Swann in China
 Swann has established an office in China to support our clients in entering the world's most exciting growth market. Early, we focused strongly on building our capability to source talented "Returnee" Chinese professionals who have proven success in western business. So often companies coming to China grapple with the business culture of China and see the localisation of its workforces as the answer. For many key appointments, the "culture" of head office is just as important as the China culture and corporate success will depend on how well both sides of the culture coin are handled.
The value of Returnees has been recognised by many in their China strategies. However, Swann is one of the few search firms in the world that has taken this to another level and built a network of these successful professionals. Through business associations, university alumni, professional bodies and worldwide networking. The Swann Group has built a returnee network that takes us from Australian to the USA, Canada, the UK and then to China.
Swann's office is in the heart of Shanghai's downtown business precinct is the base from which we search for the best available talent for our clients in China. Often these will be Returnees from abroad or perhaps they have already come home and are now showing their talents in other western companies in China. The again, the assignment could call for a Local or an Expatriate. We have found that the options are available to satisfy the particular needs of each assignment.
- Local Talent - Often these people will have had years of experience in western firms and are very familiar with that style of business. There is a growing talent pool of Locals who are well educated, have very good English skills and who are striving to excel in this competitive environment.
- Returnees - Using our network of these talented people, who can provide a "bridge" between the Chinese and the Western business styles, clients have found an ideal means of confidently tacking the China market with people who appreciate the needs of Head Office and the China way of business.
- Ex Pats - There are tasks that call for the background and experience of a westener and these can be identified from our global networks and encouraged to come to China. Because Swann is in China, we are also assessing a valuable talent pool of westerners who have had extended time there and who have a number of significant advantages. We call them "Lo Pats", other might say "Half Pat" or "Local Plus", these people may not expect full ex pat benefits, often speak Mandarin and bring a wealth of business experience in China. Furthermore, they have decided to make China part of their future and will not be looking forward to their repatriation back home.
Each assignment is unique and the client's needs will determine the approach. Having coverage from both on-the-ground in China s well as from abroad, Swann has the capability to meet those needs.
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Swann China Office: Peter Arkell & Michelle Gou
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Swann's Peter Arkell with Ren Binyan from Alcoa China at the Great Wall of China
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The Australia-China Business Council (ACBC)
The Australia China Business Council has long played an important role in supporting Australian businesses with an interest in China, enabling them to make the most of the opportunities that lie in our economic and trade relationship.
ACBC Business Forum held in China in November. Picture taken outside the Bluescope Butler plant in Shanghai. The people in the photo are
Back row L to R: Mike Alossi, President Bluescope Butler (China); Jim Short, Executive Director, ACBC (Secretariat); Geoff Upton, Director, Trade Focus International; Bernie Shuttleworth, Senior Economist, ANZ Bank; Lyall Howard, Manager Government and Corporate Relations, Rio Tinto; Nick Rossiter, Mithras Consulting Group
Centre row L to R: Hon Jim Short, President ACBC (Vic); Kristy Calvery, Competition and Consumer Policy Division, the Treasury of Australia Government; Judy Zhao, Executive Director ACBC (WA); Tom Flintoff, Chief Executive Officer, GFC Kilns International Pty Ltd
Front row L to R: Peter Arkell, Partner The Swann Group; Chris Fogarty, President Bluescope Steel - Greater China; William Bloking, President BHP Billiton Australia/Asia Gas.
The China International Mining Group (CIMG)
The China International Mining Group is a forum for Chinese and International mining and service companies plus individuals with interests in creating business opportunities in China's mining industry.
Swann are members of The Australia-China Business Council and The China International Mining Group.
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