Previous company trips had been to Japan and China and for many of the 525 store managers
this was their first visit to a western-style country.
“As soon as our group became profitable four years ago we launched an incentive
programme that would see our store managers from our top supermarkets join their
colleagues on an all-expenses paid trip offshore,” says Andy Huang, executive president of
the Chuan Lian Corporation.
Challenges
This was the first time Chuan Lian had taken such a large group to a long-haul destination. After increasing its budget for the incentive trip Chuan Lian were very keen the event ran smoothly and was a complete success so that employees talked positively about their experiences.
With six waves of guests, the main challenge was to ensure that the logistics of the incentive
trip were properly arranged.
Transfers from the airports had to be planned precisely and the timing of each incentive activity
had to be carefully monitored.
Execution
Sydney turned on spectacular blue skies for the duration of the event, which saw three waves of
guests arriving for their six-night programmes.
The Hilton Sydney was the host venue for the group and the scene was a lavish gala dinner
where the company president, Lin Ming Hsuing, had a chance to thank his mainly youthful
(and female) managers for their contribution to the success the company is currently enjoying.
An Australian spirit prevailed with indigenous dance and didgeridoo performances.
The group dined in some of Sydney’s many Chinese restaurants, enjoyed the sights and
sounds of Darling Harbour and took Sydney Harbour cruises.
Delegates also had the opportunity to visit the New South Wales wine country in the Hunter Valley and the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, where they experienced the Australian bush in all its glory.
The head of tourism events for Tourism Australia, Joyce DiMascio, was on hand at the
gala dinner to welcome the guests on behalf of Australia and to exchange gifts.
She thanked them for choosing Australia and hoped they would one day return. A toast was also drunk to celebrate mutual friendship.
Verdict
Huang says Sydney proved to be an excellent choice. “Our people have just loved being
here,” he says. “Many of them have helped to clear the shelves of the local supermarket that was near the group’s hotel.
“They have to take souvenirs and gifts to their families and supermarket workers, so they’ve
been stocking up in a big way.
“They also get a chance to see how supermarkets operate in other countries.”
“For most of our people this has been a very new experience, but they have really enjoyed themselves.
“We’ve had knowledgeable guides and some of our people have taken themselves off to local
bars to enjoy the spirit of the big Australian football matches,” says Huang.
Chuan Lian enjoys five days in Sydney
Taiwanese retailer, the Chuan Lian Corporation, chose Sydney to reward its top-performing store managers for their efforts in positioning the company as the market leader in its category.
