Siheyuan: Returning to 61 to collect waste

Director Sun's eyes lit up, and he nodded in agreement, saying, "How could such a good idea be ignored! Chuanzi, you are such a wonderful person! That's it!"

This strategy is indeed simple and practical.

The two were so obsessed with cutting costs that they overlooked a small detail.

In fact, using low-cost materials to make the shell or surface will not directly affect the actual performance of the alarm clock.

Director Sun then introduced: "Chuanzi, the alarm clock was completed yesterday at noon.

Experiments have proven that the mechanical model had a delay of seven seconds between last night and this morning, while the battery-powered model had a delay of nine seconds.”

Listening to these numbers, Ye Chuan silently calculated in his mind: twenty-one hours is almost equal to one day, and the mechanical watch is delayed by about seven seconds every day, which is nearly fifty seconds a week, and the error is about two hundred seconds in a month, which is about three minutes and twenty seconds when converted into minutes.

The battery-powered watch has a slightly greater delay, with an error of about 45 seconds for every 30 seconds or so.

These delays were still within controllable range and slightly better than he expected.

It was originally expected that after the cost reduction was reached, the monthly error would not exceed one hour. In fact, it was only three or four minutes. "Brother Sun, I think this error can be ignored. If we replace all the internal parts with stainless steel, how will the performance improve?" he asked.

Director Sun thought for a moment and replied, "There will still be errors, and even if there is an improvement, it will be limited." Ye Chuan nodded in agreement, indicating that he could accept these errors.

Suddenly realizing that there was a more important issue that had not been raised, Director Sun continued, “The current price of a mechanical watch is about three dollars, and a radio-controlled watch costs an extra fifty cents.

I have kept the price of the batteries and small motors as low as possible.”

"Not bad." Ye Chuan agreed, "Brother Ye, I think we can consider large-scale production, put it on the market to observe the sales situation, and after receiving positive feedback from consumers, we can gradually produce all-stainless steel models."

Director Sun nodded when he heard this and said, "Well, I will arrange the production plan now.

The long-idle craftsmen finally have work to do.”

Seeing the factory director's satisfied smile, Ye Chuan was also happy for his happiness.

Ye Chuan then asked, "If the size of the alarm clock components is enlarged to a diameter of 30 centimeters, what will the approximate cost be?"

"Because the alarm clock is simple in structure, the cost increase is not much, about 7 or 8 yuan." The answer was quite direct. "If we remove the alarm function and only make a battery-powered clock with two AA batteries, can the cost be reduced?" His thoughts returned to the previous quartz wall clock, which was the same as the alarm clock in front of him without the alarm function.

Director Sun shook his head and said, "No, after all, there is an extra battery and the size is larger, so the corresponding pointers, gears and motors will also be larger, so the estimate is still 7 or 8 yuan."

In response to Ye Chuan's repeated questions, "Even large-scale production cannot significantly reduce costs?" He replied, "Even if there is some impact, the extent is limited, at most ten to fifteen percentage points." He is very experienced in cost control.

Then, Ye Chuan proposed another point: "A watch on the market now sells for 40 or 50 yuan. If we can develop a quartz watch that costs less than 15 yuan, is more exquisite, cheaper, and does not require winding, do you think people will accept it?"

After he pointed it out, Director Sun immediately understood his intention. "Of course! I will definitely accept it!" Director Sun was deeply impressed by his series of thoughts. "Brother, you are awesome!" Director Sun praised sincerely. At first, the title was just out of respect for Lao Xu's recommendation of Ye Chuan, but now it was a sincere compliment of admiration.

This person not only successfully designed the alarm clock, but also developed a new product line through it.

After removing the alarm function, the enlarged alarm clock can be a competitive product for existing watches.

People in that era had to wind their watches regularly, and forgetting to do so would cause a lot of inconvenience.

The battery-powered wall clock solves this problem: according to his testing of the power level, two No. 5 batteries can provide power for the wall clock throughout the year.

AA batteries cost more, but not having to regularly tighten the clasp is a good investment.

If he were to make the decision, he would definitely choose the battery-powered wall clock.

More importantly, the price competitiveness brought about by this is also very obvious: the price of a manual mechanical watch is enough to exchange for three battery-powered wall clocks, which means that the value saved is far more than a few yuan, even almost the income of a blue-collar worker for nearly a month.

On the first day of the 22nd year, Director Sun ran into the office excitedly, called Mr. Xu, and shared the first alarm clock they produced and its related innovative ideas.

After hearing the news, Mr. Xu's face was filled with joy.

Although the quality and accuracy of this alarm clock still have room for improvement, its affordable price will attract more consumers, especially in places where economic conditions are generally not as wealthy as those in mainland China, where there is a huge demand for it among hungry people.

Mr. Xu is convinced that this alarm clock will also have a certain market overseas.

However, the true potential of the alarm clock still needs to be verified by the market.

Mr. Xu had a plan in mind. When the market and technology were mature, he planned to let several electronic product manufacturers in Beijing start manufacturing.

Although he knew this might cause some complaints from Director Sun, he understood that expanding foreign exchange exports was the top priority.

Noticing that Director Sun returned from the office with a satisfied look on his face, Ye Chuan guessed that he had received recognition and praise from Mr. Xu. "Brother Ye, thank you very much! Starting tomorrow, the Plastic Factory will cooperate with us, and Factory No. 2 will do its utmost to speed up production and strive to launch the first alarm clock before the New Year." Ye Chuan nodded. As a traditional festival of the Chinese nation, people often prepare New Year's goods before the festival. Even if they are reluctant to buy them at other times, they may spend money to buy them at this time, hoping to spend the savings of the whole year. "Brother Sun, I don't think we need to wait until mass production before launching them.

Once we have fully assembled the first batch, it will be put on the market.

It takes time for people to recognize and accept new products. Once credibility is established in the market, the time for mass production can be used to directly meet demand, eliminating the waste of testing. "

The factory director nodded in agreement. "Brother Ye, how about you go to work at Factory No. 2? Once you go there, I will ensure that you start as a deputy section chief in the technical department, and within three years, I will ensure that you will be promoted to the position of deputy factory director!" The factory director offered an olive branch, hoping to recruit talents.

But Ye Chuan declined the proposal and said with a smile: “I am very grateful for Brother Sun’s kindness. I am living a good life in the material recycling company and my life is relatively leisurely and comfortable.

I'll be on call, but I'm more suited to assisting here.

As long as Factory No. 2 needs me, I will be there at any time."

Seeing that Ye Chuan was not joking, the factory director nodded slightly disappointedly. "Okay, but it's a pity that you don't want to leave." But he reminded, "Don't let Mr. Xu know about this. Work is work, and serving the people is the true meaning!"

Ye Chuan had lunch in the factory cafeteria. Since the factory director attached great importance to the research and development of alarm clocks, he was treated to sumptuous meals every day.

Unlike the first day, the workers were more relaxed after eating and no longer ate like they did on the first day.

After lunch, the two chatted for a while and then said goodbye.

I had just returned to the office and had not been sitting there for five minutes when there was a knock on the door.

When I opened the door, I saw Director Hu from the supply company next door, who was nominally the top boss here.

Director Hu walked in and said with a smile: "During the coldest days, if Director Ye has anything to do, just give me a call. The distance is only a few hundred meters." Director Hu knew that he was only a part-time director, so he wisely chose to stay out of the situation and remain polite and professional. "It's the same as before. It's easier to manage here with fewer people. Everyone is familiar with this place and knows what's within their responsibilities." Director Hu nodded and said, "Well, Director Ye is still very capable!"

Ye Chuan smiled and asked modestly, "Does Director Hu have any new instructions?"

"Director Ye, there is something I want to tell you.

I have been working in this supply and marketing cooperative for five years. During the New Year, I may be transferred to a branch company as a department head." Director Hu continued.

Ye Chuan took out two cigarettes, handed one to the other party, and said with a smile: "Then I would like to congratulate Director Hu on his upcoming promotion."

Director Hu waved his hand and continued, "I have heard privately that the new director above hopes that one person will take the lead, but the candidate has not yet been decided.

Although the material recycling company and the supply and marketing cooperative are the same company, the two departments seem to be somewhat inconsistent. "

Ye Chuan took a deep puff of cigarette and chose to remain silent.

It is not a big deal for a leader to hold two positions at the same time. What he worries most is that the newcomer does not know the limits and likes to make decisions, which will cause unnecessary conflicts.

He thanked: "Thank you Director Hu for telling me this information."

"Director Ye, you are too polite. I just want you to prepare early. I can't help you with anything practical." After saying that, Director Hu stood up and prepared to leave.

Ye Chuan stood up and personally escorted him to the door.

Ye Chuan didn't spend too much time thinking about this matter. He knew that if he encountered any problems, he just needed to respond flexibly.

After all, if the real problem is not clear yet, Chen Xiangdong will inform himself.

Ye Chuan did not call to inquire, nor did he ask others for information. He continued to work as usual.

I have recently been discussing preparations for my wedding with Tong Yao. They plan to get their marriage certificate after New Year's Day and hold the wedding before the Lantern Festival after the New Year. The specific location has not yet been decided.

With only half a month left before they registered their marriage, they agreed to go shopping at the department store and Qianmen on the weekend to prepare wedding supplies.

Seeing their son commuting to and from work every day, Ye Yongshun and his wife were anxious but did not dare to mention the details of the wedding.

Their children are almost getting married, but they are not interested in big things like houses and cars.

Ye Chuan smiled and comforted the two elders: "Don't worry, Mom and Dad, you don't need to worry about the wedding, I have already prepared it."

He told his parents: "Mom, Dad, we have saved a lot of money these days, plus my bonus, if you need anything, just tell me directly.