Chapter 2 Salary Reduction
"That's right, I've raised another three million to pay everyone's salaries and for one last desperate battle!" Feng Feifei said.
"Three million? What's that enough for? Can it last until the new product takes shape?"
"Yeah, even if it does take shape, what if there's another problem with the research and development direction? What then?"
"I understand everyone's concerns. I'm grateful for your unwavering support for the company and for me throughout this journey. The future is uncertain, and I don't have full confidence either. Therefore, to thank everyone for their contributions, anyone who voluntarily resigns now will still receive N+1 months of compensation from the company!"
Not to mention voluntary resignation, many companies try every means to avoid compensation during layoffs. For General Manager Feng to do this during such a difficult time, it must be said that her character is commendable.
"Honestly, General Manager Feng is a woman, but she's truly generous in her actions!"
"So what do we do? Do we stay or leave? General Manager Feng has treated us so well; it seems heartless to just leave."
"Heartless? If we leave now, we get N+1 compensation. If she goes bankrupt, she won't be able to pay even if she wants to."
"You're right. We can't be soft-hearted. Let's take the money and go."
In the end, most people chose to take the compensation and leave, leaving only two people at the scene.
Feng Feifei's feelings were very complex, a mix of relief, sadness, and surprise!
With everyone gone, it was like starting a business for the second time, unburdened, and she no longer felt guilty facing the old employees.
With everyone gone, none of the old employees were willing to stay and share the hardships with her. Although she had expected it, the taste of human indifference, after experiencing it, was indeed a mix of emotions.
What surprised her was that there were still people willing to stay. One was the finance person, who was essentially an insider, so it wasn't surprising for her to stay. The other was a new employee who had only been with the company for a month.
Chen Xiao was someone she had interviewed, and she remembered him. He was a young man with no prior industry experience, who had just completed his pre-job training and hadn't even met a client yet, having been with the company for just one month.
"General Manager Feng! Everyone's gone!"
Everyone had gone to the Human Resources Department to settle their salaries and compensation, leaving Xia Yun, the finance person, to say with a hint of sadness.
"Yes, those who shouldn't have left have all left!"
Chen Xiao's face fell a little. What did she mean by that? Did she mean those who should have left didn't?
Feng Feifei clearly noticed Chen Xiao's expression and quickly said, "Chen Xiao, don't misunderstand. I meant that even the R&D and marketing personnel have left, so the core team will have to be reorganized again!"
Chen Xiao thought to himself, "Whether it's a misunderstanding or not isn't important. Even if you truly think I should leave, for the sake of the overall low-income security, I won't go."
He took a few steps forward and said, "General Manager Feng, please don't be disheartened. With you, a technical expert, and me, a business person, we can certainly revive the company!"
Feng Feifei was amused by him, not knowing where he got his confidence. On the technical side, she wasn't worried. With her serving as the chief scientist, as long as customer needs could be thoroughly researched, she could completely handle product development. The key was whether the funding could keep up.
As for him doing business, Feng Feifei didn't have much hope. He had only been there for a month and hadn't even passed his probation period yet.
"Chen Xiao, thank you for your encouragement and support! To be honest, I truly don't have that much confidence, because three million is just a drop in the bucket for product development. What's more, after deducting the compensation for everyone, less than two million will be left, and this is all I have!"
Perhaps because Chen Xiao was the only non-direct subordinate who stayed, or perhaps because his concern for the company, which was evident in his words, was too sincere, she even felt that Chen Xiao cared more about the company's growth than she, the boss, did!
But as a new employee who had just joined, he was simplifying things. Businesses like Dr. Feng's Robot Company dealt with TOB or TOG clients, and without strong connections, it was very difficult to advance business.
The company's previous business team hadn't secured any orders this past year; some orders were just carryovers from previous years.
Perhaps not wanting to dampen Chen Xiao's enthusiasm, she spoke in a very gentle, apologetic tone: "Chen Xiao, the company certainly can't rely on just the three of us. So, we'll definitely need to add new people soon, especially to the business team!"
Chen Xiao nodded; this was to be expected. Not only did the business team need to expand, but they also needed to hire pre-sales personnel. Pre-sales personnel are responsible for product solution development, roadshows, and introducing product technical points, working closely with sales personnel.
"However, the company's cash flow is very tight right now. For the salaries of future business personnel, I plan to recruit by lowering the base salary and increasing sales commissions. This way, if there are no orders, the company's expenses decrease; if there are orders, business personnel will earn more for their efforts."
She also had another meaning behind this: screening. Those without a certain level of confidence in securing orders wouldn't come. Those who dared to come would definitely be confident, believing they could earn more returns through high commission rates. These types of people often have excellent industry key account resources and strong connections.
She now needed the second type of person more.
She informed everyone about the company's financial situation today, partly out of her responsibility to employees, and partly to allow those who couldn't share the company's hardships to leave voluntarily, achieving the effect of streamlining manpower. And those who remained were truly willing to work hard with her, and these people would form her future core team.
The first goal was achieved, but it was a bit too streamlined, and the people who stayed were also unexpected.
Chen Xiao's expression was a bit grim. Looking at Feng Feifei, who seemed to want to speak but hesitated, he said, "General Manager Feng, please be direct!"
Feng Feifei said apologetically, "You know, we have equal pay for equal work in the same position, so your benefits might also need to be adjusted accordingly. After the adjustment, your base salary will be 4,000 yuan per month, and your business commission will increase from 2% to 5%. I know this is hard to accept, so if you choose not to accept it now, I can understand. I'm willing to give you an extra month's salary as compensation!"
By "same position," she meant business personnel at the same level. For example, Chen Xiao's department is the Business Department, and his level is P5. New hires are also P5, so they should theoretically receive equal pay for equal work. Of course, there's the issue of seniority here; those with more years of service would have a small salary adjustment, but Chen Xiao, having just joined a month ago, clearly didn't have this issue.
Chen Xiao certainly didn't want to accept. His heart was bleeding. "Miss, do you know how much my low-income security income has decreased because of your policy!"
"Chen Xiao, I'm sorry. You can think about it, whether to stay or leave. Whatever the outcome, I can accept it!"
Chen Xiao's expression was like he was constipated. He said through gritted teeth, "I've thought it over. I'm staying!"
Feng Feifei was a little touched. What a good employee! Even though work abused him a thousand times, he still treated it like his first love.