A 40-something gentleman in a perfectly cut suit is waiting outside a remarkable villa in Prague 6. In a moment, he is shown around the villa by an “authorised person”. He breathes in the smell of whisky and cigars in a salon with the complete edition of Otto’s encyclopaedia and other original editions from 1920s. We are in Prague Business Club where Czech businessmen and the political elite meet.
When somebody recommends you
“This is the newly appointed CEO of one company who came to take a look at what it’s like here,” said Luboš Drobík, PBC’s president. The club he co-founded eight years ago currently connects some 200 top members of entrepreneurial and non-business world – companies’ CEOs and current cabinet ministers. Membership is based on recommendation, afterwards you are free to take advantage of all that the club has on offer. “Yesterday we had a members’ meeting combined with whisky and cigars tasting,” said Drobík, explaining the smoky smell in the library and added that the club’s activities go even further – it supports a number of charities and organises expert forums.
A number of similar clubs exist in the Czech Republic. They differ in their operation and the price of their annual fees, but they all share one thing – they select their members. Do you want to interact with your equals, help the needy and establish necessary contacts easily and in an informal way? Then welcome to the club.
One of the oldest clubs in the country is the Rotary club. The first Rotary club was established in Prague in 1925.
The Rotary, just like the Lions Clubs, belongs among the most famous elite associations in the world. They accept people from the academic and business worlds.
“There are currently 64 Rotary clubs in the Czech Republic and Slovakia made up of more than 1,600 members,” said George J. Podzimek, Rotary Klub Praha president. Local Rotarians include Markus Rövekamp from RWE Transgas board, writer Benjamin Kuras and Olga Girstlová from GiTy management.
Women and communists? Never
“Individual clubs differ: Some are male only; some are mixed. Some are strictly anti-communist and they require a clean communist record,” said Podzimek. Rotary clubs are among the biggest donors to charities focused on fight against child polio and individual clubs deal with current social and economic topics at their respective meetings. “If I simplify it a lot, the topics vary from wine and beekeeping to situation in Gaza. All discussions are led by experts,” said Podzimek.
While Rotarians charge less than CZK 4,000 a year, other clubs charge much more.
CZK 50,000 – welcome to the elite
The Prague Golem Club, co-founded by current cabinet member Michael Kocáb, has an entry fee of CZK 50,000 and annual fees of over CZK 30,000. Other clubs are even more expensive. But then its members are invited to discussion dinners, exhibition openings, concerts and presentations. In addition, they are free to use the club space for themselves and their guests.
Membership in elite clubs is attractive for other reasons. “The club gives me the opportunity to meet top managers from various important companies. Even top politicians accept invitations to such clubs. It is a good way of getting to talk to someone whose work and opinions interest you,” said Petr Knybel, Tipsport head who happens to be a fresh member of Prague Business Club. PBC organises 120 various events a year that the members get to choose from.
Join in or leave
The situation at the Rotary Club is different. Meetings are held regularly once a week and each member should have at least a 60% attendance.
Top businessmen enjoy meeting each other. “Club membership offers space for business contacts and business talks at an informal level. It helps improve relationships in an informal space,” said Daniel Hron, headhunter from Mid Europe Management Consulting. He is a member of two clubs – a newly founded LS Club and International Business Forum.
IBF is a club bringing together only business personalities from the Czech Republic and abroad. It was established last August and anyone can join as long as the board accepts him. Mark Wright from Leo Burnett advertisement agency is also one of the “accepted”. “I was receiving many invitations from local clubs and this one sounded reasonable enough. My decision was also influenced by the fact that IBF offers contact with other companies and an opportunity for informal meetings,” said Wright.
Hello minister!
It is the informal atmosphere that all of the clubs use as the main attraction. Many of them have first-name terms as a rule. “Our discussions are relaxed and informal and so it makes sense that our club members address each other by their first names,” said Luboš Drobík, PBC president.
According to the experience of the managers, it is mainly the cabinet members who are not too excited about the first-name terms. Another rule, common to most of the clubs, is that a member cannot refuse to meet another member.
International clubs also help their members abroad. “Rotary clubs are all over the world. When I come on business to England, where I have no contacts, I know I can attend the local Rotary club meeting. I have never been denied help and contacts,” said Podzimek operating in construction industry. The doors all over the world open up to him thanks to the club badge in his lapel that every new Rotary member receives on being accepted to the club.
