Organizational Expansion
I couldn't help but sigh after hearing about the dark side of our organization. Asking Park the manager why it had happened seemed pointless, so I simply told him he'd worked hard. But he was sharp enough to notice and pressed again. Had I done something wrong? I assured him there was nothing wrong and encouraged him, saying he'd put in real effort on the development. Returning to business, I personally liked option one and asked for more details. Options two and three were simply too potent. They also looked low on marketability. The moment they hit distribution, they'd get seized.
"Manager Park, option one looks solid. How should we sell the product?" —GB(38.2)
"Selling it as a drink would work best." —iloveGB(36.5)
I turned into a cartoon character with a lightbulb flashing above my head. A tie-in product with the Cheonan factory. Their original work had been OEM for tonics and energy drinks anyway.
"Manager Park, we have a factory in Cheonan within the organization. Would you happen to know someone you could recommend to handle production there?" —GB(38.2)
A reply came back immediately.
"I'll take care of it." —iloveGB(36.5)
?? You're already busy. What about the Haman factory and Mincheol?
"It's fine. I brought in a younger sibling I know and got them married. I have to leave anyway because of the watchful eyes around here." —iloveGB(36.5)
"He's sharp too, so he'll handle the work well." —iloveGB(36.5)
The world really was something. The younger brother chasing out his older sister. Aigoo, so that friend I'd seen back then was Mincheol's wife.
"I didn't know. Pass along my congratulations. Tell them to live well." —GB(38.2)
I sent over a gold envelope as a congratulatory gift. He said he should buy something nice for himself. Having a family really did seem like a blessing.
The next day I headed to the welfare center and called an executive meeting. Three participants. The moment I parked in the lot after climbing the hill, the kids came running to greet me. After exchanging hellos, I handed out snacks and toys I'd bought in Seoul. This was the real reason coming here felt so good lately. It was like recharging.
While I was still greeting everyone, Deputy Director Ha and Director Jo stepped out. Their expressions had grown noticeably gentler, more relaxed. At least on the surface. A small suspicion crept in that maybe I'd been fooled by those faces all along. Still, these were people who had worked hard for me. They were also terrifying. Conflicting thoughts swirled.
This nationwide tour had taught me more than I expected.
"Hello?"
"President, please come inside. You must be tired after the long trip."
Once we were in the director's office, we eased into light small talk. Talk of mountain greens coming into season, how a wild boar had appeared last week and the security team had caught it.
"How did you decide to handle the organization?"
I cut straight to the point. The conversation needed to end.
"I'm sorry."
Deputy Director Ha's face hardened as he asked for forgiveness.
"No. I should have paid closer attention and taken better care of things. I'm not saying you did anything wrong."
After listening to what followed from both men, I felt genuinely sorry. Their conclusion was that they'd acted because they couldn't fully trust me. They said they felt bad. A young person like me shouldn't have to deal with this kind of work. They also said they were proud. Landing major deals one after another, trying to fix problems when they arose, looking after the people below.
"Thank you. But shouldn't I still know about these things?"
Director Jo let out a long sigh and spoke.
"Can't you just pretend not to know and leave it to us?"
From his expression, it was clear he wouldn't tell me even if I asked, so I let it go. I said we'd talk about it next time.
The two men, now wearing expressions that said the conversation had gone well, continued with faintly proud looks.
"It's a personal greed. We hoped you wouldn't have to experience it so soon. Though you probably already know quite a bit."
Deputy Director Ha changed the subject.
"It's about the organizational restructuring plan."
I had been carrying that particular concern as well.
"Director Jo and I discussed it. We think the right move is to expand Vice Director Seon's line further."
?? Last time you were against it, saying it was too dangerous.
"I think that's correct now. Business is simply going too well. Vice Director Seon requested it several times, but I was the one blocking it."
Director Jo backed him up from the side. He showed me a chart of personnel changes. Quarterly figures. Two assistant managers had left, both marked in red. Eleven regular employees: three in red, eight in green.
"What do the colors mean?"
"Ah, red means we've removed them. Green means they need follow-up attention."
I let out a sigh.
"We'd also like to expand the security team a little."
Five people seemed sufficient. There weren't that many situations requiring force, were there?
While I waited in silence, he added more explanation. Simple errand runners were needed, but in military terms, counterintelligence work would also be required. He pointed to one of the assistant managers on the chart.
"He's a police officer."
Huh? The undercover topic that kept coming up lately? Was this some kind of new world?
While I sat there dazed, Director Jo spoke with a bitter expression. Our organization had become one drawing nationwide attention.
I snapped back to attention.
"Is there a problem?"
"We naturally phased out the employee-level people and the other assistant managers, but the police officer couldn't be helped. He even made it up to Vice Director Seon."
"We're keeping an eye on the police side."
"For now, let's expand the security team. Decide on the personnel with Deputy Director Ha and Team Leader Lee."
"It would be good to respect seniority, though there aren't many talents on that level like Team Leader Lee."
"I agree that would be fair, but in that world skill comes first. I'll handle the conversation carefully."
Director Jo suddenly cut in.
"President, I'd like to form a team as well."
After hearing the details, it seemed necessary, so I approved it. The IT team. When I asked if he had people, Deputy Director Ha spoke up. Did I remember the resumes he'd sent last year? Ah… four people. No, including Mincheol and Yeonhui, that made five. Among them was one friend from the IT side. He wanted to form a three-person team with that friend, a supporting employee, and employee Hyeseon. I approved without hesitation. But hadn't there been one more person?
"Ah… he didn't listen, so we removed him."
I confirmed there would be no changes to the manufacturing lines: the full four factories, plus the Haman and Cheonan factories. I also briefed them on the new product planned for the Cheonan factory.
"Understood. We'll prepare."
And the person in charge would be Manager Park.
"Things will get easier once Yeonhui comes up."
I hadn't known, but they said Yeonhui had been the strict disciplinarian. And the largest sales network. I asked for their thoughts on the 1-3-9 triple-multiplier organizational structure. There had to be a reason they'd suddenly tripled the employee-level recruits without telling me.
"Assistant manager level and above can be considered exclusive to us, but employee level are freelancers."
I didn't understand at first, but they explained that because the volumes and amounts were small, many people treated it like a side job for pocket money. Some even handled goods from other organizations.
"President, my thought is…"
Deputy Director Ha offered his opinion. Higher ranks should follow the 1-3-9 triple multiplier, while employee numbers should simply be capped. He thought nine per assistant manager would be acceptable. If one assistant manager could control nine employees, that person would stand out, and anyone showing that level of ability should be promoted. I nodded as I listened. He added that if I handed out too many positions and operations went to hell, we'd all get dragged down together.
"Shall we promote someone?"
Who?
"Vice Director Seon. Shouldn't I step down as well?"
Deputy Director Ha smiled as he said it. I approved both the promotion and the restructuring plan. As I stood, I extended my hand to Deputy Director Ha.
"At this rate I'll end up with a life sentence," he chuckled as he rose.
The organizational chart now ran 1-1-3-9-27. One director, one manager, three vice directors, nine section chiefs, twenty-seven assistant managers. Employees limited to nine per assistant manager.
"If we recruit too many people, won't personnel costs become a problem?"
If they did, I'd have to send money from my own account. Deputy Director Ha showed me SkyBank as if to say my question was foolish. An eleven-digit number that was hard to even count.
After settling everything, I went to the back mountain to meet Team Leader Lee. The sales network could be handled at Manager Seon's level, and Director Jo would manage IT. The security team was my responsibility.
"Team Leader, have you been well?"
Somehow his build looked even larger. Pumped up, maybe.
"Ah, President. You've come? What's this again?"
What else? The beef I always brought. I relayed the conversation from below. Physical work would be needed. We were expanding. I also mentioned Eun-seong. If parachutes or outside hires came in during the expansion, wouldn't there be complaints?
"We'll have to overcome it. I'll keep a close watch."
I wondered how Deputy Director Ha and Team Leader Lee's parents had raised them.
"I have one or two idle younger siblings anyway. I should reach out."
I told him the stories from the organization. The undercover issue, the kid who wouldn't listen, and so on.
"I have a friend from the military security command. He'll do well."
I felt reassured.