Speaking to Media in Hong Kong, Greenfield's comments came after RMG Connect confirmed it was restructuring its Beijing operation, in a move that will see staff leave the agency. "I know there are people who will not be able to cope with the pace of change," said Greenfield. "This is a network that has doubled in size in two years, but it's a very positive sign that we are raising the level of what we do."
RMG Connect's Beijing operation originates from last year's merger with XM Beijing. Since then, the agency has grown headcount from 25 to 45, which Greenfield pointed to as a critical phase in any agency's development. "We don't have those nine-to-five hours, and our clients wouldn't like those kinds of people because they would not be able to cope," he said.
Greenfield also noted that RMG Connect's London arm is likely to have seen as much as 200 per cent turnover during the past five years. "You might say that's much too much, but we are moving from being a local shop to being an international network."
RMG Connect launched as a global network in 2005, a rollout that saw it merge with XM in Asia-Pacific. Regional president Paul Davies, meanwhile, said the agency had begun instituting regular talent management workshops across Asia. "In Beijing, we are also setting up a planning unit and formalising project management to manage growth," said Davies. "But there are people who won't fit the new structure."
Accordingly, ex-Wunderman executive Neil Khotari comes aboard as head of planning in Bejiing, while Yve Yuan has been named head of project management. With a client roster that includes Nokia, FedEx, HSBC and HP, Greenfield said finding the right talent fit was a critical challenge. "There is a definite shortage all over the world."
