EXHIBIT 4.18
BUSINESS ALLIANCE AGREEMENT
BUSINESS ALLIANCE AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") dated as of April 5, 2006 (the
"EFFECTIVE DATE"), between RECRUIT CO., LTD., a Japanese corporation ("RECRUIT")
and 51job, Inc., a Cayman Islands company ("51JOB"). Recruit and 51job are
referred herein individually as a "PARTY" and collectively as the "PARTIES."
WHEREAS, Recruit has substantial know-how and experience in the human
resources and other businesses as Japan's leading HR company;
WHEREAS, 51job has significant and substantial know-how and experience in
offering HR-related services in China, including without limitation the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region, (the "TERRITORY") as the Territory's leading
online and offline human resources company;
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to establish a business alliance (the
"ALLIANCE") to serve as a framework for cooperation between Recruit and 51job
and to leverage each Party's respective know-how and experience for the Parties'
mutual benefit;
WHEREAS, the Parties intend that the Alliance will (i) promote the further
development of the HR business of 51job (the "HR BUSINESS") and (ii) facilitate
the development and conduct of other businesses through joint ventures or other
forms of cooperation; and
WHEREAS, the Parties intend that the Alliance will include Recruit's
participation in 51job's management, and cooperation between Recruit and 51job
in certain business areas.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants
hereinafter set forth, the Parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS
Capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Schedule 1.
2. KNOWLEDGE SHARING THROUGH EXCHANGE OF PERSONNEL
2.1 Corporate Planning Group. As soon as practicable after the signing of
this Agreement, the Parties shall create a corporate planning group within 51job
for the Alliance to effect the matters described herein (the "CORPORATE PLANNING
Group"). A person seconded by Recruit (the "RECRUIT SECONDEE") shall head the
Corporate Planning Group.
2.2 Steering Committee. The Corporate Planning Group shall establish a
steering committee (the "STEERING COMMITTEE"). The Parties agree that Recruit
shall
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designate and appoint one representative to the Steering Committee and the Chief
Executive Officer of 51job (the "51JOB CEO") shall be the second member of the
Steering Committee. The Steering Committee shall meet once per fiscal quarter,
and on an ad hoc basis as necessary, to discuss the status of the Alliance and
new business opportunities identified by the Corporate Planning Group.
2.3 Objectives. The Corporate Planning Group shall assess and analyze the
HR Business, and provide recommendations on opportunities to improve the
performance of and to expand the scope and activities of the Alliance to include
New Businesses (as defined herein). The Corporate Planning Group shall be the
core vehicle through which Recruit will transfer its knowledge and experience in
the HR business to 51job. The Corporate Planning Group shall share its findings
with both Recruit and 51job.
2.4 Secondment of Staff. The Corporate Planning Group shall be comprised
of Recruit Secondees and staff contributed by 51job, either on a full-time or on
a project basis. Each Party agrees to second or contribute, as the case may be,
an appropriate number and quality of staff to effect the terms of this
Agreement. Both Parties shall have the right to appoint staff to the Corporate
Planning Group. 51job shall be responsible for the salary and bonuses for each
Recruit Secondee up to an amount equivalent to the costs of a person hired in
the Territory of commensurate position and experience, and Recruit shall be
responsible for any additional salary, bonuses or other compensation, and
traveling and accommodation expenses provided to such Recruit Secondee. The
objectives, work plans, resources and budget of the Corporate Planning Group
shall be reviewed quarterly by the Steering Committee, and based on such
objectives and work plans, the Steering Committee shall determine the resources
to be allocated and the budget for the immediately following fiscal quarter.
51job shall provide reasonable facilities, such as office space, computers,
telecommunication services and equipment, and Internet access to the Corporate
Planning Group. The Parties shall agree on a case-by-case basis the allocation
of expenses and costs with respect to third-party market research and other
outsourced services.
2.5 Implementation. If the Corporate Planning Group identifies a New
Business that the Alliance should pursue, the Parties acknowledge that further
discussion and agreement between them will be necessary to determine the
appropriate corporate structure to engage in and conduct such New Business.
3. OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HR BUSINESS
3.1 Purpose of the Alliance in Relation to the HR Business. A primary
purpose of the Alliance with respect to the HR Business is to share management
knowledge and tools developed by Recruit, such as client management databases
and mapping. 51job will review the best practices offered by Recruit and may
adopt such practices that demonstrate sufficient compatibility with 51job's
practices as appropriate. Based on the Parties' initial discussions, the two
specific areas of opportunity for the HR Business set forth below have been
identified and shall be the initial focus of the Corporate Planning Group, which
is expected to complete its market assessment, develop
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a viable business plan and present its recommendation to the Parties by the end
of June 2006.
(a) Capturing Japanese Clients Active In or Entering the Territory.
Recruit has extensive client relationships with corporations in Japan and has
developed many products and services tailored to these corporations. 51job will
identify its current and prospective Japanese clients and will work with Recruit
and the Corporate Planning Group to strengthen and deepen relationships with
these Japanese clients in the Territory with respect to the HR Business.
(b) Campus Recruitment. Recruit has extensive experience in
conducting campus recruitment projects in Japan. 51job intends to increase its
presence and market share in the campus recruitment market. The Parties will
work together to leverage Recruit's expertise to support 51job's expansion into
the campus recruitment market.
3.2 Other Opportunities. The Corporate Planning Group will continue to
explore other opportunities, such as training, assessment and other
opportunities that are identified from time to time.
4. OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NON-HR AREAS; NEW BUSINESSES
4.1 New Businesses. The Corporate Planning Group will assess the
feasibility of business opportunities in the non-HR areas in which Recruit
currently conducts businesses only in Japan (each such business, a "NEW
BUSINESS" and collectively, the "NEW BUSINESSES") in the Territory, develop
appropriate business plans and recommend the appropriate courses of action to
both Recruit and 51job. The Parties acknowledge that the coupon business is a
New Business that should be explored immediately and will instruct the Corporate
Planning Group to review the coupon business as a priority. The Corporate
Planning Group is expected to complete its market assessment, develop a viable
business plan and present its recommendation to the Parties by the end of June
2006.
4.2 Participation in the Non-HR Businesses. Based on the information and
recommendations presented by the Corporate Planning Group with respect to each
New Business, each Party will make its own decision as to whether and how to
participate in such New Business. If both Parties decide to jointly pursue any
such New Business, a joint venture ("JV") shall be formed. If one Party decides
to pursue any such New Business, and the other Party decides not to pursue such
New Business, then the former Party may engage in and conduct such New Business
in its sole discretion on an exclusive basis. If both Parties decide not to
pursue the New Business, such New Business will be deemed abandoned unless
reconsidered by the Corporate Planning Group in the future.
4.3 Structure of JVs. For each New Business that both Parties decide to
pursue, the Parties agree to negotiate in good faith the corporate structure and
terms of the JV through which such New Business will be conducted. The Parties
further agree to
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form a JV in which Recruit and 51job each owns 50% of the equity or economic
benefit of the JV, unless otherwise mutually agreed by the Parties, subject to
applicable legal requirements. The Parties may discuss and agree on alternative
arrangements, taking into consideration the respective contributions of each
Party.
5. WARRANTIES OF THE PARTIES
Each Party hereby represents and warrants that, as of the Effective Date,
the following statements are and shall be true and correct:
5.1 Organization. It is a corporation duly organized and validly existing
under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, and has the corporate
power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement.
5.2 Authorization. It has taken all corporate action necessary for the
authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and for the performance
of all of its obligations hereunder, and this Agreement when fully executed and
delivered shall constitute a valid, legally binding and enforceable obligation
enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
5.3 Government and Other Consents. Other than any licenses, permits,
certifications or authorizations which may be required in connection with the
Alliance, no consent, authorization, license, permit, registration or approval
of, or exemption or other action by, any Governmental Authority, or any other
Person, is required in connection with its execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement or if any such consent is required, it has satisfied the
applicable requirements.
5.4 Effect of Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement will not (i) violate its Articles of Incorporation or any provision of
Applicable Law, (ii) violate any applicable judgment, order, writ, injunction or
decree of any court, or (iii) result in the creation of any lien, pledge,
mortgage, claim, charge or encumbrance upon any of its assets.
5.5 Litigation. There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to
its knowledge, threatened, against it before any Governmental Authority which
questions its right to enter into or perform this Agreement or which question
the validity of this Agreement.
6. NON-COMPETE; EXCLUSIVITY
6.1 51job Competitive Activities. 51job agrees during the Initial
Exclusivity Period, except as agreed in writing by Recruit, neither 51job nor
any 51job Related Party shall pursue any New Business, other than through a JV
or through another entity, reasonably acceptable to each Party, in which each
Party holds a 50% interest, unless otherwise agreed (a "51JOB/RECRUIT VENTURE").
6.2 Recruit Competitive Activities. Recruit agrees during the Initial
Exclusivity Period, except as agreed in writing by 51job or as provided herein,
Recruit
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shall not engage in the China HR Business (other than through 51job or a
51job/Recruit Venture). Recruit and 51job agree to discuss the definition of
China HR Business further, in good faith, upon the formation of each JV
contemplated herein, and in any event at least once each twelve (12) months
during the Initial Exclusivity Period, in light of the development of the
Parties' businesses and cooperation hereunder.
6.3 Investments. Each Party agrees that, notwithstanding the terms of this
Section 6, nothing in this Agreement or otherwise shall limit the other Party's
right to invest, directly or indirectly, in third parties, regardless of whether
such third parties are engaged in the China HR Business, and that neither Party
shall be deemed to be engaged in the business of any investee company for any
purpose hereunder; provided, that no investment shall be made by an investing
Party after the date of this Agreement in a third party principally engaged in
the China HR Business without the written consent of the other Party.
6.4 Offer Rights. Each Party agrees that prior to engaging in any business
not contemplated herein or otherwise conducted by a Party as of the Effective
Date (each, an "EXPANSION BUSINESS"), it shall offer to the other Party the
opportunity to participate as an equal partner in such Expansion Business and,
for a period of three (3) months, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith with
respect to a collaboration for such Expansion Business (the "RIGHT OF FIRST
OFFER"). If a Party declines the Right of First Offer, the Party providing the
Right of First Offer shall have the right to pursue such business in the
Territory exclusively.
7. STANDSTILL
Except as contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement, from the date hereof
through the expiration of the initial three (3) year period contemplated
hereunder, Recruit hereby agrees that neither Recruit nor any of its affiliates,
nor any of their respective directors or senior executive officers or, if at the
direction, or for the benefit, of Recruit, any of their respective officers,
employees, agents or advisors (including, without limitation, financial
advisors, counsel and accountants), will, without the prior written consent of
51job, directly or indirectly, singly or as part of a group formed for such
purpose, (a) acquire, offer to acquire, or agree to acquire, directly or
indirectly, by purchase or otherwise, any securities of 51job or of any
successor to or person in control of 51job; (b) make any public announcement
with respect to, or submit a proposal for or offer of (with or without
conditions), any merger, recapitalization, reorganization, business combination
or other extraordinary transaction involving 51job or any subsidiary thereof or
any of their securities or assets; or (c) enter into any discussions,
negotiations, arrangements or understandings with any third party with respect
to any of the foregoing. The term "person" as used in this Section 7 shall be
broadly interpreted to include, without limitation, the media and any
corporation, company, group, partnership or individual. The term "affiliate" as
used in this Section 7 shall mean, with respect to a specified person, another
person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the specified
person. The term "control" shall mean the possession, direct or indirect, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a
person, whether through the
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ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if 51job issues new securities (other than to Recruit), Recruit may
purchase up to a number of such securities equal to 40% of the securities so
newly issued by 51job.
8. MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the state of New York, without regard to
the conflicts of law principles thereof.
8.2 Successors and Assigns. Neither Party shall have the right to assign
its rights or obligations under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Recruit may assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement to a
Controlled Affiliate, provided that such Controlled Affiliate agrees to become a
party to this Agreement and to abide by its terms and that Recruit acknowledges
in writing that it shall remain subject to its obligations hereunder. This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, such
permitted assigns.
8.3 Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement constitutes the full and
entire understanding and agreement among the Parties with regard to the subject
matter hereof, and supersedes any other prior or contemporaneous oral or written
understandings or agreements among the Parties hereto. Any term of this
Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be
waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or
prospectively), only with the written consent of the Parties expressly referring
to this agreement and the terms to be waived.
8.4 Dispute Resolution. All disputes between the Parties arising out of
this Agreement shall be settled by the Parties amicably through good faith
discussions upon the written request of any Party. In the event that any such
dispute cannot be resolved thereby within a period of sixty (60) days after such
notice has been given, such dispute shall be finally settled by arbitration in
California, using the English language, and in accordance with the rules then in
effect of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator(s) shall have the
authority to grant specific performance, and to allocate between the Parties the
costs of arbitration in such equitable manner as the arbitrator(s) may
determine. The prevailing party in the arbitration shall be entitled to receive
reimbursement of its reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith.
Judgment upon the award so rendered may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction or application may be made to such court for judicial acceptance of
any award and an order of enforcement, as the case may be.
8.5 Notices and Other Communications. Any and all notices, requests,
demands and other communications required or otherwise contemplated to be made
under this Agreement shall be in writing and in English and shall be provided by
one or more of the following means and shall be deemed to have been duly given
(a) if delivered personally, when received, (b) if transmitted by facsimile, on
the date of transmission with receipt of a transmittal confirmation, or (c) if
by international courier service, on the fourth (4th) Business Day following the
date of deposit with such courier service, or such
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earlier delivery date as may be confirmed in writing to the sender by such
courier service. All such notices, requests, demands and other communications
shall be addressed as follows:
If to Recruit:
RECRUIT CO., LTD.
Recruit GINZA8 Xxxx.
0-0-00 Xxxxx, Xxxx-xx
Xxxxx 000-0000, Xxxxx
Telephone: 00-0-0000-0000
Facsimile: 00-0-0000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
With a copy to:
Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx XXX
0-0-0 Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx-xx
Xxxxx 000-0000, Xxxxx
Telephone: 00-0-0000-0000
Facsimile: 00-0-0000-0000
Attention: Xxx Xxxxxx, Esq.
If to 51job:
51job, Inc.
00/X Xxx Xxx Xxxxx
000 Xxx Xxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx 000000
P.R. China
Telephone: 00-00-0000-0000
Facsimile: 00-00-0000-0000
Attention: Xxxx Xxx
or to such other address or facsimile number as a Party may have specified to
the other Party in writing delivered in accordance with this Section 8.5.
8.6 No Waiver. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising any
right, power or privilege granted under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver
of such right, power or privilege. No single or partial exercise of any right,
power or privilege granted under this Agreement shall preclude any other or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.
The rights and remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative and are not
exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
8.7 Severability. If any provision in this Agreement shall be found or be
held to be invalid or unenforceable then the meaning of said provision shall be
construed, to the extent feasible, so as to render the provision enforceable,
and if no feasible
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interpretation would save such provision, it shall be severed from the remainder
of this Agreement which shall remain in full force and effect unless the severed
provision is essential and material to the rights or benefits received by any
Party. In such event, the Parties shall use best efforts to negotiate, in good
faith, a substitute, valid and enforceable provision or agreement which most
nearly affects the Parties' intent in entering into this Agreement.
8.8 Further Assurances. The Parties shall each perform such acts, execute
and deliver such instruments and documents, and do all such other things as may
be reasonably necessary to accomplish the transactions contemplated in this
Agreement.
8.9 Independent Contractors. The Parties are independent contractors.
Nothing contained herein or done in pursuance of this Agreement shall constitute
any Party the agent of any other Party for purposes of entering into legal
contracts or otherwise exercising legal rights on behalf of any other Party.
8.10 No Beneficiaries. Nothing herein express or implied, is intended to
or shall be construed to confer upon or give to any person, firm, corporation or
legal entity, other than the Parties, any interests, rights, remedies or other
benefits with respect to or in connection with any agreement or provision
contained herein or contemplated hereby.
8.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and such counterparts may be exchanged by the Parties by facsimile
or other electronic means. Each counterpart shall constitute an original
instrument, but all such separate counterparts shall constitute only one and the
same instrument.
(Remainder of page intentionally left blank)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused their respective duly authorized
representatives to execute this Agreement as the date hereof.
RECRUIT CO., LTD.
By: /s/ Hiroyuki Honda
-------------------------------------
Hiroyuki Honda
Director and Senior Vice President
51JOB, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxx
-------------------------------------
Xxxx Xxx
Chief Executive Officer and President
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SCHEDULE 1
DEFINITIONS
"51JOB" shall have the meaning specified in the Introduction.
"51JOB CEO" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.2.
"51JOB RELATED PARTY" shall mean: Beijing Run An Information Consultancy
Co., Ltd., Beijing Xxxx Xxxxx Si Jin Advertising Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Run An
Lian Information Consultancy Co., Ltd. or any Controlled Affiliates of 51job or
any other 51job Related Party.
"51JOB/RECRUIT VENTURE" shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.1.
"AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning specified in the Introduction.
"ALLIANCE" shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals.
"APPLICABLE LAW" means, as to any Person, any statute, law rule,
regulation, directive, treaty, judgment, order decree or injunction of any
Governmental Authority that is applicable to or binding upon such Person or any
of its properties.
"ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION" means the articles of incorporation,
memorandum of incorporation or other constituent documents, including bylaws or
other corporate regulations, of a corporate or other legal entity.
"BUSINESS DAY" means a day on which commercial banks in Tokyo and the PRC
are generally open to conduct their regular banking business.
"CHINA HR BUSINESS" means HR print advertising, online recruitment
services, executive search services, recruitment, new graduate recruitment,
matching and referral placement, personnel training and evaluations, software
applications, business process outsourcing, surveys, and secondment and
temporary staffing. For the avoidance of doubt, Recruit shall not be deemed to
be engaged in the China HR Business by virtue of any products or services
offered outside of the Territory, including to current or potential customers
traveling to the Territory or with HR needs in the Territory, or by entering
into or performing contracts with Japanese companies outside of the Territory
where HR services are provided in both Japan and the Territory.
"CONTROLLED AFFILIATE" means with respect to any Affiliate, any Affiliate
that is controlled by a Party. For purposes of this definition, "control" shall
mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the
direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or
other ownership interest, by contract or otherwise).
"CORPORATE PLANNING GROUP" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 2.1.
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"EXPANSION BUSINESS" shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.4.
"GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" means any domestic or foreign government,
governmental authority, court, tribunal, agency or other regulatory,
administrative or judicial agency, commission or organization, and any
subdivision, branch or department of any of the foregoing.
"HR BUSINESS" shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals.
"INITIAL EXCLUSIVITY PERIOD" shall mean the period commencing on the
Effective Date and continuing until the third (3rd) anniversary thereof. Such
period: (1) may be extended for additional one year periods by written agreement
of the Parties at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the then
current exclusivity period; and (2) may be terminated by either Party upon a
breach by the other Party of the terms hereof, provided that the terminating
Party first provides the other Party with notice of the intent to terminate,
specifying the breach in reasonable detail, and provides the other Party with
thirty (30) days to cure.
"JV" shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.2.
"NEW BUSINESS" shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.1.
"PARTY" and "PARTIES" shall have the meaning specified in the
Introduction.
"RECRUIT" shall have the meaning specified in the Introduction.
"RECRUIT SECONDEE" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1.
"RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER" shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.4.
"STEERING COMMITTEE" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.2.
"STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT" means the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of
April 5, 2006, by and among the Sellers (as defined therein and listed in
Schedule 1.1 thereto) and Recruit.
"TERRITORY" shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals.
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