Series: The All-Rounder Employee Becomes a Legend
Chapter: 48
Title: First Impressions Are Everything
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The next day, Taeseok was getting ready for work.
But at 7:30 in the morning.
A call came from the El Sung Electronics branch manager.
Unexpectedly, the branch manager was a woman.
“Hello?”
- Manager Kim Taeseok? This is Yoon Yeojung, the branch manager in charge. I received notice that you’re starting today.
“Yes. Hello. I’ll see you in a little while.”
- No, that’s alright. I just sent you a text message. Please check it, go directly to the training center for today’s session, and then come in starting tomorrow.
“Understood.”
- Do well in your training. Don’t doze off. It’s important.
“Yes.”
And so, the place he went to for work.
A two-minute walk from Gwangmyeong Station, Exit 3.
He had to be there by 1 p.m.
A large, theater-style auditorium.
Unlike training sessions held in a partitioned-off section of an office, this place was packed with several hundred people.
But as it turned out, it wasn't just El Sung employees.
There were people from Daehyun Group, KS Group, and even Loto Group.
Today's lecture?
[Sales Secrets from the Sales Queen!]
But with people from other groups present, the atmosphere was completely chaotic.
A line of people formed at the entrance.
The reason?
To check attendance.
“Where are you from?”
“I’m from El Sung Electronics.”
“Could you please write down your employee number and name?”
“Yes!”
People filed in, but most of them were doing their own thing. There wasn't much conversation among them. A somewhat gloomy atmosphere.
In a room where people were filling the seats from the back, Taeseok moved to the very front. However, those who arrived late eventually had no choice but to move to the front as well.
A training session on sales.
Taeseok, who had assumed everyone came with dreams and hopes, overheard a conversation between two people sitting behind him and realized he was mistaken.
“Ah! That bitch of a branch manager! Sent me to training again.”
“Why? Taesu, did you have a bad sales month again?”
“Hyeontae, I’m so pissed off I could die. Do I make the products? The products are crap, so customers don’t buy them, but what am I supposed to do? It’d be better to sell one more thing during this time.”
“Heh, that’s because the branch managers’ heads are full of crap. They’re basically telling us to quit on our own because we’re dragging down their performance, right?”
“Ugh, I really can’t do this anymore. This is such bullshit!”
“Still, what can you do? We have to feed our families. We just have to hold on somehow.”
“Wanna grab a drink after this?”
“Sounds good!”
There were new employees, but most were people whose sales performance was poor, classified as underperforming managers and sent to this run-around training.
It was the conglomerate's policy for dealing with underperformers: schedule about five training sessions a month to crush their morale until they had no choice but to quit.
Because of this, some people left on their own accord, while others, like the ones here, endured and held on. Taeseok gave a bitter smile.
‘Can’t they just try harder? Why are there so many negative people?’
Of course, the world wasn't only filled with people like Taeseok. Right behind him were people who did nothing but complain. Despite that, Taeseok remained positive.
He believed that if you worked hard at anything, you would be recognized.
His life experience had trained him to be that way.
The sales queen giving the lecture today, Yoon Sera, thought the same.
『Everyone! For what reason have you come here today?』
『Sales! You all came because you want to do well, right? I started as a promotional staff member at a large supermarket. I gained know-how there, then moved to a furniture specialty store, and after that, I worked at Awesome Mart until last year, becoming the top sales queen. And now, I’m working as an instructor to share that experience with all of you.』
But the two guys sitting behind Taeseok continued to vent their complaints.
“Ah, who doesn’t know that? You think it’s easy?”
“Taesu, just looking at that woman pisses me off. So annoying! Why does she talk so much?”
“Heh, she’s got a pretty face, though. Probably sold products by sweet-talking guys with that face.”
“Heh heh.”
There are things you can say and things you can't, and they crossed the line. So, Taeseok stepped in.
“Excuse me. Do you have to be like that?”
“What?”
“Please be quiet.”
“Ah, yeah, yeah! Got it. Stop looking back here. Just look forward.”
Taeseok held back for the moment.
Starting a fight during a lecture would just be a nuisance to everyone else.
Still, his comment made the people around them give the two a look, and they quieted down.
Indeed, nothing changes if you just stay silent.
Whether it's a big corporation or not.
You have to speak your mind for people to realize they're in the wrong.
When did Korea become so full of selfishness?
She continued with her story.
『Everyone! What do you think you need to do to make a good impression on customers? Choose one of these two.』
First, the first option.
She opened her mouth with a bright smile.
『Hello, valued customer! This is El Sung Electronics.』
And the second, she opened her mouth with a blank expression.
『Hello, valued customer. This is El Sung Electronics. How may I help you?』
A confusing question.
But Taeseok understood its meaning.
Sitting in the front, he noticed the change in her expression.
Taeseok raised his hand.
『Yes! Please state your affiliation, name, and then your answer.』
“This is Kim Taeseok, soon to be working at El Sung Electronics. It’s the expression. Instructor, your expression was a bright smile at first, but the second time, it seemed emotionless. Therefore, I believe the first one is the correct way to make a good impression.”
Yoon Sera grinned.
『That’s right! Expression! Customers decide their first impression based on your expression. I smile when I lecture, right? I’ve lectured for up to 11 hours straight before. But do you think it’s possible to keep smiling for 11 hours?』
The audience murmured. She was a very good lecturer.
So even those who were initially uninterested were now watching with fascination.
『It is possible. How do I know? Because I’ve done it. And it’s the same for all of you. You can all do it! So right now, let’s try to smile, even if we have to force it. Open your mouths wide, and lift the corners of your lips!』
Taeseok listened to her lecture from the front.
She shared her real-world know-how without holding anything back—how to get customers to open their wallets, how to maintain a posture that doesn't cede control to the customer, how to win over strong-willed customers, and more.
Perhaps that was why?
Taeseok also started to get the hang of it.
‘The basics are similar to insurance. Professionalism, attitude. But there are clear differences, too. Rather than approaching with a long-term perspective and sincerity, it’s more important to read the customer’s expression in the moment and react accordingly.’
Every type of sales has its own know-how.
When the lecture ended, a sub-quest appeared before Taeseok’s eyes.
[Sub-Quest: Praise Instructor Yoon Sera's Lecture]
Before Instructor Yoon Sera leaves, praise her and make a good impression.
[Reward: Increased Favorability with the Branch Manager]
‘The branch manager? Why would her favorability go up from complimenting the instructor?’
Taeseok found it absurd, but he followed the system's quest.
He approached her as she was packing up her microphone and computer and spoke to her.
“I really enjoyed the lecture. It was so brilliant that there wasn't a single dull moment. Everything was great.”
“Ah, you’re the one who answered the first question, right?”
“Yes. I’m Kim Taeseok, a new employee at El Sung Group. Um, if I have any questions later, would it be okay to contact you through the phone number or messenger ID that was on the screen?”
“Ah, of course. Hundreds of salespeople contact me that way. I can’t reply right away, but I usually get back within a day. Feel free to reach out anytime.”
“Yes. Today was a very meaningful time, and I feel like I learned a lot. I look forward to your guidance in the future.”
“Not at all. I hope you have a good day.”
“You too.”
* * *
The branch manager’s words about coming to work the next day stuck with him.
'Why? Is she looking out for me?'
Still, Taeseok felt it would be impolite to take the first day off, so he headed straight to the branch he was assigned to that same day.
It wasn't a big loss anyway, since it was near his home.
A three-story building.
The same place where his colleague Yoonji and the chaebol Taeseok had worked.
He showed his employee ID at the entrance and followed a colleague's guidance to the branch manager's office.
The branch manager's office.
There, a woman in her late 30s was analyzing today's sales charts and performance indicators.
Taeseok bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle and spoke.
“Hello. I’m employee Kim Taeseok, who spoke with you on the phone this morning. It’s a pleasure to be working with you.”
“Oh? Why are you here already? You could have come in starting tomorrow.”
“I thought it would be polite to greet you in person, so I came early.”
“Ah, I see. Could you have a seat for a moment? I just need to make a call.”
“Yes.”
She picked up her phone.
A stylish semi-formal suit. Voluminous hair. A mature smile. Dewy skin.
A strange tension filled Taeseok's face as he saw a female branch manager for the first time.
He had always gotten along well with men, but he had always been distant with women.
How could he make a good impression on a female superior? Just then, she started her call.
“Hey, Sera. Where are you?”
- Sis, I’m almost there!
“Okay. Are you done with your lectures for this week?”
- No, I have to go to Ilsan tomorrow. Oh! Sis! I’m in the underground parking lot now. I’ll park and come right up.
“Okay. Got it.”
A brief call, just to get to the point.
The branch manager smiled, then spoke to Taeseok.
“Sorry about that. My sister is stopping by for a moment. Ah, Mr. Taeseok!”
“Yes.”
“We don’t use the title ‘employee’ here; we call everyone ‘manager.’ But this isn’t the usual time for someone to join. Are you from the Strategic Planning Office, by any chance?”
“Ah… yes. That’s correct.”
At that, she shook her head.
“I’m not sure how to put this. I’m not one to lie.”
Taeseok tensed at her words. She seemed to have some pent-up frustration directed at him.
Why, though? He hadn't made any mistakes.
He had even come in today specifically to make a good impression. After a moment of hesitation, she revealed what was on her mind.
“Honestly, I’m not expecting much. We’ve already had a woman and a man from the Strategic Planning Office come and go.”
“Yes.”
“They were a nightmare. The man, in particular, caused such a spike in customer complaints that it was the most stressed I’ve been since being appointed branch manager.”
The branch manager was venting her frustrations directly to a subordinate.
“……”
Taeseok was at a loss for words.
“You know my performance review takes a hit when customer complaints go up, right? For the two months you’re here, just think of it as a learning experience and then you'll be on your way. Just don't cause any trouble.”
The branch manager’s prejudice. The assumption that all new employees were incompetent. The belief that there was no point in expecting much from someone who would leave anyway.
Taeseok wanted to change her mind.
“Thank you for your concern. I’ll do my best, Branch Manager.”
“Don’t. Just do the bare minimum. You can head home for today.”
“…Yes.”
Taeseok gave a bitter smile.
Just then, the door opened and a woman walked in.
“Sis! Oh?”
When the woman who had just entered looked at him in recognition, Taeseok bowed his head in greeting.
“Hello.”
“You were in my training session earlier, right? From El Sung Electronics!”
“Yes. I’m Kim Taeseok.”
“Oh, I see. So you’re working here now. It’s nice to see you again.”
“Yes. It’s an honor to see you again, Instructor.”
With Yoon Sera’s appearance, Taeseok understood the meaning of the sub-quest.
‘So this is how the branch manager’s favorability is supposed to go up?’
The branch manager spoke to Taeseok, who had stood up.
“Manager Kim Taeseok, you can leave for today. See you tomorrow. Be here by 9 a.m.”
“Yes.”
After Taeseok left, Branch Manager Yoon Yeojung asked her younger sister, Yoon Sera.
“How do you know him?”
“Sis! I told you I was giving a lecture in Gwangmyeong today. Is he one of your employees?”
“Yeah. But I’m not expecting much. Those guys are all white-collar, so they don’t know this industry. They’re not cut out for this kind of work.”
“Really? I had a good impression of him. He seemed enthusiastic, actively asking and answering questions.”
At her younger sister Sera’s words, Yeojung asked.
“You only just met him today. How would you know?”
“And how long have you known him? I thought you said he started today!”
“Huh? Please. I don't need to see it to know.”
“Sis! I can tell from a first impression, too. I’ve been in sales for years~. You can tell right away from someone’s attitude whether they’ll be personable and good at their job or not."
"……"
"Sis! You’re not being prejudiced against him because of that other weirdo, are you?”
“Ah, whatever. Let’s not talk about it. I’m getting off in five minutes, so just sit tight. Let’s go get some pasta.”
“Yeah. Okay.”
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