Chapter 8 — I Have A Boss Who Works Overtime

The company suddenly received an urgent project. A luxury brand from Europe wants to expand into the Asian market, needing a domestic company to provide a market penetration strategy and comprehensive brand promotion plan. This project is extremely difficult. The partners' requirements are extremely strict and the time is tight. Most importantly, several leading media companies in the country were previously rejected, citing "lack of creative solutions". This is like a hard bone that everyone wants to chew but is afraid of chipping their teeth. As soon as the news was spread, the whole company was buzzing, but no one dared to proactively accept it. I know, this is my chance. This is the best opportunity to destroy all rumors of "grandfather's son" and prove his strength through action. During the project's encouragement meeting, when Co Canh Tham asked who would volunteer to take responsibility, I was the first person to stand up.

“Let me.”

All eyes turned to me, filled with surprise and suspicion. Co Canh Tham looked at me with deep eyes.

"Trinh Tu, do you know what this project means? Only success, no failure."

“I know.”

I received his gaze without faltering. He agreed. I quickly gathered an elite team, and a smokeless war officially began. The next half month, the whole team almost made the office their home. We stay up all night researching partner brand cultures, analyzing market data, and looking for breakthrough ideas. Difficulties kept coming. Cultural barriers of partners, psychological gaps of consumers, and all kinds of unexpected situations cause headaches for everyone. Inside the team, frustration and discouragement gradually appeared. Co Canh Tham does not directly interfere in our work. But every time we ran into the most deadlocked situation, he would appear with the excuse of "checking progress". He doesn't give specific answers, but can always, with a central question, help me stimulate my thinking and find a new direction. He also used his connections to help us contact Europe's leading fashion critic, providing the most valuable source of documents. When we stayed up until midnight, he silently asked his assistant to bring us a hot late-night snack and coffee. He used his own way to become the strongest support for the team. The decisive moment has finally come. We had a final video meeting with the partner CEO team. Their main representative was a French man named Pierre. He had an arrogant attitude, sharp words, and bluntly made unreasonable demands on the original plan, almost negating all the effort we had put in before. The air in the meeting room immediately dropped to freezing point. The faces of each team member showed disappointment and anger. I took a deep breath and stood up. I was not overwhelmed by his aura, but calmly looked straight at the screen. I did not rush to refute, but first affirmed the other person's brand philosophy, then immediately changed direction...

“But, Mr. Pierre,” I said calmly, “what you are holding on to is your successful experience in the European market. The Chinese market has a completely unique culture and consumer mindset.”

Rely on ants With solid professional knowledge and a carefully prepared data report, I presented in a reasonable manner the obstacles that their plan might encounter when applied in the Chinese market. Then, I loudly introduced our core idea — “East meets West, classic embraces rebirth.” I fluently use English, from the perspective of cross-cultural, digital marketing, consumer context... to comprehensively present the final plan that the whole team worked hard for half a month to complete. My demeanor convinces everyone. Even Pierre, the French man who always had an arrogant face on the other end of the online meeting. The disdain on his face gradually turned to surprise, and finally to sincere appreciation. At the end of the meeting, he stood up, through the screen, and applauded me. The project has been successfully signed. When the news was transmitted to the company, the whole department exploded. At the celebration party, my colleagues who had mocked and despised me, held their glasses of wine and proactively walked forward.

"Miss Tu, no, Director Trinh, I was really blind before. I'll buy you a drink to apologize."

I calmly accepted that offer of wine. Looking at the faces around me now filled with admiration and goodwill, I know that from this moment on, I - Trinh Tu - no longer need to rely on anyone's aura. I used my own strength to win everyone's respect.

10

After the success of the project, the company's celebration party was extremely bustling. As for Co Canh Tham, he reserved a private congratulatory party for me, just the two of us. The location, is still the private restaurant where we had our first "overtime" session. The old location and night view are still the same, but the mood is completely different.

“Congratulations.”

He raised his glass of wine, his deep eyes filled with laughter.

"Also congratulate yourself, for not looking at the wrong person."

I clinked my glass with him, my cheeks suddenly turned red.

"Thanks to your skillful direction."

“No,” he shook his head, “that's the result you earned yourself.”

The atmosphere of the dinner was so fitting. When dessert was served, Co Canh Tham suddenly took out a dark blue velvet box from his pocket and pushed it towards me. My heart suddenly skipped a beat. Could it be... With a nervous feeling, I opened the box. Inside was not a ring like I thought, but a sophisticatedly designed Parker fountain pen. On the body of the pen are also engraved three initials of my name - CSY. I looked at him a little suspiciously. He smiled slightly and explained: "Congratulations, Director Trinh." I was stunned.

“Director?”

“The Board of Directors has approved your special promotion. The official decision will be announced next Monday.”