The Battle for China's Talent
Read new analysis from CEB on attracting talent in emerging markets, featured in Harvard Business Review.

Attracting talent in emerging markets has always been a challenge for Western multinational companies (MNCs), but historically they've enjoyed a big advantage: in 2007, 41% of high-skill Chinese professionals preferred working for a Western firm, 9% preferred a job with a domestic firm.

However, in the last two years, Western MNCs and their brands took a significant hit in the Great Recession while the Chinese economy continued to grow, cutting the hiring advantage in half.

"The Battle for China's Talent", a feature article in the March 2011 edition of Harvard Business Review, outlines:

  • Insight from CEB's multi-year study of more than 300,000 Chinese professionals;
  • Best practices from Cisco Systems, Shell, and Dow Chemical for demonstrating a commitment to Chinese employee development; and
  • Five strategies that Western MNCs should consider to win scarce Chinese talent.

Multinationals' Lead Over Domestic Employers Is Shrinking

Employees Preferring MNCs: [2007] 33%, [2009] 18% | Employees Preferring Domestic Firms: [2007] 13%, [2009] 55% | Source: Corporate Executive Board

Chinese MNC Employees Express Anxiety about the Future

Graph One: [35%] Believe Their Careers Have Stalled, [34%] Are Unsure, [31%] Believe Their Careers are on Track | Graph Two: [22%] Are Satisfied with Their Career Paths, [78%] Are Neutral or Unsatisfied | Source: Corporate Executive Board