The Splendid Workshop has been established for more than half a month. The novelty, exploration and unease of the first few days were gradually replaced by an orderly busyness. The pilot program of piece-rate wage system - several handkerchiefs and sachets with relatively simple craftsmanship and high demand - is in full swing.
Inside the workshop, the embroidery racks are neatly arranged, and the light spills evenly through the high Windows. The embroiderers were buried in their work. As the flying needles and threads moved, only the sound of fine threads weaving and the occasional soft exchanges could be heard.
Unlike the past style of slacking off or chatting idly, nowadays everyone's face has a touch of concentration, and even a hint of imperceptible competition.
"Oh, Sister Wang, the double lotus embroidered on your sapower is about to be done. How time flies!" A younger embroiderer looked enviously at a nimble elder sister beside her.
The embroiderer, known as Sister Wang, didn't even raise her head, but the corners of her mouth slightly curled up: "It's just that my hands are familiar." Finish this batch earlier so that I can go and collect the materials for the next batch. I heard that the newly arrived batch of Su satin has a very good color. It will surely look good when embroidered and the labor price will be a bit higher.
Sure enough, I'm looking forward to it too. It's just that the rules for the live inspection are strict. Master Li called me back yesterday, saying that one of my stitches had skipped. All my efforts were in vain." The young embroiderer sighed, but her hand movements became more meticulous.
In the corner, Liu Xiuniang was embroidering at a leisurely pace while seemingly casually saying to a woman beside her with a worried expression, "Sister Zhang, don't be too anxious either." At our age, our eyes and hands are not as good as those of the young. This piece-rate job is prepared for them. For us, it would be great if we could get a guaranteed salary.
Aunt Zhang sighed and said, "It's true, but seeing others earn dozens more in a day just doesn't make me feel good." The family is still pointing at my little money...
A glimmer of light flashed in Liu Xiuniang's eyes, and her voice was lowered even more: "If you ask me, these two young ladies have deep thoughts." The so-called "more work, more pay" is, in my opinion, just finding ways to get people to do more work. The labor saved, doesn't it end up in her own pocket? We used to work at Zhang Ji. Although the wages were a bit lower, we weren't as exhausted as this.
Her words happened to be overheard by Li Molan who was passing by. Li Molan frowned and stopped in her steps. Her voice was not loud but carried an air of authority: "Liu Jinhua, inside the workshop, focus on your work and avoid gossiping."
If Mrs. Zhang encounters any difficulties in techniques, she can ask me and Instructor Wang for advice, or take a look at the "Standard Stitch Illustration" pasted on the wall. It was specially drawn by a painter by the second young lady to help everyone improve their skills and reduce rework.
Now, as one of the chief instructors, Li Molan has straightened her back much more and speaks with more confidence. She pointed to several enlarged patterns posted on the wall, on which the key points of the crucial steps such as starting the needle, dropping the needle, routing the thread and hiding the needle were clearly marked with lines and words.
Liu Jinhua was exposed to the point right in front of her. She felt a bit embarrassed and lowered her head sheepishly, muttering, "I was just saying it casually..."
Li Molan paid no further attention to her. She walked over to Aunt Zhang, picked up the half-embroidered handkerchief she had embroidered, examined it carefully, and gently pointed out, "Aunt Zhang, look at your overlock stitch. The thread is pulled too tightly and the fabric is a bit wrinkled." Next time, if the needle is inserted more gently and the thread runs more evenly, this won't happen. And at this place where the wires are changed, if the wire ends are not properly hidden, it's easy for the wires to come off. Come on, I'll teach you a new method...
Li Molan demonstrated patiently and meticulously. Aunt Zhang listened attentively, and a look of realization gradually appeared on her face. Several embroiderers around also came over to take a look and secretly noted down the techniques.
This is precisely part of the "hierarchical Management and new training process" implemented by Shen Ruoxin. According to the initially evaluated skill levels (divided into three grades: A, B, and C), the embroiderers will be assigned tasks of different difficulties.
Class A embroiderers are responsible for the most delicate and highest-priced embroidery works and are obligated to guide Class B embroiderers.
Grade B takes on most of the regular tasks and also helps Grade C.
Grade C starts with the most basic tasks and receives focused guidance from two chief instructors and Grade A and B embroiderers. The standard illustrations posted on the wall, regular technique mini-classes, and this kind of anytime and anywhere assistance form a three-dimensional training system.
The goal is very clear: to make the experienced players faster and better. Help beginners get the hang of it as soon as possible, reduce mistakes and improve the overall level.
A few days later, at the account room of the Splendid Pavilion.
Wang Bo, holding several newly organized account books, with an expression of unbelievable surprise on his face, reported to Shen Ruoxin:
Miss Two! Look quickly! This is the shipment volume and cost calculation of those handkerchief pouches in the pilot program over the past two weeks! He excitedly opened the account page and pointed at the figures on it, "According to the piece-rate system, the shipment volume of handkerchiefs in the past half month has increased by nearly 30% compared with the same period before!"
The wallet has also increased by 25%! The most crucial point is that because everyone has put more effort into it, the rework rate has been significantly reduced, and the loss of silk thread and fabric has dropped by a full 10% compared to before! "Calculated, the cost per item has dropped by nearly one cent!" "
A qian of silver may seem insignificant, but when multiplied by the huge output, it becomes an astonishing figure! This means that while ensuring or even improving the quality, the profit margin of Jinxiu Pavilion has greatly increased!
Shen Ruoxin took the account book and examined it carefully. The result was within her expectations, but seeing the figures with her own eyes, a wave of relief still welled up in her heart. This proves that her direction is correct. The concepts of modern enterprise management are equally applicable and even more effective in this era.
Where are the embroiderers' wages? Shen Ruoxin asked, "This is a question she is equally concerned about."
"It has also been calculated!" Wang Bo turned to another page and said, "According to piece-rate wages, over 70% of the embroiderers earn more this month than they did when they worked at the Brocade Pavilion or Zhang Jishi before!" Especially those quick and skilled first-class embroiderers, their income has almost doubled!
Of course, there are also a few people at level C or who have just arrived. Because they are not yet proficient, their income is temporarily lower. However, as per your instructions, we have set a minimum guaranteed wage for the third-level embroiderers to ensure that they have no worries about their basic living and won't lose their way to survive due to their inferior skills.
Shen Ruoxin nodded in satisfaction, "That's good." We should give everyone hope and also provide them with a safety net. Only then can people's hearts truly settle down.
"However..." Wang Bo changed the subject and showed a hint of worry. "That Liu Jinhua has been a bit restless recently." I heard from Instructor Li that she privately complained a lot about the piece-rate system and even incited several other slow-paced embroiderers, saying that the employer was mean and not as kind and righteous as the former Boss Zhang...
"Is Boss Zhang benevolent and righteous?" Shen Ruoxin sneered, "If he were benevolent and righteous, he wouldn't be in arrears with the wages, leaving everyone at a dead end." Liu Jinhua... It's just a skipping clown.
"Well..." Shall we give her a knock? Uncle Wang asked.
"Don't worry." A profound meaning flashed in Shen Ruoxin's eyes. "When water is too clear, there are no fish." The workshop has grown larger, so it's normal to have some different sounds. As long as she doesn't do anything inappropriate and it doesn't affect the overall situation, let her do it first.
It's just right. We can also take a look at how many people are truly following the Jinxiu Pavilion and how many are physically in Cao's camp but physically in Han. She needs a reference point, a negative example, to set off those positive and hardworking embroiderers.
"Yes, I understand." Uncle Wang nodded and said no more.
"By the way," Shen Ruoxin recalled something, "How are we doing with the batch of materials we bought from Zhang Ji at a low price?"
Miss Hui Er, the quality of that batch of materials is indeed good. The ones being used in the workshop now are... Just... Uncle Wang looked troubled and said, "It's like eating away from your resources." The materials for that batch of goods were used quickly and the new materials haven't been delivered yet. Especially for several special types of silk threads and brocade, the inventory is running out. Is there still no news from Wang Ermazi?
Shen Ruoxin's brows also slightly furrowed. This is indeed the greatest hidden concern hanging over her head. The efficiency of the workshop has improved and the output has increased, but without a continuous and stable supply of high-quality raw materials, everything is just a castle in the air. Wang Ermazi's side was like a stone sinking into the sea, forcing her to prepare for the worst.
Wait a little longer. Shen Ruoxin said in a deep voice, "If there's no news by the end of the month, we'll have to activate the backup plan." She already had a preliminary and riskier plan in mind, but she didn't want to use it unless it was absolutely necessary.
Just then, A Xing hurried in from outside, her expression somewhat solemn: "Second Miss."
What's wrong?
"Just received the message," A Xing lowered her voice. "Zhang Defa..." It seems that there is some movement. Someone noticed that he had been frequently visiting several money shops these days and even met Zhao Babi from the cloth store in the west of the city.