November Featured People: Rina Joosten-Rabou
Interview &Translation / yan Liu and Steffi Chen
Left: Rina Joosten-Rabou / Right: Rosalie Greven
1. Welcome to Xindanwei.com, Please introduce yourself. Could you tell us where you’re from and how you got started in the field?
I’m from the Netherlands. I started 4.5 years ago with this company called International Top Talent, together with my business partner Rosalie Greven. We help Dutch innovation centres, universities and companies to recruit and select Chinese top scientists and researchers for positions in the Netherlands or China. Before that I used to work in a big multi-national company called DSM. At that time DSM also encountered challenges in finding good researchers for positions in the Netherlands, but I met really good scientists and young technical talents in China. That’s how we got the idea to start International Top Talent together with Rosalie Greven. She started the business here in Shanghai the last four years, while I was responsible for the office in Amsterdam.
2.You are one of the first members of Xindanwei, we’ve been watching ITT growing from 2 people to a team of 7 and still growing. How do you feel along the way of developing this project?
During these 4.5 years our clients keep coming back to us with more projects. One program we are running now is for the Dutch Polymer Institute, an innovation program in Netherland. It’s been 3 years we’ve been working for them in attracting and selecting top scientists in China in the field of polymer science. We are also organizing a large event to recruit quantitative PhD and Master students in scientific fields who wants to do a master degree in finance or banking in Netherland.
3.What is your biggest challenge at the moment in your project?
The good Chinese talents are also wanted by other countries such as the US and UK. The talents who went to Netherland are eventually very happy, but most Chinese talents don’t find the Netherlands easily. My biggest challenge now is to make sure that we promote the Netherlands in China to attract top researchers for interesting positions in the Netherlands. Chinese top talent is really wanted, so you have to make sure you act really fast.
4.What is your motivation in doing this job? What keeps you doing it?
I think the nicest thing about my job is working with people. It is very rewarding when you can help talented Chinese professionals in their career and to connect them to interesting Dutch institutes and cooperations. International Top Talent is now also asked to advice the Dutch government on how to enhance the knowledge cooperation between China and the Netherlands. In this way both countries can create a win/win situation.
5.How do you see the fact that a lot of Chinese talents going overseas? Some people see it as a loss of resources.
I see it from a building bridge perspective. These Chinese talents go overseas to exchange knowledge with for example Dutch scientists. They learn about new technologies and at the same time they also bring in their own knowledge. ,When Chinese professionals come back to China, they can help to build a better China. At the same time, these Chinese who spent a few years in the Netherlands can act as the best ambassadors for the Netherlands. They can also help Dutch companies grow in China. If you look at it this way you see that it´s not a loss of resources but creating a win-win.
6.What would you like to say to other entrepreneurs who are trying to build a business in China?
There are a couple of things that are really important. First of all you need to have good people in your company, someone you trust, someone with a good network because you need network here. Secondly, a flexible attitude to adapt things in a Chinese way. Thirdly, know your own business model, it helps you to focus on what you do, because there are so many opportunities here it is very easy to get lost. Be patient. Everyone talks about growth in China but there’s also fierce competition. Take at least 3 years to build your company instead of expecting revenue in the first year.
7.Why did you choose Xindanwei and in what way can Xindanwei help you?
In the beginning, as a small company we did not have many colleagues, but we need colleagues to brainstorm, bring different ideas and energy. Xindanwei provides a great platform of bringing together entrepreneurs and professionals from different backgrounds.
8.Thanks again for providing Xindanwei.com this opportunity to interview you. Any final thoughts for our readers?
In the past 6 months we’ve been followed by Dutch documentary VPRO Tegenlicht “Holland Gets Talent”, in which you are provided insights in how International Top Talents recruits top talents from China. On the 6th of December we will organize an event to watch the documentary, followed by a debate together with DSM, Philips, the BenCham and the Consulate of the Netherlands on how we can create a win-win situation in Sino-Dutch innovation and talent cooperation. For more information please visit www.internationaltoptalent.com. Please be invited to come. Anyone interested please send us an email at synthia.yin@internationaltoptalent.com and you will put you on the guest list.
