Chapter 10
Chapter 10
“Our team needs to be able to freely upload and download music files. We also need to see the feedback and ratings. For that, permissions need to be divided. We have to upload videos as well, so streaming should run smoothly… simple announcements should be able to pop up. And… I don’t need to explain security again, right? It has to be airtight. Hackers see entertainment companies as a buffet.”
“In that case, the company must have at least one person managing the website.”
“Can’t we just handle it through me?”
“No, you absolutely need dedicated IT personnel.”
“Our labor costs are already tight… I’ll suggest it.”
“If that doesn’t happen, the project will go off the rails.”
This is JW Entertainment, a project worth around 200 million won.
They were meeting with JW Entertainment’s operations manager, Jo Hyung-tae.
Beside Jeong Jin-woo, Ji Jeong-eun was filling out the user requirement analysis sheet meticulously.
“By the way, why aren’t you saying anything, Team Leader?”
“Oh, that’s because our Ji Jeong-eun is just so capable.”
Jeong Jin-woo glanced at Ji Jeong-eun and smiled.
“With Ki Sung IT, the projects won’t get dropped. Last time, we tried three times, and each time it broke… it got done, but it was a mess. So we trust it this time.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll complete it properly.”
“Then please send the estimate first. We’ll review it internally and then sign the contract.”
“Understood. That’s how it should be.”
Ji Jeong-eun, who had been filling her diary with notes, tidied it and spoke.
“Again, when working with IT companies, you must have someone familiar with the IT environment on your side. Any modifications or improvements need to be organized and sent by them. Without that, a hundred percent, it will go wrong.”
“Got it. I’ll suggest it. Ji Jeong-eun, your handling of the work is very precise and reliable. I look forward to working with you.”
“Likewise.”
“We’ll send you the estimate and the contract.”
After shaking hands, everyone left the meeting room. As soon as they stepped out of JW Entertainment’s building, Ji Jeong-eun turned back.
“Wow… you did really well. You looked just like a real team leader.”
“I was just sitting quietly.”
“Looking like a team leader isn’t easy. You really seemed like one.”
“You think so much of it…”
Ji Jeong-eun’s smile stretched from ear to ear.
“We’re going to work with JW Entertainment… wow.”
“You’re that excited?”
“Of course. It’s one of Korea’s top three entertainment companies. This project will be a stepping stone for Ki Sung IT’s growth.”
Even though the company had grown and fallen several times, it was still growing again?
“You’re overreacting.”
“You don’t understand because you’re new. Entertainment companies don’t just hand over their websites to anyone. Doing a homepage for an entertainment company carries enormous prestige.”
Is it really that big a deal?
Jeong Jin-woo smiled quietly at Ji Jeong-eun.
“You said last time the homepage failed three times…”
“That’s because of the internal problem. If a company doesn’t have someone in charge, they give a bunch of conflicting requests. ‘Make a video page, no wait, a webtoon page, no, just a few image cuts…’ They don’t even know what they want, so they wander aimlessly. If there’s an internal staff member, they gather and organize the requests into a single channel, which makes it easier to work with.”
“Isn’t that common sense?”
“Seems like it, right? But it’s not. Most companies skip hiring IT professionals to save costs. So we end up struggling and failing projects. That’s why the previous projects broke. Because they lacked IT personnel internally.”
From the atmosphere, it seemed that whether this project could proceed depended entirely on whether the client had dedicated personnel or not.
“Anyway, drinks on me today. Let’s go!”
Ji Jeong-eun grabbed Jeong Jin-woo’s hand and led the way.
She was a fun person.
“Are you saying JW Entertainment is…”
“Yes. They contacted us to make their homepage.”
He had suspected it from the JW in the name, and it was correct.
“Why not just have an IT company under JW Co., Ltd?”
“Because we have Ki Sung IT,” said lawyer Go Yun-seok.
Jeong Jin-woo nodded. That made sense. He already owned most of Ki Sung IT’s shares.
The issue was that Ki Sung IT didn’t fully know this, nor did JW Co.’s subsidiaries, and apparently, JW Entertainment didn’t know either.
“Are there any subsidiaries needing IT development?”
“Probably many.”
“Really? Hmm…”
This was as easy as it gets.
Go Yun-seok smiled knowingly.
“I’ve already told the companies needing IT development to contact Ki Sung IT.”
“Hahaha… really?”
He was quick.
“I’ll tell the subsidiaries to meet with Ki Sung IT’s team leader. Make it seem like some negotiation, then sign a contract at a price Ki Sung IT suggests.”
“Haha, isn’t that a bit much?”
By doing so, the performance results would automatically be credited.
“Anyway, it’s work we have to do. If we plan for the future, all subsidiaries should operate under unified standards.”
If they don’t use it, fine. If they do, then naturally, the IT and ERP systems would unify across all JW group companies, without them realizing it. Meanwhile, Jeong Jin-woo would also be credited for the projects.
Of course, he didn’t intend to take all the credit. Ji Jeong-eun should get it. Any credit Jeong Jin-woo took would be meaningless.
“Also, one important thing.”
“Please, go ahead.”
Go Yun-seok smiled.
“Tell them any company using Ki Sung IT for development must have an IT staff member internally.”
He remembered Ji Jeong-eun saying that without an IT staff, projects are likely to go off the rails.
“Ah… I understand. I’ll instruct them accordingly.”
Having someone familiar with IT on the client side meant orders could be properly organized, making work far more efficient.
The internal staff would endure unreasonable demands from executives, but it was better than chaos from mismanaged projects.
“Ha! What’s going on… suddenly we’re swamped. Five meetings just this week, and next week four more.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
“It is, but all the companies are JW group subsidiaries. Was there anything unusual last time?”
“Not that I recall…”
“Right? Then why all of a sudden these orders?”
Because the chairman gave the orders, of course.
Jeong Jin-woo smiled quietly.
It was ridiculous—he gave the orders, and then he signed the contracts himself. It wasn’t cheating, he was both giving and receiving the orders.
“Jeong Jin-woo, you’re like a lucky mascot… maybe you should just be a team leader?”
“Excuse me?”
“Team leader? Don’t fake it, be a real team leader.”
“And Ji Jeong-eun?”
“Her? Ha…”
Ji Jeong-eun stared wide-eyed at Jeong Jin-woo.
“I’ll be a team leader someday, but watching you, I think you should be the team leader.”
“What did I do?”
“You just acted like a team leader.”
Acted like a team leader by quietly observing?
“I honestly don’t care about the title. Ki Sung IT has to revive first, then I can build my career elsewhere. From your resume, you’ve worked three years elsewhere, right?”
Jeong Jin-woo nodded.
“See… and you even transferred schools to finish a four-year degree. Slightly behind, but you could be a team leader.”
“I still have a lot to learn. I’m not ready to be team leader yet…”
“Just remember that mindset. Faking it wouldn’t work. Real team leader is better. If you try to boss me around after getting the title… be prepared.”
Ji Jeong-eun clenched her fist and raised it.
“I just want to quietly work here…”
“Well, then let’s tell the director.”
With that, Ji Jeong-eun sprang up.
“I… I…”
Jeong Jin-woo tried to stop her, but it was too late. She had already left the office.
“This… this is ridiculous…”
Granted, it wasn’t impossible, but what kind of crazy company gives a new employee the team leader position right after joining?
Before, faking a title was enough, but now he might actually become the team leader.
“Alright! You’ve had work experience. Given the company situation, we’ll appoint you as team leader.”
President Choi Tae-min emphasized it as if something monumental had happened.
It seemed Ji Jeong-eun’s suggestion had been accepted. Ten or so companies contacted Ki Sung IT seeking a team leader, so the president decided to just appoint one.
“Even so…”
“Don’t argue. This is a managerial decision. Many opposed, but I pushed it through.”
President Choi looked back. Director Ki Dong-chan, Ji Jeong-eun, and Deputy Manager Lee Mi-seon were all smiling.
Who opposed? Anyone watching might think he earned a huge promotion.
“Good. Then will the salary be team leader level?”
“Well… salary can’t jump that dramatically.”
“You’ll get an extra million won. A 4% raise on your starting salary—never happened in Ki Sung IT history.”
Director Ki said that with a proud air.
A mere million won, on a minimum-wage-level salary, but it wasn’t about the money.
Salary in the corporate world means recognition and proper treatment.
“Understood. Then give me access to all three stages of the data bank.”
“What?”
“What do you mean? Team leaders only see stage two…”
“If that’s not included, I won’t be team leader.”
Jeong Jin-woo wanted to confirm something.
If he could freely access Ki Sung IT’s accumulated technology over 30 years, he could make something extraordinary.
There were interesting projects in titles alone—cryptocurrency, NFTs, metaverse, etc.
He needed to know exactly what resources were available before deciding what to create.
“The rules say only executives can see stage three. Team leaders can’t.”
“Fine, let him see it.”
“Director Ki!”
“Why not let him see? Executives, who’s there? Only the president and me. What’s the point of hiding it?”
Before President Choi could refuse, Director Ki approved it.
“Still… it’s Ki Sung IT’s top-secret tech…”
“Most of it is obsolete now anyway. Why hoard it?”
“That’s true, but…”
Jeong Jin-woo smirked at the two.
Really amusing people. Why argue over everything in front of employees?
Even Ji Jeong-eun and Lee Mi-seon couldn’t help but chuckle.