Chapter 15: The bidding incident (part two)
Ultimately, it came down to psychology. In a particular setting, at a particular place, and amid a particular atmosphere, people's moods and their views of things would change accordingly.
Having attended countless business banquets of every kind in his later life, and having also been responsible for organizing company banquets for all sorts of occasions, Su Can understood the psychology of social gatherings well. Especially at a municipal gathering like this, besides the necessary qualifications, there was generally one other crucial factor-presentation.
At a gathering like this one organized by the city, even people with powerful connections could not be identified as such before anyone spoke to them. Besides, Chinese people placed great importance on first impressions. At the business forums and gatherings of the future, too, first impressions could always somewhat mislead and endear people to those who believed themselves good judges of character. Psychologically speaking, people always regarded polished appearances, in both things and people, with a measure of respect and attention.
That was precisely what Su Can intended to seize upon. At a municipal bidding clarification meeting like this, his eldest uncle, Zeng Qu anming, could not wield any influence. His family did not have the clout to sway the evaluation committee, nor could they resort to unconventional tactics. Since this bidding clarification session had the nature of an interview, the best approach was to catch the other party's eye and make them feel an instinctive affinity.
It was much like the later practice of bringing out spotlights and dazzling effects whenever an important figure appeared, to impress the entire audience. Presentation and advertising, as later years would prove, were a crucial part of marketing and the most important step in generating publicity.
So Su Can explained to Zeng Ke