Chapter 718: Business Talk

Dayo entered the conference room alongside Valerie, carrying the documents he had collected from his office. Most of the executives were already seated, and a few conversations were taking place around the table. The moment they noticed him, the discussions gradually came to an end.

"Good morning, everyone."

"Good morning, sir," several people responded.

Dayo took his seat beside Valerie and placed the documents in front of him. He looked around the room, recognising most of the people present, although there were a few unfamiliar faces among them. Some of the executives had joined the company following the acquisition of MK Label, and this was one of the first opportunities he had to meet them properly.

"How is everyone doing? I hope things have been going well."

"Everything is fine, sir," Wayne replied from his seat. "We've been managing things."

"That's good. First, I want to thank everyone for the work you've put in while I was away. I know there have been quite a number of changes, and I understand that keeping everything running during the restructuring hasn't been easy. I've gone through some of the reports Sharon gave me this morning, but I'd like us to discuss everything properly so I can understand where we stand."

Valerie opened the folder in front of her. "We've prepared the reports for each department. We can start with the restructuring and then move on to the proposals we've received."

"Alright. Let's begin."

She started with the internal audit, explaining how the announcement had affected the workforce. Several employees had submitted their resignation letters before the audit was completed, while others had remained and were subsequently investigated. The findings had led to the removal of a number of employees who had been involved in questionable activities.

Dayo listened carefully, occasionally looking through the documents in front of him. He wanted to understand how the changes had been handled and whether any departments were still experiencing difficulties.

"What about the people who remained?" he asked. "Were we able to retain the employees who were actually doing their jobs properly?"

"Yes," Valerie answered. "We reviewed their records and performance. Some were retained in their previous positions, while others were promoted. We also transferred some of our experienced departmental heads from the original JD Records to help manage the new division."

"That's good. I don't want us making decisions based on where someone used to work. If an employee is competent and has been doing their job properly, we should have no reason to remove them simply because they came from MK Label."

One of the newly appointed executives, who had been following the discussion, spoke up. "That was one of the things we considered during the restructuring. There were people here who had the experience and knowledge required for their positions, but the previous management didn't always make the best use of them."

Dayo turned towards him. "And what is your assessment now that the changes have been made?"

"Things are improving, sir. There are still a few areas where people are adjusting to the new structure, but the departments are beginning to work together. Some of the employees have also become more comfortable approaching management."

"That's good. I want people to be able to communicate with their departmental heads without feeling intimidated. We have responsibilities to handle, but that doesn't mean employees should be afraid to speak when something is wrong."

Valerie agreed and moved on to the next section of the report. She explained that the management team had spent considerable time reorganising the departments and ensuring that the new structure was working as intended. The original JD Records team had helped with the transition, while capable employees from MK Label had been given opportunities to take on greater responsibilities.

Dayo was satisfied with the explanation and asked that the team continue monitoring the departments until the new arrangement was fully established.

Once the restructuring discussion had been concluded, Valerie brought out another set of documents.

"Now, regarding the external proposals, we've received several approaches from other record labels. There are a few that I believe deserve our attention, particularly one from an international company."

Dayo looked towards her. "What exactly are they proposing?"

Valerie selected the relevant document. "Their interest is quite different from the usual partnership requests. They aren't primarily asking to collaborate on music or exchange artists. What they want is access to the marketing approach that has been producing results for four other labels."

Dayo leaned forward slightly. "What marketing approach?"

"That's the thing, sir. They haven't been able to identify exactly what the system is or how it's being implemented. They've noticed the results, though. Their artists have experienced a significant improvement in performance, and the number of failed releases has dropped considerably. According to the information they've gathered, the failure rate is now close to zero."

Wayne looked towards Valerie before returning his attention to the document. "So they're trying to find out what those labels are doing differently?"

"Exactly," Valerie replied. "They've apparently received information from someone within one of the other organisations. That person gave them an indication that the results were connected to a particular marketing approach being used across those labels. They now want to know whether we can help them understand and possibly implement the same approach."

Dayo remained quiet for a moment, considering what she had said. "And they know we're connected to those labels?"

"They know we have relationships within the industry, and they believe we might be able to provide the assistance they're looking for. Their proposal is for us to discuss a possible arrangement."

One of the executives who had joined from MK Label looked through his copy of the proposal. "Sir, if the information they've received is accurate, then whatever those labels are doing must be working very well. Their recent results have been difficult to ignore. Several artists who previously struggled to gain attention have started performing much better."

"Have they actually explained what they want from us?" Dayo asked.

"Not in specific terms," Valerie answered. "They want a meeting to discuss the possibility of gaining access to the marketing system or receiving guidance on how to achieve similar results."

Dayo rested his hands on the documents. "Alright. I want us to be careful with this one. We shouldn't promise anyone access to something we haven't discussed with the people involved. Let us first understand exactly what they're asking for, what information they already have and what they expect us to provide. We can decide how to proceed after that."

Valerie made a note beside the proposal. "I'll arrange for the relevant team to review it and prepare questions before we meet with them."

"Good. I don't mind us exploring the opportunity, but we need to understand the arrangement properly."

The discussion continued with other partnership requests. Some labels wanted to work with JD Records on joint releases, while others were interested in distribution arrangements. There were also proposals from companies looking to establish longer-term relationships with the label.

Dayo asked the executives to examine the financial details and the conditions attached to each offer. He didn't want the company accepting proposals simply because they came from international organisations. Every arrangement needed to make sense for both parties.

After going through several of the documents, Valerie moved to the next item.

"We also received a request from a film production company. They're currently working on a movie and want JD Records to create an original song for the project."

Wayne showed interest immediately. "I've seen the proposal. They want a song that will be part of the movie's soundtrack, and they've asked whether we can handle the production."

"Have they specified the kind of sound they're looking for?" Dayo asked.

"They've provided some initial details, but they haven't given us the complete creative brief yet. They want to have a discussion with us first to understand what we can offer."

Dayo looked towards Wayne. "Do they want us to provide an existing artist, or are they expecting us to create something specifically for the movie?"

"They're open to discussing both possibilities. From what I understand, they would prefer an original song that fits the movie, but they haven't selected an artist."

"Alright. Let's have the meeting with them. Once we understand the project, Wayne can review the musical requirements and determine which artist would be suitable. I don't want us assigning someone before we know what the movie needs."

Wayne agreed and made a note of the instruction.

Alice, who had been following the discussion, added that the project could also create promotional opportunities for the label, depending on the production company's plans for the movie's release. Dayo asked her to wait until they had more information before preparing any campaign.

"Let's understand the project first," he said. "We can discuss the marketing once we know what we're working with."

The executives moved through the remaining proposals, discussing the requests that had arrived during Dayo's absence. Some required further investigation, while others could be considered once the departments had completed their assessments. Dayo made it clear that the company would not rush into new commitments until the relevant details had been examined.

Eventually, the discussion turned towards the company's music department.

Wayne adjusted the documents in front of him before speaking. "There's something else I wanted to ask you about, Dayo. How's your album coming along? You mentioned you were working on it before you took your break."

Dayo looked towards him. "It's coming along well."

"Have you made much progress?"

"Actually, I've finished."

Wayne paused, looking at him. "You've finished what?"

"The album. The songwriting, melodies and arrangements are done. I've worked out most of the beats as well. I only need to get into the studio to record everything and make a few final adjustments."

For a moment, Wayne simply looked at him. "Wait, you're done with the entire album?"

Dayo nodded. "Yes. All twelve songs."

Wayne leaned back in his chair, clearly surprised. "Dayo, you mean you've finished everything in just one month?"

Before Dayo could answer, one of the newer executives who had joined from MK Label spoke up.

"Sorry, sir, but you're saying you've completed an entire album in a month?"

Dayo turned towards him. "Yes. I've already worked on the songs. I only need to record them now."

The man looked towards Wayne and then Valerie, apparently expecting someone to explain whether Dayo was serious. Yuri, who had been listening quietly beside Valerie, gave a small smile.

"That's normal for him," Yuri said. "You haven't been here long enough to understand how he works."

The new executive looked back at Dayo. "But we're talking about a full album, aren't we? Twelve songs?"

"Yes," Wayne answered, still looking somewhat impressed. "And knowing Dayo, he's probably already worked out most of the production too."

Dayo gave him a casual look. "I told you I've done the arrangements. There are just a few things I'll need to add when I get into the studio."

Wayne shook his head with a laugh. "You really stressed us out when you told us you were going to take time off to work on this album. We thought we'd be waiting for quite a while before you came back with something."

Dayo smiled. "Well, I'm back now."

"That's not the point," Wayne replied. "You can't just tell us you've finished twelve songs as though you've completed a small assignment."

Valerie laughed quietly. "I already had this conversation with him on the phone yesterday. I asked whether he was serious, and he acted as though there was nothing unusual about it."

Yuri joined in. "You should get used to it. Sometimes, even those of us who have worked with him for years still find ourselves wondering how he manages to do certain things."

The new executive was still trying to understand what he had heard. "Has he always worked this way?"

Wayne turned towards him. "Let me tell you something. When Dayo released his first album, Michael practically lost his peace. He couldn't understand how Dayo had managed to record and release an entire album so quickly. He started looking into everything, trying to find out how it had been done."

Dayo looked towards Wayne, already aware of where the story was going.

Wayne continued, "Michael couldn't accept that someone could produce an album of that quality within such a short period. He was convinced there had to be something happening behind the scenes. He wanted to know who was helping Dayo, what kind of studio arrangement he had and how he was managing to get everything done."

One of the other executives laughed. "Did he ever find out?"

"Nothing that explained it," Wayne answered. "He kept looking, but the truth was that Dayo was doing most of the work himself. The songwriting, the melodies, the arrangements. He was involved in practically every part of the process."

Yuri looked towards the new executive. "That's why we're not as surprised as you are. We know what he's capable of. When he says he's finished something, we've learned to believe him."

Dayo shook his head, smiling at the conversation. "You people make it sound as though I did something extraordinary."

"Because you did," Wayne replied. "Even if you're used to working that way, the rest of us still have to catch up."

The new executive looked at Dayo again. "Honestly, sir, that's impressive. I don't think I've come across someone who can handle that much of an album within a month."

Dayo appreciated the comment but didn't make much of it. "I've had the ideas for some of the songs for a while. Once I started working on them, things came together. It wasn't as though I was starting every song from nothing."

"Still, that's a lot of work," Wayne said. "Anyway, when do you want us to begin preparing the studio?"

"We can start making arrangements. I want to go through everything with you first, though. There are a few things I may want to adjust during recording, and I don't want us rushing the sessions."

"That's fine. I'll have the production team prepare what we need. Once you're ready, we can begin."

Dayo turned towards Alice. "For now, I don't want any announcements about the album. We haven't discussed the release plans, and I don't want people speculating about it before we're ready."

Alice made a note. "Understood. I'll hold off on anything related to the campaign until you give the go-ahead."

"Good. We can start discussing the direction once we've completed the initial recording sessions."

Valerie closed the folder she had been using and looked around the table. "I think that covers the major issues we wanted to discuss today. There are still a few reports that need to be reviewed, but the relevant departments can handle those and bring their recommendations forward."

Dayo looked at the documents arranged in front of him. The company had made considerable progress during his absence, and there were several opportunities worth examining. He was pleased with the way the team had managed the restructuring, especially the effort to retain capable employees from the former MK Label.

"Alright. I want everyone to continue with the work already assigned to your departments. For the new proposals, make sure we have all the necessary information before making commitments. We have enough going on at the moment, so there's no reason to rush into something we haven't properly examined."

The executives acknowledged his instructions, and the meeting gradually came to an end. A few remained behind to discuss smaller departmental matters with Valerie, while the others collected their documents and prepared to return to their offices.

Dayo stayed in his seat for a moment, speaking with Wayne about the recording arrangements. They agreed that the production team would begin preparing the studio so that everything would be ready when he decided to start.

Once the discussion was over, Valerie gathered her folder and stood beside him.

"Well, you're officially back," she said.

Dayo collected his documents. "Looks like it."

"We have quite a bit to handle over the next few weeks."

"I've seen that already. Sharon gave me a breakdown this morning, and now we've gone through the major issues. We'll take them one at a time."

Valerie smiled as they left the conference room together. "That's fine. At least I can finally stop making decisions while wondering whether you'll approve of them when you return."

Dayo laughed. "You've been doing a good job. I trust you and the team. You don't have to wait for me before handling everything."

"I know, but some decisions are better made together."

"That's true."

They continued towards his office, where Sharon was waiting with his updated schedule. Dayo collected the documents she had prepared and briefly checked the appointments arranged for the week. There was plenty to attend to, but he wasn't in a hurry to deal with everything at once.

For now, he had returned to JD Records, the restructuring was progressing, and the next stage of work could begin. His album was ready for the studio, while the company had several proposals waiting to be examined. He had enough on his schedule to keep him occupied, and he was prepared to get started.