A commentary on Korean global business and popular culture.
Building Bridges: Closing Gaps
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Snow Storm and blizzard conditions here in Golden, Colorado... That said, wanted to share some thoughts--building bridges: closing gaps. It can be challenging to come up with a workable solution to a pressing issue, especially when under stress and the demands of day to day, not to mention the need to consider the Culture. For me, sound advise requires pulling apart the matter to the core and then sharing a plan to best build bridges and close gaps — something which is more art than science ☺. Critical thinking is a key component in this process, too, as it goes beyond rudimentary decision-making. It often involves the ability to analyze multiple data points and make an intelligent, practical interpretation or decision. I find when presented with a business issue clear thinking is a must. I have found stepping away amid the process valuable and useful. Martial arts and bouldering are a big part of this recharge and re-focus routine. I find after a demanding workout session constructive thoughts flow along with clear thinking. Both needed to tackle the challenges of Korea facing business. On martial arts,it has been a lifetime endeavor-- entering my 47th year of training, teaching and study. Like with martial arts where I have been fortunate to have studied in the most disciplined, traditional and demanding of the arts, I take my bouldering serious, too. Regarding bouldering, it’s a form of intense low height (up to 20 feet) rock climbing without the use of ropes or harnesses. Most often we climb on small rock formations (boulders) or in a climbing gym on artificial rock. Bouldering is not to be confused with free soloing, the later made famous in this year’s Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo and risk-seekers climbing above safe heights, where a fall would always result in serious injury or death. Living in Golden, Colorado has its benefits…. Golden, Colorado is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, only fifteen minutes from the heart of Denver but a world apart. Golden is also home of the internationally famous American Alpine Club and nearby some of the best climbing in the Americas… It also has an Earth Trek climbing gym and it’s not uncommon to find some the best sport climbers in the world training. Now, how these ties into Korea facing work… As I noted above, I find a constructive thinking process a must when a solid solution is required for a perplexing business issue. Adding a layer of concern and pressure are the ramifications for clients if not addressed and resolved. In other cases, clear thinking is needed when I see a situation unfolding with long range implications, but the client often burdened with presentism and day to day workload and needs to be nudged to act… Again, in this situation and after years of Korea facing work, I have seen the ramifications if no action is taken—with most downsides avoidable. Bottom Line With work centering on—Strategy, People and Culture…and always the element of Korea, I’m here to discuss your challenges. Happy to set a time to chat, too. www.bridgingculture.com ###
By Don Southerton, BCW Editor New Urbanism: Smart, Sustainable Growth -- Fantasy Vs. Reality Guest Post By Don Southerton As mentioned in a previous Forbes guest article, I live in Belmar, a new urbanism community in Colorado. With today’s global and often virtual workplace, about half my day centers on Korea. Between trips to Seoul and being highly involved in Korea-facing business I’ve long observed Korean trends toward quality of living, green and sustainability. For example, trendy Korean Starbucks asks patrons to separate their trash from hot liquids—not trashing unused coffee with the paper waste—soggy paper is hard to re-cycle. I also support Korean manufacturers like Hyundai and Kia Motors. I see them striving to produce the next generation of green and sustainable cars: Outside the hybrids, eCars, and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV), the materials now used in the assembly of the vehicles are increasingly eco-friendly along with a bold program for the recycli...
추석 Chuseok-Korean Thanksgiving Holiday Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated all over the world at different times of the year and in different ways. For Koreans, the traditional Thanksgiving Holiday is called Chuseok. This year is falls on Tuesday September 25. Most South Korean firms will close for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Celebrated for centuries as the lunar-based (fifteenth day of the 8th lunar month) Fall Harvest Festival, Chuseok is among the most important of Korean holidays, a day filled with family and tradition. Millions of Koreans travel to join their family and celebrate traditional customs of Chuseok, including ancestral memorial rituals, followed by a day of special foods and family-focused activity. One of the most popular of the traditional foods is song pyeon, which is a pine needle-flavored half moon-shaped rice cake. In Korea, during the days prior to the actually holiday, streets and stores are packed with shoppers buying food and gifts. Gift-giving is an imp...
One of Korea's top export sectors is automotive. This includes the Hyundai-Kia Motor Group, which has a huge global infrastructure. In addition to manufacturing, sales, and marketing, Hyundai-Kia operates a massive logistics, distribution, and parts network. I work closely with many of the Hyundai-Kia affiliates including MOBiS--the parts supplier. I thought this article in Korea Herald provides a great snapshot of the auto parts supplier. Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, the world's sixth largest automaker, is a company that places strong emphasis on globalizing its operations. The group's chairman Chung Mong-koo stresses the need to establish overseas production bases and sales networks at every opportunity and has set in motion a series of projects that will take the group into the ranks of the world's five largest automakers by 2009. In line with Hyundai-Kia's globalization strategy, the group's affiliate and its largest auto parts supplier Hyundai Mobis Co. ha...
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