Thoughts on Korean Business by Don Southerton

Reform in South Korean reaches back to the Asian Financial (IMF) Crisis of 1997. A bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) shut down insolvent  banks and pushed debt-ridden industrial companies into receiverships. The remaining Groups still standing had little choice but to follow government mandates including restructuring and greater transparency.   In some ways little has changed 20 years later… regulators continue to pressure the leading Korean groups to take on a more transparent corporate governance structure-- now in the form of a Holding Company model.  So, what is a holding company? A holding company is a legal entity that owns other companies' stock. Holding companies typically do not run these businesses, but they do wield control over their affiliates or subsidiaries. In turn, a holding entity collects fees from operating units for the use of the corporate brand, which is considered an asset. The Korean governm...

That’s my message this year in both commentaries and on-site presentations. It captures my work, which is to provide companies, leadership and teams with how best to work effectively… taking into account Culture plays a huge role in their workplaces.  This week we’d like to share 2 publications, too. Korea Perspective (2015) http://unbouncepages.com/korea-perspective-launch/ and Korea Facing: Secrets for Success in Korea Global Business (2012) http://unbouncepages.com/korea-facing/ They compliment each other. One builds upon the other.  Together both explore issues. Together they provide workarounds for challenges that surface. Follow the links and we’ll forward PDF copies. All said - I'm passionate about providing needed strategy, skills and mentoring offered in these books as well as programs like Korea 101℠. My goal is for Companies, executives and teams to "move forward within the Culture." To discuss about more a Korean facing business ques...

When you ask somewhat “what are you most passionate about?”  It can be very revealing—family, work, hobbies, sports, and social issues. For me and my work its sharing Korean business culture and, in particular, strategies to succeed with the Culture. Since 2004 I have offered programs and mentoring to thousands across America and internationally. A flagship Korea 101 program has served as the core for this Korean business culture mentoring. In turn, this training and coaching builds upon current experiences of the teams, while providing new understandings that lead to solutions. Both our on-site and web-based programs have been offered to teams not only in America, but also in Canada, UK, Belgium, Germany, Russia, AU, India, South Korea, and the Middle East. Customized versions have been professionally recorded and distributed worldwide to organizations and incorporated in their in-house programs. Ideally the program is on-site over 4 to 6 weeks—each class a 1½-...

I’m taking a week off from sharing commentary on the Korean car brands, market entry best practices, the Korean presidential impeachment, the indictment of Samsung’s de facto leader, and North Korean sword rattling.   However, beginning next week a Korea 201 program on Korea corporate and business culture will have me back in The OC  ( Orange County, home to the US HQs for Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, Genesis, MOBIS Parts, Innocean, GLOVIS, Autoever, the California design centers, and Hyundai Capital. ) Amid meetings, days are filling up, but times are still open on Wednesday and Thursday. As always, Text, Facebook Message, Linkedin Message or Email, and we can arrange a time. Or, Stacey  stacey@koreabcw.com , my assistant can schedule us a time to meet, or chat by phone.  For all urgent matters, Text me at 310-866-3777 BTW    If you have not had an opportunity to read my recent articles, here are the links Globalization Requires a Better Pro...