Thoughts on Korean Business by Don Southerton

Bridging Culture Worldwide posts a number of  Korean business-related  videos on the BCW website. We also offer the videos on our YouTube channel.   LINK In this recent video, BCW CEO Don Southerton  discusses one trend in Korean globalization, which he calls K-lobalization . 

I'm mid-way writing my new book ( number 8). It's third in the Yankee in the Land of the Morning Calm series. From time-to-time, I'd like to share a draft of the book with my Blog readers--chapter by chapter. Please feel free to post your thoughts and comments.  A Yankee in the Land of the Morning Calm: The Northern Frontier A Historical Novel Book Three 1900-1905 Donald G. Southerton Foreword In the closing years of the nineteenth century, East Asia saw traditional institutions erode under the weight of modernization, westernization, and imperialism. Unlike Japan, which by the late 1860s boldly embraced western thought and technology, Korea’s orthodox Neo-Confucian elites resisted change. Trade agreements signed in the 1880s led to some reforms and the “opening” of Korea to the West. Soon Chinese, Japanese, Russian, French, German and Brits vied for economic opportunity. Significantly, a core cadre of American missionaries and traders also ventured to the Hermit Kingdom....

My work centers on supporting teams working for Korea-based firms. Challenges exist. I can help. Over the past several years Bridging Culture Worldwide has provided complimentary updates and insights into East Asia and Korean business. These services include this Blog. Bridging Culture Worldwide has added eLearning, a number of publications, (in print and in eBook format), Podcasts, and most recently Vodcasts to further your understanding. Please visit our site at http://www.bridgingculture.com to access these services. As a business, Bridging Culture Worldwide is a global firm focused on consulting, executive coaching, strategic alignment, and delivering highly effective Virtual and onsite training programs--all to better cross-cultural communications between Korean, North American, and global teams. We do this with great passion, 24/7/ 365. For more information, please call or email and I will be happy to discuss your needs. Don

Bridging Culture Worldwide provides a number of exclusive services to its clients, colleagues, and the business community. One of these services is video podcasting (in QuickTime format). The current Vodcast discusses bettering one's global business skills. Here's the BCW Link. Go to... http://www.bridgingculture.com/Site/Podcast/Podcast.html Then Click, A Global Mindset

Globalize My focus is providing teams and management with deep insights into Korean global business. Most often I explain to non-Koreans—Korea and Korean business. My clients are worldwide since Korean firms have aggressively expanded outside their domestic market. Korea is also boldly looking for foreign investment, so I support and coach international clients seeking to better understand Korea. An aspect of my work is directly interacting with Korean teams and management, so I, too, share and receive their perspectives. I enjoy both the Korean and non-Korean interaction, although my days are sometimes 24-7. Working at strange hours is common for most global business folks. A Global Mindset Many folks wish to better their global business skills. I’d like to share one practice vital to developing a global mindset. Spend time with others not of your nationality or home country. Last week, for example, outside working with American and Korean teams: I met with three Korean graduate st...

Like pizza, burgers, and hot dogs, donuts are an icon of popular American culture. Over the years, it always interested me driving through Seoul and seeing more and more Dunkin' Donuts. Several years ago I watched as Krispy Kreme entered the Korean market. Today, competition between rivals is vigerous--and like coffee shops--donut shops are becoming part of Seoul's urban landscape. Arirang notes, Sales of donuts have exploded in recent years on the rising notion that eating the fried dough is trendy as well as retailers' efforts to cater to Korean tastes. The country's oldest donut franchise Dunkin' Donuts has leading market presence with nearly 500 stores accounting for 90 percent of all donut shops in the country. The U.S. donut giant continues to stay fresh by revamping its menus by developing items that appeal to health-conscious Koreans. Its latest efforts are reflected in new stores equipped with kitchens. When the Krispy Kreme donut chain opened its first ...

Ever increasing gas prices are a global issue. I live in La Jolla, California near San Diego. Nationally, we have some of the highest gas prices in the U.S., but nothing when compared to South Korea.  ( A gallon of gas in Korea costs about $6.80). My last few posts highlight Korea's luxury car market. Nevertheless, many Koreans to combat rising fuel costs are downsizing. For example, a Korea Times article cites that Lee Dong-hyun, 28, an employee of an insurance firm, recently sold his 2000cc car and bought an 800cc car in what he calls an unavoidable decision to survive skyrocketing fuel costs. I cannot do without my car as my job involves me meeting a lot of clients outside my office, Lee said. At current gas price levels, I simply cannot afford a big car. On top of favoring smaller cars, citizens are relying more on public transportation than before. The average number of citizens using busses increased 0.8 percent to 4.6 million in 2007 from 4.5 million in 2004, according to t...

Culture has a tremendous influence on how we communicate and interact with others. Cultures differ, some more than others. Korean culture has been my life long quest. The Path My path to understanding Asian culture began in the 1960s. As a teen, I was drawn to the martial arts of China, Japan, and Korea. In 1972, this was spurred by reading Zen and the Art of Archery . In the 1920s, German professor of philosophy Eugen Herrigel traveled to Japan. While there, Herrigel sought to better comprehend Zen Buddhism, which led him to the art of the Japanese bow, kyudo. A classic, Zen and the Art of Archery describes Herrigel's experiences studying the traditional warrior art. The book gave me my first insights into the Asian mind. Like Herrigel, nearly four decades of traditional Korea-centered martial arts practice has allowed me first-hand insight into Asian philosophy, tradition, customs, and protocols. ( Click photo to enlarge).  Language and Culture Years of close association with Ko...