The perfect match in China:

Rote Laternen schmücken eine Straße in China

Why a resume is not enough

Who truly fits your company? In the search for senior executives, hard facts as numbers, data, and credentials often take center stage. But in China, especially for critical leadership roles, this is not enough. A hire that looks promising on paper can quickly turn into a costly misstep in practice.

The success of an executive relies on deeper, less obvious factors. That’s why the Steinkellner Method goes far beyond resume comparisons. We focus on three decisive questions that lead to the true “Perfect Match”.

Three critical dimensions for selecting hand-picked leaders in china

Many companies begin by defining what a candidate shouldn’t be before clearly articulating what they should achieve. This often results in vague or unfocused search profiles. We reverse that approach and start with the most important question: What specific, measurable impact should the new executive achieve within the first 12 to 24 months?

Should stagnating sales be revitalized? Should a new sales structure be built? Or is it about guiding a team through a complex change process? By shifting the focus from a checklist of qualifications to concrete business outcomes, we create a precise requirement profile that
serves as an unambiguous compass for the entire search process.

In positions with significant interface responsibility between Europe and China, such as Managing Director or Plant Manager, what needs to be connected is not just 8,000 kilometers of physical distance, but a profound cultural divide. This gap often leads to communication breakdowns, information loss, and strategic misalignment.

The crucial competence in such roles is intercultural bridge-building. It requires individuals who not only understand the Chinese way of working but can also align it effectively with your company’s global standards and expectations.
Where is diplomacy required? Where, on the other hand, assertiveness? The Steinkellner Method is specifically designed to assess this critical intercultural ability – an attribute that goes far beyond language proficiency.

A candidate may look perfect on paper – but if the chemistry between you and the new executive doesn’t align, the success is at risk. This holds especially true for mid-sized and family-owned companies, where corporate culture is deeply rooted in personal relationships.

That is why a purely rational assessment of qualifications is only one part of our work. In the interviews we accompany, and through our expertise in evaluating personalities we place the highest emphasis on “cultural fit”. We look beyond the resume to assess whether values, working style, and motivation align with your company’s identity. Because a strong personal connection often forms the foundation for trust and outstanding results.

More than just a search process – a success alliance

These three factors – clear impact goals, intercultural competence, and the human factor – form the foundation of our executive search approach. If you’re not just looking for a resume, but a carefully selected leadership personality who is the perfect match for your success in China, let’s connect.