Debenzer Family Meeting (5): The Family Office Takes Shape
"First, this is the proposed structure for the 'Debenzer Family Office,' the executive organization that will take responsibility for the family's assets and the boss's personal security." Gilberto handed over a set of meticulously organized documents and continued his explanation.
"Number one is the Shield Team. I'll serve as team leader, but to inject some vitality into the organization, I plan to recruit an ace-level investigator from the IRS. We'll focus on the professionalism the boss has emphasized by training our existing personnel to strengthen our defensive capabilities."
The IRS? Aren't those the guys in America that are supposedly scarier than God himself? Makes sense, though. In this insane era of sky-high inflation in '79, one tax audit could rip the foundations out from under a family in the blink of an eye, whether in Korea or the States. At least our defensive power will be rock-solid with them on board.
"Number two is the Legal Team. We'll recruit one former senior prosecutor from the New York Federal Prosecutor's Office and one senior partner from a major law firm. As mentioned, their compensation will easily exceed the president's salary of two hundred thousand dollars."
The president only makes two hundred grand, and lawyers are asking for more? How good do they have to be? That's an insane salary for 1979, but is it worth it? No, wait—one legal shark can save an entire family. In web novels, if you don't have connections in legal circles, you end up choking on sweet potatoes in no time. This is definitely worth going all-in on.
"Number three is the Management Team. Since the security and intelligence teams would overlap with what Joshua is already handling effectively, we'll skip those. Image management and stylists don't cost much, so they weren't listed separately. You also mentioned they were lower priority."
"Mm. Joshua is definitely trustworthy. Security and intelligence can stay under his direct supervision as before."
"Number four is a veteran operator to serve as the hands and feet of the Investment Team. The name that comes to mind is Charles K. Hinton. He's a well-known figure who excels at moving capital without leaving a trace. He built his reputation purely on execution. Rather than profit-sharing, he demands a fixed salary at the absolute top of the industry commensurate with his expertise."
Henry didn't know the man, but he nodded in agreement. If Gilberto was recommending him that strongly, the guy had to be exceptional.
Gilberto took a breath and pressed on.
THINK TANK: THE FAMILY'S BRAIN AND STRATEGY
Gilberto's finger moved down the page to the think tank section responsible for designing the family's strategy.
"Number five is the Future Team. Since the boss will personally oversee it, I've focused on operational staff. First, we'll recruit on-site experts covering everything from design to joysticks and hardware for the 'game console business' outlined in the documents you prepared, boss. Number six consists of the two pillars of the Agenda Team. We'll seat one former chief of staff from Washington politics and one media industry heavyweight. Lobbyists, policy architects, and agitators. They'll handle opinion-shaping operations—translating our needs into White House policy or common public sense as required. Number seven is a former CIA field analyst who will serve as the eyes of the Intelligence Team. The rest of the personnel can be filled from our own people. Number eight is the administrator for the Advisory Team. We need to recruit a former cabinet-level official with wide connections in education and politics. We'll also need to bring in at least several prominent Ivy League professors as advisors. Their compensation will rival that of outside directors at major corporations. Number nine is the head of the most urgent department: Personnel. Honestly, no one in the current family structure can handle personnel matters at this scale."
Gilberto scratched his head awkwardly and continued.
"Even I am still new to this position and lack experience in personnel management. I recommend recruiting a former HR director from a major corporation or a well-connected figure from political circles to establish a proper system. We'll bring in someone famous for their scouting network. It would also be good to recruit managers or staff from headhunting firms along with our reassigned personnel to gain access to their talent lists. Finally, there's the Patent Team. As you said, we don't currently have any patents to file or manage. Still, we'll scout a few staff members and a manager from our own people who are interested, plus some from existing patent registration firms, to create the department. After that, we can expand into external patent registration services to build practical experience."
Gilberto then tapped the roughly written total of $15 million at the bottom of the page with his pen.
"However, boss, this figure is for this year only. In the first year, we'll have to shoulder the full burden of signing bonuses to attract these big names, plus compensation for the positions they're leaving behind. In particular, buying an entire headhunter's list or absorbing patent personnel will consume thirty percent of the total budget in initial rights fees."
Gilberto swallowed dryly and added, "Starting next year, once the organization is fully set up, the initial build cost of $3.5 million will disappear. If we only count salaries, dignity maintenance expenses, and operational costs, it should stabilize between $11 million and $12 million annually."
"Mm. Fifteen million dollars just for the first year..." Henry rested his chin on his hand, turning the number over in his mind.
Fifteen million dollars in 1979 prices... Even with rough conversion at current exchange rates, it's an eye-popping amount. In my previous life I never even saw numbers like this thrown around. It still doesn't feel real. But this does seem like the right move...
"This is also just a rough estimate I put together in my head. In reality it could end up higher. Moreover, our execution budget for this quarter alone is $2.25 million. If we start recruiting personnel immediately, this year's results are likely to show a loss. Wouldn't it be better to recruit only the Personnel Team first and bring in the rest gradually to control costs?"
At Gilberto's passionate persuasion, Henry pretended to ponder while observing the reactions around the room. The family's chief administrative officer shook his head vigorously the moment he heard the amount. Joshua remained expressionless as always, making it impossible to tell whether he cared or not.
Just then, Henry's eye caught the butler Bart quietly gesturing to an elderly man who had remained silent throughout the meeting. The man who rose from his seat with a deep sigh was Noah Miller, the previous generation's financial steward. Though he had retired three years ago, his eyes still burned with sharp intelligence that belied his seventy-four years.
"Gilberto's inexperience has led him to inflate the numbers somewhat. And unless we shower them with truly exorbitant compensation, these aces aren't likely to move even for the amounts he's budgeted."
The moment Noah spoke, the atmosphere in the room settled into a calm stillness.
"With my fifty years of experience and connections built during my time with the family, I will assist Gilberto. Henry, why don't you personally seek out and attempt to recruit the talents you desire? The full structure may not be complete until early next year, but that would allow us to cap this year's operating expenses at seven million dollars and next year's at under ten million. And don't worry—the reduction in cost won't mean a reduction in quality."
Henry cheered inwardly.
Whoa, the aura that comes from fifty years of experience...
Hiding none of his delight, Henry replied with an easy laugh.
"Hoo, thank you. This is money that must be spent regardless. Even if it costs a bit, it's an investment in upgrading the brains and limbs of our family. Please prioritize the most urgent areas first. I approve! What about you, Gilberto?"
Gilberto bowed his head, his face flushed with excitement.
"I approve as well! If Sir Noah assists us, we can organize the Personnel Team first and complete the subsequent recruitment and structuring far more quickly."
Gilberto's eyes sparkled as he looked at Noah Miller. He nodded vigorously in agreement. Of course, not everyone welcomed the decision. A few members cautiously voiced opposition, but Henry's logical and well-reasoned rebuttals quickly silenced them. In the end, when the vote was called, they couldn't even utter the first syllable of refusal and reluctantly gave their consent.
They had finally overcome one massive hurdle: establishing the enormous organizational framework.
"Whew, then let's move on to the next item. This concerns the naming and investment structure of our subsidiaries."
When Henry turned the page, Gilberto swallowed hard.
"First, the name 'Resources' that we're currently reorganizing feels too vague. Therefore, I'd like to change it to Debenzer Shield. Any objections? None, I see. Then the security and escort company will henceforth be known as Debenzer Shield. Understood, Joshua?"
"Yes, boss!"
Joshua's short, firm reply echoed through the room.
Yeah, the name has to have some flair or it kills the motivation to work. What even is "Resources," some kind of recycling company? Now it finally feels like the family's shield.
Henry turned to the next page and began explaining the systems he hadn't been able to fully document due to time constraints. His finger traced the massive pyramid structure drawn on the paper.
"As I mentioned earlier, our organization will take the form of a pyramid. At the top is the trust, which flows into the holding company, which then connects to the Family Office and Think Tank. At the base, we've placed Debenzer House to maintain our current industries and the family's traditions. Let me explain Debenzer House first."
He scanned the extremely brief explanatory page he had written and continued with confidence.
"As noted in the documents, this organization's purpose and reason for existence are crystal clear. Unlike the Agenda Team in the Think Tank, it will focus exclusively on managing our family's personal connections. Its primary duties will be charity events and social activities, as written. As you all know, I have absolutely no talent for that sort of thing."
Henry scratched the back of his head and added, "I plan to attend every social event this year to make an appearance, but after that... well, unless something catastrophic enough to sink the country occurs, I'd prefer not to go. That's why I need a representative who will consistently attend these events in my stead and uphold the family's dignity. Bart, how would you feel about taking overall charge of Debenzer House? Would that be all right, Bart?"