Like many of China’s crème de la crème in the 1990s, Steve Li firstly got two degrees from China’s G2 universities, then successfully landed a scholarship from one of the Ivy League Schools. After that, a decent job in the IT industry and citizenship of the free world. For most American engineers of Chinese ancestry, what follows normally are more senior titles, bigger houses, family, and beach. But Steve is unusual. Besides solid engineering background, Steve is full of energy, has a deep understanding of both the business world and human nature, sociable and risk-taking. He knew deep inside that he can be something different. His Chinese friends also knew that.

 

The year 2007 came quietly. That year a domestic company China Talent Group was looking globally for a director of business development. CTG needed a talent who shall have international vision, new business development capability, both locally and overseas, and of IT background since they planned to upgrade their IT system in the near future. When Steve’s domestic friends learned the opening, they referred him. Instinctively sensed the value of the position, Steve without any hesitation grabbed the opportunity. Now newly appointed as VP of Business Development at CTG in this January, Steve was more convinced of the rightness of his decision more than two years ago.

 

When we first met Charles Gao, the Associate Director of Adecco China, we cannot believe he has 15 full years work experience under his belt: his look, vitality and passion all speaks that he should be a twentysomething. But minutes after our talk, his discreet words, professionalism and air of dignity soon manifested his long working life and time-mellowed sophistication. He is just like the company he is working at: Adecco, though its origin can be traced back to 1957, never stopped growth and expansion. Now fully established in China, it keeps on thriving and flourishing. Not long from now, we may witness it secure its championship in China, as it did all over the world.