Managing and hiring people in Greater China requires far more than financial investment, demanding a robust and modern approach to human resources. In this episode of the Acclime Podcast, host Jacob Ketcher sits down with Thaddaeus Muller, managing partner at FES Partners with over two decades of experience in talent acquisition and executive search in Greater China. Thaddaeus shares insider strategies on navigating changing compliance rules, managing executive recruitment, and building the right team in a shifting market.

Key takeaways:

• The hiring paradox: While regional GDP shows steady growth, only about 19% to 20% of local employers plan to increase their headcount, shifting the market toward selective replacement hiring and elevated talent bars.

• Winning over risk-averse talent: With job-switching down to roughly 20%, top professionals look for a safe bet defined by mission clarity, access to the owner, and clear career trajectories rather than just a higher salary.

• Parallel expansion strategies: Companies are balancing China's unmatched manufacturing depth for high-complexity operations with ASEAN sites for cost-sensitive production, requiring vastly different leadership profiles for each location.

• The dual edge of AI: While AI streamlines top-of-funnel tasks like CV screening and market mapping, it cannot replace the human layer needed to evaluate true cultural fit, organizational courage, and personal relationships.

• Essential leadership traits: In an era where AI handles analytical work, emotional intelligence (EQ) and organizational courage, such as the willingness to respectfully push back against headquarters—stand out as the ultimate differentiators.

• Cross-border blind spots: Expanding businesses frequently underestimate employment law and tax complexities between Hong Kong entities and mainland deployment, while overlooking how deeply rooted cultural and language differences ultimately prevail.

Whether you are looking to scale your team or restructure an existing operation in the region, this conversation offers a clear look at how executive recruitment and human resource strategies actually work on the ground.

Chapters:

03:07 The Impact of AI on Recruitment

05:46 Balancing Global Operations: China and ASEAN

09:11 The Human Element in Executive Search

11:58 Emotional Intelligence: The Key to Leadership

14:47 Cross-Cultural Management Mistakes

18:04 Understanding Cultural Differences in Hiring

When expanding into Greater China, many Western companies rely on outdated assumptions about speed, manufacturing, and local culture. To achieve long-term success, leaders must learn how to read between the lines and adapt to the fast-evolving landscape on the ground.

In this episode, our host Jacob Ketcher sits down with Jochen Zhu -Schleiss, an industrial leader with over 21 years of experience in Greater China. Jochen offers a rare perspective on what it actually takes to localize a business, navigate regional diversity, and build lasting professional relationships in one of the world's most complex markets.

Key takeaways:

• The Reality of China's Manufacturing Shift: Why China is no longer a low-cost manufacturing hub, but rather a leader in high-value, high-quality production.

• Protecting Intellectual Property: Essential steps for registering trademarks, handling licensing, and safeguarding your products.

• The Cost-Cutting Trap: Why defining localization purely as an exercise in cutting costs can dilute your company's identity and destroy employee productivity.

• Relationship First, Sales Second: How building trust-based connections with local R&D, quality, and procurement departments serves as the ultimate business door-opener.

• Leading with Respect: Turnaround tactics for fostering employee retention, motivation, and loyalty by treating every level of staff with equal dignity.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Johan Schleis and his China journey

10:10 Protecting intellectual property and trademarks in China

11:04 China plus one strategy and manufacturing shifts

12:54 Opportunities in China's healthcare and elderly care markets

14:06 Social commerce and branding in China

14:45 Challenges of localizing in China and maintaining quality

17:09 Overcoming challenges in company restructuring and localization

18:54 The importance of understanding Chinese business culture

19:47 How to build trust and loyalty with Chinese employees

23:50 Principles for foreign leaders in China

26:48 The future of China as a home for long-term expatriates

Opening a corporate bank account in Hong Kong can delay your business by weeks, or even months, if done wrong.

In our first-ever video podcast, our Hong Kong banking expert Po Chan shares insider strategies to help you fast-track approval and stay operational from day one.

Discover the “dual track strategy” combining virtual banks for speed and traditional banks for credibility, plus practical tips to avoid rejection, prepare the right documents, and build a strong banking relationship for long-term growth.

Whether you're entering Hong Kong or scaling across APAC, this episode is your blueprint for smarter, faster corporate banking.

Chapters – Episode 14

00:00 – Welcome to the New Era of AmplifyAsia

00:57 – Understanding Corporate Bank Accounts in Hong Kong

02:48 – Key Differences of Virtual vs. Traditional Banks:

05:08 – The Dual Track Approach to Banking

07:06 – Building a Business Proof Portfolio

12:32 – Common Pitfalls in Bank Applications

16:41 – Industries Facing Banking Challenges

18:32 – Maintaining Your Bank Account

20:49 – Top Takeaways for Successful Banking

Speak to our experts | AcclimeOur team is ready to discuss your business needs and answer any questions you may have. Use our quick contact form to get in touch with us. We will get back to you within one business day.

Find us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUEe0Yv4v1Ck

China’s B2B marketing landscape has transformed dramatically, with platforms, buyer expectations, and compliance rules evolving faster than ever. For foreign companies, the challenge is no longer waiting for stability; it’s learning to thrive in constant change.

In this episode, our host Jacob Ketcher speaks with Mike Golden, Founder and CEO of Brandigo China, one of the first foreign-owned marketing agencies in China. Drawing on over two decades of experience, Mike shares how trust, localisation, and smart content strategies are redefining success for B2B brands in 2026.

We will discuss:

• Why “waiting for stability” is no longer viable for B2B brands in China

• How high‑velocity trust helps companies establish credibility in a low‑trust society

• The rise of Xiaohongshu and Douyin as unexpected B2B platforms alongside WeChat

• Generative engine optimisation (GEO) and how AI‑driven search is reshaping discoverability

• Compliance with China’s PIPL and why outdated outreach tactics can damage your brand

• Practical steps for market entry that foreign firms often overlook, from positioning to demand validation

  
  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mike Golden and Brandigo

01:05 Mike's Journey from Japan to China and Founding Brandigo

02:03 The Evolution of B2B Marketing in China Over 25 Years

02:51 Key Changes in Chinese B2B Buyer Behavior

03:21 Trust as a Constant in Chinese Business Culture

04:15 Why Relying on Stability is a Liability in B2B Marketing

05:41 The Rise of Xiaohongshu (Red Note) as a B2B Platform

06:36 Building a Social Media Portfolio for B2B in China

07:36 The Role of Localized Content and Websites

08:50 AI, Search, and Content Optimization in China

10:25 Gaming the AI Search System and Content Strategies

11:21 Data Privacy, PIPL, and Risks in China

12:15 Preparing for Market Entry: Legal and Strategic Steps

13:43 The Importance of Positioning and Key Messaging

15:03 Opportunities and Choosing the Right Partner in China

16:25 Closing Remarks and Resources

China’s business landscape has matured rapidly, bringing greater transparency, stricter compliance, and higher expectations for foreign companies. While the environment is more demanding, it also rewards firms that adapt with clear strategy, local execution, and regulatory discipline.

In this episode, our host Jacob Ketcher speaks with Maxime Van ’t Klooster, Partner at Acclime China, about how compliance, digitalisation, and localisation are reshaping the realities of doing business in China. Drawing on over a decade of advising multinationals and SMEs, Maxime shares practical insights on market entry, restructuring, supply‑chain control, and aligning with policy direction under China’s 15th Five‑Year Plan.

We discuss:

• How digitalisation is increasing transparency and reducing tolerance for error
• Why compliance has become a strategic advantage for foreign companies
• The growing importance of localisation and value‑chain contribution
• How to navigate opportunity and uncertainty in today’s geopolitical climate

Tune in for a pragmatic conversation on how foreign businesses can stay resilient, compliant, and competitive in China’s next phase.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to China's Business Landscape

04:06 Evolution of Compliance in China

10:37 Critical Factors for Entering the Chinese Market

14:10 The Role of Technology in Compliance

19:05 Opportunities in China's 15th Five-Year Plan

24:15 Navigating Geopolitical Shifts for Success

China’s 15th Five‑Year Plan sets the country’s policy direction through 2030, shaping priorities in technology, industry, and geopolitics. For international businesses, understanding this blueprint is essential to anticipate regulatory shifts, localization requirements, and new growth opportunities.

Join our expert guest, Dr. Jost Wübbeke, Managing Partner and Co‑founder of Sinolytics, as he unpacks what the new plan really signals. With over two decades advising governments and multinationals on Chinese industrial policy, Dr. Wübbeke explains how themes like self‑sufficiency, securitization, and “new quality productive forces” are redefining the operating environment.

We will also cover:

• The plan’s distinct priorities and the rise of self‑sufficiency in technology, energy, food, and raw materials
• How securitization and new regulatory standards are reshaping economic policy and market access
• The role of “new quality productive forces” and frontier technologies, with AI as a central driver
• The growing need for localization and the impact of Chinese standard‑setting on foreign firms

Tune in for clear, practical insights into China’s latest strategic roadmap, and learn how to position your business for resilience and growth in this new era.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to China's 15th Five-Year Plan

04:56 Understanding the Five-Year Plan's Significance

10:01 Shifts in Policy and Priorities

15:01 The Role of Self-Sufficiency in the New Plan

20:10 Technological Advancements and New Economic Models

24:58 Localization Strategies for Foreign Companies

30:11 Navigating Standards and Regulations in China

35:10 Conclusion and Future Outlook

Episode 10

Asia’s fund administration market is changing rapidly. For fund managers looking to scale across Hong Kong, Singapore, and the wider region, understanding these differences has never been more important. With Acclime launching its Fund Administration Services in Hong Kong this April, this episode arrives at the perfect time for anyone wanting clarity on structures, compliance, and operational best practices.

Join our expert, Tony Tan - Senior Partner Outsourcing & Fund Administration as he breaks down the realities of fund administration across Asia. Tony shares what really happens behind the scenes, why fund administration is far more than bookkeeping, and how digital transformation is reshaping the industry. You will also learn how Hong Kong and Singapore compare as fund jurisdictions, and what that means for managers operating cross‑border.

We will cover:

• How the fund administration market in Asia is evolving
• Key differences between Hong Kong and Singapore fund structures
• The role and importance of offshore jurisdictions
• Common misconceptions about fund administration
• Service pillars every fund manager should understand
• How digital platforms and automation are transforming fund operations
• Regional support available for cross‑border fund management

Tune in for clear, practical insights, and stay informed as Acclime expands its fund administration offering in Hong Kong this April.

Chapters 

00:00  Introduction to Fund Administration in Asia 

03:33  Understanding Fund Administration Basics 

06:38  Common Misconceptions in Fund Administration 

08:59  Comparing Hong Kong and Singapore Fund Structures 

11:00  The Role of Offshore Jurisdictions 

13:45  Service Pillars of Fund Administration 

16:53  Technological Innovations in Fund Administration 

19:35  Cross-Border Fund Management Support 

22:36  Quick Fire Round: Insights and Myths 

24:17  Conclusion and Future Outlook 

Episode 9

How do companies from a small but mighty European nation succeed in some of Asia’s most dynamic markets?

In this episode, Jennifer Veigel, Austrian Trade Commissioner in Hong Kong and Macau, shares why Austria has thrived in the region for 65 years. From cultural nuances to market entry strategies and the power of Austria’s “hidden champions,” Jennifer offers practical advice for companies expanding into Hong Kong, Macau, and the Greater Bay Area.

We cover:

• Austria’s long-standing presence in Asia
• Effective market entry strategies
• Why cultural understanding drives better outcomes
• Austria’s niche innovators and “hidden champions”
• Partnership‑building, trust, and aligning expectations
• Opportunities across Macau and the GBA

Learn more about ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA here: https://www.advantageaustria.org/

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction to Advantage Austria and Its Role 

04:23 Core Strengths of Austrian Companies in Asia 

07:13 The Role of Advantage Austria as a Guide 

10:19 Austrian Industries Active in Asia 

13:13 Strategic Roles of Hong Kong and Macau 

16:10 Opportunities for Austrian Companies in Macau 

19:00 Cultural and Business Misunderstandings 

21:49 Challenges for Austrian Companies in Asia 

24:48 Navigating Market Dynamics and Local Insights 

27:50 Strategic Long-Term Presence in Asia 

32:53 The Essence of Being Present in Asia 

33:04 Closing Thoughts and Future Engagements 

In this episode, we explore how Asia’s rapidly evolving risk environment is reshaping what investors must know before entering a deal. Traditional financial and legal checks are no longer sufficient. As geopolitical tensions rise, sanctions regimes tighten, and supply chains become more fragile, non‑financial risks from governance to reputation now play an important role in investment outcomes.

To unpack these dynamics, our host Jacob Ketcher speaks with Morgan Stark, Head of Asia at global risk and intelligence consultancy S‑RM. Morgan shares firsthand insights into how investors are reassessing risk, why political and regulatory factors have become central to due diligence, and how outside‑in intelligence complements traditional diligence streams. He also offers a candid look at how sanctions, opaque counterparties, and on‑the‑ground realities can shape or derail a deal.

This episode is essential listening for investors, corporate leaders, and advisers navigating Asia’s increasingly complex business landscape.

From backpacking to boardrooms, what does it really take to build a successful business in China?

In this episode, we sit down with Russell Brown, Vice Chairman and Partner at Acclime, who has spent more than 20 years navigating China’s constantly evolving business landscape. From the early days of restrictive investment rules to today’s increasingly sophisticated market, Russell has seen and shaped it all.

Join us as he shares candid stories from his journey, the surprising cultural shifts he’s witnessed, and the hard‑earned lessons that every foreign investor should hear. Whether you’re considering entering China or already operating here, this conversation offers clarity you won’t find in any AI‑generated search result.

We will cover:

• How China’s regulatory environment has transformed over the past two decades
• The biggest challenges foreign companies face when entering or expanding in China
• Real‑world case studies from clients Acclime has guided across Asia
• Why “location strategy” matters more now than ever before
• How companies should think about short‑, medium‑ and long‑term business models
• What to expect from China’s upcoming 15th Five‑Year Plan and where the opportunities lie

If you want to understand China not just as a market, but as an evolving ecosystem of policy, people, and momentum, this episode is for you.

Don’t let assumptions or AI shortcuts shape your China strategy. Tune in for a grounded, insider’s masterclass on doing business in one of the world’s most dynamic economies!