Chapter 175: How to Start a Trend
Ma Qing and Quan Ping’an were sitting in a spacious and bright office with notebooks and various documents in front of them. They looked focused and serious.

Ma Qing frowned slightly, tapped the table with his fingers, and said slowly: “Ping An, we must clarify the positioning of Flying Tiger Security Company. It is not just an ordinary security company. We want to build it into the top security service provider in Hong Kong.”

That’s right, Ma Qing named this new security company Hong Kong Flying Tigers Security Co., Ltd. Sorry, the Flying Tigers will probably have to change their name.

Quan Ping’an listened carefully, nodded his head in agreement from time to time, and quickly wrote down the important points with the pen in his hand.

They began to discuss the company’s recruitment and training plans in detail. Ma Qing emphasized: “We must recruit talents who are professional, physically fit, loyal and reliable. The training must be strictly standardized, including physical training, fighting skills, emergency response and other aspects.”

Quan Ping’an thought for a moment and responded, “Boss, I think I can use the connections in our martial arts school to recruit people. They are all my seniors and juniors, and at least I know them well.” There was a hint of confidence in his eyes, as if he had already seen those reliable partners in the future company.

Ma Qing nodded slightly, with a hint of appreciation in his eyes, “This is a good idea. In fact, ability is secondary, and the character of the security personnel is the most important. I don’t expect all employees to be aware of blocking bullets with their own bodies, but at least professional ethics should be maintained.” His tone was serious and earnest. He was well aware of the particularity of security work and the extremely high requirements for the quality of personnel.

“First, recruit people and build the framework. I will outsource the security work of the factories under my control to you. In this way, Feihu Security’s basic income will be guaranteed. Even if there is a loss, it can be sustained for a longer period of time, haha.” Ma Qing laughed after he finished speaking. His smile was full of expectations and confidence for the future.

Quan Ping An thought about it and laughed. He seemed to see the company’s booming development and was filled with enthusiasm. “Boss, don’t worry, I will recruit all the people as soon as possible and build the company’s framework.” Quan Ping An promised solemnly.

After seeing Quan Ping’an off, Ma Qing straightened his collar and walked out the door calmly with a few bodyguards.

Today was the day to meet the TVB advertising director introduced by Zheng Yumian. Thinking of this, Ma Qing couldn’t help but frowned slightly.

Speaking of which, Zheng Yumian is indeed a bit unreliable. In Ma Qing’s mind, Zheng Yumian’s past performances made him deeply doubt his ability and credibility. If it was just for advertising, there was no need for him to introduce it.

With Ma Qing’s strong financial resources and extensive network of contacts, he can definitely cooperate with the TV station through normal channels. Whether through direct negotiations or with the help of professional advertising agencies, he is confident that he can achieve his publicity goals.

However, Ma Qing had his own ideas. He wanted to use a unique way to cleverly get some of the TV station’s traffic to achieve the goal of spending little money to achieve great things. In his opinion, simply getting things done through the advertising director would probably be useless.

After all, there are many ways to place advertisements. If you just follow the conventional model, it will not only be expensive, but also difficult to guarantee the effect. He is eager to find an innovative way of cooperation that can reduce costs and maximize the popularity and influence of the product.

But now that things have come to this, they can only meet once. Ma Qing secretly calculated in his heart, hoping to find some new opportunities in this meeting to achieve his goals.

At this time, in the agreed meeting room, Wei Xiping, director of TVB’s advertising business department, greeted Ma Qing with a smile on his face. “Mr. Ma, this is our TV station’s advertising price list. Don’t worry, since it was introduced by Mr. Zheng, I will definitely give you a discount that will satisfy you.”

As Wei Xiping spoke, he handed the price list to Ma Qing, and also gave a hand to Zheng Yumian who was sitting next to Ma Qing. Seeing Wei Xiping’s understanding, Zheng Yumian smiled with satisfaction, and there seemed to be a hint of pride in that smile, as if he was proud of his introduction.

Ma Qing cursed Zheng Yumian in his heart while carefully reading the price list of advertisements. His eyes were focused and sharp, as if he was examining an important business document. He quickly calculated in his mind that this was a bit of a scam. According to the prices on the price list, if Ma Qing wanted to achieve the desired effect, the advertising fee would probably be very high.

Although he could afford it financially, Ma Qing didn’t want to pay for it obediently. He was known for his shrewdness in the business world and would not easily make decisions that were not in his best interest.

“Director Wei, if I sponsor a sum of money and title one of your activities, and we can cooperate with each other, can you launch a program for my product, called ‘How to Teach You to Play the Rubik’s Cube Well’? And when our Yaguang Zhisu holds the World Rubik’s Cube Competition, your TV station will also report on it in full. In this case, can you give me a preferential price?” Ma Qing’s tone was firm and sincere. He hoped to open up a broader market for his Rubik’s Cube products through this kind of cooperation.

In a word, Ma Qing hopes to have a certain cooperation with the TV station, and when promoting the Rubik’s Cube, it is not just advertising from the perspective of a product. He knows that simple advertising often easily makes the audience feel resistant, and through cooperation in organizing activities and producing special programs, it can better attract the audience’s attention and improve the reputation of the product.

Next, Ma Qing not only showed the Rubik’s Cube to the advertising director, but also carefully explained the entire marketing plan for the Rubik’s Cube toy. His explanation was vivid and detailed, as if he was describing a grand business blueprint.

He started with the design concept, market positioning, target audience, etc. of the Rubik’s Cube and made an in-depth analysis of the advantages and potential of the Rubik’s Cube product. At the same time, he also introduced his company’s strength and experience in the research and development, production, and sales of the Rubik’s Cube, as well as the outlook and planning for the future market.

Wei Xiping listened politely, nodded slightly, and occasionally showed a trace of concentration in his eyes. But in the end, he said: “Mr. Ma, this is not easy to handle. No matter what you say, this is to advertise your products. I can only give you a discount within my authority. As for the sponsorship activities you mentioned, and the in-depth cooperation with our TV station, this…”

Wei Xiping thought to himself that you, Ma Qing, just want to take advantage of our TV station. No matter how nice it sounds, isn’t this your real purpose? “This is beyond my authority. I can’t do it.”

“Then Director Wei, can you please talk to your boss about this? We are really sincere. I believe this is a win-win situation for everyone.” Ma Qing also felt that this matter was probably not something that an advertising director could decide. His eyes were full of expectation, hoping that Wei Xiping could get him more opportunities.

“Well, Mr. Ma, I can report this to the higher-ups for Mr. Zheng’s sake, but Mr. Shao is in charge of the operation of TVB now. Based on what I know, I’m afraid your case…” Wei Xiping said this, but based on what he knew about his boss, he decided not to report this matter to the higher-ups. There was absolutely no hope. He knew Mr. Shao’s strict requirements and cautious attitude in operation and management, and he thought Mr. Shao would most likely not agree to this potentially risky cooperation plan.

After hearing what Wei Xiping said and thinking about the reputation of Mr. Shao in his previous life, Ma Qing felt that he would most likely return empty-handed.

“Actually, Mr. Ma, I can try to give you the biggest discount, or you can reconsider it.” Wei Xiping actually still wanted to make this deal. After all, the business performance of Hong Kong’s TV stations is not very good now because of the number of customers.

Wei Xiping hopes that through cooperation with Ma Qing, he can bring more income and resources to the TV station, and at the same time add luster to his own performance.

After hearing what Wei Xiping said, Ma Qing narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression calm, and he did not comment. He nodded gently and said slowly: “Director Wei, I will take this price list back and take a look at it and think about it carefully. This matter is very serious. Let me go back and think about it carefully, and we will discuss it later.”

After leaving TVB, the sun was still shining, but Ma Qing was in a gloomy mood. Zheng Yumian followed Ma Qing and saw that Ma Qing did not make a decision on the spot and did not seem to be in a good mood afterwards. He suddenly felt a pang in his heart, thinking that he had messed up.

“Mr. Ma, how is the advertisement going? Is there a problem with the price?” Zheng Yumian asked cautiously, with a hint of uneasiness in his eyes.

Ma Qing said unhappily: “This is a huge problem. According to Wei’s offer, I will have to pay at least 500,000 or 600,000 yuan for this house.” His brows were furrowed, with a look of dissatisfaction on his face.

“Mr. Ma, this is where you’re wrong. Our Yaguang’s profit this year is at least over 10 million. Why are you still concerned about these 500,000 or 600,000? If small fortunes don’t go, big fortunes won’t come.” Zheng Yumian said in a loud voice, trying to ease the awkward atmosphere.

Ma Qing didn’t expect Zheng Yumian to say such a thing. “If small money doesn’t go, big money won’t come. This is true, but you have miscalculated, my brother.” Ma Qing’s tone was full of blame.

“How did I calculate it wrong? Can you explain it in detail?” Zheng Yumian said unconvincedly, his eyes full of doubts.

“Yaguang’s profit has exceeded 400 million, because our products are sold all over the world, but Hong Kong is a city with less than million people. If I spent or here, how much money would it cost worldwide? Will our profit be enough to cover the advertising costs?” Ma Qing’s words rang out like a string of cannonballs, and he felt helpless about Zheng Yumian’s miscalculation.

“We are not responsible for the advertising fees of other places, and you said that this fee is included in the bidding fee.” In fact, Zheng Yumian knew that he had made a mistake in the calculation when Ma Qing said this, but he still refuted unconvincedly. He showed a stubborn look on his face, as if he was unwilling to easily admit his mistakes.

“If the advertising fee is so high, what will the agents think? How can we recruit agents? We must find a cost-saving marketing plan and set an example for the agents. You have to know that the wool comes from the sheep. If we can’t reduce the marketing cost and the product price is too high, how can we promote our Rubik’s Cube?”

Ma Qing’s words were full of worry and deep thought. He frowned slightly, his eyes revealing his worry about the future.

Ma Qing shook his head, feeling that Zheng Yumian, a rich kid, thought too simply. He had never suffered the hardships of society, and had never been beaten by society, so he was naive.

In his opinion, Zheng Yumian lacked a deep understanding of the real business world and only saw the superficial benefits while ignoring the potential risks and challenges.

Ma Qing’s words obviously convinced his partners, “What should we do now?” Zheng Yumian’s tone was full of helplessness and confusion.

“Let’s think of another way. Either we can contact the top executives of TVB directly or find the top executives of Rediffusion Television. Otherwise, we will have to give up on TV advertising. We will have to go the traditional advertising route. Things will definitely be more complicated, but there is no other way.”

Ma Qing had no other choice. As a new Hong Konger, he rose too fast, his wealth increased too fast, and his network of contacts was very shallow. When he needed money, he had no other choice but to use it.

He is well aware of his lack of connections, but he is unwilling to give up. This is where new money has a disadvantage over old money, but its advantages are also obvious. Looking at Ma Qing and Zheng Yumian, everyone should know where the advantages of new money over old money are.

“Okay then, I’ll look for my dad’s connections and see if I can find any connections at these two TV stations.” Zheng Yumian thought for a while and said, “However, Mr. Ma, if we also rely on connections to save money, then for the agents, your original idea is meaningless.” Zheng Yumian showed a hint of doubt on his face.

“This is actually a kind of screening. If the agent we find has no advantages in the local area, is it necessary for us to cooperate with such an agent? Do we still need such a partner who can only sell goods?”

Ma Qing asked in return, if you want to build a global sales network, the comprehensive strength of the agents is naturally more important. Ma Qing himself certainly hates those who have tricks, but when looking for business partners, he hopes that his partners are full of tricks. People are just like this.

In the following period, Zheng Yumian tried to find connections everywhere, hoping to get through to the top management of the two major TV stations. As for Ma Qing, in addition to being responsible for the daily operations of several large companies under his control, he also set up a special department in Xiangjiang Zhiwei Technology Company – the Social Public Relations Department.

(End of this chapter)