Thoughts on Korean Business by Don Southerton

We all see organizations seeking to become more adaptive and innovative, Change is often the most challenging part of the transformation. Layer on COVID-19.     To achieve current growth goals and expectations demands new behaviors from leaders and employees that are often antithetical to their corporate cultures.    For example, my Korea work often centers around where historically norms were tied to Confucian and decades of accepted business practices.    That said, surprisingly even in Western operations for Korea Groups I often see changes that has become widespread in Korea, still lingering in overseas offices—some assigned there clinging on to the past and in some cases practices and oversight they see benefiting their careers.    My Approach Tackling change and specifically targeting “what to change” takes deep insights into the culture and as well as an understanding of the many changes currently already underway.    I’ve found c...

  It appears we are entering a new phase of COVID-19, now more than ever we need to approach business with flexibility and open-mindedness. That said, in Korea, there has been a considerable effort to offer more flexible working environments even before COVID-19.  Beyond more flexible workplace hours and casual dress codes, even in Korea with their decades of rigid hierarchal workplace norms, we have seen more new progressive efforts being made among Korean companies.  This is particularly visible in those Korean companies dedicated to technology and global business such as Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, LG, Naver, Kakao, SK Telecom, Amorepacific, and Nexon—who have all worked to foster a more horizontal and creative work culture.  Still, Koreans and Westerners alike note that if there is a lesson learned from COVID-19 it is the need for businesses to be open and flexible. As an example, we now see the widespread adoption of video conferencing during the pandemi...

There is a long history of Korea facing projects and Joint Ventures that stall and never move forward. For most part, leadership agree to collaborate, then dedicated teams on both sides struggle to make progress. In most cases leadership expects their assigned teams and management will work through any issues. Western Teams It’s one thing for those western teams well experienced in global business who are now engaged in Korea projects to expect past global experience will be enough to work through what can be escalating challenges. But, in fact what many will find out is that they are considerably less effective when having to also interact with teams that take a Korea business approach and follow Korean norms. Sadly, many come to blame Korean business practices instead of trying to gain the needed insights to work within the culture and find common ground. Korean Teams At the same time Korean teams very skilled in managing and executing projects in Korea are challenged working with we...

 I'm happy to share my recent article in Seoulz.com  Korean Global Business in the Biden Era – The Impact on South Korea NOVEMBER 9, 2020 | IN  ECOSYSTEM | BY  DON SOUTHERTON In this my first U.S. post-election 2020 commentary, I look at what may be the impact of Joe Biden’s presidential election. This includes the direct and indirect impact on Korean global business and industrial sectors. 75 million American voters have chosen Democrat Joe Biden as its 46th president. He will become the oldest president when he is sworn in. He will also need to address the worst public health emergency in U.S. history and the deepest economic slump since the great depression. South Korean President Moon Jae-in sent a  congratulatory tweet  to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. “Our alliance is strong and the bond between our two countries is rock solid. I very much look forward to working with you for our shared values. I have great expectat...