Related stories

Warming Up for A Healther Life Yili: A Brand for Its Time Information Center Boost for Tourists Two New Opera Houses for Beijing Daiyuexuan, A Century of Fine Brushes for Painting, Calligraphy

"One Team" and "One Vision" for Tang

Entering Tony Tang’s Beijing Hong Kong Jockey Club Clubhouse pre-opening office on Jinbao Street in Wangfujing, one of the first things you are likely to notice is a large scheduling chart on one of its wall. At its top, you will see the slogan: “One Team, One Club, One Vision,” which Tang, General Manager of the Beijing Clubhouse, describes as “my guidance for work.”

Across the street from Tang's office, a three-floor clubhouse is coming into being and being readied for its test opening in November 2007.

The 38,000-square-metre Beijing clubhouse features 90 member premier rooms, 2 Chinese restaurants with private dining rooms, a coffee shop, banquet rooms, a business centre and an indoor swimming pool and gym. “We will also add an art gallery and a library to create an artistic and academic atmosphere,” said Tang. “This clubhouse should not be simply a business centre.”

According to Tang, the initial purpose of the Beijing clubhouse was to serve the needs of its Hong Kong Jockey Club members, as “60 percent of the 13,500 full members travel to the capital city on regular basis.” After the official opening in March 2008, the clubhouse will serve its members’ needs for a facility to carry out their business and social activities in Beijing.

Both qualified Chinese mainland and international residents can join the Beijing Hong Kong Jockey Club Clubhouse as a member, but it's an exclusive club and joining will not be easy. According to Tang, only those with wealth and integrity, who have made great contributions to the country and who have a clean background, will be considered as members. Those members in Beijing will receive the same benefits as Hong Kong Jockey Club members.

After 14 years in the hospitality industry, Tang said his greatest asset is his understanding of employee management. “The success of either a clubhouse or a hotel is rooted in the satisfaction of our clients and employees.” He said only satisfied employees will accept the “owner concept” that is essential to building “a team” whose members will serve the club’s clients, its members, satisfactorily.

Shirley Wang, public relations manager for the clubhouse, said, “Mr. Tang emphasizes team building.” Despite a tight schedule guiding the clubhouse’s preparations, Tang insists on taking the team out for “team building” activities.

“I value an employee’s attitude the most,” said Tang. He believes poor working methods can be corrected, but an incorrect working attitude is very difficult to change. “Luckily enough, I have a professional and experienced team.”

This, he said, is why Tang is confident that the Beijing Clubhouse will become “one of the best membership clubs in Asia,” perhaps even better than its Hong Kong originals. “My ultimate goal is to spread the brand concept and culture of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.”

The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a private institution established in 1884 that has become one of the finest private-membership clubs in Asia. It is Hong Kong’s only authorized operator of horse racing, regulated soccer betting and Mark Six Lottery. It also helps the government combat illegal bookmaking activities. Under a not-for-profit organizational mode, it has no shareholders, ensuring that its net earnings can be donated to charities and community projects. Over the past decade, the club has donated more than HK$10 billion, making it the largest non-governmental donor in Hong Kong. The club’s largesse includes a more than HK$1 billion donation in support of the equestrian events of the 2008 Olympics Games.