MR Richard Measelle, the Chicago-based chief of giant accounting firm Arthur Andersen, does not expect the battle for China market share to be won easily, conceding that: ''We'll have to be prepared to lose some people.'' But the problem, while potentially serious, will not require eulogies.
To meet its target of 1,000 professionals working in China within seven years, Arthur Andersen will undertake a massive staff education and training programme - a process that will surely make its best people prize catches for corporate headhunters.
''We would like to develop a reputation as the best firm in China,'' said Mr Measelle, in Hongkong on his way to a regional group management gathering in Shanghai and meetings with mainland joint-venture partners and government officials.
If successful, the financial services group fully expects to see its staff poached by rivals and Chinese businesses looking for local professionals with expertise in Western accounting and business practice.
''Accounting is the language of business. China recognises it needs to learn it to recognise its dreams, just like it needs more electricity and better infrastructure,'' Mr Measelle said.
Arthur Andersen has been in China since opening a representative office in Beijing in 1983.
It added a Shanghai office in 1987 and in 1991 started opened a wholly owned consulting firm in Shanghai which allowed it to recruit direct from mainland universities.