Team play

For Lin Congying, founder and chairman of Jiumuwang Western-Style Fashional Clothes Co Ltd, the most valuable assets of his undertaking are not capital, products or brand.

"Staff is paramount," he says.

In the clothing industry, which has a high employee turnover rate, Jiumuwang's figure always stands at no higher than 1.5 percent, the lowest among his competitors.

"All JOE|ONE trousers are stitched by staff. Without my staff, there we wouldn't have such a renowned brand with a reputation of high quality," Lin says.

No matter how busy he is, Lin always makes time to sign birthday cards for all his 8,000 staff, almost once a day.

And he has incorporated a monthly birthday party into his routine. "Just imagine: a big party for at least 500 people every month," he says with excitement.

Lin has insisted on providing free annual physical examinations for every staff member for ten years. Moreover, he arranges the same package tour for all of his staff, including cleaners, every year.

"It's my responsibility to take care of all the staff."

Lin differentiates himself from traditional businessmen who are always in pursuit of profit over social responsibility.

"It's quite simple to explain: as a boss, staff is earning your money or helping you to make money," he says.

"If being concerned with staff helps you make fortune, then they should be respected," he says. "When I started Jiumuwang, I realized this principle."

Jiumuwang creates a career path tailored to every new staff member when they join the company.

"We provide training to help promote staff's abilities. As a result, we gain a talent pool," he says.

In 2004, Jiumuwang's needlewoman Chen Suili won top spot at the National Garment Tailoring Competition, thanks to her extraordinary skill of sewing high-quality trousers in 54 minutes.

The seamstress with only three years' tailoring experience was later given National May Day Labor Award, the first winner from a privately-owned enterprise.

Earlier this year, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and Federation of Trade Unions awarded Lin with the National Outstanding Entrepreneur award for staff caring.

"If we respect staff and offer them training, there value will be priceless," Lin says.

(China Daily 03/31/2008 page12)