Introduction: Sometimes, don't overcomplicate things; put yourself in the other's shoes, and both sides can yield, and those unpleasantries will dissipate. Sometimes, don't be too mercenary; pause and step back, and many disputes will vanish. I. In the Vast Crowd: Not Enemies, Not Partners II. In the Bustling World: Unfinished Love-Hate Story III. Grievances and Grudges: A Smile to Erase Enmity IV. The Long Journey: Mutual Respect to Old Age I. In the Vast Crowd: Not Enemies, Not Partners Brand owners and distributors are both fleeting travelers in the business sea. Sometimes a "chance encounter" is forgotten in a turn, sometimes a "brush past" inevitably leads to a look back. All partnerships and partings are ultimately driven by "interests." Brand owners and distributors are a pair of "enemies"—stumbling on the business road, quarreling during cooperation, and separating and reuniting on the path of profit. They depend on each other but cannot confide; they use each other but harbor suspicions; they support each other but have selfish motives... In the business journey, despite many disputes, neither seems able to do without the other: manufacturers need distributors as "vanguards" to reach consumers; distributors need brand owners to provide "weapons" and "rear support" to thrive. When facing the common "customer," neither can do without the other. Between brand owners and distributors, there is both cooperation and competition. Because their respective strengths differ and are complementary, cooperation is necessary. The brand owner's strength lies in products and platforms; the distributor's strength lies in market and customers—this is the basis for cooperation. At the same time, due to differing interests—brand owners fear distributors will use their customer base to pressure manufacturers, and distributors fear brand owners will bypass them to cooperate directly with customers—they remain wary of each other. In reality, brand owners and distributors have complementary needs regardless. They have "honeymoons" and "storms," but for now, cooperation seems inevitable. II. In the Bustling World: Unfinished Love-Hate Story Since they are "enemies," love-hate stories are unavoidable. The bond between brand owners and distributors centers on "interests." Their love-hate relationship revolves around this core. Brand owners want distributors to be "focused." Typically, distributors cooperate with multiple brand owners. A distributor juggling multiple brands excels at making manufacturers "compete" with each other, reaping the benefits like a beautiful woman befriending several "gentlemen" and watching them fight. This is a "spectacle" that brand owners dread, but they are helpless because good distributors, like beautiful women, are "scarce resources" in the market. So brand owners are unhappy but must pretend to be pleased. Distributors want brand owners to keep their promises. Distributors fear brand owners breaking promises and "cutting the ground from under them." After the distributor works hard to develop the market, the brand owner says, "I plan to cooperate with someone else," like a wife who bears a son and then the husband says he wants to be with another. This is the worst outcome for distributors. III. Grievances and Grudges: A Smile to Erase Enmity Separations and reunions are common between brand owners and distributors. Brand owners think distributors are "not dedicated," fail to develop the market, don't go all out, or even "occupy the toilet without shitting," while distributors think brand owners don't fulfill pre-"marriage" promises after the "wedding," or only partially. The most unforgivable is when brand owners secretly "marry" someone else, making it hard for the relationship to continue, leading to a breakup. Breakups always have reasons. Both sides blame each other, each insisting the other is at fault. Usually, each has their own story, and neither yields. In fact, separations and reunions are normal in business; it's simply a result of unbalanced or mismatched "interests." Perhaps after a cooling-off period, they see each other's merits and cooperate again, which is common. Whether separating or reuniting, it's a necessity. Hopefully, there's no "deep hatred." In business, you'll cross paths again; in interests, past lives lead to future encounters; the business road is short, and cooperation is fate; the future is promising, so don't make enemies when parting. Perhaps soon, cooperation will resume. Forget past grievances, let feelings drift with the wind; see future hopes, and a smile erases enmity. IV. The Long Journey: Mutual Respect to Old Age Although brand owners and distributors stumble along, many continue cooperating for the long term. Mutual respect is the secret to lasting cooperation. Whether brand owner or distributor, each must treat the other as a kindred spirit on the business path, leverage each other's strengths, respect each other, work together, share risks and benefits—this ensures long-term cooperation. A big store shouldn't bully customers, and big customers shouldn't bully the store. As long as there's "bullying," no matter who does it, it won't last; as long as there's "respect," both sides can grow old together. Sometimes, don't overcomplicate things; put yourself in the other's shoes, and both sides can yield, and those unpleasantries will dissipate. Sometimes, don't be too mercenary; pause and step back, and many disputes will vanish. Only by not contending can no one contend with you! -END-