For one year, I worked at Shanghai’s biggest club. I was the only foreigner there, which made it a unique experience!
Every month, the club held a monthly meeting, which was absolutely mind-blowing.
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Besides the regular meetings during the week, on the first Wednesday of the month the Club in Shanghai always held a special meeting.
The entire staff of the club had to be there, which was around 700 people. This was one of the most fascinating things I have ever seen in China and I was the only foreigner in the room which made it a one-of-a-kind experience.
Star Wars Music
The club was filled with chairs, staff, all the bosses and other high and mighty important people.
On the huge 18-meter-wide LED screen in the club they showed a red screen with some Chinese characters. I found a place to sit and was waiting to see what was going to happen.
After a few minutes, music started to play. I was thinking, I know this music, wait… this is from Star Wars! They were playing Star Wars music! Then the doors opened, and four men dressed in army clothes came in holding flags with the logos of all the companies involved with the club. They marched to the front of the stage, saluted everyone, and walked off stage.
I was like, yes! Now that’s a start of a meeting!
It was the beginning of a ceremony to boost the feeling of unity within the company. The host started to talk saying it’s the best club of China and of the world of course! She introduced all the bosses from all different levels and talked about the future of the company.
Half Time Pep Talk
After a few speeches it was time for the sales team to speak. Well, speak, they started to shout and sing something, and every sales team was trying to be louder than the other team about how they will be the best sales team. It was like a half time pep-talk during an important soccer match, and everyone was the coach trying to boost everyone’s energy! I couldn’t understand a word but I was pumped! Let’s go!
Security
Then the head of the security team came on stage and there was a lot of text on the screen. I asked my friend what this was about, and he told me that he is telling about the policy they have in the club in case a fight brakes out.
The guy said: “Do you think you’re a tough guy? Do you want to start a fight? You will pay money! Are you calling your friends to help with the fight? You will pay even more money!” Wwwow! This guy was not to be messed with! Even tho I’ve never seen anything bad happen in a club in China, it’s super safe, it was a well understood warning, message received!
Endshow
Then, at the end of the 2 hour long meeting, they started a show to demonstrate the possibilities of the light system in the club. The system was built by a Korean Company called Team-Lab. They have expositions with art made of light, all over the world and this light system is the very first inside a club.
A mind-boggling sight which was the perfect ending of just another monthly staff meeting.
