| I recently read a that going for 50 coffees with people you've never met is the entrepreneurs equivalent to the that doing anything for 10,000 hours will make you an expert on it. While I get the idea, 50 coffees is far easier than practicing something for ten years, and while I'm far from lazy I've decided to set out on a fairly simple mission: over the next 50 weeks I'm going to invite 50 interesting Vancouverites, most of whom I have never met before, to go for coffee. I'm going to use this as an exercise in networking for myself and for V.I.A. while also using it as a platform to introduce you to some people who are doing really cool stuff in the city you live in. |
Meet Philip Ireland. General Manager of the exclusive and an absolute gentleman to the finish. I asked him if he'd have coffee with me after I watched a fantastic video about the Club's rebranding and was keen to get a peek inside. The Club touts itself as "A place to dine, play, relax and connect with other professionals who are shaping the very fabric and creative energy of the West Coast" and I had hoped to see what it was all about.
Philip didn't disappoint in quenching my thirst for knowledge about this mysterious institution that I might not ever have entered if not for my Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» credentials. After kindly introducing me to the key players who make the place tick, he took me on a grand tour from room to room, sharing the history of the Club as well as the current day goings on and the goals for the future. From the grand ballroom to the wine cellar to the business centre, from the members private liquor lockers to the private gym to the members-only JD's Barbershop (that I bet you didn't know was there), around every corner he had a new story to share with me. A full two hours had passed before we finally sat down for coffee and talked about Philip, the intended subject of this 50 coffees, and what I learned is that he's been the GM here for 10 years, that he loves his job, and that he's damned good at it. "Everything must be first class" he explains, "In everything that we do.". He also explained the philosophy behind treating everyone who walks into the club as if they were a member and then he practiced it by ending my visit by presenting me with a couple of gifts: a Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Club tie and a book that tells their story starting back in 1889.
First class. All the way.
As a creative director, I love hearing the stories of brands and branding and this video below is the one I mentioned that intrigued me to contact Philip in the first place. Watch the entire 4 minutes to get a taste of how they've recently freshened up the VC and know that candidates for membership require a proposer, a seconder and three references, all of which are club members in good standing. You can learn all about how to apply if you're interested.
http://vimeo.com/31069241
