10-05-19
Paul Tam is an art booster and the Executive Director of Hong Kong Ballet, the premier ballet company in Asia and a world-class institution that represents Hong Kong’s unique character transforming the western art of ballet. With nearly 50 dancers from Hong Kong and the world, our city, through the performing group, has proudly produced classical masterpieces, contemporary works and newly commissioned ballets.
Hong Kong Ballet & Hong Kong Philharmonic will present a crossover performance called The Rite of Spring. I very much look forward to it since its previous work The Great Gatsby was an exclamation of enjoyable success. As much as it was due to the artistic excellence of the director and performers, Paul’s careful and thoughtful planning did render help in making the program an unforgettable experience.
Paul Tam himself was a pianist. He gave it up and became an art administrator. He has been well-known for his dedication to work and creative marketing strategy. In the trade, projects by Paul stand as synonym for quality assurance. Talking to Paul is terrific. He is lively and full of enthusiasm. He can cite plentiful examples for his views.
During a coffee break…not only…it is our catchup time, Paul shared with me his stories which, to sum up, were the 6 ways to fulfill missions in the art business. In fact, they are lavish tips on doing a great job in any profession.
- Passion & Belief
No way to take up a task in which you have no passion or belief. Remember this a million times because life is too short to waste a second. If you do not enjoy or unable to make much out of your process, it will be a fault because you betray yourself in the first place. Paul was asked by his parents to study business administration when going to university. He followed the command but frustrations soon drove him back to what he was and what he was fond of art. He switched to the pursuit of art and such an insistence has made him happy for the rest of his life.
- Every Little Helps
While you have chosen the right direction for a task but it does not necessarily mean you must have had a mega execution plan. Aiming at the right direction, you simply make full use of every day and work hard over and over again―big or small deeds. The cumulative effect of what you did would take you further and further, closer to the shore. Once a few lucks hit you, ‘bingo’ will be at your side ready to serve you. Even if you get no luck, you will at least have no regret because you have tried hard on a daily basis.
This is the story. Paul treated his audience like friends and was happy to talk to anyone who came along. One day, an ordinary lady came to him and they became almost friends. Suddenly, she said that she was impressed by what Paul had told her and would like to make a donation to the ballet group by the purchase of expensive tickets in bulk.
- Competitive Edge
It is easy to imitate and follow other people on your watch. However, you will forever flow in the river as one of them if you cannot stand out in a special way. Being outstanding is important in the art business. You must always ask yourself, “How can we achieve our competitive edge and win more audience?”. If you have no answer, you will never be in control of the future and might as well let your ambition go.
For example, the recent accomplishment of Hong Kong Ballet The Great Gatsby is an attempt to mix and present the international best to the audience: F Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, live jazz by Billy Novick’s Blue Syncopators, Oscar award-winning designer Tim Yip and blues singer E. Faye Butler.
- Courage
A bold heart is half the battle. Future is always uncertain but a decision has to be made today for the future. Taking chances is a fact of life especially in the art world where creativity means doing something new and that was not attempted before. Only God knows the answer for success or failure. An artist can only conquer fear, stick his neck out and chase a dream. Even if he fails, he shall take it for granted but his tears will be happy.
- Crossover & Collaboration
Some artists prefer to work alone. It is of course a personal choice but such an attitude will confine their ability to excel. No matter how great you are, you are only part of the total picture of an art or business. There are other people doing well in other directions. There is a proverb ‘diamond cut diamond’. Crossover and collaboration with others will give you many inspirations which can come to lighten your creative gloom, especially when you are exhausted and need somebody to give you a thrust. The world is changing every moment and collaboration with others will be a way to keep yourself up with the evolving wilds.
Paul said Hong Kong is only a city and thus too small as a pool of talents. We have to pull great talents from other parts of the world to work together. A multi-talented group is the great collaboration for Hong Kong to sustain her artistic excellence in ballet.
- Blood, Sweat and Tears
In life, nothing is going to be free. Either you make a deal with blood, sweat and tears to improve; or will face a bigger monster: failure. Destiny is fair to the hardworking: so much is taken from you and you will be able to win it back. Success is always an inch away for those who work hard and move on nonstop.
The above advice has worked very well with Paul. You? Why not prepare a to-do list today and try?
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