Lu Ming's move was indeed brilliant, directly crushing the rumors with his actions. He used facts to tell everyone that as long as they worked hard, there would be a way out.
The most crucial point was that Chang Xing, whom Lu Ming promoted, was personally recruited by Su Fei Ang!
This was tantamount to telling others: the company will not ostracize you because of your "background." As long as you don't cause trouble and work diligently, the company will definitely reward you handsomely.
Suppression where it's due, rewards where they're due – this is the charm of management.
Afterwards.
Lu Ming continued to flip through the A4 papers in his hand and said, "I have some other employees who have performed exceptionally well. Those whose names I call next are to be rewarded. Don't kneel and apologize like Chang Xing this time."
Everyone burst into laughter, and Chang Xing scratched his head, feeling quite awkward.
However, everyone's guard was let down.
"So it's an appreciation meeting, not a criticism session. I was scared to death just now. To be honest, I was already prepared to fight him."
"I have to say, Lu Ming handled this beautifully. Many diligent old employees were recognized, which warmed our hearts."
"Clear rewards and punishments allow us to know where we stand and how to act in the future."
In an instant, the situation reversed, and the employees' favorability towards Lu Ming soared.
Employees are not afraid of a fierce and strict leader, but rather a leader who is unpredictable and lacks principles. As long as you tell employees what they can and cannot do, and reward them for doing it right and punish them for doing it wrong, it's difficult for employees to have any complaints.
Setting a unified standard, a unified measure, and establishing a tone for the company – this is what Lu Ming intended to do today.
Soon, the entire appreciation meeting concluded.
Lu Ming took a deep breath, put away all the A4 papers, and said with a smile, "Today's appreciation meeting ends here. I will hold an appreciation meeting every quarter to reward outstanding employees. I hope everyone will work hard and contribute more to the company."
This was not the end.
Lu Ming came up with an even more ruthless move.
His expression became serious, and he continued, "Of course, some people might say that their abilities are average, and even if they work hard, they definitely can't compare to those outstanding employees, so it's better to be lazy. Here, I want to say that it doesn't exist! As long as you work hard, you will definitely be rewarded. My evaluation is comprehensive. As long as you make progress in your work, or maintain a high level of work consistently, I will give generous rewards. You only need to compete with yourselves, not with others."
Hoo~~
Hearing this, everyone became energized.
Who wouldn't want to be recognized? Who wouldn't want to earn more money?
More importantly, Lu Ming gave them a huge surprise at the end: the company has monthly targets. Before, it was only punishment without rewards. If the targets weren't met, there were all sorts of penalties, but if they were met, there were no rewards. Now it's different. If the targets are met, it's simply: get paid!!!
This further boosted everyone's drive.
If you work hard, you can receive rewards at the appreciation meeting and enjoy the collective benefits of meeting targets.
Even the lowest-level employees would receive nearly a hundred thousand for one reward, let alone the senior management, who were all rubbing their hands together, full of fighting spirit.
Isn't it great?
Of course, it's great!
The employees were full of vigor, and the Origin Project had never been so vibrant.
Su Wanran watched this with joy in her heart.
The appreciation meeting ended after exactly one hour, no more, no less.
Su Wanran was quite satisfied with the outcome.
Returning to the Chairman's office.
Su Wanran gave Lu Ming a thumbs-up and said, "Not bad, well done. I didn't expect you, a gravedigger, to understand management. Good, you have some skills."
Lu Ming smiled without a word.
Gravedigger?
Heh, that's a joke. Lu Ming was the Dragon Warlord, commanding thousands of troops. If he didn't understand a bit of management, how could he keep his soldiers obedient?
However...
Su Wanran's smile quickly faded.
She said worriedly, "Although the employees are full of fighting spirit now, the entire R&D department has been fired. This is an undeniable fact. Where can I find so many people to replace them in such a short time? Even if I find them, they won't be able to fully replace the original team. Not to mention that Wang Zhongcheng still controls the company's core technology."
Lu Ming was even more confident about this point.
He placed a stack of A4 papers on the desk and said, "I already have candidates for the positions. Chairman Su, what do you think of these people?"
Su Wanran quickly picked up the stack of A4 papers to read. Upon seeing the candidates listed, she was stunned.
She glanced sideways at Lu Ming and questioned, "Lu Ming, are you playing with me?"
Lu Ming shrugged, "No, I'm serious."
Jiang Mengxin, who was nearby, also took a curious look at the candidates. After reading, she was equally bewildered. It was no wonder Su Wanran was angry, as these candidates were too bizarre!
Because the candidates Lu Ming had chosen were none other than those he had just fired!
To put it more bluntly, this stack of A4 papers was the same one Lu Ming used to fire people earlier.
Using a piece of paper twice?
Su Wanran was completely baffled. Although she knew Lu Ming wasn't one for jokes and often did strange and unusual things, the results were always good.
However, Lu Ming's current actions were truly incomprehensible.
Su Wanran patted the stack of A4 papers and said, "Lu Ming, you must give me a reasonable explanation!"
Lu Ming said, "My idea is that we first fire all 16 people from the R&D department, and then rehire them to continue working. That way, it will be a seamless transition, right? They are very familiar with the entire company's operations and don't need any adjustment period. Correct?"
Correct... Correct your big head!
Su Wanran said angrily, "Isn't this a superfluous step? If you want to rehire them, why fire them in the first place?"
This, Lu Ming explained with a smile, was his brilliance.
He explained, "Two reasons. First, by firing and rehiring them, they are now hired by us, not Su Fei Ang, which essentially washes them clean. Second, firing them makes them aware of the company's strict policies, and rehiring them makes them grateful for the company's magnanimity. Trust me, after this experience, these people will have a profound sense of awe towards the company and will never dare to cause trouble again. In the future, we only need to show them small kindnesses, and they will be overwhelmingly grateful!"
Finally, Lu Ming summarized, "To put it simply, it's like hitting someone and then giving them a sweet date. It makes them fear you, but also love you!"
Oh?
Isn't this pure PUA?!
Su Wanran and Jiang Mengxin exchanged glances. Both were amazed at how deep Lu Ming's schemes were.
They had always seen Lu Ming as a simpleton.
In fact, both women were "self-reflecting," wondering if they had, unknowingly, been manipulated by Lu Ming before.
It was highly possible!
It seemed they could no longer treat Lu Ming as a simple "fool."
"But..." Su Wanran said with great concern, "Will they get angry and join a rival company? Or be poached by others with high salaries?"
Lu Ming waved his hand, "Impossible. All 16 of them are important members of the R&D department, and each has signed a non-compete agreement. If they dare to leave, we'll ruin them! They will either lose their jobs or change careers!"
This...
Su Wanran looked at Lu Ming, her hair standing on end. She had still underestimated Lu Ming.
This man was far more formidable than they had imagined.
Naturally.
As the commander of the three armies, victory could not be achieved solely through bravery. Back when Lu Ming fought against ten enemy nations, all sorts of schemes were employed, so much so that enemy generals would be too terrified to sleep at the mere mention of the words 'Dragon Warlord.'
From beginning to end, Lu Ming's skill in plotting against others was second to none.
After a pause.
Su Wanran said, "Then... you have already fired these 16 people, shouldn't you call them back to sign new contracts?"
Call them back to sign contracts?
That's a joke!
Lu Ming said, "If we go and call them, won't it seem like we are lowering our stance and begging them? As if we can't accomplish anything without them. No rush, let's just sit here drinking tea and chatting, waiting for them to come to us begging. Then, we'll negotiate a price!"
Lu Ming said very seriously, "I estimate that in another hour or two, one of those 16 people will break. Then, I'll play the good cop, Chairman Su will play the bad cop, and Meng Xin, you can be the peacemaker. The three of us will put on a good show and secure all 16 people from the R&D department!"
Su Wanran and Jiang Mengxin swallowed at the same time.
Well, you're not satisfied with PUAing others, now you want to negotiate a price. You're truly ruthless.
Lu Ming's prediction turned out to be remarkably accurate. After they chatted idly in the office for another 40-odd minutes, someone finally broke.
Hu Youjia!
He was the first to be fired, and the first to break.
He had too many mortgage and car loan payments, and his wife and children's daily expenses were also high. Losing this job would immediately collapse his family.
He couldn't afford to gamble!
Should he go find another job? The non-compete agreement was a hurdle.
And even if he found a new job, would the salary be as high? Would it be as close to home? Everything was uncertain.
Rather than gambling on an unknown future, it was better to bow his head, admit his mistake, and beg for forgiveness.
Thus, Hu Youjia pushed open the Chairman's office door and said in a low, submissive tone, "Chairman Su, Deputy General Manager Lu, I have realized my mistake and undergone profound self-reflection. I hope you can forgive my wrongdoing and allow me to continue working at the company. I guarantee that I will be well-behaved in the future and will no longer cause trouble."
As he spoke, he also handed over a recently written letter of repentance, his attitude extremely humble.
Su Wanran glanced at it and secretly rejoiced.
At the same time, her admiration for Lu Ming grew even more; it was truly miraculous, the situation unfolding exactly as Lu Ming had predicted!
Lu Ming, you are incredible.