COVER STORY

JUMBO’s 30th Annual Dinner & Dance 2017

Group CEO and Executive Director Mr. Ang Kiam Meng once said, “Our staff are our greatest brand assets and brand ambassadors”. 30 years have come and gone – and yet, this belief rings true for JUMBO even today, and our annual Dinner & Dance (D&D) is just one of many ways we express our gratitude to our staff for their hours of hard work, and for wearing the JUMBO name with pride. This event has always been one of chief significance, and many of our staff look forward to a night of glamour, fun and camaraderie where they get to dress up, mingle and catch up with fellow colleagues beyond work.

Held on 20 February 2017 at the Shangri-La Hotel, the D&D saw over 800 staff strutting into the ballroom with an undeniable air of class and elegance. Our D&D theme – Pearl – aptly reflected the prestige of our 30th year celebrations, and encouraged everyone to show up in their very best.

The night began on a high as veteran Mediacorp artiste and our turbo-charged emcee for the night, Mark Lee (李国煌), started the ball rolling with his witty style of hosting. Many of our staff broke into large grins as he took the stage, but nothing beats what came right after – a ‘flash mob’ song performance to the melody of ‘我相信’, initiated by Mr. Ang before the rest of the senior management, including our Heads of Operations, suddenly joined in to the sound of thunderous applause!

Our emcee Mark Lee showing all of us how to really party! ▼

▲ Our staff jumping to their feet in a standing ovation for the top management’s incredible performance!

▲ A truly heart-warming moment as the Heads of Kitchen & Operations joined Mr. Ang and his fellow directors on stage

Albeit only a 3-minute performance on stage, the behind-the-scenes preparations took many hours of unseen time and effort. As Senior Operations Manager, Mr. Ryan Lim shared, “It was challenging because it’s not an easy song to sing. We arranged for numerous practices at headquarters, rehearsals at Chui Huay Lim – we even did a studio recording! Though it was truly enjoyable,” he added. “There was a sense of togetherness; a team spirit in the top management coming together and putting up this opening performance for everyone at our 30th anniversary D&D”.

Area Manager Ms. Jojo Yong, who has been with the company 20 years now, also chimed in passionately: “I was very touched that Mr. Ang would learn and sing together with us. I feel deeply towards this song because it is so encouraging. Every word in the lyrics is meaningful to our daily operations; there are ups and downs but as long as WE BELIEVE, we can do our best and achieve good results”.

One of the key highlights of this year’s D&D was also a special award ceremony to recognise and honour the dedication of our long-service staff who have stayed with us from anywhere between 5 to 30 years. This ceremony was especially meaningful for six significant individuals, two of whom received the 25-year Long Service Award, and four who were acknowledged for an incredible 30 years of service.

Our staff enraptured by the poignant lyrics of the song ▼

▲ Fun & laughter as we flex our muscles in the face of the next 30 years – WE BELIEVE!

Ms. Jojo Yong receiving her award for 20 years of service ▼

▲ Our staff members dancing their hearts out to a professionally choreographed piece after weeks of practice

“I feel honoured to be a part of JUMBO, and to receive this award from the company. I love that we are one big family here – I share strong attachments towards my fellow colleagues and my bosses, that’s why I can’t help but stay!” laughs Ms. Lee Lay Khim, who takes pride in her role of 25 years as Cashier Supervisor at JUMBO Seafood (East Coast). One of the two who have been with us for 30 years – Ms. Tan Gek Siam, Chief Chef of NG AH SIO Bak Kut Teh (Rangoon Road), also concurred: “I feel such a strong sense of satisfaction to have earned this award. Truthfully, in a company like JUMBO that has good planning and takes care of its employees, working here is a breeze!” It is our hope that these awards encourage and continue to give our people the assurance that the JUMBO management truly values our staff’s dedication.

As the night drew closer to its end, spirits were higher than ever before and certainly ended with a bang, featuring a special Music Video and dance performance by our very own staff! Awe-struck at the talent hidden amongst our own people, it was a performance that undeniably required countless rehearsals, and demonstrated the spirit of our staff who were even willing to devote their spare time to practicing the choreography for the show. The ballroom’s floor was thereafter opened for dancers—amateur and experts alike—to flaunt their moves and dance the night away to a fantastic D&D 2017!

▲ Ms. Janet Gooi of Gracious Image Pte Ltd receiving her trophy to celebrate 15 years of partnership during our pre-event festivities

▲ Our Best Dressed females of the night!

▲ SMS Sim Ann being presented with a token of appreciation: a 24k gold-plated crab that symbolises JUMBO’s continual strive for excellence and its commitment to maintain the gold-standard of its multi-dining concept F&B establishments in Singapore and overseas

▲ JUMBO co-founder Mr. Ang Hon Nam congratulating Ms. Lee Lay Khim on her 25 years of service

▲ Ms. Tan Gek Siam a picture of grace and poise as she accepts her 30-years Long Service Award from Mr. Ang Hon Nam

30th Anniversary Celebration Dinner 2017

This incredible milestone of 30 years would have been impossible without another group of significant individuals who have walked with JUMBO over the last three decades – our valued business partners and suppliers. Having journeyed through countless ups and downs together, the relationships that have been forged in the process are ones built to last, and truly worth celebrating.

As an extension of our gratitude and friendship, JUMBO organised a special 30th Anniversary Celebration Dinner held at the Shangri-La Hotel on 21 February, in a show of appreciation for our esteemed suppliers and business associates. Guest-of-Honour Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of  Trade and Industry, Ms. Sim Ann graced the event and joined us in acknowledging our treasured business partners.

The pre-event began with our partners of 5, 10, 15 and 20 years each being presented with a special trophy as they walked through the doors: this was but one small way for JUMBO to express its appreciation for the people who have supported us on this incredible journey. The event proper began in fanfare once again, with Mr. Ang and the senior management impressing our guests with their special flashmob song performance, which certainly awed some of our guests!  “I was very excited and the performance was so good, it was like a real concert! I’m sure I was the first to clap the loudest!” declared Mr. Lee Eng Seng, director of Hwa Seng Vegetable Fruits Supplier, also our partner for the past 30 years. “It really showed Mr. Ang’s congenial and fun-loving side; I would want to take part!”

But the high-energy start to the event soon came to a calm as Mr. Ang took the stage, delivering a succinct presentation on the company’s future direction, and where JUMBO is moving towards.

▲ JUMBO is proud to support organizations like the Viva Foundation for Children with Cancer who are doing an incredible work

There was an air of indelible excitement, as the room buzzed with the news of greater expansion in the coming years through franchising, joint ventures and strategic alliances. As Ms. Moh Yan Ying — representing our trusted supplier of 25 years, Freshening Industries Pte Ltd — commented: “Mr. Ang’s sharing on his entrepreneurial journey and his future plans for JUMBO is truly inspiring and touching for the younger generation like me. As the old saying goes, starting a business is easy but managing it is a whole new challenge”.

Following which, dinner was served, a 7-course delectable spread that held a little extra surprise for our guests: much to the delight of many who were looking forward to an authentic JUMBO treat; for the very first time, our award-winning Chilli Crab claw (already deshelled) was part of the menu’s line-up!

Adding further to the extravaganza, we commenced a special ceremony to acknowledge and thank our partners who have been with us for the past 25 to 30 years, a feat that truly deserved its proper recognition. We were honoured to have a total of 24 long-time partners represented on stage, 15 of which were presented with 30-year trophies. Mr. Lee, being one of these recipients, was overwhelmed with excitement: “I feel immensely proud of this company. There have been good and bad times, but we have gone through them together. I admire this company for being unafraid of failure. A lot of listed companies out there often lose money when they try to expand; JUMBO is different. It’s innovative, and I strongly believe the management has what it takes to bring the company to new heights”.  It is this continual support and unwavering faith that suppliers like Mr. Lee has in JUMBO that has indeed brought us where we are today.

▲ Mr. Lee Eng Seng of Hwa Seng Vegetable Fruits Supplier receiving his award for 30 incredible years of partnership with us

▲ Our suppliers and partners having a great time bonding and mingling together!

▲ Happy 30th birthday, JUMBO – here’s to many more to come!

But even as JUMBO continues to thrive, the company has never lost sight of its desire to do its part to give back to the community. Mr. Ang also decided to share the joy of JUMBO’s 30th anniversary by donating $10,000 each to three different organisations: the Viva Foundation for Children with Cancer, Bukit Timah CCC CDWF, and Thong Kheng Welfare Services Society. We hope to be able to make a difference in the lives of people around us even as we continue to advance and progress. The joyous night concluded with the awesome dance performance Music Video by our staff!

JUMBO’s business has always been, and will continue to be about bonding people through food; not just the people we serve, but our very own people, and those we work with. As we commemorate 30 years of achievements, JUMBO can only say a huge “thank you” to our staff, as well as our suppliers and associates for pacing us on this amazing journey – for in the final analysis, it is these relationships that truly are our greatest measure of success.