Chapter 54: To Get a Promotion, One Must Keep Up with the Times

Liu Qianjin not only failed to understand what Chen Geng had said, but he became even more confused, which made him quite angry, feeling that his intelligence was not enough. "But what does this have to do with what you said?"

Peng Guangming did not stop him, as he was also confused.

"It's very simple. This means that our customer base has doubled out of nowhere. With our factory's annual capacity to modify over 2,000 vehicles, how long would it take to tap into such a vast market on our own? Not to mention the risk of being accused of monopolizing the market and being sabotaged by others. But if we change our approach, since we designed the 212 Jeep modification plan, why don't we make money by selling complete sets of parts and providing technical training?"

"Selling complete sets of parts and providing technical training?" Peng Guangming and Liu Qianjin exclaimed in unison. The two had never thought of operating this way, but they felt as if a door had opened before them, revealing a landscape they had never seen before. The beauty of that landscape made them almost disbelieve. They looked at each other and then stared at Chen Geng: "Can this really work?"

"Why not?" Chen Geng countered. "We are the technology providers and the developers of new technology. We are the authority on this technology, even surpassing BAIC. This is our greatest advantage, one that others cannot match. With this advantage, we should make good use of it.

My idea is this: as the technology provider, we will quantify all the technology required for the 212 Jeep modification and provide the complete technology to military enterprises that have passed our technical and hardware facility reviews. However, any enterprise that wants to cooperate with us must send their technical personnel to us for training. Only after successful training will they be recognized by us to modify the 212 Jeep. In the future, all the parts needed for modification must be purchased from us.

Of course, we cannot stop our modification business. Not only should we not stop, but we should also make it a benchmark and a model for all modification shops, so that everyone knows that our modifications are the most authoritative..."

Peng Guangming roughly understood what Chen Geng meant. The profit of Huacheng Industrial would come from selling parts. Compared to the current method, the more parts sold, the more profit earned. From this perspective, Chen Geng was right; the more partners, the more profit. However, he could not understand: "But why do they have to get our recognition? They can simply find a 212 Jeep we modified and look for the parts themselves."

"Because enterprises that pass the training will receive a certification from us. Only those with this certification can guarantee the quality and reliability of their technology... A simple example: we have already become the benchmark for 212 Jeep modifications. If your unit has a 212 Jeep that needs modification, would you go to a random shop that claims it can modify 212 Jeeps, or would you go to a shop that has our certification?"

"Of course, a shop certified by Huacheng Industrial..." Peng Guangming suddenly realized. "I understand. It's like buying a Jeep. Although there are about 200 factories in the country that can produce 212 Jeeps, everyone still recognizes Beijing Jeep. We should also become Beijing Jeep, not some other brand like Dajiang Jeep or South China Jeep..."

Thinking about the 212 Jeeps previously produced by the Third Mechanical Maintenance Factory, Peng Guangming suddenly felt a bit embarrassed.

"Yes," Chen Geng nodded with a smile. "This is the power of the brand. Once we establish our brand, even if some fly-by-night shops take away some of our customers, it won't have a significant impact on us."

"That's right, that's right, that's the logic." Peng Guangming nodded repeatedly. The more he thought about it, the more he understood the importance of the brand. Since the money was public, and the leaders were the ones riding in the vehicles, if they chose an unreliable shop, and something went wrong with the parts, the leaders would be angry, and no one could bear the responsibility. Even from a personal perspective, no one would dare to do such a foolish thing.

"But what if someone takes our parts to a factory to copy them?" Liu Qianjin found a flaw in Chen Geng's plan, a very serious one. He frowned. "This way, all the money would go to others, and we would have no way to stop it."

"There is a way, and it's simple. Each set of parts we provide to certified partners will have a unique serial number. We will keep records of which set of parts was sent to whom. After they sign for the parts, they must regularly report the chassis number, engine number, license plate number, and registration location of the vehicle where the parts are installed to us..."

Before Chen Geng finished, Liu Qianjin had already thought of the benefits of this approach. "Each vehicle can only be equipped with one set of parts, and each shop has a limited number of parts with specific serial numbers. If the same set of parts appears on two vehicles, there's definitely a problem, and the shop is definitely at fault. It's a good method, but it still doesn't solve the problem. The issue can only be discovered after the counterfeit parts cause a problem. Normally, it's impossible to detect. Also, the serial numbers of the parts are all numbers. How will we verify them? This is a big problem."

Peng Guangming nodded in agreement. This was indeed a big problem, and he couldn't think of a solution.

This problem, which Liu Qianjin and Peng Guangming found insurmountable, was not a problem for Chen Geng at all. "We can use a computer and create a database. All the serial numbers will be stored in it. We can check the data for each shop. If there are two conflicting numbers from the same shop, the system will automatically alert us. Even if one shop uses another shop's serial number, the system will still alert us, and we can find out who is cheating."

As for how to deal with those who cheat, Chen Geng didn't say, but from the expectant looks of Liu Qianjin and Peng Guangming, it was clear that these two would not let them off easily.

"Liu, look," Peng Guangming said with a sigh, looking at Liu Qianjin. "What seems unsolvable to us is not a problem for Chen. The old leaders always say we need to learn more, or we will fall behind the times. Many people don't take it seriously, but this is a real example. Things that humans cannot do well or cannot do at all, computers can not only do but do well. In the future, we need to learn more, or we will fall behind the times completely."

"Yes, yes..." Liu Qianjin nodded repeatedly, also looking very moved. Chen Geng's words had a significant impact on him. "Actually, computers are there to serve humans. Commissar, factory, you two are young. You can take this opportunity to learn about computers. Our army is increasingly valuing talent, and computers are the trend of the times. Officers who master computers will have many advantages over others."

Peng Qianjin and Liu Guangming were both regimental-level officers, a position that was somewhat awkward, neither high nor low. Both had aspirations to advance. Hearing Chen Geng's words, they were both somewhat tempted, especially since Chen Geng hit the nail on the head. The large-scale military downsizing was indeed aimed at improving the overall quality of the army. Those who could operate computers were considered talents. If they learned to use computers, wouldn't they have a significant advantage over others?

They exchanged a glance, and Peng Guangming asked tentatively, "But Chen, I heard that learning computers is very difficult."

Chen Geng: "It depends on what you are learning. If it's programming or software development, it is indeed difficult. But if it's just basic operations and typing, it's actually quite simple. I don't think you two, as command officers, need to learn how to develop programs. You just need to know how to use a program to maximize its efficiency and combat effectiveness and how to integrate it with other systems and weapons. This is actually quite simple."

Peng Guangming and Liu Qianjin's eyes lit up. "Really?"

If it was just basic operations, it didn't seem too difficult, and Chen Geng's words made sense. As command officers, they just needed to know how to use computers and integrate them with other weapon systems. Developing programs was something for specialized talent.

"Of course, it's true," Chen Geng smiled. "I happen to know a bit about computers. If everyone is interested, I can set up an interest class."

The so-called interest class was actually a training course, a polite way for Chen Geng to save face for everyone. Peng Guangming and Liu Qianjin understood this. They felt relieved and looked at Chen Geng more favorably. Although Chen Geng was a factory leader, he was still their junior. Learning computer operations from a junior would be embarrassing, but an interest class was a different matter.

"Haha... If you're going to set up a computer interest class, I'll sign up right now," Peng Guangming laughed. This was a rare opportunity, and the entire military district had very few people who knew how to use computers. He couldn't hesitate, and at this moment, face didn't matter.

Peng Guangming was smart, and Liu Qianjin wasn't dumb. He immediately followed, "Count me in too."

PS: Sorry, this chapter is a bit late. I spent the evening with my son at a children's playground. My son was trying to win over a little girl, and I had to use a tablet to edit and write, which took a long time. The lesson learned is that a Bluetooth keyboard is too small; I need to get a full-sized one.

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