Thoughts on Korean Business by Don Southerton

It's easy for those new to Korea business to make quick assumptions.  I often have to remind myself lessons learned, too. Over time those engaged in projects find there are complexities often rooted deep within in the culture—requiring context, recent and past.  This is a normal learning process.  As an example, I’ve also found it very valuable over the years to work with a number of Korean Groups, and the affiliates companies.  (I define an affiliate is one of the many family controlled subsidiaries that chaebol typically operate across diverse industries. These can include in-house IT, Marketing, Construction, Design, Sales, and Financing.) What stands out is how the Culture vary between the Korean Groups—and even within a Group and it affiliates. Perhaps moving among Groups and affiliates sometimes in a single day, I see and experience the subtle differences more than most.  This can range from the tangibles like buildi...

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...

This week I’d like to share three reports. All focus on Korea business. All easily accessed…read or download ….From the Korea-facing Global Business Toolbox: Strategies and Tactics This report shares my recent thoughts on top strategies and tactics for tackling Korean facing global business. Note global is emphasized, since working outside Korea within local subsidiary operations is my primary focus and specialty. https://www.scribd.com/doc/302653498/From-the-Korea-facing-Global-Business-Toolbox-Strategies-and-Tactics A Global Approach: For Korea Management Teams This Case Study provides a roadmap and best practices to their Korean management and overseas divisions. This includes new Korean brands eager to launch their products and services outside Korea.  The study is also applicable to those established Korean brands already in overseas markets who could benefit from benchmarking “what works” and “what doesn’t.”    https://www.scribd.com/doc/286823722/A...

A recent Korean workplace survey discovered that more than nine out of 10 Korean workers have not been entirely honest, especially with their bosses. The survey asked where and when they avoid the telling the truth in day-to-day work and the most frequent answer was "in front of the boss." More so, the study uncovered this meant saying “Yes” to their boss’ requests, even when they were unreasonable. Asked how they felt after, 46.15 percent surveyed said, "The situation left me no other choices." Digging deeper... Being less than truthful does have repercussions for those working in Korean companies, both in Korea and for their overseas operation. In many cases, working level teams have deep insights into the challenges and reality of the business. In a transparent work environment answering truthfully is an expectation as well as sharing the good or bad.  Saying “Yes” when they know it can impact operations forces many Korean to make a decision the...

My lens is cultural. From that perspective, consumables can tell us much about a society. Korean premium and upmarket trends are an area I research and follow carefully. In reflecting back on more than 15 years of writing on the topic especially related to the Korean car market and specifically Hyundai Motor Company, I was honored to attend the New York International Auto Show and the unveiling of Genesis Motor ‘New York’ concept car. The premium brand launched its first model, the G90 (badged as EQ900 in Korea), in January with plans for 6 models in the line-up by 2020. We can expect to see elements of the well–received ‘New York’ concept in future Genesis Motor models. The brand reflects Luxury Evolving, with a human-centered focus connecting mobility with cutting edge technology.  From a cultural perspective and although the design team is very global, plus heavily influenced by its German leadership, I see these brand qualities aligning well with the mo...

This week I’ll be sharing the second of  my time-proven approaches to Korea facing business.  This strategy is taking a Pilot or Trial Approach…. Recognizing the strong Korean cultural risk avoidance tendencies, I recommend offering a limited trial program as an option to mitigate fears and concerns—with costs scaled down proportionately from a bolder rollout.  Depending on the project, this often can be demonstrated in a test market or dialed back to limit in scope.  In all cases, the pilot program needs to be flexible to expand in stages with associated incremental costs. There is one caveat to this approach I often see taken in Korea.  Once they test market a project and then decide to move forward, they execute a full rollout incredibly fast.  My advice is to plan accordingly in advance with an action plan that includes a rapid roll out…. the faster the better.  This said, and as many of you have probably surmised, Strategy 1 and...

Many thanks to Korea Herald and reporter Elaine Ramirez, the article shares my views on Korea facing  global business. http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130408000691 No Two Chaebol Are Alike, Author says By Elaine Ramirez (elaine@heraldcorp.com) While Koreans’ rising presence on the global stage is hard to ignore, how to do business with them as a non-Korean is an increasingly tricky area little covered in English-language literature. Don Southerton explores the niche with his recently published book “Korea Facing: Secrets for Success in Korean Global Business,” which picks apart how to work with a Korean conglomerate from the ground up, for non-Koreans working in Korean branches overseas. “Over the years I witnessed firsthand cross-cultural issues that surfaced as Korean companies expanded globally. My role has been to address these issues such as poor trust among the Korean and Western teams, lack of communication, local employee turnover and managing expect...

2012 년 겨울 출간 예정 책 소개 최근의 현대차 성공의 원동력은 한국 그리고 현대차의 역사에 뿌리를 두고 있는 기업문화이며 , 그 핵심에는 Hyundai Way 가 있다 . 이 개념은 높이 평가 받아오긴 했지만 쉽사리 말로 정의 내리기는 어렵다 . GE Way 나 Toyota Way 처럼 , Hyundai Way 는 현대차의 성공 뒤에 숨어있는 경영 원리이며 사업 원칙이다 . 흥미로운 사실은   신문 기사나 보도 자료를 넘어서서 이와 같은 현대를 제대로 이해하고 있는 사람이 드물다는 점이다 . The Hyundai Way 는 독자들에게 이 자동차 메이커의 과거와 현재 그리고 미래에 대해 깊은 통찰력을 전해줄 것이며 , 현대의 고유한 기업문화와 경영 모델 , 미래상 , 그리고 그 비전을 제시하는 , 영어로 씌어진 최초의 책이 될 것이다 . 지은이 소개 저술가이자 한국관련 문화역사가인 Don Southerton 은 기업가 정신이나 한미간의 사업벤처를 중심으로 책을 저술해 오고 있다 . 또한 저자는 한국 시장이나 한국의 글로벌 사업 등의 주제에 대해 미디어 논평도 활발히 해오고 있다 . 최근에 저술한 책 , Chemulpo to Songdo IBD, Korea’s International Gatewa y 는 2009 년 8 월 송도국제업무단지의 오프닝행사와   인천세계도시축전을 통해 공개되었다 .  For more information contact Dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com

With the year end, Korean Groups are in the middle of annual end of year reporting, restructuring, promotions, and new assignments. Many Korean members already have begun to share news of the re-assignments, others will find out next week. Samung Group announced a record number of Director and above promotions, we'll see what happens at Hyundai Kia Motor Group and the other Groups. Meanwhile expect some change both at senior leadership and across the teams.   Those receiving promotions should be congratulated--promotions bring considerable status along with a boost in wages. On a more personal level... As the holidays approach, you may wish to greet Korean colleagues with: Sae hae bok man i ba deu say yo! (Seasons Greetings) Hint: Break the greeting into: sae hae bok—mahne—bah deu say yo Sae hae bok man i ba deu say yo! works well both in person, in a card, or an email. It is a common seasonal greeting into the New Year. On behalf of myself and Bridging Culture Worldwi...

For Immediate Release Source: Korea Times Korea Business Central Website By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Trying to find information about doing business in Korea just became a bit easier, thanks to the Korea Business Central website. The website ( www.koreabusinesscentral.com ) is a source of information about how one can do business in Korea and build a network of contacts. Steven S. Bammel founded the website in September 2009, with a long-time colleague Don Southerton , with the goal of creating a community for non-Koreans who are doing business in Korea and Koreans doing business with non-Koreans. ``This is a place where they can get information about how to be successful in Korean business. Being successful means understanding the Korean mindset in business,’’ he said in an interview with The Korea Times in downtown Seoul. The website offers interviews, podcast discussions and reports on the ins and outs of doing business in Korea. Several prominent business experts and figures have been...

First, the BCW YouTube Channel offers over 20 timely and relevant cross-cultural videos. Click Here http://www.youtube.com/user/ds19192 Next, this blog, Bridging Culture Worldwide Korea, offers nearly 1,000 articles commenting on Korean global business and popular culture. Click Here http://bridgingculturekorea.blogspot.com/ Then, use the search function to target specific topics. Another interesting resource is KoreaLegal.org , which provide information on recent developments in U.S.-Korean legal, Foreign Direct Investment, and business affairs, as well as topics such as family court, litigation, labor, and intellectual property issues. Click Here http://www.korealegal.org Finally, we are always open to questions regarding Korea-facing issues. Call us at 310-866-3777 or email us at dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com

Since our founding, Bridging Culture Worldwide has focused on Korea-related business services. Based on over 30 years of experience, we share cross-cultural insights to global teams and management so they can be more effective.  Our core services: Consulting, Training, and  Research Legal Consulting and Expert Witness Services  Publications, Corporate Blogs, and Vodcasts FDI Development, Product Launch, IP, and Trademark BCW J-1 Visa Intern Program Contact Information Offices: Southern California, Denver, Colorado, and South Korea +1-310-866-3777 Southern California Office +1-303-800-4095  Denver Office +82-10-9145-0198 South Korea Office Dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com

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