When the fragrance of ink meets the passion of the team, when traditional culture collides with the thrill of competition, and when a lively barbecue feast is added to the mix — a team-building activity blending cultural depth, collaborative fun, and culinary delight made for an unforgettable day for all members of Jiangsu Senji. Here, we experienced the spirit of craftsmanship through brush and ink, strengthened our bonds through games and challenges, and shared joy and laughter around the barbecue. We not only gained knowledge and happiness, but also solidified the spiritual bond that drives our team forward.
Brush and ink convey emotions
At the beginning of the team-building activity, the venue was already fully equipped with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. The lingering fragrance of ink immediately calmed everyone down from their busy work pace. For this special occasion, we were honored to invite Mr. Gu Longping, a renowned calligrapher from Wuxi, to personally teach and guide the Senji family on an immersive journey of calligraphy learning.
Mr. Gu Longping, courtesy name Tingyun and art name Yenong, is the 42nd generation descendant of Gu Yewang, known as the "Confucius of Jiangdong." With nearly 40 years of deep dedication to the art of calligraphy, he is a renowned master in the field.
He serves as a member of the Academic Committee of the China Nanshe Painting Academy and as the "Calligraphy Culture Ambassador of Huishan High-tech Zone." Not only has he won the "Gold Award for Calligraphy" at the China Calligraphy and Painting Spring Festival Gala, but his works have also been collected by the Chinese Embassy in South Africa. His rendition of the Orchid Pavilion Preface — practiced over a thousand times — achieves remarkable fidelity to the original. He has profound expertise in regular script (kaishu), running script (xingshu), and cursive script (caoshu).
What is even more commendable is that while deeply rooted in tradition, he never confines himself to conventional forms. He has innovatively incorporated calligraphy onto unconventional media such as ginkgo leaves and stones. Additionally, he has produced over 3,000 videos on social media platforms to popularize calligraphy, bringing traditional Chinese culture into the daily lives of the public.
During the session, Mr. Gu Longping broke down professional techniques in simple and accessible language. Starting from basic fundamentals such as brush-holding posture and stroke pressure, he personally demonstrated the subtlety and elegance of the "Eight Principles of Yong" — the core techniques of Chinese calligraphy.
"Practicing calligraphy is just like working in the energy storage industry," he said. "You need a solid foundation cultivated through steady practice, and at the same time, you must be flexible and innovative. The way you apply and release the brush — with rhythm and control — is like the iteration of technology. Only through balance and precision can you truly achieve excellence."
Drawing from his own years of persistent practice and copywork of classical works, he naturally integrated the spirit of craftsmanship in calligraphy with the philosophy of work, earning rounds of enthusiastic approval from the audience.
During the practice session, everyone eagerly laid out rice paper, ground ink, and dipped their brushes, starting with the simple yet meaningful four characters — "Senji Energy Storage."
Those picking up a brush for the first time felt a bit awkward at first, but under Mr. Gu's patient guidance and through mutual encouragement among colleagues, they gradually found their rhythm. Employees with some background in calligraphy took the initiative to share techniques, creating a warm atmosphere of learning from one another.
As the table was gradually filled with pieces of work — still a little unpolished but full of sincerity — everyone posed for photos with their creations. Through the flow of brush and ink, they experienced the charm of traditional culture and quietly grew closer to one another.
Intense Point Competition
If the calligraphy session was a time for quiet reflection and focus, then the team points competition was a surge of adrenaline and excitement. The organizing team randomly divided all participants into six teams and set up three point-based challenges: "Chopstick Challenge," "Frisbee Showdown," and "Balloon Relay." Each event not only tested reflexes and skills but also emphasized team collaboration. At the end of the competition, the top three teams with the highest scores received exclusive prizes.
In Search of Flavors Amidst the Smoke
After the intense games, dusk gradually fell, and the group barbecue session began as planned, instantly igniting everyone's taste buds. Fresh ingredients had already been prepared at the venue — from sizzling grilled meats and aromatic skewers to refreshing vegetables and sweet roasted corn. The wide variety of delicious offerings was truly a feast for the eyes and the palate.
Each team divided their tasks and worked together seamlessly — some were responsible for starting the fire and seasoning, others focused on flipping the ingredients, while some took the initiative to share the freshly grilled food with teammates. The raw ingredients gradually lost their initial rawness, turning into an enticing golden brown as the aroma filled the entire venue, drawing everyone closer in eager anticipation.
During breaks, colleagues raised their glasses, sharing funny work stories and personal reflections from daily life. Laughter and cheerful conversations echoed through the smoky, lively air.
This barbecue feast not only satisfied everyone's cravings but also brought everyone closer in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere, quietly strengthening team cohesion through great food and shared laughter.
At the end of the activity, the host announced the final scores of each team. Company leaders presented awards to the winning teams and also gave customized souvenirs to all participants. Everyone gathered together to share their reflections.
One colleague said, "Mr. Gu Longping's dedication helped me understand the true value of craftsmanship, the team games showed me the power of collaboration, and with the wonderful barbecue feast, this day has been both fulfilling and joyful!"
Another colleague shared, "We usually don't have many cross-departmental interactions, but this team-building event allowed us to see a different side of each other outside of work. I'm sure our future collaboration will be much smoother."
One team-building event, multiple rewards.
The calligraphy session taught the Senji team perseverance and focus through the craftsmanship of Mr. Gu Longping. The team games deeply reinforced the understanding that "if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." And the group barbecue brought everyone closer, warming their bonds over the smoky fire.
Moving forward, every member of Jiangsu Senji will carry forward this sense of unity and dedication — integrating the perseverance found in brush and ink and the collaboration experienced in games into the energy storage business. With renewed passion, we will deepen our commitment to technological innovation. With closer cooperation, we will help drive the development of green energy. Together, we will write a brand new chapter for Senji Energy Storage.
