As U.S President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao ponder bi-lateral trade issues and the onslaught of the global recession on both economies, China’s huge talent crunch remains also a topic of discussion as the mainland’s glut for professionals to build a growing China faster, gets bigger.
Every industry is crying out for leaders, proven experts that can lead Chinese and China-friendly companies to global dominance. Few professionals are equipped to supply this demand other than IVO HAHN the demure Chief Executive of global player STANTON CHASE, now come to be known as – ‘the silver bullet in golden China.’
Excerpts:
”China is changing and the demand for proven executives, is so astronomical that there is a virtual auction for good, accomplished people. Employers also need to appreciate that poaching is natural in such a market so you want good personnel who will stay with you.”
“It’s about balancing expectations. Finding the most suitable candidate is like finding a needle in a haystack. It isn’t easy but that’s the job of a world-class head hunter. Often we have to work within a short lead time and with a brief that doesn’t always make sense. Ours is a business where often as much effort needs to be put in to educate the client. Companies often have a very different idea of what good talent costs and that in itself presents a challenge for our industry.
China is changing and the demand for proven executives, is so astronomical that there is a virtual auction for good, accomplished people. Employers also need to appreciate that poaching is natural in such a market so you want good personnel who will stay with you. The whole assignment from agreement on the brief, to successful placement is an art that demands the most tactful of approaches. Its like walking on egg shells. You have to be delicate, precise and swift. Having a global network helps immensely in this case which probably explains why we’ve succeeded.”
“My love affair with China began even before 1997. I’ve been a huge admirer of the Chinese ‘can-do’ attitude. Enterprise of this nature is rarely seen in Europe or the Americas. Chinese people have a passion for progress and growth is everywhere in China. Its in the air. The whole world knows what China is capable of after the Olympics. They have seen Chinese solidarity after the Sichuan earthquake and now after China’s 60yrs anniversary party, no one is in any doubt of China’s capacity to achieve anything it sets its heart out to.”
“The progressive world embraces China’s commercial ambitions and has observed China’s growth over these last two decades. Today, as the era of suspicion between East and West is on its way out, people are coming together to build the future and the culture lines are fading rapidly.”
“The global economic tsunami has run amuck in Asia and everyone has felt the squeeze. The more astute of companies have restructured to deflect a frontal attack but have been affected nonetheless. Flexibility is now more important that it ever was and the recession has shown companies the importance of having brilliant managers – people who can mould and adapt to meet any corporate eventuality.”
“It’s a bit like trying to arrange a perfect marriage. It’s not a date you’re arranging but a marriage. Compatibility is a major factor and as a head hunter you can’t afford to be reckless. Everyone’s after China business now, everyone thinks they can be a head hunter. That simply isn’t true. Big bucks are definitely to be had in China but not without the elbow grease. There are no shortcuts and we aren’t looking for any. This is why Stanton Chase Hong Kong has often to turn away business because we are working up to capacity. When we take on an assignment we complete it. This is why we are the world’s first choice for business in China.”
Video interview on http://www.youtube.com/
