The Overly Competent Junior Employee

“I’ll begin now.”

Ten days later, Dokyung visited Kwon Eun-ho, who had given him the task, to start the briefing he had requested.

[D-2,411]

As a mysterious D-day appeared on the screen Dokyung had put up, Kwon Eun-ho looked at it with a puzzled yet intrigued expression.

“The number in front is a D-day. It’s also a number indicating a Maginot line.”

Dokyung began speaking in a calm voice as he moved to the next slide.

[1.5℃]

“The 1.5 degrees Celsius shown on the screen also represents a Maginot line. Do you know what this means, Chairman?”

“It’s about climate change.”

As Kwon Eun-ho answered lightly to the question, Dokyung nodded and continued.

“That’s correct. To be precise, it means that at the current rate, we have 2,411 days left until the Earth’s temperature rises by 1.5 degrees Celsius since industrialization.”

Dokyung moved to the next slide and continued his briefing, looking at Kwon Eun-ho.

“If the Earth’s temperature rises by 2 degrees Celsius, there will be nothing humanity can do from that point on. Even if carbon emissions converge to zero after a 2-degree rise, the Earth’s temperature will continue to increase. That’s why everyone is trying to keep it within 1.5 degrees.”

The ‘within 1.5 degrees’ scenario was recently being called a solution to global warming.

It was believed that if the Earth’s temperature rise could be kept within 1.5 degrees, there would be significant damage, but humanity could overcome it.

However, if this strategy failed and the temperature rose by 2 degrees Celsius, humanity’s future would face a real threat.

From an investment perspective, all industries were participating in and being affected by the ‘within 1.5 degrees’ scenario.

“Many countries, including those in Europe, have already introduced carbon taxes and carbon emission rights to combat global warming.”

Carbon tax referred to taxing companies that emit greenhouse gases while making products, based on their emission levels.

Carbon emission rights gave companies an upper limit on how much carbon they could emit, and assigned rights to this limit that could be bought and sold.

“Tesla comes to mind.”

Dokyung nodded at Kwon Eun-ho’s words.

For example, Europe limited carbon emissions from fossil fuel vehicles running on gasoline to an average of 95g per kilometer.

When the Fiat Chrysler Group, a world-renowned car manufacturer, recorded an average of 123g of carbon emissions for the vehicles they produced in a year, they faced a crisis of billions of won in fines and regulations.

At that time, Fiat bought the ‘right’ from Tesla, an electric car company, to count the vehicles Tesla made and sold as part of their own sales figures.

Since electric cars have significantly lower carbon emissions, Fiat was able to meet the 95g regulation.

“That’s right. In fact, if you look at Tesla’s revenue, most of it comes from selling these carbon emission rights.”

Tesla would be a loss-making company if considered only for its electric car sales.

However, it was a company that covered its losses and turned a profit due to the enormous sales of carbon emission rights.

“Climate change is acting as a real threat, enough to warrant such strong regulations.”

Dokyung spoke about the core of what he wanted to say and moved to the next slide.

A company logo appeared on the screen.

[Agrobridge]

“Agrobridge is a startup that began in 2016 and is currently a startup generating real profits.”

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“Yes, even I would have just heard it and moved on. From a general consumer’s perspective, there aren’t many opportunities to hear their name. However, from their clients’ perspective, Agrobridge’s influence is significant.”

Dokyung took a breath and continued his briefing, looking at Kwon Eun-ho.

“Agrobridge has created and operates a global trade platform that allows non-face-to-face transactions of fresh food. The company’s name, combining ‘agro food’ meaning agricultural products and ‘bridge’, shows their vision as Agrobridge.”

Kwon Eun-ho quietly focused, seemingly finding the briefing interesting.

“To put it simply, Agrobridge is a platform that connects transactions between tomato producers in Italy and wholesale and retail businesses in the United States that buy them.”

“Listening to this, isn’t it just a trading company?”

“You could think that, but what they do is more diverse.”

Dokyung displayed Agrobridge’s business model on the screen.

“When a buyer in Korea purchases bananas on the Agrobridge platform, Agrobridge acts as an intermediary, conducting on-site inspections at local farms, verifying the supplier’s history, and even handling product packaging, transportation, and customs work.”

In other words, it was a system where the buyer could just press the purchase button and receive bananas a few days later.

Whereas everything had to be done directly before, that process had been greatly shortened.

“In particular, trading agricultural, livestock, and fishery products is a very challenging field. Because transaction units are large and the countries involved in the trade are far apart, there’s an asymmetry of information.”

“I suppose so. Since you can’t go and check everything yourself, you’d need to find an agent to handle the transactions.”

“As you said, Chairman, hiring an agent to handle transactions exacerbates the information asymmetry. The buyer has to rely solely on the agent’s word about how much quantity is actually available, how this year’s harvest is, and so on.”

Kwon Eun-ho nodded at Dokyung’s words.

“However, Agrobridge has digitized the information obtained from the global agricultural, livestock, and fishery food market. Buyers can access all the information about agricultural and fishery products from around the world just by logging into the platform operated by Agrobridge.”

This was why Dokyung was introducing Agrobridge to Kwon Eun-ho as an innovative company.

“Naturally, this convenient accessibility first catches the eye of companies that purchase agricultural, livestock, and fishery products in bulk.”

“Are transactions actually occurring on the platform?”

“Yes. Here’s a list of Agrobridge’s clients.”

Saying this, Dokyung moved to the next slide.

[Walmart, Costco, Carrefour……]

Countless multinational corporations were using Agrobridge.

Looking at the surprised Kwon Eun-ho, Dokyung spoke.

“The agricultural, livestock, and fishery product market is where the climate change I mentioned earlier is most tangibly felt.”

Agriculture had an inseparable relationship with nature, that is, climate change.

“Due to the recent rise in global temperatures, the United States has experienced severe drought. Agricultural production has decreased by up to 40% compared to last year.”

“The price increase in raw materials and agricultural products also led to this year’s global economic recession, didn’t it?”

“That’s right. If the food produced on Earth decreases by just 10% in a year, crop prices more than double. Supply will become increasingly unstable. At times like these, the major companies you saw earlier turn to Agrobridge.”

Dokyung moved to the next slide, displaying the platform operated by Agrobridge.

“On this trading platform, you can easily see the digitized global crop situation. For instance, a few months ago, there was a crisis in coffee production when unexpected heavy snow fell in Brazil due to abnormal weather conditions.”

“Wasn’t that why Starbucks raised their coffee prices?”

Dokyung nodded at Kwon Eun-ho’s question. While it wasn’t a direct influence, it could have been one of the reasons.

“At that time, as coffee supply became unstable due to the heavy snow and global maritime freight rates rose, Brazil reduced coffee exports by sea. For buyers who needed to receive goods by sea, this was an immediate crisis.”

“The information asymmetry you mentioned earlier would have an impact too, I suppose.”

“You understand perfectly. Because they were dealing through intermediary traders, they couldn’t catch this situation clearly and couldn’t find alternatives. This is when they turned to Agrobridge.”

Kwon Eun-ho smiled and nodded at Dokyung’s words.

“Agrobridge found alternative coffee and safely sent it to the buyers, and from then on, they’ve been using Agrobridge instead of direct purchases.”

“That’s how trade works. You find places that can provide stable supply.”

“Yes. Agrobridge is not only innovating but also conducting direct business and generating revenue like this.”

Dokyung turned off the screen and looked at Kwon Eun-ho.

“I believe Agrobridge is leading not just innovation, but an agricultural revolution.”

It wasn’t an innovation that created something entirely new. However, Dokyung thought that their innovation, which ‘evolved’ the existing system, was no different from a revolution that could have a huge impact on humanity’s food problems.

“This is the kind of company I want to introduce as a game changer. For the past half-century, there has been tremendous trade between countries, but they have achieved the digitization of transactions that no one else thought of, and large-scale buyers are actually turning to Agrobridge.”

As Dokyung finished his briefing, Kwon Eun-ho nodded with a smile.

“Unfortunately, even in the face of climate change, a tragedy for humanity, we must find companies that can use this as their weapon to make money. I believe Agrobridge is the only company that can enjoy a monopolistic position in this market. That concludes my presentation.”

“Very good. Yoon Dokyung-ssi has introduced me to a form of innovation I hadn’t considered.”

Kwon Eun-ho looked at Dokyung without saying anything for a moment.

In this short briefing, Dokyung had delivered a presentation that perfectly suited Kwon Eun-ho’s taste. And as he said, the company he introduced seemed like one leading a revolution.

Even if the result didn’t turn out that way, it was a briefing that made him believe the words of the PB standing before him right now.

“Good. Let’s proceed.”

At Kwon Eun-ho’s brief words, Dokyung inwardly rejoiced, clenching his fist. He wanted to show more excitement, but he still had work to do.

“I’m leaving for a business trip to the U.S. in five days and will return in ten days. Will that be possible?”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Good. I look forward to Yoon Dokyung-ssi bringing me good news along with an investment proposal and asset management service contract.”

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‘I’ve only just done one thing.’

Dokyung had returned to the office after finishing the briefing and was lost in thought.

Although he had received a good response from Kwon Eun-ho, who was to become his client, he hadn’t yet made Kwon Eun-ho his client.

He could finally accept Kwon Eun-ho as a client if he could go to Agrobridge and secure an investment contract.

“Let’s see……”

Dokyung was looking at the documents he had researched on Agrobridge.

Agrobridge was already receiving investments from prominent investment banks that had caught wind of it.

“SB participated in both Series A and B.”

The investment company under the Japanese conglomerate SB had already made investments in Agrobridge.

Although the amount wasn’t large, SB was called the ‘Midas touch’ in the startup investment world.

As the companies they invested in led to actual results, SB earned more money than from their main telecommunications business, and SB’s chairman was called the Warren Buffett of Japan.

“It’s time for them to receive Series C.”

From Agrobridge’s perspective, which was already conducting business and generating revenue, it was the timing to receive final investment to expand the company’s size.

As his thoughts seemed to organize, Dokyung stood up and headed towards Han Dahyun’s desk.

Knock knock-

Dokyung lightly knocked on the partition at Han Dahyun’s desk.

“Oh, Dokyung-ssi.”

“Can we talk for a moment?”

“Sure, let’s do that.”

“I’ll see you in the break room.”

Saying this, Dokyung left the office, and Han Dahyun followed with a puzzled expression.

“Would you like some coffee?”

“I’ll have a zero cola, please.”

As Han Dahyun, who had entered the break room, ordered this, Dokyung nodded and took out two drinks, approaching Han Dahyun who had sat down.

“Would you like to read this?”

Dokyung handed over the documents he was holding along with the drinks, and Han Dahyun began reading the papers Dokyung had given her.

“I need to attract a new client, and this client wants to invest in startups.”

Han Dahyun, who had been reading the documents, nodded and looked at Dokyung.

“I’ve heard there are many such clients these days.”

“You haven’t had any investment experience yet, have you, Dahyun-ssi?”

“No, I’m just interested… That’s why I’m envious of you, Dokyung-ssi, for attracting such a client.”

At Han Dahyun’s words, Dokyung pondered for a moment before looking at her.

“Dahyun-ssi, to be honest, I’m less knowledgeable than you in this area. I know nothing about it.”

“……”

“So, I actually wanted to ask for your help. But if I receive help, it ultimately becomes my achievement, doesn’t it? The fact that there’s no compensation for you…”

“Why wouldn’t there be any compensation?”

“Pardon?”

“I’d gain the experience of actually investing a client’s money in startups. But all the risk would be on you, Dokyung-ssi.”

Han Dahyun’s words contained many things.

One of them was an intention to ease Dokyung’s burden, and Dokyung smiled and nodded.

“Then, would you help me?”

“Of course. I might have been even more upset if you had done this without including me.”

“Thank y……”

“I’ll accept your thanks after we finish the job. You’re not planning to get away with just words, are you?”

“Of course not.”

“Then, look here.”

Han Dahyun pointed to a part of the document Dokyung had handed over and continued talking, and the two began sharing their opinions.