By Don Southerton, Editor
My recent tbs eFM 1013 Main Street interview. eFm is Seoul Korea’s top English language radio station. The interview centered on my new Korea Facing book and insights into global business.
Here’s the link to download.
http://www.mediafire.com/file/147rfbdiivr7mr3/efm_Interview.mp3
Questions? Want a complimentary copy of the book? Just email dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com
By Don Southerton, Editor
I’m often asked, “Don we know you work with most of the top Korean
groups, their overseas teams and leadership, but what exactly do
you do?”
One aspect of my work is providing leadership with a cross-
cultural success strategy. Another dimension is conducting training
sessions and workshops when serious issues surface that disrupt
global operations.
In addition, I also work with non-Korean executives of
global companies doing business in Korea, or with businesses
partnered with Korean firms.
But, essentially I teach “collaboration.” This is my message. That
said, implementing and facilitating collaboration is not a quick
and easy task. Expertise is required to discover core issues that
impede operations, along with implementing a long lasting action plan and
sound countermeasures.
BTW I’m always looking for new and engaging client projects. If
you have something in mind just email me, or call and we can
discuss.
1-310-866-3777
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/
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
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
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.
By Don Southerton, Editor
Over the years, I’ve shared much on business norms and expectations with Korean, American, and global teams and management. I, too, have learned much in exchange. In fact, I’ve been fortunate to have a number of senior Korean leadership share their opinions and thoughts.
Last year I was asked by a Korea client to find out if a successful and high profile American brand was interested in the Korean market. If so, the Korean firm would like to be considered as a potential partner. After talking to the American brand’s founder and CEO, he politely shared that their plans were to focus on the US market. Any Asia expansion would not be for at least 2-3 years.
Several month’s later while they were visiting the US, I hosted the Korean client’s Chairman and his wife at a VVIP lunch meeting. Over the meal, the Chairman’s wife quizzed me on my progress with the American brand. I explained that the US brand’s founder and CEO was polite, but they were not currently looking at Asia and Korea.
Pausing a moment, the Chairman’s wife expressed that their Group was still very interested in the brand for Korea. She then hoped I’d keep trying and not take “no” for an answer; adding firmly that sometimes we need to “Knock on the door a hundred times!”
I came away with 2 insights worthy of sharing…
1. My Korean client’s success was evidently rooted in their perseverance and not taking “no” for an answer. A trait I find in many of the top Korean Groups.
2. That the company’s success was also due to the Chairman’s wife–a strong and influential woman who has gained my respect and esteem. Take away When challenged with an issue, situation, or problem…we need to “Knock on the door a hundred times.”
BTW… I hope all is well. Let me know if you have any pressing questions or issues. I’d be happy to share my thoughts and perspective.
By Don Southerton, Editor
In this week’s Korea Facing update we look at approvals, and the challenges. BTW why not subscribe to Korea Facing.
http://forms.aweber.com/form/88/1499178088.htm
In the Korea Facing article on Decision Making, we pointed out that in most cases leadership made key decisions and teams implemented. Getting these approvals in itself can be a challenge, time consuming, and should take into account such subtleties as senior management’s mood.
At times, teams can wait days for an approval. This can be because senior Korean management is out of the office and traveling. But, it can also be that Korean teams try to be sensitive to their boss’ mood, well-being, and workload, along with an awareness of pressing issues impacting the company and their division.
In other words, if senior management is dealing with a major challenge, or looks stressed, team leaders may delay requesting a meeting that day. In contrast, if their senior management looks to be in a good mood, timing might be better to get an approval. Again timing is everything and good timing–being sensitive–is the sign of a savvy team leader.
An Example
In once instance when I was in Korea I witnessed teams (there was a line) waiting all day to meet with an overseas business Vice President to get approvals for a wide range of projects. One specifically involving a merger of services in the world’s largest and most competitive car market. The delay: the VP was on the phone with his back turned to the door making arrangements for his daughter’s wedding…a personal matter, but one which the teams and subordinates would not infringe.
Take away…
In a word, be patient when waiting for an approval. Recognize that to be effective Korean teams often need to wait and time their meetings with seniors for an approval. Be sensitive and do not unduly press Korean teams. If the issue is time sensitive, (which many usually are), communicate this, and seek clarity on the status. In many cases, pro-actively sharing with your clients, suppliers, and service providers the Korea facing approval process can greatly reduces stress on your side.
Questions? Comments? Challenges? Let me know by email.
Just email dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com