Thoughts on Korean Business by Don Southerton

My work is 24/7/ 365. Globalization is a mindset I embrace. For example, I begin each day at 5:00 AM (usually at a local Starbucks drinking coffee grown in Africa or South America), First, I surf the web for events that shape and impact my clients. I answer emails, most often from Europe and the Middle East, and then focus on the East Coast. By midday, I've shifted my focus to California. Late afternoon has me looking at Asia and Korea as they begin a new day. My evenings deal with my Korea based projects. After getting some sleep, it's not uncommon that I wake up around 1 AM to check-in on Korea as their business day ends. So what do I do for fun.... This photo shows me out for a morning trail run near the beach in La Jolla, California. Note the Hyundai Motor Company hat, the shirt is a gift from a friend at Chosun Ilbo, and the shirt was made with textile from Hyosung. BTW I carry my Blackberry on the run, so I stay wired ;) DS

Three announcements… First, a new Podcast has been posted on the BC website. The new Podcast is the second installment in Looking Forward in 2007. I discuss business strategies for maximizing success in your organization. To visit the site, click here . Second, I’ve posted a Webinar--Key Elements to Successful Korean Culture eLearning Programs--on the BC website. The Webinar was produced by WebEx and Bridging Culture Worldwide. The Webinar discusses the benefits of offering Korean culture training across organizations. The 45-minute presentation includes insights into how your teams will benefit from understanding Korean culture. Moreover, the Webinar shows how BCW can provide your team members training and access, 24/7. To view the Webinar, click here , then go to the new BC Webinar link. Finally, Bridging Culture™ is now Bridging Culture Worldwide™. The name change reflects the growing global expansion of our work and clients needs. For more info, click here I hope you enjoy the new ...

La Jolla, CA (PRWeb) February 16, 2007 -- Don Southerton, CEO and president of Bridging Culture, recently announced that the firm has changed its name to Bridging Culture Worldwide (BCW). Southerton notes, "the name change reflects BC's growth and presence outside North America." The BCW CEO also points out, "globalization requires management gain greater insights into diverse cultures and business norms." With regard to BCW's recent global focus, Southerton explains that as Korean firms expand internationally their host country team members can benefit from insights into Korean norms and expectations. In addition, expatriate teams need to localize and develop an understanding of local norms, customs, and workplace. BCW programs are designed to provide teams with the skills and support to overcome cross cultural challenges. Bridging Culture Worldwide is a La Jolla, California-based global firm, which offers training programs and consulting to help management...

The Korean workplace reflects the dynamic of South Korea's economy and society. Moreover, one finds it reflecting changing norms, many of which are generational. Chosun Ilbo published this survey. Significantly, the survey provides insights into the mindset for those new to the workplace. SK is one of Korea's top conglomerates. According to the results released Monday of a survey of 427 new employees by SK Group, new workers on their first job say that personal relations are more important than job performance to success in the workplace. Personal relations was named as the most important skill by 37 percent of the new employees surveyed, followed by performance at 30 percent, sincerity at 27 percent and information collecting skills and savoir vivre at 3 percent. Some 40 percent of the surveyed employees preferred visionary bosses who share their goals and dreams, and another 40 percent preferred bosses who value good relations and emphasize team harmony. The next favorite bo...

Have a prosperous Year of the Gold Pig. Sae hae bok mani badeu say yo!

The 2007 Lunar New Year’s celebration (Seol) is this weekend February 17-19. This is the year of the Gold Pig, which represents good fortune and prosperity. Along with Chusok (the fall harvest festival), Seol is the most important of traditional Korean holidays. In Korea, Seol includes family activities that showing respect to elders and ancestors. Most Korean businesses are also closed for the holiday (Monday is a legal holiday) as millions of Koreans travel to join their families. I see the holiday, as a great opportunity for Westerners to wish their Korean colleagues: “ Sae hae bok mani bah deu say yo (“Happy Lunar New Year.”) Hint: I'll break down the pronunciation: “Sae hae bok—mah ne—bah deu say yo! Which literally means, "Please receive many New Year blessings!" Don

On my recent trip to Korea, along with the Lotte Hotel, Downtown Seoul 27th Floor Club Room, Starbucks across the city served as my global office. On an interesting note, I see the Coffee business booming. In fact, rivals to Starbucks are popping up all over Seoul. Like the U.S. Burger and Cola wars of the 1990s, I can see a Korean Coffee war on the horizon. DS