A Genius Idea

Sean pulled out a pack of cigarettes, flicked it lightly, and took one out, lighting it with his head down. As he lit the cigarette, he remarked, "Of course, the premise is that the sales management team is in place. It can't look too simple. You're right!"

Suddenly, Lamb Willie realized it was about money laundering, which wasn't surprising at all. As an accounting firm, they should tread carefully in this area.

"I need you to do two things for me, Mr. Lamb. First, help me pay taxes legally, and second, assist me in legally avoiding taxes." Sean emphasized the word "legally."

"I understand; it's not difficult," Lamb Willie replied with a smile. "If we have enough customer sources, we can be more radical. Instead of opening a new fitness club, we could focus on acquisitions and mergers. With overseas financing and venture capital, we can scale up faster."

Sean regarded Lamb Willie thoughtfully. "These guys who play with the law are ruthless!"

"I think you've misunderstood. The fitness club needs to be profitable. I plan to continue operating it as a brand and have no intention of selling it in the short term. That would be too crude."

"Alright, it's your call. Now, we need you to come up with a reasonable and legal plan." Lamb Willie shrugged; he preferred a more aggressive approach since that would yield higher returns and a better commission.

"Also, help me find a solid management team," Sean added, tapping his temple. Lamb Willie instantly understood.

"Great, here's to a successful partnership!"

Five days later, on October 22, a five-person management team arrived in Newark, led by Sheila Roseburn, a fit, capable woman in her thirties with brown hair.

Sean met them at the construction site, which was still being renovated. "Hello, Miss Sheila."

"Hi, Mr. Sean, nice to meet you. I'm not that young," she replied with a smile, her little finger brushing against Sean's palm as they shook hands. It was hard not to notice the chemistry.

"You have a youthful energy; you look like you could still be in college."

"You're quite the charmer," Sheila giggled.

After some friendly banter, Sean shifted to business. "Do you know what 'pre-sale' is?"

Sheila and the others exchanged glances and shook their heads.

"Let me explain. In later generations, pre-sale as a concept has become very mature," Sean began. "Pre-sale consists of two parts: promotion and negotiation."

"Promotion involves recruiting individuals with strong communication skills to distribute our design renderings and flyers in public spaces, introducing our products to potential customers. If they express interest, we can collect their phone numbers."

"Since we haven't opened yet, we can offer significant discounts, like $50 off a $200 membership. By paying $50 now, they can use that toward their membership when we open. This is an attractive offer, but we need to ensure the discount is reasonable."

"During this pre-opening phase, we can invite those who've shown interest to join us for exercise sessions in parks or squares. This builds rapport and trust, and we can even create some buzz in local newspapers."

"On opening day, we'll invite all the guests who paid in advance to tour the facility and see our offerings. The more people we attract, the more impactful the collective effect will be. I'll bring in 300 people ready to sign up for memberships. With that kind of energy, it should encourage impulsive purchases. We can promote half-year memberships, annual memberships, and specialized classes like yoga and personal training."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

"Oh my God, what a genius idea! You've redefined a crucial sales strategy and significantly shortened the time to profitability. This approach could definitely be taught in business schools!" Sheila exclaimed, admiration shining in her eyes, recognizing Sean's acumen.

If she had previously been drawn to Sean's looks, now her interest was more deeply rooted.

Sheila was recruited by PwC to lead the team because she had excelled in the industry for several years but was still relatively inexperienced in innovative promotional strategies. While she was familiar with basic flyer distribution, it was a simple and crude method compared to the sophisticated techniques of the future.

She knew that if Sean's plan was executed successfully, it would elevate her reputation and lead to substantial benefits.

This new sales model could be adapted to countless industries, perhaps even naming it the "Sheila Model"—with Sean's name as a footnote.

Fueled by the excitement of this new strategy, Sheila's enthusiasm surged, and she pulled Sean into a hotel room that evening.

Not for anything else—just to stay up late and work on the sales plan together.

Sean had outlined the idea, but many conceptual details still needed his input.

By the next day, Sean checked into another room...

And he felt his knowledge expanding!

Yes, it was about the business scope of the fitness club.

Since his rebirth, Sean had noticed his resilience was remarkable; the wound on the back of his head had healed within a week.

Meanwhile, Sheila Roseburn was experiencing her own revelations. This man wasn't just handsome; he was intelligent, wealthy, and full of innovative ideas!

"Yes, we're talking about a passion for work!" she thought, impressed by his dedication.

They had worked tirelessly throughout the night, and Sean was still in high spirits the following morning.

As the days progressed, Sean and Sheila delved deeper into the intricacies of their plan. They brainstormed every detail, refining the pre-sale strategy and preparing for the club's launch. Their collaboration brought them closer, both professionally and personally.

Sheila began to appreciate Sean's strategic thinking more deeply, and she admired his ability to remain composed under pressure. With each passing day, their professional relationship blossomed into something more.

As the opening day approached, excitement filled the air. They were ready to implement their innovative sales plan, and both were eager to see the results of their hard work.

On the day of the launch, the atmosphere was electric. Sean and Sheila stood at the entrance, welcoming guests with enthusiasm. The pre-sale strategy had worked beyond their expectations, with a line of eager customers ready to sign up.

"Look at this turnout!" Sheila exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she surveyed the crowd.

"Just wait until they see what we have to offer," Sean replied, a confident smile on his face.

As they guided the first group of guests through the facility, Sean felt a surge of pride. This was more than just a business venture; it was a testament to their combined vision and hard work.

By the end of the day, they had not only met their membership goals but exceeded them. The energy in the room was palpable, and the success of the launch solidified their partnership.

"Thank you for believing in this idea, Sheila," Sean said as they took a moment to reflect on the day's achievements.

"Thank you for being the genius behind it, Sean. I couldn't have done it without you," Sheila replied, her admiration for him growing stronger.

As they celebrated their success that evening, it was clear that this was just the beginning for both of them—professionally and personally. Together, they were ready to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead, united by their shared ambition and newfound connection.