kong title.
Isn't this a slap in the face to his uncle?
Li Jiagang is not afraid of him coming to cause trouble.
"Your uncle is here to congratulate you," but Li Yongsen's expression immediately changed. "What, do you think your uncle is here to cause you trouble?"
"Hmph! You little brat."
"I'll settle the score with you later about what was reported this morning," Li Yongsen said, while glaring at his son, Li Jiahua, with a murderous look.
But Li Yongsen's anger quickly dissipated, and he revealed a look of satisfaction: "However... you did a good job on the washing machine's launch today. Well done! If your parents could see how capable you are now, that would be wonderful."
Li Jiagang was speechless upon hearing this.
Even though so much time has passed, his uncle still can't let go of the matter.
"Uncle, let bygones be bygones, we have to look forward."
"Yes, Uncle is overthinking it."
"You're not done yet, are you? Don't worry about us, go ahead and get busy. I'll sit down and wait for you."
"It's alright, Uncle, I'm done with my work."
After saying that, Li Jiagang turned to the group of managers and said, "It's getting late, everyone go back. The issues I just raised can be dealt with by each department after they start work tomorrow."
"Okay, Chairman, goodbye old Chairman."
"Goodbye, Chairman, former Chairman."
"Goodbye... goodbye, everyone, please be careful on your way back." Li Yongsen said with a smile to the people who greeted him.
These people used to be his men.
Therefore, everyone respects him and still calls him the former chairman.
After everyone left...
Li Jiagang looked at Li Yongsen and said, "Uncle, I also had something to discuss with you. I was thinking of coming to see you after I finished talking, but since you're here, shall we go outside and sit down for a while and have a chat?"
"Great, that's exactly what I was thinking."
"Let's go, your uncle hasn't been out at night for a long time. Let's find a place to sit and chat," Li Yongsen said enthusiastically.
The three then left the company together and randomly found a late-night food stall in Mong Kok, Kowloon, famous for its seafood, and sat down.