DANONE is a fast growing global French company specialized in health food (Fresh Dairy Products, Baby Nutrition, Waters, and Medical Nutrition). For over thirty years, the firm has become bigger and multinational. Like many companies, in 2010, the challenge is to be more and more present in emerging markets such as in Asia where consumption is expanding rapidly.
In 2007, DANONE shifted to new DANONE to become a 100% health oriented food company; sold its biscuits activities and integrated Numico, its biggest acquisition in the medical nutrition business. At the same time, its business grew in emerging markets and decreased in Europe.
This case focuses on China where the firm wants to reinforce its market shares. To fuel its growth, DANONE faces the challenge to attract, develop and retain young Chinese talents. However, the war for talents involves solving various issues: transforming corporate HR management to an individual-centric talent Management process in a specific cultural context, reinforcing the brand image of the firm in this part of the world, finding a balance between the right numbers and the level of responsibilities of local employees and expatriates, and imagining drivers that can attract, motivate and retain young Chinese talents.