The day after military training ended, the University of Finance and Economics was still on holiday.
Chen Pingjiang went to the talent market and posted recruitment information on Dongjiang's largest forum.
After reviewing resumes, he selected a few suitable candidates and quickly brought them to Xiaozheng Barbecue for a food tasting.
Then he found someone to design a new signboard and make some wallpaper.
He didn't have much capital left, so he didn't dare to undertake major renovations.
At 2 PM, two job seekers for the store manager position arrived.
Originally, three people were scheduled, but one simply disappeared.
Chen Pingjiang didn't mind.
The first applicant had a college degree in hotel management, interned at a five-star hotel in another city after graduation, and worked for a few years.
Throughout the interview, he appeared indifferent, probably looking down on such a small barbecue shop.
The other one was named Zhu Yuanlan, only twenty-two years old, with no restaurant management experience.
However, after graduating from high school, she worked in restaurants, serving as a kitchen assistant, a cutting board assistant, and a waitress.
It could be said that she understood all the ins and outs of a restaurant, big or small.
Zhu Yuanlan was dressed very simply, with a bare face.
It was clear her family background wasn't great.
Her personality was quite cheerful, and she knew her qualifications were insufficient, so she kept a low profile.
Without much thought, Chen Pingjiang decided on Zhu Yuanlan.
It was like picking a general from a dwarf; he didn't have time to slowly choose suitable personnel.
At the very least, he valued Zhu Yuanlan's demonstrated diligence and eagerness to learn, and her communication skills were also sharp.
With Chen Pingjiang around, the store manager of Xiaozheng Barbecue didn't need to worry about marketing.
They just needed to be obedient, do their job according to Chen Pingjiang's instructions, act as a lubricant for the team, and be the boss's eyes and ears.
"Boss, I used to live at the store there. Now that I've resigned from that job, I've been staying at my friend's place for the past two days, which is too far from Xianlin. May I apply to live at the store? This way, I can also look after the store at night,"
Zhu Yuanlan said, plucking up her courage to Chen Pingjiang.
Employee accommodation was indeed an issue.
Fortunately, the previous two employees, including the newly hired chef, either lived not far away or commuted by bike.
However, Zhu Yuanlan and the newly hired waitress, Wei Xiaoqing, both needed accommodation, especially in a remote area like Xianlin, with late working hours.
After much thought, Chen Pingjiang had no choice but to rent an apartment for the two girls nearby.
However, this left him with tight finances.
Upon hearing that Chen Pingjiang arranged accommodation for her, Zhu Yuanlan was especially happy and bowed excitedly.
It took a full day to establish the team's initial structure.
Store Manager: Zhu Yuanlan
Chefs: Ai Zhiwei, Chen Lei
All-rounder: Bao Yufang
Waitress: Wei Xiaoqing
Chen Pingjiang, after all, used to manage a team of hundreds, so painting a grand vision and setting rules came naturally to him.
At the first meeting, Chen Pingjiang clarified job responsibilities and work procedures for the staff, defining dish standards, service standards, and service procedures.
He also established attendance, management, and hygiene systems, among others.
To Chen Pingjiang's pleasant surprise, Zhu Yuanlan put forward several constructive suggestions that were adopted.
Don't think a small barbecue shop needs to be so formal?
These are fundamental things.
If they aren't regulated from the start, it will be very difficult to implement them later, and opening branches would be out of the question.
With rules established, it meant the foundation was solid.
Having standards for everything allows for better management, especially since food safety is involved here.
Chen Pingjiang certainly didn't want a food poisoning incident.
Everyone watched the young, youthful-looking boss speak eloquently, and even seriously print out each system, binding them into booklets, instructing them to strictly adhere to them, with fines for violators.
They immediately clicked their tongues in astonishment.
At first, some people harbored contempt for Chen Pingjiang, thinking a young, inexperienced kid couldn't accomplish anything significant, but now they had no choice but to set aside such thoughts.
Some also thought it was excessive to have so many rules for a small barbecue joint, but they didn't show it.
Nevertheless, Chen Pingjiang's authoritative persona was established.
No one dared to underestimate or belittle him anymore; everyone diligently reviewed the rules and regulations.
Chen Pingjiang didn't care how these people in front of him saw him; they just needed to listen and do their jobs well.
Those who paid lip service, slacked off, or ignored the rules would certainly be shown the door.
"Where there are penalties, there are naturally rewards. I will take a portion of the net profit each month as a team bonus, distributed according to each person's contribution. Of course, it will follow the principle of 'more work, more gain; less work, less gain.'
I hope everyone understands that we are a collective. If the store's business thrives, everyone's income will naturally rise, including future social security benefits, opening branches, and so on. Let's work hard together!"
Chen Pingjiang's combination of carrot and stick immediately swayed everyone.
They instantly felt that this was a good arrangement, with clear rewards and punishments, and additional income for good performance, especially the social security benefits which greatly appealed to everyone.
Favor should start light and grow strong; those who start strong and then lighten, people forget their kindness.
Authority should start strict and grow lenient; those who start lenient and then grow strict, people resent their cruelty.
Chen Pingjiang thought to himself,
"Even if they don't want this pie today, they'll swallow it."
It's no wonder Chen Pingjiang is so suited to be a boss.
It was already 5 PM after the meeting, and there was no intention of letting everyone off.
He then had the two chefs prepare a table full of dishes and various skewers, combining the team meal and food tasting.
Chen Lei specialized in Sichuan and Huaiyang cuisines, which are particularly suited to the tastes of Dongjiang locals and young men and women.
This was why Chen Pingjiang chose him.
Besides signature Sichuan dishes like Kung Pao Chicken and Sauerkraut Fish, Chen Pingjiang also specifically requested a few other dishes.
For example: grilled fish, stone pot bullfrog, boiled beef with chili oil, spicy crawfish, and so on.
In short, they were all very spicy, substantial dishes.
Why spicy?
Because spiciness whets the appetite, and spiciness leads to drinking more alcohol, thereby stimulating beverage consumption.
Chen Pingjiang returned just as the dorm doors were locking.
As soon as he entered 603, he heard Zhao Shaoyang shouting,
"Watch your aggro, you motherf***er, I'll OT and kill you!"
"DPS hit hard, healers spam heals!"
The others were either playing on their phones or reading novels.
Wang Lei saw Chen Pingjiang and hesitantly asked curiously,
"Brother Chen, why didn't you guys come back all night yesterday? I asked Old Dong and the others, but they were all tight-lipped."
Chen Pingjiang looked at Dong Tinghui, who put on an expression that said
"I didn't say anything."
Wang Lei, that sly one, had already noticed that Chen Pingjiang and the others were acting strange last night.
He certainly wouldn't believe it was an all-nighter at an internet cafe.
Dong Tinghui had collected military training uniforms all day and stayed up all night, and he could still manage without sleep the next day?
Was he an immortal?
"We went for a 'big health care' session. Want to come next time?"
Chen Pingjiang said, looking at the guy with a cigarette in his mouth.
Wang Lei didn't expect Chen Pingjiang to admit it so openly.
Instead, he thought Chen Pingjiang was bragging.
Faced with the invitation, he wanted to go inside, but outwardly refused:
"I... I won't go, I'm still young."
Chen Pingjiang laughed and cursed,
"If you know you're young, little brother, why ask so many questions? We just stayed up all night, and in the latter half of the night, we were so tired we couldn't stand it, so the four of us checked into a hotel and went all out."
"Damn it, Old Chen, don't ruin my innocence! I still want to fall in love,"
Dong Tinghui grumbled discontentedly.
Zhao Shaoyang, who was engrossed in his game, suddenly blurted out,
"I was woken up by you this morning, sleeping perfectly soundly, and then felt a furry arm around me, nudging against me."
"Screw you! Why don't you mention how you puked all over the bathroom last night, practically creating a biological weapon on the spot?"
Chen Pingjiang watched Zhao Shaoyang and Dong Tinghui bickering, smiling.
He would sometimes help Dong Tinghui retort to Zhao Shaoyang, and sometimes help Zhao Shaoyang spray Dong Tinghui, truly an expert at stirring the pot.
"They're almost crying from being ribbed, and you're still laughing? Haven't you eaten? You're laughing so quietly."
(End of Chapter)
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