Archives November 2007

Kaplan Establishes Financial Training Center In Chengdu

As part of an agreement with Southwest University of Finance and Economics, Kaplan, Inc., together with its affiliate Kaplan ACE, will establish a financial training center that will provide internationally-recognized financial qualifications and on-the-job training to students in western China.

Kaplan is one of the world’s leading providers of financial services education, with centers in the U.K., U.S., Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Located on the campus of Southwest University of Finance and Economics, the new center will offer training programs for qualifications such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Chartered Financial Analyst, Certified Financial Planner, and Financial Risk Manager. It will also host forums that will cover current economic trends.

Professor Xiao Ma, vice principal of SWUFE said, “In order to achieve steady and rapid economic development, it is critical that China’s accounting and financial professionals meet international standards. This training center will help ensure that China’s most talented accounting and financial professionals are qualified in the global marketplace; it will also promote financial development in western China.”

In 2006, Kaplan provided approximately 600,000 licensing and continuing education courses to corporate clients and professionals around the world. Mark Coggins, president of Kaplan Asia Pacific, said, “We’re excited to be a part of Chengdu’s emergence as an important financial center in western China.”

Kaplan is a leading provider of educational services to individuals, schools and businesses, serving over one million students annually with operations in more than 30 countries around the world. Its international programs include higher education, test preparation, language instruction and professional training.

City’s top businesses selected

THE city’s 100 leading businesses for the past year have been chosen by the Shanghai Private Enterprise Association.

The chosen businesses show the top profits, pay the most tax and employ the most people.

Some of the best known city businesses in manufacturing, commerce and the service industry – like the Spring International Travel Service and the JuneYao Group – are in the list.

Commercial and service industry businesses make up two thirds of the top 100 companies which shows the accent of the city on these fields and the needs of the citizens, the association said.

The top 100 private enterprises have an average registered balance of more than 69 million yuan (US$9.3 million) and there are 12 of these companies with a registered balance of more than 200 million yuan

World’s biggest bank poised for more expansion

INDUSTRIAL and Commercial Bank of China Ltd has “insufficient” assets overseas and seeks more investments abroad, President Yang Kaisheng said, even as he denied the lender plans to buy a stake in Standard Chartered Plc. “ICBC will pursue a combined strategy of acquisitions and new projects in expanding overseas,” Yang said at a finance conference in Beijing on Saturday. “Overseas diversification is an important way for Chinese banks to spread risks against cyclical economic downturns.”

Having raised US$22 billion in the world’s largest share sale a year ago, ICBC, the world’s biggest bank by market value, is expanding more aggressively than peers such as Bank of China Ltd. ICBC’s 36.7 billion rand (US$5.4 billion) purchase of a 20-percent stake in South Africa’s Standard Bank Group Ltd is the biggest overseas investment by a Chinese company.

“Overseas expansion is likely to continue as Chinese banks are seeking to build up their global presence,” Bill Stacey, a Hong Kong-based analyst at Credit Suisse, told Bloomberg News yesterday, citing ICBC’s forays in Indonesia and Macau. Yang joined China Construction Bank Corp Deputy President Luo Zhefu in denying a newspaper report that their banks planned to acquire a stake in Standard Chartered Plc from Temasek Holdings Pte, the Singaporean government’s investment company.

“We have no plans to buy a stake in Standard Chartered,” Luo said, while Yang said the report was “just a rumor.”

The Financial Times reported that China’s three biggest banks – ICBC, Construction Bank and Bank of China – had approached Temasek to buy a 17-percent stake.

A leading International Instruments Company Seeking Finance Controller in Singapore, Urgently

Company Introduction:
Our client is a leading international industrial testing instruments provider in the world, whose parents company in US is listed on Fortune 500.

Reports to: Asia Finance Director
Location: Singapore

Job responsibilities:
This position is responsible for accurate accounting and financial analysis for the company in Singapore. The main purpose is to strengthen the company¡¯s accounting and financial analysis function.
1.Implement and continuously improve internal controls that insure accurate reporting and proper safeguarding of company assets.
2.Assist in the consolidation and adjustment of subsidiary information in order to prepare accurate internal and external reporting packages in compliance with Singapore Accounting rule and US GAAP. Monthly financial reporting on the Friday after month-end, Statistics and Quarterly schedules on the Danaher required dates.
3.Super user / Key-player in the development and maintenance of Financial Reporting tools as Hyperion.
4.Coordinate and review the reconciliations of the company general ledger balance sheet accounts on a timely basis.
5.Provide leadership to improve ARDSO and Inventory Turns.
6.Prepare ad hoc analysis and variance reports as required, making extensive use of PC tools as Hyperion and Excel.
7.Provide leadership for the selection and development of Accounting associates.
8.Assist in the continuous improvement, development, modification and implementation of financial systems as necessary. This includes learning and using DBS tools.
9.Other Key Relationships:
−Includes management of 3 general accounting associates and one temp accountant
−Includes intensive correspondence with the company corporate accounting department
−Position has high visibility with a large amount of exposure to the Asia Finance Director and the Singapore sales and marketing team

Requirements:
1.Financial accounting degree ¨C college or university level.
2.Public Accountancy experience desirable.
3.CPA certification or similar.
4.MBA degree will be beneficial.
5.Proven experiences and results in processes that provide excellent Internal Controls.
6.Excellent knowledge and practical understanding of applicable Singapore accounting policy, tax regulation, and US GAAP.
7.Proficiency in analysis of financial results to identify variations and trends that indicate possible exposures and the need for countermeasures.
8.Working capital analysis and management.
9.Excellent PC skills, preferably experienced in Oracle as ERP system and Hyperion as Financial Reporting Tool.
10.Strong interpersonal skills, Independent and strong sense of integrity.

* Please send us your complete resume (both in Chinese and in English) to:
‘topjob_fi169s#dacare.com'(Please replace “#” with “@”)
* In the email subject MUST you plus the position name £¨in either En or Ch £©

International sales manager

Location: Shanghai
Report To: President
Subordinates: 3

It¡¯s a leading provider of products worldwide for the health-care industry. An ISO 9001/13485 certified and FDA registered manufacturing firm of disposable medical products. It is headquartered in Pomona, California, USA, with four manufactories facility in china.

Purpose & general responsibilities of the position:
1. Plan and execute annual and quarterly sales plans to grow the sales worldwide.
2. Plan and organize trade shows & activities to accomplish goals within expense budget.
3. Represent the company at trade shows, meetings and conferences to promote company products.
4. Develop and manage distributors worldwide.
5. Communicate with and provide monthly reports to update management team on sales progress, assess sales prospects.
6. Deliver sales presentations and training to key clients in coordination with distributors.
7. Meet with and/or calls on key clients in coordination with sales representatives / distributors.
8. Provide information to management regarding customer requirements and competitive products for input toward decisions on product development, enhancement, launch/release, sales and support.
9. Participate in sales department programs as scheduled, including sales education, trade shows, and other activities to maximize sales effectiveness and achieve/exceed sales goals.
10. Coordinate with product team to develop products as per our company¡¯s Product Development and design control procedure and to compose technical specifications to meet the customer¡¯s requirements11. Responsible to provide services to customers by maintain daily communications with customers.
11. Responsible to run cost analysis and maintain and update quotations files.
12. Responsible to collect and deliver samples upon request from customers.
13. Responsible to update project update and time line on a weekly basis.
14. Additional duties are assigned.

Requirements:
1. 5 years¡¯ experience in international sales.
2. 10 years¡¯ work experience, and relative in medical instrument industry is preferable.
3. MNC experience is preferable.
4. Excellent communication, negotiation skills and strong sense of coordination.
5. Willing to OT and travel.
6. Good in English language (Reading, Writing & Speaking)

Computer & software:
1. Word
2. Excel
3. Power point

* Please send us your complete resume (both in Chinese and in English) to:
‘topjob_mkt223sh#dacare.com'(Please replace “#” with “@”)
* In the email subject MUST you plus the position name £¨in either En or Ch £©

Manager ¨C Business Development of Joint Ventures

Location: Beijing
Department: Warehousing and Distribution (WND)
Report To: Business Development Senior Manager ¨C Joint Venture

A top foreign 3rd part logistics company.

Purpose & general responsibilities of the position:
1. Execute business development plan of new clients in existing Joint Ventures.
2. Extended by recognition and understanding of our J/V brand in the local market.
3. Drive business development plan of new service and revenue stream catalogue in existing J/Vs.
4. Ensure implementation of commercial/marketing activities in J/Vs.

Specific responsibilities of the position:
Business development
1. Understand and advocate Logistics¡¯ and particular the Warehouse and Distribution team¡¯s strategy and direction to JV team.
2. Ensure overall business development plan for our existing joint ventures carried out in existing J/Vs in cooperation with local J/V management.
3. Study and develop new service and revenue streams that can be adopted in new 3rd party business.
4. Work actively with existing J/Vs to develop new profitable 3rd party clients to reduce the dependency of our company Logistics and Line business volume.
5. Manage sales pipeline and assist BD manager in creating innovative ideas to target clients for J/Vs.
6. Assist J/Vs to identify and secure the key clients as funneled by our company logistics.
7. Assist J/Vs to set up close relationship with business partners.

Marketing
1. Identify best practices in existing J/Vs and promote in other J/V business.
2. Create communication plan ensuring improved understanding of J/Vs¡¯ capabilities and strategy both internally and externally.
3. Create superior commercial presentation material for each specific J/V.
4. Assist J/V commercial managers in measuring the market, local 3rd party clients, etc.

Pricing and tender management
1. Assist BD manager to establish local pricing guideline and aligned with market segmentation.
2. Help and ensure existing J/Vs to compete regional/pan-China tenders on time.
3. Ensure that adequate profitability analysis per client, segment and service exist in each J/V.

Measurement / success criteria of the position:
1. Execution Business development plan in the J/Vs.
2. Marketing activities performed with J/Vs.
3. New 3rd party client development.

Learning opportunities in the position:
1. Understand our company Logistics, CB and in particular the Warehouse and Distribution team¡¯s strategy and vision.
2. How to develop new business benefiting both our company Logistics and J/Vs.
3. Gain thorough understanding of the PRC/HKG logistics market.
4. Obtain strong network with Logistics Greater China as well as other entities within Container Business.
5. Gain experience to assume general management or senior project manager position in the future.

Specific requirements for the position:
1. Solid connection to warehousing and related market.
2. Experience in sales function and good commercial awareness.
3. Good skills in negotiation and presentation.
4. Creative mindset.
5. Commitment to the responsibility.
6. Self motivated and result-orientation.
7. Ability to work independently and well with different types of clients both externally and internally.
8. Be open-minded to criticism and suggestion.
9. High level of communication and interpersonal skills.
10. Strong capacity in the handling of change.
11. Strong command of both oral and written English.

Authority and powers reserved for:
1. As per the approved authorities.

* Please send us your complete resume (both in Chinese and in English) to:
‘topjob_mkt222bj#dacare.com'(Please replace “#” with “@”)
* In the email subject MUST you plus the position name £¨in either En or Ch

Recruiting the Web 3.0 way!

Many companies are still getting their heads around Web 2.0 and how they can use the real interaction it brings, to engage more effectively with job seekers and potential employees. There are some great sites, notably the new Microsoft site but in reality the vast majority of companies have struggled to grasp the Web 2.0 concept. Well all the geeks in geek land have come up with the next level if interaction – Web 3.0 aka The Semantic Web. In simple terms it means information that is understandable by computers without human intervention – enabling computers to perform more of the boring work involved in finding and sharing information on the Web.

So what will that mean to anyone who uses the web to recruit (nearly everyone!!)?

The search engine spiders that find web pages based on certain keywords will gain an understanding of natural language. They will be able to read the pages rather than simply respond to given words and so will be able to deliver more targeted contextual jobs. There will also be software applications that we will all have called Intelligent Agents that will make decisions online for you without the need to ask you first. As an example; a job board wants to send you the jobs that it thinks fits your criteria, but first it has to ‘communicate’ with your intelligent agent. Think of the intelligent agent as your personal PA – if it doesn’t think the job is for you it simply won’t tell you about it!

So, this creates an interesting future problem for companies, as they have to ‘sell’ their jobs on two levels – firstly to get past your non-human intelligent agent, and secondly to appeal to the emotional real human, namely you!! So for recruitment advertisers of the future, just simply writing adds ‘appealing to your emotions’ will not get past your new PA! This will get all you SEO specialists thinking hard now, won’t it!!

Obviously, Web 3.0 is a little way off, but companies can start to think about some of the forthcoming challenges of the SEO, by looking at your current way your company brand is perceived by job seekers and future employees. Balance the rational and emotional messages you are giving out to them, and realise that to be a recruitment success in the future, these new PA’s will make more decisions than the candidates will!!

China Regional Sales Manager

Company Introduction:
Our client is the largest and most professional chemical filtration products and systems provider worldwide, who provides the whole solution from chemical media to filtering system used in the production of Nanometer IC and sophisticated electronic products, in the field of Pulp / paper, High-grade office space, Museums…Etc.

Location: Beijing

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
REPORT TO: -Global CEO/VP
1. Age between 28 to 42;
2. Fluent in English and Mandarin;
3. Strong communication skills;

* Please send us your complete resume (both in Chinese and in English) to:
‘topjob_mkt221bj#dacare.com'(Please replace “#” with “@”)
* In the email subject MUST you plus the position name £¨in either En or Ch £©

Job search about more than sending out CVs, report says

JOB seekers should adjust their goals rather than continuing to send resumes blindly if they do not receive an employment offer after applying for more than three positions, officials at the Shanghai Employment Promotion Center said yesterday.

According to a report released yesterday by the Shanghai Labor and Social Security Bureau, job offers do not rise proportionately to the number of resumes sent.

A survey conducted by the Shanghai Job Placement Center’s Website, the city’s only government job placement organization, showed the success rate reaches 38.6 percent, the highest, when job seekers apply for three posts, followed by 36.9 percent for two positions.

However, those who apply for more than three positions have less of a chance at receiving a job offer, with the success rate dropping to 26.6 percent when applying for four posts, and 22.5 percent for those applying for more than five jobs.

“Applicants who register for only two or three positions tend to be successful because they usually have a clear objective and they know what kind of jobs are most suitable to their skills,” said Huang He, an analyst in the bureau’s service center.

“In comparison, those who send resumes to more employers are often blind in seeking jobs,” he said. “So if they fail after more than three tries, they should pause and set a career goal for themselves.”

In order to guide applicants, the bureau organized a series of lectures in communities for unemployed individuals. The lectures will continue for one month.

Yesterday’s lecture showed applicants how to obtain more job opportunities.

Lu Danmeng, a senior consultant at the job service center, gave the first lecture to unemployed young people in Hongkou District.

Lu said most people want to become white-collar workers, but that more blue-collar opportunities are available.

She said there are some great job opportunities in Shanghai’s suburbs.

According to the report, a record 501,300 people applied for jobs at the Shanghai Job Placement Center’s Website (jobs.12333sh.gov.cn) during the third quarter this year. About 168,800 succeeded in finding work.

Risky job at Citigroup

CITIGROUP Inc replaced David Bushnell as chief risk officer, two weeks after the largest United States bank said writedowns on mortgage-related investments may lead to its first quarterly loss since at least 1998.

Jorge Bermudez, 56, whose 30-year career at Citigroup includes experience in risk management and operations, takes over for Bushnell effective immediately, the New York-based bank said in a statement. Bushnell, 53, a 22-year veteran who also serves as chief administrative officer, will retire on December 31.

Bushnell is at least the fifth executive to be forced out or reassigned at Citigroup as this year’s credit-market turmoil in the US ravaged the bank’s investments in subprime mortgages and related bonds. The company’s board ousted Chief Executive Officer Charles Prince on November 4, three weeks after Prince himself replaced three top trading executives.

“They’re addressing a situation that should have been addressed two years ago,” William Smith, who manages about US$80 million, including 71,000 Citigroup shares as president of Smith Asset Management, told Bloomberg News. “Heads have to roll, and Bushnell’s head was next to roll.”

The company’s stock has tumbled 39 percent this year.

Citigroup said earlier this month bad subprime investments might result in as much as US$11 billion of writedowns this quarter. The losses are on top of US$3.15 billion of writedowns on subprime mortgages and leveraged loans reported for the fourth quarter.