Chapter 716 Northeast Journey 2
In the conference room, the atmosphere was warm and cheerful. Everyone sat together and had just finished a discussion meeting on the Northeast procurement mission.
Everyone actively shared their ideas and suggestions, and after an in-depth discussion, the procurement plan and work arrangements were finally determined. At this time, everyone nodded in unison, as if they had made a solemn promise to the journey that was about to begin.
Their faces were filled with anticipation and confidence for future work, their bright eyes sparkled with excitement, their mouths slightly raised, outlining arcs full of hope. Some gently clenched their fists, as if to cheer themselves up; others smiled at their colleagues beside them, their smiles full of trust in each other and their determination in their work.
Outside the window, night has quietly fallen without anyone noticing. The sky, originally as blue as a gem, is gradually swallowed up by the deep ink color, leaving only a faint afterglow struggling in the sky and refusing to dissipate. The lights of the city light up one after another, like the twinkling stars in the night sky, or like the dazzling gems inlaid on the black satin.
Against the backdrop of the lights, the white snow looked particularly pure. It quietly covered the ground, giving the city a coat of silver. The lights of the city looked particularly warm and bright against the backdrop of the snow. The soft light shone through the windows onto everyone's faces, as if they were coated with a layer of golden light. The warm and bright lights seemed to light up a lamp of hope for their trip to the Northeast, illuminating their way forward and igniting the passion in their hearts.
The next morning, before the sun rose completely, the whole city seemed to be still immersed in a sweet dream. It was quiet all around, with only the occasional bird song breaking the tranquility. However, Liu Ping'an and his colleagues had already lost their sleepiness. They all got up from their warm beds, moving quickly and neatly.
In the room, one could only hear the rustling sounds of people getting dressed and washing. Everyone raced against time to complete the various preparations after getting up. They quickly washed their faces with cold water to wake themselves up instantly. Then, they dressed neatly, putting on thick cotton coats, cotton pants, and cotton shoes one by one, wrapping themselves tightly to resist the biting cold wind outside.
Afterwards, they carefully sorted out the documents and materials needed for the purchase and put them neatly into the document bag, fearing that any important documents would be missed. After everything was ready, they set off in high spirits towards the main destination of this purchase - the local large-scale agricultural and sideline products wholesale market.
Along the way, the cold wind was still biting, like a sharp knife, blowing mercilessly on the face, causing pain. The trees on both sides of the street shivered in the cold wind, and the bare branches made a "crunching" sound from time to time, as if telling the cold of winter. However, there seemed to be a fire burning in their hearts, and the fire was burning more and more vigorously, and they did not feel the cold at all. This fire was the passion for work, the determination to complete the procurement task, and the yearning for a better life in the future. As they walked, they excitedly discussed the upcoming procurement work, imagined the lively scenes and the dazzling array of goods in the market, and their faces were filled with expectant smiles.
When we arrived at the market, it was already daybreak, and the originally quiet market suddenly became bustling. The market was bustling with people, hawking, bargaining, and the roar of vehicles, forming a unique "market symphony".
Trucks loaded with goods come in and out, like giant dragons shuttling back and forth on the market roads. Workers are busy loading and unloading goods, waving their tools with skillful and quick movements, unloading boxes and bags of goods from the trucks and stacking them neatly in designated locations. On the stalls, all kinds of agricultural and sideline products are piled up like mountains. Fresh vegetables are emerald green, with crystal water droplets hanging on the leaves, as if they were just picked from the ground; the fruits are bright in color, exuding an alluring aroma, making people salivate;
Bags of grains and beans are neatly arranged like soldiers waiting for inspection, while dried goods and mushrooms that have been dried in the sun emit a unique fragrance, attracting everyone's attention. The whole market is like a huge treasure house, dazzling and overwhelming.
Liu Ping'an and his team split up into several groups and each contacted familiar suppliers.
They are like a group of experienced hunters, looking for the best quality sources in this bustling market. Liu Pingan is responsible for communicating with several major grain suppliers. He walked to the suppliers with a steady pace, with a friendly and confident smile on his face. He looked carefully at the samples handed over by the suppliers, and his focused expression seemed to be examining a precious work of art.
He carefully checked the color of the grains, picked up a few grains with his hands, and observed them carefully to determine whether they were full and had no impurities. His eyes were sharp and observant, and he would not miss any tiny flaws.
He discussed key issues such as price and delivery time with suppliers from time to time. His voice was loud and firm, and every word was full of sincerity and determination. During the conversation, he sometimes nodded to show his agreement, sometimes raised his own questions and suggestions, and bargained fiercely with suppliers. His colleagues were also busy at their respective posts. They either carefully inquired about the quality of the products, or understood the output and supply stability of the products, or discussed the specific details of cooperation with suppliers.
Their busy and determined figures can be seen everywhere in the market.
In the negotiation room filled with a faint scent of tea and decorated simply but elegantly, the warm yellow light casts a soft glow, adding a touch of warmth and harmony to the entire space. However, at this moment, the atmosphere in the room is a little tense because of a negotiation concerning a major purchase.
Liu Pingan sat upright on the chair, his hands folded on the table, his eyes firm and steady, like the brightest star in the night sky, revealing unquestionable courage. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes fell directly on the face of the supplier representative opposite him, his tone was sincere and with a force that could not be ignored, and he said word by word: "Our purchase volume this time is relatively large, and it is definitely not a small deal. Take grain as an example. Our initial estimated purchase volume is enough to supply the shelves of several large supermarket chains in the next few months. And the quality requirements are also very high. Every grain must be full and bright in color, without any impurities or defects. I hope you can give some discounts on the price. After all, our cooperation is long-term, and mutual benefit and win-win are the long-term plan. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the delivery is on time, according to quality and quantity. If our sales plan is delayed, the loss will be immeasurable."
The supplier representative was an experienced, kind-looking, yet shrewd middle-aged man. He looked at Liu Ping'an's serious look, a gleam of thought flashed in his deep eyes, and his fingers tapped lightly on the table, at a steady pace, as if weighing the pros and cons. After a moment, he slowly opened his mouth, his voice steady and powerful: "Boss Liu, you are also an old customer. We have cooperated for so many years and it has always been a pleasure. Every time we cooperate, you are a straightforward person and never default on payment. We also remember this favor in our hearts. This time, considering your large purchase volume, we can make appropriate concessions on the price. You also know that the market situation is complicated now, and the costs of raw materials and transportation are rising. We are also gritting our teeth to get you discounts. But you can rest assured about the quality. We strictly follow the standards. From planting, harvesting to processing, every link is strictly controlled by a dedicated person, and we will never pass off inferior products as good ones. If you don't believe it, you can send someone to our production base for an on-site inspection at any time."
In the following time, the negotiation room was filled with a tense and heated atmosphere. Liu Pingan and the supplier representatives started a fierce bargaining over details such as price, delivery time, quality standards, etc. Liu Pingan argued with reason. He took out the market research data that he had prepared long ago, and analyzed in detail the fluctuations of current market prices and the purchase prices of competitors, trying to persuade suppliers to make greater concessions on prices. The supplier representatives kept emphasizing the importance of cost pressure and quality control, trying to defend their bottom line. The two sides exchanged verbal attacks, and every clash of opinions seemed like a war without gunpowder.
At the same time, they also had a detailed communication on the delivery time. Liu Pingan emphasized that their sales plan has been formulated, and the arrival time of each batch of goods must be accurate to the day, otherwise it will affect the operation of the entire sales chain. The supplier representative said that he would try his best to coordinate the production progress, but he did not dare to make an absolute guarantee. After all, various unforeseen factors may be encountered during the production process. In terms of quality standards, both parties scrutinized the contract terms word by word, from the moisture content of the grain, the impurity content to the packaging specifications, and no detail was left out.
After a long and fierce "confrontation", Liu Pingan finally reached a preliminary cooperation intention with several suppliers with his excellent negotiation skills and in-depth understanding of the market. A gratified smile appeared on his face, and that smile was like the warm sun in winter, dispelling the tense atmosphere during the previous negotiations. Afterwards, the two parties signed a letter of intent in a friendly and harmonious atmosphere. Every word in the agreement seemed to be the result of their joint efforts, carrying the expectation for future cooperation.
At the same time, in other areas outside the negotiation room, Liu Ping'an's colleagues were also very busy. They were scattered in front of different stalls, conducting intensive negotiations with suppliers of fruits, dry goods, etc. The supplier in front of my colleague Xiao Li was an enthusiastic and cheerful older sister. While she skillfully introduced the varieties and characteristics of her own fruits, she picked up a red apple, handed it to Xiao Li, and said with a smile: "Young man, try it. This apple is grown in our own orchard. No pesticides are used. It is pure natural and very sweet!" Xiao Li took the apple, took a bite, and the sweet juice instantly spread in his mouth. He gave a thumbs up and praised repeatedly: "Sister, this apple tastes really good! Our purchase volume this time is not small. Can you give me a discount on the price? Let's cooperate for a long time in the future." The older sister smiled heartily: "Okay, since you are so sincere, I'll give you a 10% discount on the price. But don't worry about the quality. The fruits here are carefully selected." After some communication, Xiao Li and the older sister also successfully negotiated the cooperation matters.
Other colleagues also reached cooperation intentions with their respective suppliers by virtue of their professional abilities and communication skills. With joy of harvest on their faces, everyone returned to the gathering point and prepared to report the situation to Liu Pingan.
However, the procurement process was not smooth sailing, just like the calm surface of a lake often hides undercurrents. When negotiating with other suppliers, they encountered many difficulties, as if they were in a thorny jungle, and every step forward required great efforts.
Some suppliers, citing the rising prices of raw materials as an excuse, were as tough as a rock and refused to compromise on the price. They stood in front of the stall, folded their hands over their chests, and revealed an unquestionable determination in their eyes, saying loudly: "Raw materials are priced differently every day now, and we have no choice. The cost has risen so much. If we give you a discount, we will lose money. If you think the price is not suitable, you can only look for another supplier." Liu Ping'an and his colleagues patiently explained the market situation and their purchasing needs to them, trying to make them understand the importance of long-term cooperation, but the supplier turned a deaf ear and remained stubborn, and the two sides fell into a stalemate.
Some suppliers were vague about the delivery time, which made it hard to feel at ease. When Liu Pingan asked about the specific delivery date, they always avoided the question, saying that it would depend on the production progress, and then saying that there might be delays in transportation, but they refused to give a clear answer. Liu Pingan frowned and said seriously: "The delivery time is very important to us. If we cannot deliver on time, our sales plan will be disrupted and we will suffer heavy losses. You must give me a specific time, otherwise it will be difficult for us to cooperate." But the supplier just smiled perfunctorily and still did not give a clear promise.