"In today's time, innovation is the only way to survive in the global market. That's why we must create something original! Something brilliant! Something terrific!"
A loud voice of an old man who was sitting at the head of a conference table erupted. He was smiling mischievously as he put his hands together.
"Bwahaha! This is why I want you to create something for me. A product that would make us rise more! The person with the best product will be promoted as the managing director of the whole technology department!"
"…"
"…'
Silence quickly fell over the room because of the announcement. The team leaders and directors from different departments looked at the old man in shock. The old man who just announced that was the president and the founder of the company.
"Really… M-Managing director?"
"Am I hearing this correctly?"
The old man only grinned wider. He was clearly enjoying their reaction.
The people around the long conference table quickly looked as if they were already thinking to themselves. Wild ideas began to form in their minds.
Their company, XYZ Tech Company, had been in the industry for decades. They were a big tech company that focused on different kinds of technology. They built phones, home devices, and even electric cars.
When other companies copied each other, XYZ Tech created new ones. That was how they stayed afloat in a market filled with so many to choose from.
And now, the old chairman wanted something new and revolutionary again.
Among the people in the room, a man who did not look revolutionary at all was sitting at the other far side of the table.
The man looked average at best. His hair was thick, curly, and messy, which almost looked like a bush down there. He was wearing thick glasses. He looked tired, as if he didn't get any sleep at all last night.
However, for the past two years, that same ugly average man had been the biggest brain in the room.
He was Peter. He joined the company only three years ago as a junior analyst. However, within the first year of his job, he came up with a good proposal to the company that changed everything.
For his first year, he suggested an automatic alarm system that randomly rings in the morning. It's an alarm that you can't put in any time because it has its own way.
Everyone thought he was crazy… but then his amazing innovation sold out within 30 minutes of its release!
The people said that it was an awakening that reminded them to value their rest time and sleep!
That single product pushed him up the ranks.
For the next 2 years, he was able to suggest more products that were world-breaking. That's why now, only three years later, he was already a leader of his own team.
That's why when the chairman's announcement echoed in his ears, his dull-looking eyes turned lively.
'Managing Director? It's a position I long dreamed of!' A small smile iimmediately formed on his lips.
Maybe in this way, he can prove to himself that he is really the brains of the company and that he deserves to be higher than a team leader.
The chairman clapped his hands once.
"Alright, alright, you all have 2 days," he announced proudly. "That 48 hours. Surprise me, alright?"
The room panicked because of that.
"What?"
"2 days?"
"That's too short!"
But the chairman ignored their words and just stood up.
"Alright. That's it. Meeting adjourned! Go work on your ideas."
"…"
"…"
The people did not have any choice but to keep their complaints to themselves. Eventually, they looked at each other and hurried outside. They were more focused on getting new ideas than arguing with their impossible chairman.
Even Peter hurried to go outside. He immediately went to his office. His office was not the biggest out there, but it was decent enough. He dropped into his chair and stared at his computer. His heart was beating fast as if there was a perfect goddess in front of him.
"Alright, alright," he quickly muttered, "let's think to ourselves, okay?"
The corner of his lips curved upwards in a sly and devilish smile. Ideas began to flow in his mind.
What if he suggests a refrigerator that insults the user when they open it too much?
Or maybe a car that needs maintenance like people?
A car that grows hair that should be waxed?
Or maybe a phone that can only be opened if you exercise?
He paused and shook his head.
"That last one is too tiring, isn't it? But the other ideas seem good to me." He spun in his chair as he thought of it. What if he gets calls fatphobic because of it?
"Alright, maybe not that one." He made a face. He can't be fatphobic when he's also a little fat.
"Hmm… what do people struggle with every day?" he sighed and just continued to think more. In their company, one of their mission was to solve the people's daily problem with their innovation.
That's why, with that in mind, he stayed in position for hours… like literally a few hours until he saw the people outside his office leave one by one.
"Huh? I stayed in position for hours without checking my phone?"
Then that's when an idea hit him!
"Right…" His eyes slowly widened.
"What if…" he slowly whispered as the idea slowly formulated in his mind.
What if he suggests a phone that locks itself for 20 hours a day? That means the people can only use it for 4 hours except for messaging and calling.
"Woah…" Peter quickly shot up from his chair.
"This is genius!" he shouted out loud and laughed.
The people from outside looked at him weirdly, but he didn't care at all! Instead, he opened his laptop and began typing the proposal. That was what he did for the rest of the night. He finished at 1 am before he decided to go home.
He will submit the proposal first thing tomorrow!
That's why early in the morning, Peter arrived at the office in a rare good mood. His messy curls bounced slightly as he walked. He didn't even bother showering because he was too excited to share his idea.
However, the moment he stepped into the main office floor, he quickly noticed that something looked odd.
Everyone looked… excited?
People were clapping. Some were even gathered near the center of the room, cheering for something.
Peter frowned at it. He walked toward a coworker standing nearby.
"Hey," Peter said casually. "Do you know what's happening today? Why is everyone so excited?"
The coworker looked at him strangely.
"You didn't know?" he asked.
"Know what?"
"We already have a new managing director!"
"What?" Peter blinked.
"Yeah!" the coworker grinned. "The marketing director submitted a proposal early this morning. The chairman loved it!"
Peter felt a chill run down his spine. Were his efforts just wasted?
"W-what proposal?" he asked slowly, utterly disappointed at it. He was pretty sure that he had a good idea.
The coworker laughed.
"It's about a phone that locks itself 20 hours a day! Isn't that clever? The chairman said it's fresh and meaningful! He didn't even bother checking any more proposal and just went on that one!"
"What did you say?" Peter's jaw dropped.
"What did that dimwit submit again?!"
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A/N: This novel will be full of idks and brainrot and things that will just make you think (for the better I hope).