Thoughts on Korean Business by Don Southerton

Press Release: 20 Years of Korea 101 Culture Programs   Golden, CO and Seoul, South Korea (August 18, 2023) This month, Don Southerton and Bridging Culture Worldwide (BCW) will celebrate 20 years of Korea 101 culture training programs.    Southerton shared, “Over the course, and beginning with the Hyundai Motor Group, BCW has successfully presented Korea 101 programs to more than 10,000 participants across the globe through both live, recorded, and online formats.”     Korea 101, in its present content, is a collage of insights and ever-updating experiences that share Korea, its workplace, and culture versus a presentation fixed and set in time. Over the years, many of the offerings have been in the original six session format, while others are offered in one-day programs.     The program's content has adapted over time to the changes in Korea's workplace and global organizations.  Still, at the core, we share Korean culture, the workplace, and cu...

Time flies.  Korea 101 : The most trusted Korean cross-cultural program. This month we are celebrating 20 years of Korea 101 programs. The program was first launched in August 2003 and has been presented to over 10,000 people worldwide. In celebration this Fall, the program will be offered in an all-new hybrid version with both Live onsite and Remote online components.  Scheduling for Fall 2023 programs is currently underway.  Coming soon  Korea 101: The Book—20 Years of Insights and Anecdotes  Call or Email  310-866-3777 dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com ###  

  1. Why do Westerners need Korean cultural training This may be the first time working with a Korean team for Westerners. This opportunity brings with it the need to better understand their new partner’s culture, workplace norms, and expectations.  In most cases, the Western team will interact with a Korean HQ or expatriate team. Some of the teams will hold a line managerial position with day-to-day responsibilities alongside Western managers, while others will hold key management C-level positions, such as CEO, COO, or CFO. In many, if not most, cases, these teams may operate as a “shadow management” with considerable oversight of local operations.  With the best of intentions, the Korean teams will look to build strong collaboration and teamwork and advocate less a sense of themselves and us. However, they bring Korean work norms that can conflict with Western work-life balance and Western working methods.  More so, Korean teams may make seemingly one-sided d...

Many companies use competitive intelligence (CI) to analyze opportunities before launching products or services. This is especially true for businesses entering a new market or starting a new venture. I can think of two examples, a supplier of traditional automotive parts venturing into the EV sector. Or, a local Food and Beverage (F&B) company entering into a global franchise retail burger and shake business. Companies in Korea often form a Task Force Team (TFT) to research and analyze information from multiple sources and coordinate a CI program. In short, it means learning as much as possible, as soon as possible, as well as learning who are the top competitors. Finally, I’ve often seen it as a tool for decision-making — identifying the opportunities and the risks. One downside is that some assigned to the TFT can have limited or no experience in the new sector. And, often, little information on new business is publicly available or closely held by those already in that sector. ...

South Korea’s Judicial Legal System has developed as a combination of Anglo-American and Continental laws. It’s worth noting that while the United States and the United Kingdom have a Common Law legal system, South Korea’s legal system is based on Civil Law and Civil Codes, similar to many Western European countries like Germany. Misunderstanding can occur in fundamental differences between a Civil Law and a Common Law legal system. The Civil Code and the Commercial Code regulate Korea’s Civil laws. For example, Korean Civil Code Article 750 defines torts — a civil wrong for which courts impose liability. I have primarily worked to support legal teams with the Korean Commercial Code and dealt with contracts and related business matters. However, I have also reviewed at times Korean labor, Franchise, IP and Trademark, and, more recently, Anti-corruption Laws. Overall, South Korean courts follow an inquisitorial system where the Court is actively involved in investigating the facts of th...