As more and more multinationals open offices in China, attracting and retaining the best local talent is becoming an increasingly strong differentiator of success. So says Emmanuel Hemmerle, a principal with executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles, in its Shanghai office. In this video interview, Hemmerle challenges many of the classic assumptions about talent management in China and shares his insights on finding expert local talent, setting compensation levels, and understanding the evolving credentials and desires of Chinese executives.

Clay Chandler, an editor with McKinsey’s publishing group, interviewed Hemmerle in Tokyo in October 2009.