By Don Southerton, Songdo to Belmar Editor
As we begin a new year, I’d like to share thoughts on Korean facing global business for 2013.
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Questions?
BTW We are always interested in new opportunities, so keep us in mind….
Contact: Dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com
DS
By Don Southerton, Editor
Thought you may appreciate links to my recent Korea media interviews. Essentially, I encourage collaboration and offer thoughts on what is the best way to approach Korean facing business–in Korea and globally. BTW Each interview looks at the topic from a different perspective.
1. Last week’s tbs eFm Seoul radio interview is now available in mp3 format.
Here’s the link. Just download and listen.
http://sites.google.com/site/ds19192/mp3/0108_Don_Southerton.mp3
2. WSJ Korea Real Time
Southerton Advises Non-Koreans in Overseas Korean Offices
Wall Street Journal
This was also re-posted on Marmot’s Hole, the leading Korean blog for expats.
http://www.rjkoehler.com/2013/01/18/advice-for-non-koreans-working-for-korean-companies-overseas/
3. Busan Hap
http://www.busanhaps.com/article/korea-facing-interview-korea-global-consultant-don-southerton
Hope this is helpful…. more media to come…
My thanks go to the eFM Morning Show team, WSJ’s Evan Ramstad, Marmot’s Robert Koehler, and Busan Haps’ Jeff Liebsch…
DS
By Don Southerton, Editor
The Wall Street Journal Korea Real Time blog and journalist Evan Ramstad did a wonderful job sharing insights into our newly released book Korea Facing: Secrets for Success with Korean Global Business. For the full article and interview, go to:
http://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2013/01/14/southerton-advises-non-koreans-in-overseas-korean-offices/
Southerton Advises Non-Koreans in Overseas Korean Offices
January 14, 2013, 6:50 PM KST
By Evan Ramstad
As we’ve noted in the past, the canon of English-language books that explain South Korea’s contemporary life and culture for people doing business here is quite small.
But there’s a niche that’s even smaller: advice books for non-Koreans who work for Korean companies in other countries.
Don Southerton, a U.S. business consultant, has written several publications centering on the Korean auto industry, new urbanism, entrepreneurialism, and early U.S.-Korean business ventures. His firm, Bridging Culture Worldwide, provides strategy, consulting and training to businesses that are working in South Korea.
Just a few weeks ago, he published his latest, an e-book and paperback called “Korea Facing: Secrets for Success in Korean Global Business.” With it, he has flipped the tables to look at the challenges that non-Koreans face working in the overseas offices and subsidiaries of Korean firms. The book is available in e-book form for Amazon’s Kindle, Barnes & Noble’s Nook and Apple’s iPad devices.
For the full Korea Real Time article and interview, go to:
http://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2013/01/14/southerton-advises-non-koreans-in-overseas-korean-offices/
Again, best wishes in the new year…
With the release of Korea Facing: Secrets for Success in Korean
Global Business feedback and comments have been very positive. In
some cases, global teams are sharing the book across their
organization as a tool to better educate staff on the nuances of
their Korea-based company. We’ve also been interviewed by Seoul’s
tbs eFM “This Morning” show, (an on-demand link to the talk is
forthcoming) with more media interviews in the works…
One common question is how to access the book? There are several
options.
Option #1 Apple iBook (my favorite and free)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/korea-facing-secrets-for-success/id589661138?ls=1
Option #2 A PDF version is available upon request.
Option #3 Kindle or Nook.
Option #4 Amazon, which offers the book in eBook and Print versions.
Questions, Comments, Feedback? I’d be interested in your thoughts.
As always, if you or your company has need for my consultancy,
please let me know by email or Phone +1-310-866-3777. We’re always
interested in learning more about your business needs and opportunities.
Don
For Immediate Release
Denver, Colorado January 1, 2013 Korea global business expert Don Southerton has released his latest new publication, an eBook titled Korea Facing: Secrets for Success in Korean Global Business. Southerton notes “With ever-growing number of people employed by Korean-based companies outside of South Korea, this book will provide western teams and management with a strategy and skills to succeed.” Topic covered in the ebook include working with Korean expatriates, managing business partnership expectations, and understanding the Korean decision making and thought process.
Readers will find Korea Facing differ from most books on Korean business with the target audience global teams working outside South Korea and not those employed in Korea, although they, too, will benefit from its content. The author further explaining, “Likewise, if your firm provides services or products to a South Korean overseas subsidiary this book will be beneficial and offer tactics to strengthen and maintain the relationship.”
Finally, Southerton points out a third group that will benefit, ” If your company has significant business in Korea, but leadership and headquarters are located in the West, the book will offers key management suggestions on how best to deal with pressing issues and challenges that surface.”
The eBook is available through iBook, Kindle, Nook, and Amazon. A complimentary PDF version is available upon request. (Just email me, dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com)
About the author
When Fortune 500 companies, top Korean Groups, leading international law firms, the media, and elite consultancies like Bain and Monitor look for Korean-facing branding, business strategy, coaching, market-entry, and advice-they turn to Don Southerton. With over 35 years experience, Don Southerton is the definitive authority on Korean-facing global business and branding–from automotive, golf, and QSR/food sectors to New Urbanism and Green technology. When questions surface in development, launch, or fulfillment, we provide sound research, solutions, and comprehensive strategies.
Building on a life-long interest in Korea and the rich culture of the country, Southerton has authored numerous publications with topics centering on culture, new urbanism, entrepreneurialism, and early U.S.-Korean business ventures.
Southerton extensively writes and comments on modern Korean business culture and its impact on global organizations. ###
By Don Southerton, Editor
Like most Asian countries, South Korea has two different New Years—one that follows the solar calendar and one that uses the lunar calendar. Traditionally the lunar New Year’s, called So-nal, has greater cultural and familial significance (In 2013 it will be celebrated on February 9-11). Both are legal holidays.
As for the solar New Year’s celebration, in 1896, as part of reforms instituted to Westernize and modernize Korea, the Gregorian calendar was adopted, along with some of the West’s holidays such as the January 1st New Year’s celebration.
Today I find Korea’s celebration of New Years similar to celebration in America. For example. Koreans make New Year’s resolutions where they promise to exercise regularly or eat fewer sweet things—such as chocolates and candy.
A popular resolution every year is to study harder to improve English language skills—a skill seen as much required and needed in the global workplace.
It’s appropriate to wish your Korean colleagues a seasonal greeting prior to the holiday, just as you will wish your non-Korean friends “Happy New Year’s.”
The New Year’s greeting is “Sae hae bok mani ba deu say yo.” It is a great phrase to learn because it will also be used again at the lunar New Years celebration in February.
By Don Southerton, Editor
Christmas has become a popular holiday in South Korea.
Nevertheless, Christmas is seen as a distinctly Christian holiday.
That said, as the holidays approach, western teams 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. In fact, it is a common seasonal greeting into
the New Year.
“The first Christmas in Korea.”
A number of years ago while researching early Westerners in Korea,
I came upon an account of the first “official” Christmas tree in
Korea. I thought I’d share the story…
Since the mid 1880s, Anglo merchants, diplomats, and missionaries
who lived and worked in Korea celebrated their respective national
and religious holidays. Most often these were small affairs as
there were few foreigners dwelling in Korea-most Anglos were
concentrated in the port towns and Seoul. Naturally some Koreans
were curious of these strange western ceremonies and started asking
questions, especially about Christmas.
The Korean royal family was no exception. In December 1893, King
Kojong and his wife Queen Min became very curious about the holiday
and started to inquire about its significance. In fact, Queen Min
summoned her closest western friend and personal physician,
missionary Lillias Underwood to explain about Christmas. That year
on Christmas day, Queen Min sent the Underwood family gifts of
expensive cloth and silk screens.
Encouraged by the queen’s gesture and aware of the royal family’s
curiosity, Lillias asked to set up a Christmas tree in the
palace-even though it was several days after Christmas.
Accounts tell of Lillias putting a great deal of effort into
trimming the tree. When finished Lillias was somewhat disappointed
with the results, as “their majesties were too impatient to wait
till dark to view it.” With no heavy drapes to block the lights
from the windows, the full effect of the Christmas tree was “quite
spoiled.” Lillias cited “the poor little candles flickered in a
sickly way in the glaring daylight.” Nevertheless in spite of her
concerns, Lillias did introduce the holiday tradition to the Korean
court.
On behalf of myself and Bridging Culture Worldwide have a happy
holiday season!
Sae hae bok man i ba deu say yo!
Questions? Feel free to contact dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com
1-310-866-3777
Don
Don Southerton, Editor
With the year end, Korean Groups have begun their annual end of
year reporting and restructuring. As in the past, Samsung Group has
already announced high level promotions across their organization,
we’ll see what happens at Hyundai Motor Group and the other Groups.
I monitor and track this daily.
In the days leading up to Holidays, team level promotions will
begin to be announced. The norm has been for the re-assignments and
promotions to take affect January 2.
I’d expect some change both at senior Korean global leadership level and
across the Korean overseas teams. Those receiving promotions should
be congratulated–promotions bring considerable status along with a
boost in wages.
Meanwhile, the Korean presidential election is week away. How will a new
president view the Korean chaebols is a topic of discussion–the
previous administration was pro-business.
Finally, 1st draft edits and revisions on the Korea Facing book are
completed. I expect 1-2 more draft revisions before the book goes
“to press”–actually since it’s an eBook, I’ll upload. Plans call
for the book to be available in iBook, Kindle, and Google Book
formats. Look for a Holiday release date.
As always, if you have questions and comments, please feel free to
contact me. Likewise, I’m open to new opportunities, so keep
me in mind.
Korea Facing: Secrets for Success in Korean Global Business
By Donald G. Southerton
Publication Date: Late December 2012
Over the years, book projects like Korea Facing along with the required research have played an important and synergic role in Bridging Culture Worldwide coaching, consultancy, and training programs. This includes sharing topics such as working with Korean expats, managing business partnership expectations, and understanding the Korean decision making and thought process.
About the new book This book differs from most books on Korean business. Frankly, the target audience is not those working or looking to be employed in South Korea, although they will benefit from its content.
The focus is instead on the ever-growing number of people employed by Korean-based companies outside of South Korea. This book will provide you with a strategy and skills to succeed.
Likewise, if your firm provides services or products to a South Korean overseas subsidiary this book will be beneficial and offer tactics to strengthen and maintain the relationship.
Finally, if your company has significant business in Korea, but leadership and headquarters are located in the West, we offer key management with suggestions on how best to deal with pressing issues and challenges that surface.
About the author When Fortune 500 companies, top Korean Groups, leading international law firms, the media, and elite consultancies like Bain and Monitor look for Korean-facing branding, business strategy, coaching, market-entry, and advice-they turn to Don Southerton.
With over 35 years experience, Don Southerton is the definitive authority on Korean-facing global business and branding–from automotive, golf, and QSR/food sectors to New Urbanism and Green technology. When questions surface in development, launch, or fulfillment, we provide sound research, solutions, and comprehensive strategies.
Building on a life-long interest in Korea and the rich culture of the country, Southerton has authored numerous publications with topics centering on culture, new urbanism, entrepreneurialism, and early U.S.-Korean business ventures.
Southerton extensively writes and comments on modern Korean business culture and its impact on global organizations.
Supporting Korean overseas teams (ju jae won) and their Korean executives is a must for all Korea-based organizations. The assumption that expatriates can bridge cultural gaps through practical on–the–job experience might work with those few highly intuitive individuals with the exceptional ability to assimilate cultures. However, what stands out in numerous studies is the need for training. In particular the need for a training program that can successfully provide insights into new business cultures and values, while fostering sensitivity and teamwork among all members of the company.
An effective eLearning program for Korean expatriates can help bridge gaps while supplying needed skills and knowledge.
Based on years of working with western and Korean expat teams, we have developed an eLearning program to address issues that commonly occur in the American and global workplace.
The benefits of the eLearning program include:
1. The training is designed to be self-pacing with the ability to go back for a second time to review a specific section. This will result in better comprehension and higher retention of course content.
2. Flexibility–Unlike instructor-led training the course is highly accessible. This allows the participant to fit the training into their schedule.
3. Finally, this eLearning offers an opportunity to grow. The course content will add to the participant’s understanding of the differences in global business, improve communication with local teams, and make them more effective in fulfilling the assignment.
Outcomes
Although there is bound to be some friction between expatriate and host country cultural values, a successful cross-cultural and localization training program accomplishes:
1. Awareness and appreciation of both the home and host country with the ability to gain an insight into one’s own personal traits, strengths, weaknesses, attitudes, and interests.
2. Realization of similarities and shared values, along with an awareness of and respect for cultural differences.
3. The ability to adapt to new cultures, ideas, and challenges on the job and in the home, while adjusting quickly to new conditions and workplace practices.
Next Steps
Further details on the Korean Expatiate Global Business eLearning Series is available upon request. This includes a Table of Content, course outlines, and fee rates.
Call +1-310-866-3777 or email Dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com