什么是私人会所
万吉伟，长安俱乐部总经理 寻遍各地甚至北京，我们会发现有许多新的俱乐部正在建设之中并遍及整个京城。其中有一些可能是健身俱乐部；另一些是有相同兴趣的人们偶尔聚在一起的社区俱乐部。这些让我们混淆了什么是真正的私人会所，如果我们寻私人会所的真正定义，您只能从他们中出很少的一部分答案。在我们讨论什么是真正的私人会所之前，首先让我们了解一下俱乐部的历史。 它兴起于一个世纪之前。第一个俱乐部实际上是一个咖啡馆，人们聚在一起喝杯咖啡或是饮杯热气腾腾的英国茶。英国某咖啡馆的一消费者他们有着相同的兴趣爱好，于是决定组成一种联盟。刚开始时只限于朋友之间，很快就需要有一个大家聚会的场所。因此这些朋友决定筹款和建立现在大家都知道的会员部。在私人聚会时他们每人掏出一小部分钱来买咖啡。事实上-这就是世界上第一家私人会所。当时有一个障碍-怎样维护俱乐部？要想有自己的地方是需要钱来运作的，因此他们决定从会员身上收取一定费用来进行俱乐部运作。"会费"产生了。随着开支的增减，他们也改变会费，以便满足大部分的运作费用。他们还要支付吃饭和饮料的费用，和现在的俱乐部一样。 这一理念流行开来，很多兴趣相投的团队决定组织他们自己的俱乐部。从伦敦早期的简陋咖啡馆发展到今天的全球现象。在早期，俱乐部的会员几乎都是男性，随着时间的流逝这一现象有所改变。如今俱乐部会员包括男性和女性有的还包括他们的家人。真正的私人会所一直向新会员收取入会费用，会费用于会所的所有开支。我猜这是从来没有改变的。很多类型的俱乐部被建成：有些是餐饮俱乐部、有些是乡村或高尔夫俱乐部。太多种类的俱乐部本文章不一一介绍了。有些俱乐部从建成到现在都属于他们自己的会员；有些俱乐部属于个体或社团，他们销售会籍、支付会址费用和所有开支。有些地方是不同的，一个俱乐部是由有相同兴趣爱好或相同社会地位的人组成的。新会员的加入不是由现有会员的介绍就是被特殊邀请。一个委员或董事通常批准新会员的加入并确保他们补足俱乐部的现有会员。 虽然私人会所对北京来说还是新事物，但它在其他很多城市已有一个世纪的历史了。会员用他们的俱乐部会见老朋友、结交新朋友。俱乐部已成为会员的第二个家了。每一个个体对加入俱乐部有都不同的期望。是为了声望吗？是为了联系业务、结交新朋友吗？每个人都有不同的原因要加入一个被公认为好的俱乐部。所以有很多新的社区拥有了他们自己的俱乐部并且城镇各地突然出现了许多家健身俱乐部。但是他们都是真正的俱乐部吗？那要依赖你的认识了！但是如果你要真正的发展你自己和你的事业，你就需要寻其他地方了- 一个真正的国际俱乐部，在那里你不但可以放松还可以寻求到事业的帮助。一个好的俱乐部可以辅助你和你公司的发展。 这里我要结束三部分的第一部分-私人会所。下个月我们谈论人们期望何时加入俱乐部及成为会员后他们期望从私人会所中获得什么。所以千万不要错过我们的下一期。
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Private Members' Clubs - What Are They?
By Antonius C van Gevelt, General Manager, Chang An Club, Beijing
As we look around ever modernizing Beijing we can see many new Clubs being built all over the city. Some may be fitness clubs; others may be residential clubs while yet others are just groups of people with similar interests who meet occasionally. It is all very confusing, and if we look at what is a true members' club, you can only find a good handful of them in town. Before we talk about what is a true members' club, let's dig in to the history of Clubs. It all started in England well over a century ago. The very first Club was actually a café, where people met over a coffee or a steaming cup of English Tea. A group of customers in one of the London Cafes decided they would like to form a sort of alliance with each other, whereby they would be one group of people with similar interests. It all started with just a group of friends, but soon there was a need to have a dedicated venue where to meet. So these friends decided to raise some money and created what is now known as a membership. They gathered a small sum of money from everybody, and invested it into buying their own café where they could meet in privacy. In fact - this was the very first private members' club in the world. Great - the first Private Members' Club was born. Then there was the next obstacle. How to maintain the Club? Because having your own building sure costs money to operate. So they decided to charge a certain amount of money to all members which would cover the major overheads of their club. The 'dues' was born. As expenses changed, they altered the dues accordingly, so that it covered most of the operating costs of the building. Still, they paid for meals and drinks, as is still common in clubs these days. The idea caught on and more groups of people with similar interests decided to establish their own clubs. From the humble café in old London, this has now developed into a global phenomenon. In the early days, club members were mainly only male, but this has changed over time. It's now common that a club membership is extended to both male and female individuals and their immediate family. The true private members club still charges a joining fee to new members, and dues are still paid to cover part of the club's expenses. I guess this will never change. Many types of clubs were founded: some were dining clubs; others were country or golf clubs. There are just too many types to write about in this article. Some Clubs were and still are owned by its members; while other clubs are owned by individuals and corporations who sell memberships to pay off the cost of the building and charge dues to cover some of the expenses. Regardless of this difference, a club is typically made up of people with similar interests or of people of similar standing in society. New members either join by recommendation of existing members or by special invitation to become a member. A committee or board usually approves new members to ensure they complement the Clubs existing members. Thought private members' clubs are still rather new to Beijing, they have been around for over a century in many other counties. Members typically use their club to meet with friends and to make new friends. Clubs are places for members to enjoy themselves….a home away from home. Every individual has different expectations as to why to join a club. Is it for prestige? Is it to create business contacts or to make new friends? There are many reasons why one should consider joining a well recognized club. Sure, most new residential developments have their own clubs and many fitness clubs pop up all over town. But are those real clubs??? It depends how you look at it! But if you are serious about developing yourself or your business you need to look elsewhere…you need to look at a true international style club where you can both relax with friends and build contacts that will support your career or business. A good club can complement your own or your company's development. This is where I conclude this first of three parts about Private Members' Clubs. Next month we talk a bit about what people expect when joining a Club and what they should get out of it when being a member of a Private Members' Club. So don't miss the next issue of this publication to read part 2.
Back to Top of Page 回到页首 高期望值
私人会所-第二部分 在第一部分里我介绍了私人会所的历史，并试图让您对什么是真正的俱乐部有一个概念。这次我们要着重着眼于作为一个会员能对或应该对俱乐部有什么样的期望。 我第二篇文章的标题是会员对俱乐部的"高期望值"，因为这密切关系到什么样的人希望加入什么类型的俱乐部。当然，现在有很多单一和基础的俱乐部，例如图书俱乐部，在那里会员和其他会员仅仅期望获得关于书本的信息。对这种类型的俱乐部其期望值是相当低的，并且只聚焦一个特定的范围-书本！但是如果我们着眼于一个顶极俱乐部、高尔夫或乡村俱乐部，这些事情戏剧性的改变了。所以，首先让我们看一下为什么人们决定成为一个高档会所的会员。 有上千原因您都可以作为参考，但主要原因概括起来是相当简单的。如果您想加入的俱乐部只是对"会员"开放的，那就会有众多的人希望成为其会员-特别是在中国和亚洲其他地方。另外一个原因可能是您希望遇到其他有影响力的人们，可以开阔眼界和建立广阔的朋友及社交圈。年轻和即将成功的企业家和管理者希望结交良师益友走向成功；精英人士希望建立新的联盟或结交志同道合的伙伴。当然您需要到一个地方，在一种私密、舒适的氛围中参加各种不同类型的活动；或者您可以很容易的加入到那些活动中去。概括来说，很多人正在寻一个地方，用于私人或商务原因会见其他具有相似意向或目的的人们，或者在私密、舒适的场所放松和处理工作。 当然您需要确认哪种类型的俱乐部是您想加入的。如果用于商务活动，您应该加入有宴会和会议设施的都市俱乐部。有些都市俱乐部甚至提供多种休闲设备，您可以更好的享受闲暇时光。如果您需要新鲜空气，那么可考虑乡村俱乐部。如果您喜欢高尔夫，显而易见加入高尔夫俱乐部吧（虽然一些都市俱乐部也为会员设有高尔夫俱乐部） 您已知道要加入什么类型的俱乐部了，下一步就要致电俱乐部的会员部安排一次全面的参观。到那时您要让他们知道您正在期待加入俱乐部，并且让他们告诉您，他们是否和怎样满足您的所有（或大部分）要求。很简单，如果那时您喜欢俱乐部的设施，并且对您需要的感到非常舒适，那就可以作出最后决定了。如果您的感觉告诉你成为它的一部分，那您就应该加入。正如我第一篇文章讲到的，俱乐部就像是您的第二个家，无论何时都没有比这个感觉更重要的了。 不论您对俱乐部有什么样的期望，您都要确定您的俱乐部在任何时候都会带给给您家的感觉和友好氛围。一旦员工和您认识之后，您将会认识到在俱乐部进行商务或休闲活动要远胜于饭店和餐厅。您的俱乐部是一个私人场所，只为您和其他的会员服务。无论您有或高或低的期望，都不会在其他地方到这种感觉的。
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High Expectations!!!
Private Members' Clubs - Part Two of Three In part one I looked at the history of private clubs, and tried to give you a feeling of what a true club encompasses. This time we look a bit more at the expectations people may have when joining a club and what a member could and should expect from a club. So here we go… I titled part 2 of my story about membership clubs as "High Expectations" as I feel that this relates very well to what most people have when joining a club of any type. Of course, there are very simple and basic clubs, such as perhaps a book club, where a member would merely expect to share information about books with fellow members. The expectations in this type of Club are fairly low and only focused on one particular area - books! But if we look at a premium city, golf or country club, these things change quite dramatically. So let's first look at reasons why somebody may consider becoming a member of a premium club. There are probably thousands of reasons one can think of, but the main ones are quite simple to sum up. If the club one wants to join is known as a "must be member' place, then there is a lot of "face" involved in wanting to become a members - especially in China and other parts of Asia. Another reason can be that one would like to meet other influential people in order to broaden ones horizon and to build a larger circle of friends and associates. Young and upcoming entrepreneurs or managers may want to meet new mentors to move up in life; while established entrepreneurs may like to make new alliances or just create friendships with similar-minded people. Then of course there is the need to find a place where one can have all types of events in a private and comfortable environment; or where events are hosted which one can easily attend. This can all be summed up by saying that most people are looking for a place to mingle with other like-minded people for either personal or business reasons, and to have a private and comfortable venue to relax or to conduct business. Sure, you need to establish what kind of club you wish to join. If it is business you like to conduct, you should join a city club with fine dining and meeting facilities. Some city clubs even offer extensive recreational facilities, allowing you to spend some much needed leisure time as well. If it is fresh air you are after, you should consider a country club, while it is quite obvious to join a golf club if you enjoy golf (although some city clubs have great golf club connections for their members). Once you know what type of club you would like to join, you should give their Membership Department a ring and arrange for a familiarization visit to the Club. At that time you can let them know what you are really looking for in joining a Club; and let them tell you if and how their club can satisfy all (or most) of your needs. Quite simply, if at that time you like the Club's facilities, and feel comfortable about them fulfilling your needs, you can make your final decision quite confidently. After all, you should only join a club if you get that comfortable feeling telling you to be part of if. As I wrote in part 1, a club should be like your home-away-from-home and nothing is more important than feeling easy whenever you spend time at your Club. No matter what expectations you have of a Club, make sure your club can offer you that homely feeling and friendly atmosphere whenever you visit. Once the staff gets to know you, you will see that using a club for business and pleasure is far superior than using any hotel or restaurant. Your club is private and only serves you and your fellow members. Whether you have high or low expectations, you really can't find that anywhere else. Back to Top of Page 回到页首
家 - 在这里延续
私人会所第三部分 这里是有关私人会所的最后一篇文章。在第一和第二部分中你已经了解了私人会所的历史和用什么方法选择适合自己的俱乐部。最后一部分我将告诉您作为一名会员所享受到的乐趣、应对俱乐部的支持和把俱乐部作为家的一个延续。 我从事餐饮旅游行业多年。在欧洲获得酒店管理学位之后，我很荣幸曾经受聘于欧洲、亚洲、澳大利亚最好的酒店和度假村，同时看到各行各业的人们边努力工作，边享受生活，更高兴能成为团队中的一员为他们服务。每一天对我来说都是丰富多彩的，而且能遇到很多新朋友。 1994年我离开餐饮旅游业成为位于悉尼的美洲俱乐部总经理，它是一家具有至少50年历史的澳大利亚最好的顶级俱乐部，在那里可以俯瞰悉尼港和著名的悉尼歌剧院。工作的同时我认识到俱乐部和酒店有着明显的不同、俱乐部会员和酒店客人有着非常不同的期望值，而且我信奉要使俱乐部成为家的延续。 当中国的俱乐部行业还处于起步阶段时，很多会员不知道什么是真正意义的会员。人们加入俱乐部通常是为了声望、为了有一个私人用餐和会议的场所、为了处理公务。中国的俱乐部一直被定义为是提供"有用的设备和服务"的场所。而事实上不止这些，字典中对"会员"的解释是"你属于一个组织或团队"。当中国的俱乐部行业处于成熟期时，会员们将毫无质疑的遵循着世界上顶极俱乐部的传统特性-他们要树立归属感和对俱乐部的支持。 加入一家好的俱乐部之后，怎样成为一个"好会员sort of club"，这当然取决于你。如果你加入俱乐部只是为了它的服务和设施，这也无妨，但是为什么不成为一个真正意义上的会员呢。在顶极俱乐部会员们是其成功的一个重要部分。会员们将俱乐部作为第二个家，他们经常邀请朋友参加会议和晚宴，或到俱乐部进行参观。一个真正的会员会全力支持他们的俱乐部，并且积极邀请他（她）的好朋友和商务搭档加入俱乐部成为他（她）的会员伙伴。每一位会员都希望自己的俱乐部取得成功，也总是享受向朋友或客户展示作为俱乐部会员的美好感受。 为什么会员要支持俱乐部？会员这样做得到的是什么？ 答案非常简单，会员对俱乐部的支持将得到很多的益处。首先，作为俱乐部的定期使用者，俱乐部的全体员工会认识每一位会员，并记住每一位会员的名字好像他们是家庭的一员，特别是邀请嘉宾到俱乐部时，会员会得到满足感和舒适感，并且嘉宾会留下极为深刻的印象。其次，员工会知道每位会员的喜好和口味，更好的了解会员，以便提供更私人化的服务。当然，一个好的会员也会知道其他会员的名字，为建立长期持久的朋友圈和富有成效的业务关系敞开大门。其他的益处不再赘述了。 在澳大利亚和马兰西亚的俱乐部，及过去5年时间里对享有盛誉的长安俱乐部的管理，我看到很多会员建立了良好的朋友圈和成功的业务联系。当你加入一个适合自身和业务发展的顶极俱乐部时，这些你都可以得到。当你加入一家你喜欢的俱乐部时，确认你随时都会使用它，这是发挥俱乐部最大功效的唯一方式。让员工认识你，然后把俱乐部作为家的延续。此时，你会使用顶极俱乐部为你所提供的一切，并从中享受到真正的乐趣。 总之，一家顶极俱乐部勿庸置疑的可以改善你的生活质量，及帮助你的业务和事业发展。一家顶极俱乐部可以提供一个舒适的私密场所让你和朋友及其他会员们分享、享受闲暇时光，或是让你处理工作和建立商务联系。让你的俱乐部成为这样一个特殊地方吧！！！之后你就可以收获作为一名俱乐部会员所拥有的全部益处。 Back to Top of Page 回到页首
A Home away from Home!!!
Private Members' Clubs - Part three of three This is the final of three parts about Members' Clubs. In the previous parts you learned about the history of private clubs and about the way to choose the club that suits you most. In this final part I like to tell you a bit about the enjoyment of being a Club Member, about supporting your Club and about making the club into a kind of Home away from Home!!! My career in the hospitality business goes back a long way. After getting my degree in Hotel Management in Europe, I had the pleasure of being employed in some of the finest hotels and Casino-resorts in Europe, Asia and Australia. It was great to see people from all walks of life enjoy themselves and do business, and it was even greater to be part of the teams that looked after these people. I met new people every day, and not a single day was a boring one. Then in 1994 I left the Hotel and Casino-resort industry and became General Manager of one of the finest members' clubs in Australia - the American Club of Sydney, which overlooks Sydney Harbor and the famous Opera House. A wonderful club with a history of over 50 years! That's where I noted the distinct difference between Clubs and Hotels. That's where I found that Club Members have very different expectations than Hotel Guests. That's where I embraced the importance of creating a true Home away from Home for members to enjoy. As the Club business is still in its infancy in China, many members do not yet see the true meaning of being a Club Member. Too often people join a club just for prestige; to have private dining and meeting facilities or to have a place where they can work out before or after work. Clubs in China are still too much perceived as a place with 'Useful Facilities and Services.' Well - there is more to a club than just that! When you check the Dictionary, it describes the word 'Member' as "One that belongs to a group or an organization." As the Club business in China matures, members will undoubtedly follow the traditional features of well established Clubs around the world - they will develop a feeling of belonging and supporting! So after you join a good members' Club, how can you be a 'good member.' Of course, that depends totally on you. If you only like to join a club for its services and facilities, that's fine. But why not get into the true meaning of being a Club Member. Overseas, in well established clubs, members are an integral part of the Club's success. Members make the Club into their second home, and whenever they invite people for dinner or meetings, they almost exclusively visit their club. A true member fully supports his/her club and actively invites his or her best friends and business partners to join as fellow members. A member has the very best in mind for the success of his or her Club, and always enjoys showing his friends and clients how nice it is to belong to the Club!!! Why would a member support the Club? What does a member benefit from doing so? It's really quite simple, and there are so many benefits members get from supporting their Club. First of all, as a regular user of the Club, all club staff will get to know the member and they will always welcome the member by name as if he/she is a member of the family. This gives a fantastic feeling of comfort and pride, especially when inviting guests to the Club. Members' guests will be impressed! Then of course, the staff will get to learn what a member likes and dislikes, thereby providing more personalized service as they get to know the member better. And of course, a good member will get to know many fellow members too, which opens the doors to many long-lasting friendships and fruitful business relations. There are too many benefits to mention in this article, as I would have to add at least two pages. By managing Clubs in Australia and Malaysia, and during the past five years of looking after the prestigious Chang An Club in Beijing, I have seen many members create great friendships and successful business relations. This is something one can only get when joining a good members' club that suits your personal and business profile. When you join the Club of your liking, make sure to use it whenever you can. That is the only way to get the most out of your Club. Let the staff get to know you, and then make it into your Home away from Home. Only when you do this will you enjoy the true enjoyment and use of a good club can offer you. In conclusion, I like to state that a good members' club will undoubtedly improve the quality of your life and can support your business or career development. A good Club also gives you a place that is yours to share with friends and fellow members - a place of comfort and enjoyment - a place of privacy and exclusivity - and off course also a place to conduct business and enjoy leisure time. Make your club into that special place for you!!! Only then can you reap the full benefits of being a club member. | 
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