Currently: CEO, Haier Group
Zhang built the old Qingdao Refrigerator Factory from a failing maker of poor products into the world's largest appliance company, with $23 billion in revenue. He did it through unconventional but deft strategic moves: Instead of doing low-cost manufacturing for Western rivals, he decided to build Haier's brand; rather than copy other companies, he opened 10 R&D centers to develop Haier's own technology. Having conquered many global markets (and the dorm-fridge business), Zhang, 63, is now targeting Europe. This is a strategist you want on your team -- and not on your opponent's.
--G.C.
We invited readers to draft their own roster, and asked management experts and sitting CEOs to weigh in too. Here are the results of our first online fantasy game.
