Time is the best weapon

Chen Mo's chest heaved; if the reputation issue of the Canned Food Factory were resolved, then the trouble would be huge.

The main reason he took over this Canned Food Factory was precisely because of its reputation issue; only if the reputation remained poor could he guarantee losing money!

If the reputation issue were solved, who knows if it might become profitable in the future!

No, the reputation issue must absolutely not be resolved.

Chen Mo thought for a moment, then looked up at Meng Xiuhong.

"Regarding the reputation issue, I feel that using promotional methods to resolve it is somewhat inappropriate."

"President Chen, why is that?"

Meng Xiuhong looked puzzled; the promotional strategy was a method she had thought about for a long time and ultimately selected as a relatively reliable one.

Chen Mo tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, his expression becoming serious.

"First, the reputation of Zhenhao Canned Goods is currently severely damaged. Looking at those forwarded videos online, in a situation where many food safety issues are emerging, Zhenhao Canned Goods being exposed in such videos gives customers the first impression that Zhenhao Canned Goods has problems and cannot be eaten."

"And at this critical moment, if you release a promotional video showing that the Zhenhao Canned Goods workshop has improved, what will the customers who see it think?"

"Do you think that when they see those videos of the renovated workshop, their first thought will be that the production of Zhenhao Canned Goods is without issues?"

Meng Xiuhong had a thoughtful look in her eyes, but before she could figure it out, President Chen continued.

"No, that is impossible. Their first thought would not be that Zhenhao Canned Goods has no issues. The most common thought would likely be that Zhenhao Canned Goods only renovated the workshop because they were forced to in order to save their reputation. Or perhaps that Zhenhao Canned Goods is just putting on a promotional show, or other negative thoughts."

"All these thoughts share a commonality: that the quality of Zhenhao Canned Goods still has issues and cannot be purchased."

"Once suspicion arises, the verdict is already established. A collapse of trust cannot be resolved by a single video."

"Therefore, you say that using promotional videos to resolve the reputation issue is of no use. On the contrary, it might even amplify the negative impact on Zhenhao Canned Goods."

"…"

Chen Mo picked up the water cup beside him and took a slow sip.

Listening to President Chen's words, Meng Xiuhong's expression became ashamed.

Everything President Chen said was truly so reasonable, especially the phrase, "Once suspicion arises, the verdict is already established." This sentence was truly so reasonable, and it was also rich with a certain philosophy.

As expected of President Chen; as the President of the Group, his perspective is indeed different.

She marveled in her heart and looked up at Chen Mo.

"Then, President Chen, if we don't promote it, how should we resolve the reputation issue?"

"Resolve? Why would you want to resolve it?"

Chen Mo glanced at Meng Xiuhong indifferently.

"Not resolve it?"

Meng Xiuhong also became confused.

"Correct, just don't resolve it. Now that the reputation of Zhenhao Canned Goods has already been damaged, whatever you do will be useless. The best method is to do nothing at all."

"And time is the best weapon; it will make people slowly forget."

The corners of Chen Mo's mouth curved slightly; wanting to resolve the reputation issue? Not a chance.

Time is the best weapon!

Meng Xiuhong whispered softly, not understanding what President Chen meant. Letting time make people forget, isn't that just the same as doing nothing?

"Also, regarding the price issue, discounts are definitely out of the question. I believe the materials we currently use in the workshop, while not very poor, are just barely qualified products. From now on, all raw materials used to make the canned goods must be the best; all fruit and meat must be fresh."

"President Chen, if we use fresh fruit and meat for everything, then the costs will increase significantly. Based on the current selling price of Zhenhao Canned Goods, we won't have much profit left."

Meng Xiuhong hurriedly spoke up. Zhenhao Canned Goods is not a big brand at the moment, and it was previously accepted by customers entirely because the price was cheaper than those big-name canned goods.

And because it was cheaper, if they wanted to earn more, they needed to save on raw materials.

Now that the consumption of raw materials has increased, if the price remains unchanged, the profit will definitely decrease significantly.

"How could there be no profit? Since we are using the best raw materials, wouldn't it be better to just raise the price? Just take the current price of mass-market canned goods and increase it by 50 percent."

Chen Mo smiled; he had already planned this decision long ago.

Improving the quality of raw materials further increases capital consumption. And with a price increase, even without the reputation issue, sales volume would definitely decrease.

After all, Zhenhao Canned Goods is just a niche brand; it isn't even sold nationwide. The reason for its decent sales before was entirely due to playing the price war.

At this moment, if the price is suddenly raised to be 50 percent higher than the price of mass-market canned goods…

…would anyone still buy it?

The reputation issue, plus the price increase—a double insurance.

He didn't believe that in such a case, Zhenhao Canned Goods could still be sold.

"Are there any other issues? If not, then go handle them. When the next budget report is ready, just send the file over directly; there's no need to deliver it in person."

Seeing Meng Xiuhong's thoughtful expression, Chen Mo hurriedly spoke up.

"Alright, President Chen!"

Meng Xiuhong nodded, somewhat confused. Although she didn't understand President Chen's actions, there must surely be some profound meaning behind them.

Otherwise, how could he have said such a philosophical sentence?

"Once suspicion arises, the verdict is already established."

That sentence is truly so reasonable!

And the matter of the price—if he really raises the price by that much, will customers really accept it? Previously, the good sales were entirely due to the price advantage. Now that even the price advantage is gone, can the canned goods still be sold?

Seeing this, Chen Mo nodded slightly. This Meng Xiuhong was quite obedient. He then called Shen Rou over.

"President Chen, what are your instructions?"

Shen Rou approached, first smiled at Meng Xiuhong, then fixed her gaze entirely on President Chen.

"Take Manager Meng to collect an elevator card for the Group company."

Chen Mo said softly.

Now that the transfer procedures for the Canned Food Factory had been completed, Zhenhao Cannery was already a company under the Mingri Group, and as the person in charge of Zhenhao Cannery, Meng Xiuhong would naturally assume the position of manager.

"Alright, President Chen."

Shen Rou nodded and turned her gaze to look at Meng Xiuhong.

"Manager Meng, please come with me."

As she spoke, she turned and walked out of the office.

Seeing this, Meng Xiuhong greeted President Chen and hurriedly followed.

"Thank you for taking care of me these past two days, Assistant Shen."

Arriving outside the office, Meng Xiuhong said quite politely.

This Shen Rou was President Chen's dedicated assistant. Even though she was now a manager of a company under the Mingri Group, she still had to be polite toward the President's dedicated assistant.

"Manager Meng is too polite. I am just acting according to President Chen's wishes; there is no such thing as taking care of you."

Shen Rou's expression was serious. She had always acted according to President Chen's arrangements, and it was the same for Meng Xiuhong; she had never given any special care.

Seeing Shen Rou's serious expression, Meng Xiuhong realized she had said the wrong thing and hurriedly smiled.

"Assistant Shen, you misunderstood; I didn't mean anything else."

"It's fine. Later, I will add you to a Manager Group Chat; all the managers of the companies under the Mingri Group are there, and you can get to know them."

Shen Rou waved her hand dismissively and then glanced at the time.

"Oh! It's almost 12 o'clock noon. After we pick up the elevator card, I'll take you to the Tomorrow Cafeteria for lunch. It just so happens I can introduce you to a manager who is already a veteran of the company. If you have any points you don't understand about President Chen's arrangements, you can go consult him."