Reborn in 2005, starting with repairing mobile phones

The "production management talent who understands mobile phone structural components and has innovative experience" that he asked Uncle Cai to find was completely different from Li Guohui.

The kind of "production management talent" that Uncle Cai understands is a composite talent who understands both technology and management, knows how to optimize production processes, how to control costs, how to manage teams, and has a basic understanding of mobile phone component manufacturing processes.

But Li Guohui is a different kind of person. He is a pure master craftsman, a technical fanatic who can push technology to its limits.

He can tell you how to process a piece of metal to achieve the theoretical limit of precision, but he won't calculate how much electricity it will cost to process this batch of parts, which supplier's cutting head is more cost-effective, or how to schedule shifts to maximize efficiency.

The former is the "commander," and the latter is the "ace sniper."

Lin Dong asked Uncle Cai to find a "commander" who could lead a workshop and make the production system operate efficiently.

But now, he has unexpectedly acquired an "ace sniper" who can hit the bullseye at crucial moments and in the most difficult process.

On the battlefield, commanders are certainly important, but an ace who can solve all technical problems... may be even more valuable.

Especially during the crucial stage of product development, when everyone says "this design can't be made" or "this precision can't be achieved," a master craftsman like Li Guohui is far more valuable than ten production managers who just follow the steps.

Management problems can be solved gradually, but once the technological ceiling is set, it is very difficult to break through.

Thinking of this, Lin Dong released his finger from his phone.

Now that we've received this unexpected surprise, let's see what else this "surprise" can bring.

In the evening, Lin Dong and Zheng Hao followed Li Guohui to an old residential area near the factory.

The house wasn't big, but it was kept very tidy.

The woman who opened the door was Wang Mei, who looked to be in her early thirties and dressed simply but neatly.

"Mr. Lin, please come in."

Wang Mei smiled politely, her tone warm but not obsequious, "Old Li told me everything, thank you so much."

She gestured for Lin Dong to sit down while skillfully preparing tea and serving fruit, her movements swift and efficient.

Lin Dong noticed that although the home was simply furnished, everything was placed in the most convenient location, and there were several paintings on the wall that were obviously drawn by the children but were carefully framed.

During the meal, as they chatted, Lin Dong learned that Wang Mei's experience was not simple.

"I'm three years younger than Lao Li, I'm thirty-three this year."

Wang Mei said with a smile, "We met in the same factory. I was the supervisor in the administration department, and he was in the technical department. Later, the factory's performance declined, so we both left."

She paused, glanced at Li Guohui, her eyes filled with a mixture of helplessness and pride.

"Old Li is a straightforward and stubborn man. He's really good at his job, but he just doesn't know how to get along with people. He's changed factories several times in the past few years, all because he didn't agree with the boss's ideas. I've been staying home taking care of the kids these past few years, and I'm actually quite anxious about it."

Li Guohui smiled憨厚ly beside him and served food to Lin Dong: "Mr. Lin, try this, my wife is a good cook."

"Did Sister Wang used to be in charge of administration?" Lin Dong asked casually.

"Yes, I've managed a department with over thirty people."

Wang Mei spoke frankly, "I've done everything from purchasing and attendance tracking to payroll calculation and customer reception. After I had my child, Lao Li told me to stay home and focus on taking care of the child while he supported the family... so I stopped going out to work."

She spoke calmly, but Lin Dong could detect a hint of resentment in her voice—resentment that her abilities had been wasted.

"My child recently started elementary school, so I've had more free time."

Wang Mei glanced at Li Guohui, then looked at Lin Dong, her eyes probing. "Old Li is truly convinced that he's sticking with you this time. Once he sets his mind on someone, he'll follow them wholeheartedly."

Li Guohui watched Lin Dong and Wang Mei talk, his mind racing.

In the afternoon in the workshop, General Manager Lin said that if there was a competition, then there would be a competition; if he said to follow the rules, then he really did take action against Zhao Dezhu.

Not a single word wasted.

This is a boss who keeps his word.

In that case... Beneath Li Guohui's honest and simple exterior lies another kind of pragmatism typical of tech people: if you choose the right boss, you have to bet your whole family on him.

He knew he wasn't good at managing people or money; those complicated interpersonal relationships gave him a headache.

But if I could get my wife, Wang Mei, into the factory too... that would be a different story.

Wang Mei is three years younger than him, but she is a hundred times more thorough in her work.

When she was a supervisor in the factory, she managed the entire department very well.

She manages people, I manage the technology.

She deals with external affairs, I deal with internal affairs.

The husband and wife team are a perfect match.

More importantly, the child has started school.

These thoughts raced through Li Guohui's mind. Although he was clumsy with words, he was perfectly clear-headed.

He took a deep breath and mustered his courage to speak:

"Mr. Lin... actually... there's another reason I invited you to my home for dinner today, though I have a favor to ask..."

He glanced at his wife, then at Lin Dong, his voice slightly embarrassed.

"My wife... she's really capable. She used to be in the factory, and her department was always recognized for outstanding performance. I was thinking... if the factory is short-staffed, could we... let her give it a try?"

Wang Mei blushed and gently patted her husband: "Why are you telling President Lin this..."

But her eyes were fixed on Lin Dong expectantly.

Lin Dong looked at the couple.

Laughed.

It turned out to be the case.

Li Guohui, an honest man, was actually very clear-headed. He knew he wasn't good at management, so he wanted to "sell" his wife, who was good at management, to someone else.

A husband-and-wife team, with one focusing on internal technical aspects and the other on external management, is the ideal combination.

"Sister Wang,"

Lin Dong put down his chopsticks and said seriously, "The factory is currently lacking someone who can manage things. Old Li's skills are undoubtedly excellent, but the factory's daily management, procurement, personnel, and external communication all need someone to take the lead."

He saw Wang Mei's eyes light up instantly.

"If you're willing, you can report to the factory tomorrow and start as the acting factory manager. You'll mainly be responsible for administration and management, while Lao Li will still oversee the technical aspects. Your salary will be based on the supervisor level, and if you perform well, you'll become a full-time manager later."

Wang Mei took a deep breath and wiped her hands on her trouser leg: "President Lin, I... can I do it? I haven't had a formal job for several years..."

"Sister Wang,"

Lin Dong put down his chopsticks and said seriously, "I have two main considerations for letting you manage the factory."

He held up one finger: "First, being able to manage a stubborn tech geek like Lao Li so well is not something an ordinary person can do."

I've seen too many highly skilled individuals who, because of their straightforward and stubborn personalities, couldn't get along with management. Ultimately, they either couldn't utilize their skills or parted ways with their superiors.

He glanced at Li Guohui, who scratched his head sheepishly.

"You understand him, and he respects you. This solves the most common conflict between technology and management."

Lin Dong raised a second finger. "Secondly, Lao Li trusts you and wants you to come along. Based on that trust, I'm willing to give him this opportunity."

He paused, then said sincerely, "Factory management, in essence, is about managing people, keeping accounts, and ensuring smooth production. You have administrative experience and understand Lao Li's technical strengths. Combining these two aspects is far better than hiring an outsider who knows nothing."

"certainly,"

Lin Dong smiled and said, "It will definitely not be easy at the beginning. You can come to me anytime if you have any problems. But I think that you two, a factory manager's wife who understands technology and a chief engineer who only listens to the factory manager's wife, might be a good match."

Li Guohui nodded vigorously beside him, his eyes full of trust and pride.

Wang Mei looked at her husband, then at Lin Dong, and finally nodded emphatically: "Okay! Mr. Lin, I will do my best!"

Lin Dong raised his teacup: "Then it's settled. Director Wang, Chief Engineer Li, from now on, I'll leave the factory in your care."