Thoughts on Korean Business by Don Southerton

IcebergBCW , originally uploaded by Bridging Culture Worldwide . Like the exposed section of an iceberg American teams working with Korean-facing business recognize there are difference in management style, work habits, body language, food, hobbies, etc. What is hidden and needs coaching and training is to better understand the differences, along with attitudes or beliefs, social norms, cognitive process, popular trends, opinions, viewpoints, preferences, tastes, and specific knowledge of their company and its practices. We provide this hidden side of the iceberg.

By Don Southerton, BCW Editor The image shares a vision of Bridging Culture Worldwide's focus--getting to core of challenges and issues, which hamper Korea-facing business. This requires a deep understanding of US and Korean corporate and business cultures. We, then, tackle the problem based on a better feel of the true cause for the impasse. Not always an easy task.

By Don Southerton, BCW Editor Cisco has partnered with Sondgo, a city of the future on the west coast of South Korea. Together they share a vision for smart communities.  This video series highlights that vision.  For a history of Songdo check out Chemulpo to Songdo IBD .

From my upcoming article on Henry Collbran and early Korean entrepreneurialism. The signs of American activity, in the capital alone, are evident upon every side. The Seoul Electric Car Company, the Seoul Electric Light Company, and the Seoul (Fresh Spring) Water Company have been created by American enterprises, backed by the “liveness” and 'cuteness (sic) of the two concessionaries…and pushed along by little diplomatic attentions upon the part of the American Minister. Angus Hamilton, Korea, 1904 Seoul Tramway c. 1903 (Courtesy of Choson Ilbo )

By Don Southerton, BCW Editor I'd like to share the abstract for an updated article on Henry Collbran, the early 20th century concessionaire who established a number of Korea's first western style ventures.  The full version of Collbran's story will be published in the near future. Meanwhile, here's a teaser. Colorado’s Henry Collbran and the Roots of Early Korean Entrepreneurialism By Don Southerton ©March 2012 The signs of American activity, in the capital alone, are evident upon every side. The Seoul Electric Car Company, the Seoul Electric Light Company, and the Seoul (Fresh Spring) Water Company have been created by American enterprises, backed by the “liveness” and 'cuteness (sic) of the two concessionaries…and pushed along by little diplomatic attentions upon the part of the American Minister .                           ...