Running a virtual club isn't much different than RL. At least, not the way I do it. But I have noticed something -- I am an outlier.
All across Second Life, many other clubs I've frequented exhibit a lack of professionalism and laissez-faire toward standard operations that I could not ever tolerate. Not all clubs, but many.
Listen, I realise SL is a "game" for many, and that perhaps I'm more serious about my work in SL than most. But I don't see that as a reason to treat one's staff and entertainers like acessories in your Barbie Dream Club. I think if you agree to hire people to help build your dream, they deserve your consideration and respect. Not haphazard schedules, crazy demands, and wages that barely pay tier. Tips do not count.
There are club owners out there on the grid that act as if they are doing their staff and entertainers a favour by employing them in their venue. And for the most part, those staff and entertainers bite their tongues and take it, because they don't want to lose their gigs. But to those types of club owners, I say: you are nothing without those people. Just a pretty build with no patrons. And you'd better hope like hell that club staffers and entertainers don't realise their leverage and mutiny.
There are unprofessional staffers and entertainers too. If you agree to take a gig somewhere, those who hired you are counting on you to be there. Just like in RL, if you can't be, you should "call in" as soon as possible. Logging in 30 minutes before your shift/show and then saying you can't do it should be the exception, not the rule. Do you know how nearly impossible it is to find replacements in 30 minutes or less?
I think it's a mutual lack of respect. Each side is so wrapped up in what they want their SL to be, that they never stop to consider the impact their actions have on others. They treat everything in SL as if it's somehow "less real" than their First Life. But there are human beings on the other sides of those keyboards. They aren't pixel dolls in your virtual fantasy. They deserve to be thought of and respected.
It's not difficult. All it requires is to think outside your own bubble, and apply the common courtesies of the physical world to the virtual one.
Athayus Quan 5 yrs
Running a club in RL or SL, Virtual requires a lot of hard work on the part of the club owner, the leadership they show while doing that will gain notice and respect from both members and those that become staff aftewards as well. So many owners of clubs in SL expect their staff to run everything but if they don't step up as well there is no club. Running a club is very much a team effort but it also requires that the creators heart is always in it. Otherwise it will fall appart.
Another issue I see is club owners that get jealous of their those supporting them. Or putting absurd restrictions on staff. Or shop owners or other. And even going as far as attacking those trying to help with what ever hangups they have. And you should never date your staff that is another suicide run.
Running any type of club in SL effects people both in SL and RL because their time is precious. If someone chooses to call your club home consider it an honor to have them there no matter what their status is in SL or RL.
If something comes up try to give people as much notice as you can so that the RL/SL lives of those users can be adjusted for what ever changes need to be done. It's simple respect.