RBCT Chapter 116: Either be recruited or be completely eliminated.
Chapter 116: Either be recruited or be completely eliminated.
Chapter 116: Either be recruited or be completely eliminated (4k)
The viral spread of the comparison images and the continued fermentation of the popular post on Tianya (a Chinese online forum) have stirred up a tsunami of public opinion across the entire internet.
The editors and reporters of the three major portal websites finally couldn't sit still any longer. They all turned their guns on the "Jiaotong University matchmaker" model, dug into the chaos in the marriage and dating industry, and commented on "Geng Yan Geng Yu" (a popular online commentator). Articles sprang up like mushrooms after rain.
Those influential figures and columnists who had previously received money and praised Century Family Network have either quietly deleted their posts or changed their tune to strongly support the "Jiaotong University Matchmaker" model, following the trend of public opinion.
Amidst the uproar online, Geng Zhi's Weibo followers skyrocketed, making him a social media celebrity in a short period of time.
Even his parents back in Shandong province, and his distant relatives who don't use the internet much, know that Geng Zhi has become famous.
But for Geng Zhi, this became a happy problem.
The volume of public opinion far exceeded his expectations, to the point that it completely disrupted his plans.
According to his original plan, before the Spring Festival, the team would build the basic framework of the Momo APP step by step, and then come back after the Spring Festival to refine it, making the product as simple as possible and the user experience as perfect as possible.
After the Spring Festival, they will launch the Momo App by staging a series of exciting events.
However, due to the nationwide promotion by Century Family Network and my impulsive counterattack, everything spiraled out of control.
The public outcry was too intense.
He knew all too well that traffic comes and goes quickly.
Success or failure often hinges on a single point. If you fail to seize this fleeting opportunity and effectively capitalize on it, you may forever miss this strategic window of opportunity.
Therefore, as public opinion has been fermenting in the past few days, Geng Zhi, who is the chief architect of the whole incident, has been urgently instructing the entire Momo team to speed up the development of the iOS version of the Momo APP.
In order to handle this massive influx of traffic, the development of the app must be accelerated to the extreme, even if it means temporarily sacrificing some performance and perfection in the early stages.
According to Geng Zhi's latest plan, a minimal, usable MVP version must be developed before the Spring Festival and launched to the market for a small-scale test.
Ma Jie once said that even if he were to go back in time and start Alibaba all over again, he might not be able to succeed.
Geng Zhi wholeheartedly agrees with this.
There are many factors that contribute to success. Even if he had the advantage of being reborn and created a "Momo" with the exact same functions as in his previous life, he would still have no guarantee of victory.
Moreover, he launched "Momo" now more than a year earlier than in his previous life.
Moreover, the product positioning of "Momo" in this life is not exactly the same as that of "Momo" in the previous life.
He dared not be negligent in the slightest, and was doing it entirely as if he were starting a business from scratch, proceeding with extreme caution.
During the recent development of Momo, the team discovered that the technical challenges were much greater than previously expected.
Lv Sifeng and Song Qing have good technical skills in LBS, but their previous technology applications were all on the PC side. Now they are trying to migrate to the mobile APP side, and they have encountered all sorts of problems.
When they coordinated with Zou Lu, who was providing online support, various problems arose, resulting in extremely low efficiency.
LBS accuracy issues, client incompatibility issues, excessive mobile battery drain issues, message disconnection issues —
Later, after Geng Zhi's repeated and sincere invitations, Zou Lu, who originally planned to join the company after the Spring Festival, agreed to get involved as an external consultant in advance, working on-site at the company for two days a week and receiving a consultant fee on a daily basis.
"I just heard from my apprentice that a reporter from Xinlang News is coming to interview the matchmaker from Jiaotong University," and it's completely free! Yang Mingxia, who had just finished learning how to install the Momo installation package, suddenly said.
"Hmm?" Shu Beibei, who was pondering the social interaction strategy, was interrupted and asked curiously, "Didn't you say before that the reporter from Xinlang didn't want to come because she thought the travel expenses offered by the matchmaker from Jiaotong University were too low?"
"Things change," Lu Zhijie chimed in without looking up. "Now that the Jiaotong University matchmakers are popular, they've seen the news value and are definitely trying to ride the wave."
"Snobbish, so snobbish!" Shu Beibei shook her head and spat lightly.
"If it exists, it has a reason," Lu Zhijie shrugged.
"Wait a minute, you guys think that Xinlang News was originally going to interview the boss, but now they've contacted that person surnamed Ma. Will she end up being the interviewee too?" Yang Mingxia suddenly said angrily.
"Don't worry," Shu Beibei patted Yang Mingxia's shoulder, "The boss might not care about this. Maybe—"
He also hoped that Ma Chunmei would appear online more often and gain more attention.
"Huh? Beibei, what do you mean by that?" Upon hearing this, Lu Zhijie finally stopped what he was doing and turned to look at Shu Beibei in confusion.
He was still completely unaware of the intricate web of relationships within the company.
"The boss said that himself before, so he must have his own plans," Shu Beibei replied vaguely.
At the same time, Geng Zhi, with a hint of trepidation, knocked on the door of Liu Kangping's office, the vice dean of the School of Media and Communication.
"Please come in," came the calm voice of Vice President Liu from inside.
Geng Zhi slowly pushed open the door and entered, politely saying, "Dean Liu, I'm sorry to bother you."
Seeing that Geng was straightforward, Liu Kangping put down his pen and smiled gently: "Xiao Geng, sit down! Your appearance on CCTV has really stirred up the dating industry. With such high public attention, our planned press conference is under a lot of pressure."
His words carried a hint of teasing, yet also a touch of caution.
Geng Zhi leaned forward slightly and said humbly, "Dean Liu, that's why I'm here. There are two things I'd like to report to you and hear your opinion."
"Oh? What are your thoughts? Tell me." Liu Kangping took off his glasses, rubbed his temples, and gestured for him to continue.
Geng Zhi took a deep breath and slowly said, "Dean Liu, the current social sentiment and public opinion focus have reached a peak. If the press conference is held as originally planned after the Spring Festival, the public's attention will definitely be drawn away by other new hot topics during the Spring Festival."
"The best time to release this white paper, which has consumed a lot of your and your team's efforts and aims to promote the industry for good, is before the Spring Festival. After all, hot topics come and go quickly."
"Therefore, the students suggested that we hold the press conference before the Spring Festival."
His straightforward words immediately reminded Liu Kangping.
He has previously led the release of many industry reports, which have been recognized in the professional field, but opportunities like this, which may attract attention from the whole society and truly "break out of the circle", are rare.
If the report can be released while the topic is trending, maximizing its impact, it will greatly enhance both the academic reputation of the School of Media and Communication at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and his personal influence.
Moreover, the report's content aligns closely with the current public opinion's call for "truthfulness" and "integrity," making it a positive step in line with the prevailing trend.
He tapped his fingers unconsciously on the table, lost in thought.
After a long pause, he slowly spoke, "Academic presentations require rigor and adherence to procedures. Wouldn't releasing it ahead of schedule make the preparations too rushed? Will the guests be able to attend?"
Upon hearing this, Geng Zhi knew that Vice Dean Liu was already tempted, but on the surface, he still needed to maintain his composure.
"Dean Liu, I heard from Li Haipeng that the white paper's research data, core conclusions, and main content are all complete. The main missing parts are the final printing and binding and the details of the conference procedures."
"Regarding the guests—I venture to guess that the leaders of the Civil Affairs Bureau and the Women's Federation are precisely more eager to send out positive messages during the window of opportunity before the Spring Festival, when people's livelihoods are of the highest concern. This is in line with their working logic."
Liu Kangping frowned slightly upon hearing this.
His gaze toward Geng Zhi held a deeper meaning.
These words are logically clear and precisely targeted, especially demonstrating a remarkably seasoned grasp of the working logic within the system. This is something that an ordinary college student would never say so naturally.
He was almost certain that behind Geng Zhi's uprightness, there was a master guiding him—most likely Qin Hongfang, or her husband, Professor Gou Youqian.
Geng Zhi noticed the change in Liu Kangping's expression, but couldn't fathom his thoughts, so he could only continue to persuade him, "Dean Liu, holding a press conference at this time could go beyond simply announcing academic achievements. It could also be seen as a proactive action to respond to public opinion and demonstrate the social responsibility of universities. Jiaotong University stepping forward is timely."
Sure enough, it's starting to escalate to the point of Jiaotong University responding to public opinion. It must have been taught by Gou Youqian and his wife!
He paused for a moment, nodded, and said in a slightly relaxed tone, "What you said makes some sense. The window of opportunity for public opinion is indeed fleeting. But the time for preparing and promoting the press conference is very tight, and I need to confirm with the Civil Affairs Bureau and the Women's Federation again."
"Okay, Dean Liu!" Geng Zhi said with gratitude.
Liu Kangping understood that Geng Zhi's first act was to kindly help him, and his second act was to negotiate terms with him.
A brief silence fell over the meeting room.
"Xiao Geng, what's your second task?"
Upon hearing this, Geng Zhi immediately took out a draft of the press conference agenda from the folder and handed it to Liu Kangping.
"Dean Liu, I saw the press conference agenda that Lü Siyu gave me before. You are the main speaker, and there will also be leaders from relevant departments. I think it would be possible to add a speech by an industry representative?" Geng Zhi asked tentatively.
After Geng Zhi finished speaking, Liu Kangping was clearly stunned.
Qin Hongfang first introduced Geng Zhi to Liu Kangping at a dinner table, where there were only four people: Geng Zhi, Qin Hongfang, Gou Youqian, and Liu Kangping.
The plan agreed upon by the four was that the straightforward "Jiaotong University matchmaker" would only be the provider and assister of the white paper's materials and would not personally participate in the press conference.
This is a win-win situation.
"Jiaotong University Matchmaker" can provide Liu Kangping's research group with a large number of real research cases. In return, Liu Kangping will present several "Jiaotong University Matchmaker" model cases in his reports, indirectly helping to promote "Jiaotong University Matchmaker". This cooperation model is reasonable.
But as Geng Zhi just said, adding "industry representative" clearly makes it a "Jiaotong University matchmaker," which is too blatant in implying personal agendas.
He immediately raised his hand, his tone resolute: "Xiao Geng, this is absolutely unacceptable! The independence of academic reports is their lifeline. Allowing corporate representatives to take the stage will instantly cast a shadow of commercial marketing over the report, severely damaging its credibility. We cannot set this precedent."
Geng Zhi had anticipated Liu Kangping's opposition and began to patiently explain.
Geng Zhi: "Dean, I completely understand your concerns. But please put it another way: our report is meant to criticize falsehoods and advocate for truth."
Geng Zhi: "The industry representative's identity is not that of a company, but rather a real participant in a social experiment and a provider of case data —"
Liu Kangping: "Xiao Geng, this won't do."
Geng Zhi: "We won't mention a single word of commercial promotion, we only—"
Liu Kangping shook his head: "Xiao Geng, this won't do."
Geng Zhi: "Jiaotong University Matchmaker" was successfully incubated by strictly following the industry solutions in your white paper! It's your best practice!"
Liu Kangping: "————"
Ten minutes later.
-
Liu Kangping took off his glasses, wiped them with a cloth, put them back on, and said, "Xiao Geng, I can't get involved in your company's internal affairs. But I can do as you said and have Lü Siyu formally invite CEO Ma Chunmei to the press conference on behalf of the research group."
"Okay, thank you, Dean Liu."
As Geng Zhi was leaving, Liu Kangping reiterated, "Whether it's you or Ma Chunmei on stage, your speeches must be delivered strictly according to what I've given you; not a single word can be changed!"
In the CEO's office at Baihe.com headquarters in Beijing, the atmosphere was noticeably tense.
Mu Yan remained silent, simply listening quietly to his subordinates' discussion.
"Sigh, the public opinion escalated too quickly and too fiercely; we simply didn't have time to react. All our public relations efforts have been ineffective," the public relations manager sighed.
"Our average daily new user count over the past few days has decreased by 80% compared to before the public outcry!"
"This can't go on!" Han Yulu said.
-
"That straightforward guy is so arrogant!" Li Li said angrily. "He thinks he's so great and smart, but now he's ruined Gong Haiyan's reputation and dragged our Baihe.com down with him! The whole industry is going downhill!"
Han Yulu added coldly, "Last time, President Mu personally reminded him to be mindful of his words, but he clearly didn't listen. I think he probably did it on purpose!"
"But what's he trying to achieve by doing this? It doesn't make sense!" the PR manager wondered.
"They've turned Jiaotong University's matchmaking service into an industry benchmark! In the end, they're the ones who benefit," Han Yulu said.
"Mr. Mu, what should we do now?" Li Li looked at Mu Yan, who had not said a word.
"To accomplish great things, one must remain calm and composed, unmoved by praise or criticism." Mu Yan tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "Crisis, crisis—there is danger, but also opportunity. What we need to do now is turn crisis into opportunity."
"President Mu, what do you mean?" Han Yulu's eyes lit up.
"Now that the online dating industry is in a bad state, who's the most successful?" Mu Yan asked.
"Of course it's the matchmaker from Jiaotong University!" Li Li blurted out.
Mu Yan smiled and said, "I've already discussed it with President Zhu. We'll transfer the investment funds for 'Jiaotong University Matchmaker' today and go through the equity transfer process. Then, we'll make a high-profile official announcement that Baihe.com has invested in Jiaotong University Matchmaker."
"Ah! I get it!" Han Yulu exclaimed excitedly, "Let's take advantage of our integration with the 'Jiaotong University matchmaker' to pull ourselves out of this cesspool!"
"That's right, our Baihe.com has become a breath of fresh air in the industry!" Li Li added.
"But, Mr. Mu, what if that straightforward guy in the back continues to be uncooperative?" the public relations manager asked.
"Yu Lu, immediately summon Ma Chunmei to the capital to discuss the next step: recruit Geng Zhi," Mu Yan said.
"Yes, President Mu!" Han Yulu replied, then asked, "What if Geng Zhi is unwilling to be recruited?"
"Either be absorbed into the organization, or be completely eliminated."
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