FUELING ORGANIC GROWTH: Business Expansion and Talent Acquisition

Jo Anne Schwendinger, Regional General Counsel APAC & Sub-Saharan Africa, Deere & Company, Singapore

Business growth into new markets may occur through organic growth or acquisition. When acquiring a business enterprise, a company, through due diligence, will determine whether key relationships have been properly entered into and maintained by the target company. When growth is organic, a company must evaluate issues ranging from market potential and supply sourcing to attracting, retaining, and managing talent. This paper provides an outline of principles to be considered for organic growth in any country, and specifics regarding the requirements in Thailand and the Philippines. It offers the reader a framework for understanding the legal, regulatory, and compliance issues that are germane to talent acquisition, including how to engage employees and independent contractors. It provides information on mandatory requirements for establishing an employer-employee relationship in the focus countries, and the ways in which local legislation affects this relationship after it is established. It highlights risks related to mischaracterization of the employment relationship. It also considers practical requirements such as company registration and reporting, contracting with payroll service providers, and tax and social benefits payment and reporting.

Jo Anne Schwendinger is the Regional General Counsel for Asia-Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa for Deere & Company, and is located in Singapore. She is a member of Deere’s worldwide leadership team, and is responsible for the delivery of law services and management of the legal function for Deere throughout the region. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where she was Managing Editor of the Law Review. She practiced in both in-house and law firm roles before joining Deere in February of 2000.

Deere & Company is a manufacturer of agricultural, and construction and forestry, equipment and solutions, and a provider of credit products and services