Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

”President Chen, I’ve been thinking recently... perhaps directly copying Nextdoor’s product model was a poor cultural fit. But I believe the core business concept of Dingdong Community is sound. If we approach it from a different angle, it might just have what it takes to become a unicorn company.”

Liang Changlin said ambiguously.

”Entering the food delivery industry? Or perhaps imitating Kuai Pao’s front-end warehouse model, starting with a single category to provide delivery services? Like fresh produce, poultry, and meat?”

Leaning back on the sofa, Chen Yansen cut right to the heart of the other man’s unspoken idea.

’Dingdong Community is a combination of Nextdoor and front-end warehouses. If the first path is a dead end, it’s only natural to try the second.’

A chill went down Liang Changlin’s spine. He hadn’t expected Chen Yansen to guess his thoughts so directly.

It was just that his goal was even smaller than Chen Yansen had predicted.

What Liang Changlin wanted to do was create a fresh-produce e-commerce platform, using the front-end warehouse model to offer same-day delivery.

”President Chen, what do you think of that business model, then?” Liang Changlin asked tentatively. He wanted to hear Chen Yansen’s opinion; this was one of the main goals of his trip.

”Take a guess why I’m spending a fortune to set up several thousand front-end warehouses all over the country?”

Chen Yansen set down his teacup and asked in return, a smile on his face.

’Just dealing in digital products, home goods, and a few food categories could never satisfy President Chen’s appetite.’

Liang Changlin fell silent. He understood. Whether it was fresh produce, seafood, poultry, milk, or snacks—it was all likely within the scope of his business plan.

Just because he wasn’t doing it now didn’t mean he wouldn’t do it in the future.

If he hadn’t come for this visit and had instead just forged ahead on his own, he most likely would have been crushed.

Going up against an O2O behemoth like Kuai Pao, what chance of survival did Dingdong Community have?

After all, even Meituan, Lashou, and Dianping were no match for Kuai Pao.