Thoughts on Korean Business by Don Southerton

I hope all is well…. Building a strong global team requires new skills and training. I’ve linked this email to a complimentary BCW Video Podcast that addresses cross-cultural challenges within Korea-based business. Look Here http://www.bridgingculture.com/Site/Podcast/Entries/2007/8/26_Vodcast.html Specifically, the Vodcast gives 5 Do’s and Don’ts. For example, assuming teams have cross-cultural skills, especially expecting Americans understand Korean culture, is like throwing someone into a pool and hoping they will swim, not sink. BCW is ready to support you and your team 24-7-365. Sincerely, Don Southerton

Update My latest book titled, A Yankee in the Land of the Morning Calm: Gold and Rail, Book Two 1895-1900 is at the publisher. I expect an early fall 2007 release. It’s the second novel in The Yankee in the Land of the Morning Calm trilogy. Like Book One, it’s a historically accurate and gazes back into late nineteenth century America and Korea. In Book Two, we find strong U.S. influence unfold in Korea as American entrepreneurs gain gold mining, railroad, and electric trolley concessions. The Yankee in the Morning Calm series…. The series of short, concise books is reminiscent of the incredibly popular American Dime Novel of the late nineteenth century. When completed, the trilogy will also be available in a hardbound version. A Korean language translation is also underway! It is my wish that the story adds to the understanding of Korea and the role Americans played in the opening of Korea to the West. Look for the new book this fall. Sincerely, Don Southerton President and CEO, Brid...

It seems every week I learn and experience more change in the Korean workplace. Several reasons surface, but essentially the pressure to compete in a global market dominate. This Korea Herald article points out how some Korean firms are changing...even for hiring and internal promotions. For example... Lee Gwang-seok, CEO of an [Korean] online recruiting company, Incruit, said that companies these days have various approaches to selecting the best applicants for their company and shifting emphasis to applicants' attitude, personality, creativity and philosophy has proven those attempts. "Sports activities, history exams and sensory evaluations can present workers' hidden sides that cannot be shown through resumes or short interviews," he said. The article notes.... Whether it is English proficiency or sales performance, workers these days are struggling with extra exams and evaluations to qualify themselves for promotions and new jobs. Some companies have been intro...

Pyeonghwa Motors Many of you are familiar with South Korea's five car domestic automakers—Hyundai, Kia, GM-Daewoo, Ssangyong, and Samsung Renault. Did you know there was another domestic automaker? Pyeonghwa (Peace) Motors was the first South Korean automaker to establish a joint venture car company in North Korea. Some details Reverend Sun Myung Moon who is better known for his once questionable religious activities in the U.S. owns Pyeonghwa Motors. With the Sunshine Policy of the early 2000s and the opening of North Korea to select South Korean business ventures, Moon formed a company that teamed up with Italian Fiat and North Korean state-owned Ryonbong Corporation. In 2002, a new assembly plant was opened in Nampo near Pyongyang. When the Fiat assembly operation failed to make money, Pyeonghwa Motors looked to China for a new partner. Dandong Shuguang became the selected partner and in 2004 the Cuckoo series was unveiled. Two models were launched, the Cuckoo 2 a SUV, and Cuck...