The Great Emperor's Sweet Fate

　　On September 4, I received a call from Mr. Zhao, the company’s general manager, who mentioned that the company is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and plans to publish a book chronicling the company’s growth journey. He emphasized that all employees are encouraged to contribute their own stories and insights, especially since I’ve been with the company for a decade—making me particularly well-positioned to share my personal experiences at Dadi. After Mr. Zhao’s reminder, vivid memories of the past ten years at Dadi began to surface in my mind, each moment—from the early days to recent milestones—clearly etched in my recollection.

　　Ten years ago in March, driven by youthful exuberance and frustration, I resigned from a feed company and joined Chengdu Dadi Feed Co., Ltd. At the time, the company was preparing to launch pilot offices in Liaoning and Heilongjiang provinces. Considering my previous experience working in northern markets, I was assigned to the Liaoning office. Although before joining the company I had worked in both wine and feed sales, I still approached my daily tasks like a typical salesman—wandering between various feed factories, relying on sheer luck to land deals as I pitched feed flavoring additives. Thanks to Dadi’s products already enjoying a solid market presence in Northeast China, the office was managing to achieve decent performance. It was during that period that I felt utterly alone, gazing endlessly into the vast horizon of opportunity ahead.

　　One year later, as the company underwent strategic planning and organizational restructuring, I was transferred from the Liaoning office to the Shaanxi market. During that year, the company initiated a systematic training program for its marketing team, aligning with our strategic goals. However, being someone who tends to be more spontaneous, I had grown accustomed to a free-thinking mindset and a flexible work style. Coupled with my perceived business acumen, I initially felt quite resistant to the training sessions, often appearing distracted—both in my speech and behavior—during the workshops. I vividly recall one particular training session designed to help our marketing team overcome their fear of approaching clients. The company organized a session focused on enhancing communication skills, where each marketer was assigned a book to read. A month later, we were all expected to share our insights during a group discussion. At the time, I didn’t take it seriously, thinking, "After all, I’ve been handling client interactions for years—this should be no big deal." But when the day of the sharing session arrived, I was unexpectedly chosen to go first. As I stood nervously at the podium, staring down at the more than twenty familiar faces below, my heart began racing. My hands fidgeted uncontrollably, and my mind went completely blank. Normally articulate and confident, I suddenly found myself at a loss for words. Thankfully, the encouraging smiles and supportive gazes from my colleagues helped me gradually regain my composure. Slowly, the key points from the book resurfaced in my memory, allowing me to calmly deliver my presentation and share my thoughts with everyone. Looking back after the session, I realized how much harder it actually was than I’d imagined—and that’s precisely why I came to appreciate the company’s thoughtful approach. Over time, I started embracing the various training opportunities the company offered, ranging from product knowledge and marketing techniques to specialized expertise, computer skills, and even driving proficiency. Through consistent effort and practical application in the field, I steadily outpaced my peers. Eventually, I not only secured both a home and a car but also earned a promotion from an ordinary marketing representative to the position of Northwest Regional Marketing Manager. It was this comprehensive training program that ultimately empowered me to step onto the stage in 2007 as the host of the “Brilliant Mid-Autumn Festival, Welcoming National Day” gala. Standing confidently before an audience of over 300 representatives from leading feed companies, I smoothly guided the entire event alongside three other colleagues. After the show concluded, our performance received widespread acclaim from the attendees.

　　These past few years have truly been a journey of "mountains upon mountains, rivers upon rivers—seeming to lead nowhere—but then, amid the willows and flowers, another village appears." Back in 2009, driven by my mission at Dadi and an unwavering spirit of never giving up, I volunteered to take charge of the Fujian market. As a result, the company established the Fujian Office. Looking back, when the office first opened, I was brimming with confidence. According to the company’s expectations, I had just three months to thoroughly familiarize myself with the entire market, build comprehensive customer profiles, and achieve the targets set by the company. However, at that time, although customers across Fujian were already well-acquainted with the "Dadi" brand, sales had plummeted to their lowest point. Customers had even grown distant, no longer feeling connected to either Dadi's products or services. Faced with this challenge, I focused solely on one thing: repeatedly visiting clients to inform them about the newly established office. Yet, after a year of relentless effort, our performance remained lackluster, leaving me increasingly uncertain—and at one point, I even considered retreating altogether.

　　Just then, Mr. Li, the company’s general manager, noticed my mindset. In early 2010, he immediately headed to the Fujian market. It was this very trip to Fujian that made me truly understand the profound meaning of the word "perseverance." That visit to the client remains an unforgettable experience for me. After several phone calls, Mr. Li finally managed to schedule a meeting with the owner of a feed enterprise in Putian—at 4 p.m. the next day. I was thrilled—finally, we’d secured this highly sought-after client! That evening, Mr. Li urged me to prepare all the necessary materials for tomorrow’s visit: customer information, product samples, key talking points, and even business cards. By the time everything was ready, it was already midnight. The next morning, we departed from Fuzhou and arrived punctually at the company. As soon as Mr. Li called the boss of the enterprise, however, there was no answer. So he sent a text message—but still, no reply. We tried again and again… one, two, three times—and by 6 p.m., frustration began to creep in. At that moment, I was already considering calling it quits. But Mr. Li simply smiled and said, “Let’s wait a bit longer. Maybe we’ll meet him soon.” So we sat down on the staircase outside the feed company, patiently continuing our wait. The cold wind howled relentlessly, mingling with the enticing aroma of freshly cooked meals drifting from nearby restaurants. Yet, we kept waiting. By 7 p.m., as dusk settled over the city, Mr. Li quietly reminded me, “Jianpeng, remember—perseverance will surely lead to results.” His words struck deep within me, bringing tears to my eyes. How could a company boss, whose annual sales reached an impressive 150 million yuan, endure such a long wait just to meet one client? I pondered deeply—it was his unwavering determination, his relentless spirit, and his way of inspiring his team to keep pushing forward. And so, the wait continued. Then, suddenly, at 8 p.m., my phone buzzed with a text: “Mr. Li, I’m so sorry—I just woke up after staying up late last night. Where are you?” When we saw the message, excitement surged through us! We quickly replied, letting the client know we were right downstairs at the company. Finally, the moment had arrived—our long-awaited meeting took place. Of course, during this encounter, the boss of the feed company expressed great appreciation for our approach. And Mr. Li skillfully showcased not only the company’s outstanding products but also its cutting-edge management philosophy and the unique corporate culture of Dadi Group. It was precisely through Mr. Li’s magnetic personality and the unwavering support of our dedicated team that I persevered in the Fujian market. Over the next three years, my sales soared—from just a few hundred thousand yuan to several million. Throughout these challenging three years, I remained committed to attending the company’s annual training sessions without fail. Each year, the company provided us with the latest industry insights and regularly dispatched teams to jointly explore the market, ensuring top-notch customer service at every step. Thanks to this relentless pursuit of continuous learning, time flew by swiftly, and I gradually evolved from a mere sales representative into the head of our provincial office. Over the past decade, Dadi has nurtured each employee like a caring mother, offering both guidance and understanding. This nurturing environment has instilled in us a strong sense of belonging and purpose. And indeed, my journey with Dadi continues to unfold—a bond that grows deeper with each passing day.