Like a moth to a bright light, I am drawn to Korean facing business issues and trends. I explore and then provide commentary on the direction of Korean business from developments inside South Korea to their impact on international operations. To better define this task, my perspective is “culture.”
I’d like to share some thoughts from my most recent visit to Seoul, South Korea—the third in as many months. (This commentary is also available in Branding in Asia)
First, I see huge leaps in the culture that nurtures an emerging “creative class.” In America, as an example, startups, technology, and innovation have tended to evolve in cities with diversity and strong counter-cultures, all of which foster creativity. Those familiar with the Korean workplace … and by this I mean not only larger organizations but also the most progressive firms… once recognized the stark disparity in “creative” norms between Korea and the US.
That said, one can sense the change just strolling down a trendy urban district undergoing gentrification such as Hongdae or Sinsadong where streets and alleys are dotted with vogue shops and hip cafes. Likewise, as rent has soared in these areas, adjacent neighborhoods, Yeonnam-dong and Sangsu-dong, for example, have become home to Korean hipsters and young artists.
In particular, this emerging Korean creative class has generated a demand for and furthered the appeal for chic design, urban art, indie music, and hip, smart fashion as many look to stand out as individuals within a people once depicted cross-culturally as high in conformity. I see this latter trend as a critical shift in Korean society. As academic Richard Florida points out in The Rise of the Creative Class, creatives as a group reflect a “powerful and significant shift in values, norms, and attitudes.” He identifies these attitudes as:
1) Individualism
2) Meritocracy
3) Diversity and Openness (which can translate to gender, sexual preference, race and my favorite “personal idiosyncrasies”)
Gaps
This said, there are still gaps in applying a creative culture to business, especially when a project’s expectations are measured in global terms. Digging deeper perhaps the reason for the disparity is a matter of process and mindset. For example, in the West whether it is a business proposal, a go to market strategy or a roll out, seasoned veterans, in-house or contracted, work from Day 1 to define and flesh out the project. Complementing this approach, their working level teams are experienced. Overall, there is typically considerable investment in time and talent up front.
In contrast, the Korean approach is more to adapt and modify. Since the working teams involved tend to be comparatively less experienced, the project takes them into uncharted waters, so the more practical approach is to tackle each stage as it unfolds.
Additionally, in the West, high-level leadership, such as Vice Presidents, CMOs and COOs, are commonly directly engaged in the project. This enables a more hands-on approach that brings into play their talents and expertise. In Korea, we find it’s a working level team engaged on a day-to-day basis with leadership only periodically briefed on progress.
The challenge arises when western expectations call for detailed upfront plans following a proven model versus ones that are more general roadmaps with fewer specifics.
All and all, I see the engagement of Korean teams in global projects as a positive direction. This promotes the adoption of western approaches to project development enhanced with Korea’s emerging creative culture.
As always, we open to discussing your needs and concerns. Stacey, stacey@koreabcw.com, my assistant can schedule us a time to meet, or chat by phone. For urgent matters, Text me at 310-866-3777
Everything Korea: May 9 Episode, The “other side” of Don Southerton
Korea-facing business consultant, strategist, author, Hyundai Whisperer—and martial artist.
My public image is a trusted Korea-facing global business leader… I’ve also been an avid practitioner and Master Instructor of traditional Korean martial arts– a Mind and Body journey I have enjoyed for the past 44 years.
During the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, I trained extensively in Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do (now also referred to as Soo Bahk Do), much of this under the Korean system’s Founder and son, the current Grand Master.
Highlights of these years included serving as Chief Instructor/ Coach for the United States Military Academy at West Point. Before shifting my interest to academia, writing, and global consultancy my martial arts schools, Southerton Karate, were nationally recognized leaders in the industry and among the largest in America. My years as a competitor in the late 1970s were recognized in 2013 by the Official Taekwondo Hall of Fame.
As of late, I also serve as an advisor to close friend and long time colleague Stephen Oliver’s elite international martial arts business consultancy.
For my daily practice, in addition to my repertoire of over 35 traditional hyung—over the past 16 years I have added a number of complex forms of Chinese and Korean origin. These Hyung are sets of combative movements martial artists’ practice to hone their bodies and minds.
In closing, I have always seen martial arts as not only a way of staying in shape through a wide range of stretching, kicking, and hand movements, but also a demanding mental and spiritual regiment.
More so, I attribute my success in business to the discipline, self-control, patience, and focus sharpened over a lifetime in the martial arts—not to mention bringing to my professional work a deep cultural dimension, which is an intricate part of the traditional Korea arts.
BTW You may find this interested, I have a dedicated Facebook Page with some my martial arts videos and photos—past and present. See Some Cool Videos