Back to the 1970s: Building My Fortune Through Time Trading

Chapter 190: Securing Sponsorships

She looked at the group with admiration, surprised at their high level of awareness.

Every year when it comes to picking participants, she gets a headache.

To put it nicely, it’s to bring glory to the department store; to put it bluntly, it’s a waste of time with no real benefits, leaving the old-timers grumbling and the newcomers resentful.

She looked at the six people in front of her with almost a motherly gaze: "Good luck, I’m rooting for you."

After speaking, she turned and left.

Chen Meilan came over, her gaze sweeping across them, finally landing on Su Xiaoxiao: "In the next few days, take an hour after work to prepare. Report back to me once you’ve decided on a performance."

She paused and added, "This is a big deal for our department store, affecting our reputation, and it must be taken seriously."

After saying this, she also left, leaving the six of them looking at each other in dismay. What kind of business is this?

Su Xiaoxiao’s face fell. Could he still back out now?

Seeing it was already lunchtime, the group headed to eat, feeling gloomy, while others pointed fingers.

"Are these the six idiots? Do they really think participating in the talent show is a good thing?"

"Maybe they’re just after the notebooks and pens."

The moment this was said, a crowd burst into laughter, looking at them with an expression reserved for fools.

Zhang Dongmei gritted her teeth: "What’s so funny? What’s wrong with us wanting to participate?"

Qian Xiaoyan looked puzzled: "What exactly are they laughing at?"

Su Xiaoxiao had a fairly good impression of Qian Xiaoyan and was willing to clear her doubts.

"Maybe they think participating in the talent show wastes time and offers no tangible benefits, so they see us as foolish."

Qian Xiaoyan, even more perplexed: "Just because of that? That’s easy, I can ask my dad and my fiancé to sponsor some prizes, can’t I?"

With her reminder, Su Xiaoxiao suddenly had a good idea.

People are reluctant to participate in this talent show mainly because, besides the intangible honor, there are no real benefits.

After a tiring day at work, no one is willing to work overtime for free.

If she pulled in sponsorships, not only would the show be grander, but it could also greatly boost the salespeople’s enthusiasm.

Of course, her intention is purely for the benefit of the department store and not merely for lucrative prizes.

Thinking of this, she smiled broadly: "Comrade Qian, your idea is simply brilliant!"

Qian Xiaoyan was puzzled: "What idea? Did I say any idea?"

Su Xiaoxiao excitedly held her hand: "The sponsorship you mentioned, I find it very feasible. If more organizations are willing to provide prizes for the talent show, it could greatly encourage participation."

Zhang Dongmei scoffed: "You’re daydreaming, who would provide us with free prizes?"

Zhang Guoqing scratched his head in agreement: "They’re not fools, why would they provide free prizes for our show?"

Qian Xiaoyan said: "I could probably persuade my dad and fiancé to have their towel and stationery factories sponsor some prizes, but as for other factories, I’m powerless."

Qin Shuang said: "I can go back and ask my uncle, he’s a workshop director at the food factory, he should be able to sponsor some pastries."

"Towels, stationery, and pastries aren’t particularly fascinating things; only these items may still lack appeal."

Zhang Yulan frowned and said.

Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes lit up: "How about clothes, pork, shampoo?"

"All these are things people can use, and aren’t willing to buy often, they’re perfect for prizes. It’s just a question if the factories are willing to sponsor us."

Zhang Yulan spoke with some uncertainty.

Su Xiaoxiao smiled mysteriously: "Don’t worry, I have a way to persuade them."

Thinking of prizes, she immediately thought of the three factory managers she was familiar with.

Meat joint factory manager Li Jianjun, detergent factory manager Li Zhenhua, and clothing factory manager Dong Guoqiang.

These three were old acquaintances of hers, and she could try to persuade them to sponsor the talent show.

If she could pull these six sponsors, the prizes for this talent show would surely be abundant.

Resolving to act, Su Xiaoxiao went straight to the office to find Chen Meilan, sharing her thoughts with her.

Chen Meilan gave her a look akin to an old man looking at a phone on the subway: "Why would they sponsor us for free? It’s not even a matter of me asking, even if our general manager goes, they might not agree. People aren’t foolish to take on thankless tasks."

Su Xiaoxiao said: "Director Chen, you don’t need to go, I’ll handle it. Though this task is indeed challenging, I believe in human action. For the honor of our department store, I’m willing to thicken the skin to try."

"In the face of collective honor, what does my personal face matter?"

Su Xiaoxiao’s words were so stirring, they dumbfounded Chen Meilan.

Unexpectedly, this young girl’s awareness was so high? She had underestimated her before.

"Well said!"

"You, this young comrade, have a high level of awareness! What our department store needs most is good comrades with thought and responsibility."

As soon as she finished speaking, applause was heard from behind them.

Yan Guohua appeared at the office door, looking at Su Xiaoxiao with relief, his gaze full of affirmation and admiration.

Behind him were several department managers, all looking at her with expressions of approval.

Su Xiaoxiao blushed with some embarrassment: "General Manager."

Yan Guohua nodded, walking up to Su Xiaoxiao with firm steps: "Comrade Xiao Su, rest assured, our department store will never undermine the efforts of any employee. If you succeed in securing sponsorship for our talent show, the year-end bonuses and the outstanding employee awards will certainly be yours."

Upon hearing this, the smile on Su Xiaoxiao’s face became even more genuine.

With tangible benefits, she would surely work harder.

Once Yan Guohua and his leadership team leisurely walked away, the other five who had been standing back as background rushed forward and encircled Su Xiaoxiao.

Zhang Guoqing admired her: "Comrade Su, I declare, from now on you’re my idol, I didn’t expect your awareness to be so high."

Zhang Dongmei huffed: "It’s just pulling sponsorship, what’s the big deal? I could do it too."

Just as Su Xiaoxiao had said, by having those factories sponsor free talent show prizes, they could promote themselves at the show, gaining exposure—a win-win situation for both sides.

The more Zhang Dongmei thought about it, the more she believed she could do it too, and suddenly she was kalkulating her own small plans.