Shanghai Daily news

Wang Changyan knew he was in for a challenge when he took up his position of director for the Jing'an District's Communist Party Member Service Center in 2001.
In a job that requires him to provide information and services to Party members in district office buildings, his presence is enough to make fashionable young office staff turn their backs to avoid hearing about the latest policy happenings.
Fortunately, Wang has learned to battle the scorn and is committed to publicizing the latest activities being carried out by the Party.
"To work the office buildings is the toughest job I have ever faced," Wang said, with an expression indicating that he is either half-joking or half-sighing.
He said it wouldn't be proper for him to just spend his time in his office, dozing off, waiting to collect his monthly salary. Instead, he has a daily routine of visiting the various office buildings to carry out his duties.
In 2001, he visited 759 enterprises in the district. He was met largely with harsh words and continuous refusal. However, there was also some achievement.
"Office people often will be annoyed when they are visited by a non-business related man at first, but they soon change their attitude when discovering the 'stranger' is helpful," Wang said with a laugh.
The center's job mainly focuses on private enterprises, most of whom lack a systematic business culture and a mature human resources department to solve problems between management and employees.
Wang has persuaded, quarreled and even banged on desks before some bosses listen to his reasoning. But a "magic" often occurs and soon the two parties become good friends.
"I have to make them believe I understand their needs," Wang said.
"Each situation is different and requires careful examination."
Management frequently asks him if he knows various officials from local departments around the Jing'an District.
When they find Wang is familiar with the official departments in the community, their attitude changes and a trust is established.
When he realizes the needs of the management in the various buildings, he then tries to meet with the appropriate official to help solve any problem.
As it is, he visits every department in the community and makes friends with many officials.
"I need to consider the matters of many enterprises before establishing communication with party members in the buildings," Wang said.
He said once a boss from a construction group called Wang asking if he could borrow a licensed tricycle. It was very important for them to have such a vehicle to transfer building materials. But this was not Wang's job.
However, Wang used his connections within the community and found a retired vendor and brought the two parties together. The boss was grateful for his help.
Currently, about 46 bosses in the district have a good relationship with Wang, a situation that provides him with easy access to get in touch with their employees.
Wang's "business" has grown from solving the bosses' problems to helping them communicate with their employees.
An employee surnamed Wu once felt he was suffering from his boss' neglect of his efforts. He said he was working hard but the boss blamed him for the delay of a customer's order.
In reality, a deadline far too tight had been placed on the order. There was no way the company could have delivered on time.
Wu complained to Wang, but doubted if he could solve the problem.
Wang held talks with the boss and made a few suggestions.
He accept Wang's suggestion and Wu remained at his post.
Businessmen familiar with Wang now introduce friends who want to open companies in the community to him as they feel he is a trustworthy official.
For this, Wang said he feels gratified.