Smart City, Songdo International City and the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ).

Year of the White Rat

January 18, 2020 Don Southerton Commentary Comments Off

The Year of the White Rat. South Korea (as well as China and Vietnam) celebrate two New Years’. One on Jan. 1 and the Lunar New Year celebration, which this year falls on Saturday, January 25.

For your Korean colleagues (living and working in Korea), you can wish them Happy Lunar New Year on Wednesday afternoon by phone, text, or email, which is Thursday AM in Korea and their last workday before the holiday.

Koreans this year will have a 4-day weekend starting Friday K time.

For expatriate Koreans working outside Korea/ globally, you can wish them a Happy Lunar New Year and Year of the White Rat on the day itself, Saturday, January 25, or at some time prior on Friday.

Here is the formal greeting.

Sae hae bok mani ba deu say yo

One more thing…
The year of the rat opens up a new 12-year cycle of animals in the Chinese zodiac. As the first animal to finish the Great Race of the Chinese zodiac legend, the quick-witted rat represents new beginnings and versatility.

According to legend, a Great Race was organized by China’s Jade Emperor to determine the order for the annual calendrical signs. The competition saw the small but clever rat crossing a final river race obstacle by riding on the back of the ox. Then nearing the finish line, the resourceful rat jumping off to cross before the other animals. Thus, being name first among the animals of the 12 Chinese zodiacs.

In Korean folk tales, though the tiniest among the zodiac animals, rats are seen resourceful, nimble, diligent and productive—this translates into 2020 being seen as a year of wealth and abundance.

As always, I appreciate your comments and thoughts, as well as any inquiries to support you and teams by steering through Korea facing business issues with a proven strategy, work throughs, and solutions.

Don Dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com

https://www.bridgingculture.com

South Korea Hancom IoT Ecosystems

December 20, 2019 Don Southerton Global Business Comments Off

With the 2020 CES Show just weeks away, and the Holidays upon us, I wanted to share more on how South Korea Hancom sees the future of technology.

Pre-show and Show media interviews are welcome, too.

You can reach me at Dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com
Don

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, Dec. 20, 2019 /Hancom Group, South Korea’s leading ICT company has announced it will unveil its next-generation Life Blockchain technology at the 2020 CES Show in Las Vegas.

How Hancom sees Blockchain
Within the Group’s “Safe World” vision, affiliate Hancom WITH has built upon its 30 years of core competencies as a trusted and integrated information security provider. Ever evolving and steering the 4th Industrial Revolution IT ecosystems Hancom WITH offers convergence solutions that enhance productivity in both Blockchain and Intelligent City Platforms.

Next generation Blockchain
Hancom provides a robust and trustworthy blockchain service by integrating security technology and blockchain technology. Within our lineup of products is HancomSLedger, a blockchain platform that allows privileged user access, providing electronic contracts, document notarization services, civic applications/certifications and public data access.

HancomSLedger optimized modules support various areas like supply chain, IoT and finance and can be easily configured for new services. As a result, it assures data integrity, transparency and service efficiency.

Next generation Intelligent City Platform
Hancom’s Intelligent City Platform acts as an urban controller tower collecting and analyzing information from transportation, safety, and the environment to help make the most suitable decisions. Hancom simplifies the development process in the complex data processing and monitoring of literally thousands of devices. As Hancom provides a proven seamless rapid development process, Hancom Intelligent City Platform is scalable and customizable to fit each city’s environment.

Intelligent City Platform
Stop by the Hancom 2020 CES booth located at South Hall 2, AI & Robotics, Booth 25628 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Learn more about Hancom WITH at https://www.hsecure.co.kr/index_e.php

Media Contact
Don Southerton
+1-310-866-3777
Dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com

About The Hancom Group
Founded in 1989, today South Korea Hancom Group is a leader in creating innovative ecosystems that will lead the world through the convergence of technology.

With its reach of 13 affiliate companies covering Hardware, Software, and the Finance industry, the Group’s mission is to create a “Convenient World, Connected World, and Safe & Secure World.”

Convenient World
Hancom Inc. Global smart work solutions from AI to productivity software solutions.
Hancom MDS Intelligent convergence solution leader based on IoT and embedded technology IoT.
Hancom Mobility Sensor-based smart parking sharing solution.
Hancom Robotics Intelligent logistics and service robots.

Connected World
Hancom Interfree Voice recognition and translation that remove language barriers.
Hancom Teladin IoT-based wireless solutions.
Hancom Talkafe Communication solutions.
Accufly.AI AI-based solutions for barrier-free communication with the best technology from Korea & China.

Safe World
Hancom WITH Next-generation smart city platform creating a secure urban ecosystem based on blockchain.
Hancom Lifecare Integrated safety solution ranging from personal safety equipment to social safety.
Hancom GMD Mobile Forensic & AR/VR Solution based on Digital Data Analysis.
Hancom Investment Investing in companies with excellent technology in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

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South Korea Hancom Group to exhibit at CES 2020

December 15, 2019 Don Southerton Commentary Comments Off

Who is Hancom? How does Hancom envision Robotics, Smart City and AI Life Blockchain technology?

For Immediate Release

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, Dec. 13, 2019 /Hancom Group, South Korea’s leading ICT company today announced that it will participate at CES 2020, Jan.7-10, 2020, in Las Vegas. The company will present its visions for making the world better through pioneering future innovation for an ever-evolving tech industry.

Rendering of the Hancom Group CES 2020 Exhibit

The new exhibit will be located at South Hall 2, AI & Robotics, Booth 25628 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Who is Hancom?

Hancom like the other highly recognized South Korean market leaders will share with the industry how it uniquely envisions Robotics, Smart City and AI Life Blockchain technology.

How Hancom sees Robotics

Led by Hancom’s Convenient World vision for work and life, Toki is one in a line-up of specialized robots for home and educational use. With customized AI conversations through face and voice recognition tailored to each family member, Toki also has home monitoring and video calling capabilities. Come experience Toki live at the Show.

Toki, Home and Education Robot

How Hancom sees Smart City and Blockchain

Driven by Hancom’s Safe World vision, the innovator has developed an Intelligent City Platform, the next-generation smart city platform creating a secure urban ecosystem by connecting everything to each other utilizing the latest technologies. This connectivity will improve city services and infrastructure, as well as the quality of life for urban dwellers.

The Intelligent City Platform acts as urban control tower integrating AI technology, blockchain and IoT, while utilizing real-time data for easy visualization.

Intelligent City Platform

On Life Blockchain, Hancom’s efforts are game changing and wide ranging. They include a seamless, private blockchain platform to allow privileged user access, providing electronic contracts, document notarization services, civic applications/certifications and public data access.

Life Blockchain

“As South Korea’s leading ICT company, we look forward to sharing at CES how Hancom will contribute to make the world Smarter and Better,” Dr. Peter Wonsok Yun, President of Global Business, Hancom Group.

Pre-show and Show media interviews are welcome.

About The Hancom Group

Founded in 1989, today Hancom Group is a leader in creating innovative ecosystems that will lead the world through the convergence of technology.

With its reach of 13 affiliate companies covering Hardware, Software, and the Finance industry, the Group’s mission is to create a “Convenient World, Connected World, and Safe & Secure World.”

Convenient World

Hancom Inc. Global smart work solutions from AI to productivity software solutions.

Hancom MDS Intelligent convergence solution leader based on IoT and embedded technology IoT.

Hancom Mobility Sensor-based smart parking sharing solution.

Hancom Robotics Intelligent logistics and service robots.

Connected World

Hancom Interfree Voice recognition and translation that remove language barriers.

Hancom Teladin IoT-based wireless solutions.

Hancom Talkafe Communication solutions.

Accufly.AI AI-based solutions for barrier-free communication with the best technology from Korea & China.

Safe World

Hancom WITH Next-generation smart city platform creating a secure urban ecosystem based on blockchain.

Hancom Lifecare Integrated safety solution ranging from personal safety equipment to social safety.

Hancom GMD Mobile Forensic & AR/VR Solution based on Digital Data Analysis.

Hancom Investment Investing in companies with excellent technology in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Media Inquiries

Don Southerton 1-310-866-3777 Dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com

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Korea 2020: The Book, an Update

December 1, 2019 Don Southerton Commentary Comments Off

I’ve been in editing mode for the past few days. Plans are for an end of December release of my new book Korea 2020: A workplace in transition.

Many thanks to those of you who previewed the manuscript and shared comments. If you, too, would like to preview and comment, I’ll email you a draft copy.

Korea 2020: the book, shares not only what’s behind the current corporate trends but also the impact of Change both in South Korea and for operations outside Korea.

Exploring this change is at the core of this new book. Topics include the restructuring of age-old corporate norms such as more casual dress, a simplification of workplace titles leading to flatter organizations, and the pushback against workplace bullying and gender discrimination.

It also drills deeper and provides readers with workarounds, work throughs, and insights.

Don https://www.bridgingculture.com

Open Communications Korea Facing 2019

November 10, 2019 Don Southerton Korean Business Culture Comments Off

Open Communications…

Checking emails at 2:30 AM.

Trying to not doze off and miss a late evening phone or Facebook Message call.

Responding early morning to a previous evening’s urgent Text.

This week we look at some of the new challenges as we’re finding more open and direct communications between Korean HQ and local teams. This is more and more commonly surfacing for teams.

Waking up to a rather lengthy request for revisions on a multi-page document that the Korean team needs to finalize as is due that day in Korea.

Open communications Korea facing business — Don Southerton

By its very nature, Korean facing business is the interaction of worldwide teams operating in different zones—with Korea and North America—their working days beginning as our ends and visa versa.

Beyond the different cultures globally working together on a daily basis, which I speak of often, we have seen the advancements in telecommunications as well as more open communications between working-level teams in the West and Korea.

(BTW I can recall a time when an international call between the US and Korea was not only costly but few Korean office landlines even had international access.)

That said, it’s now common for Staff in Korea to now pick up their mobile phone and reach out via an app for a one on one with a western team member. This contrasts with the old model where all communication between HQ and local subsidiaries went through and was screened by the local expatriate team.

The new model is not without its challenges.

For one, email requests often need clarification and even a message received in the AM in the West with hopes that by the end of day (morning in Korea) there will be substantial progress—without some clarity—little may have been accomplished.

More so, even if a request is made—local teams are often stretched thin—and any new workload can be seen as overwhelming.

Also common are End of Day requests—again sent at the beginning of the day in Korea—but received as the day is wrapping up in the West. In contrast for an expat team their “second day” often begins around 4-5 PM as the Korean HQ is back on-line and their work often running late into the evening—but for western employees working late is most often not an option.

I do have a number of work-arounds—most the result of nearly 20 years working directly with teams and leadership in Korea.

Here I share two among my long list many proven cross-culture approaches and solutions.

Hint 1

In the case of a last-minute request or a request that may require more clarity and/or substantial research….

As I learned from a senior Korean executive, in many cases Korea often requests local input so teams and leadership can finalize an important decision. They are aware of time restraints and that a comprehensive response could take days. Noting that they are looking for some input, even input limited in scope, that may help sway their decision—pro or con.

Hint 2

In the case of a request and not wishing to seem uncooperative—but unable to respond as requested due to commitments and workload….

Given my experience in dealing with urgent HQ request as noted in Hint 1, I suggest sharing with the Korean team that you’d be happy to assist but you’ll need additional time due to current deadlines, end of day, etc.

As a caveat, I always ask for their timeline and then share some options on when you may be able to assist. I have found what is assumed to be an urgent request often does have flexibility.

In closing, I feel the move to more open and direct communications between HQ and the local team is quite positive. It is not without its challenges as we learn to adapt, build relationships and work within the restraints in time difference, life balance and work hours.

I look forward to your thoughts and comments. Again, if needed I can share more regarding proven cross-culture approaches and solutions.

Don Southerton https://www.bridgingculture.com

Habit Burger Grill Sets Sights on Korea

October 26, 2019 Don Southerton Global Business Comments Off

Proud to announce The Habit Burget Grill Looks to South Korea! Interested? Contact me at dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com

The Habit Burger Grill (Nasdaq: HABT) is setting its sights on South Korea as the next international growth target as the burger-centric restaurant concept continues its steady march abroad. To support its expansion plans, The Habit has partnered with the experienced business development consulting firm, Bridging Culture Worldwide to attract multi-unit franchise development companies.

“South Korea, with its savvy consumers, open minded culture and interest in global brands is an ideal marketplace for The Habit Burger Grill’s expansion,” said John Phillips, The Habit Burger Grill’s Chief Global Business Partnership Officer. “The people of South Korea appreciate quality food and enjoy the fast-casual experience. We look forward to working with Bridging Culture Worldwide to find the right franchise partner to ensure our mutual success.”

The Habit Burger Grill’s entry into the South Korea marks the next phase in a larger international expansion plan. Bridging Culture Worldwide will help The Habit lead its expansion into the broader Asia-Pacific region. The consulting, strategic planning and market entry service is excited to join this venture.

“South Korea has embraced premium Western brands and The Habit Burger Grill delivers exactly what consumers are seeking – great food and excellent service. With their distinctive fresh off the grill Charburger and hand-crafted sandwiches, fresh salads and other menu items, we know South Korea will appreciate all that The Habit Burger Grill has to offer,” said Don Southerton, Bridging Culture Worldwide’s Founder and CEO.

Better burgers are just the beginning at The Habit where the menu also includes hand-cut salads, grilled sandwiches including line-caught, sushi grade ahi tuna, fresh chicken, and hand-filleted marinated grilled tri-tip, and sides including onion rings, sweet potato and French fries, and tempura green beans. Guests can choose from a variety of peppers, lemons, limes, and sauces at a complimentary condiment bar to customize the flavor of their meal.

The Habit Restaurants, Inc.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, The Habit Burger Grill is a burger-centric, fast casual restaurant concept that specializes in preparing fresh, made-to-order chargrilled burgers and handcrafted sandwiches featuring USDA choice tri-tip, grilled chicken and sushi-grade ahi tuna cooked over an open flame. In addition, it features fresh made-to-order salads and an appealing selection of sides, shakes and malts. The Habit was named the “best tasting burger in America” in July 2014 in a comprehensive survey conducted by one of America’s leading consumer magazines. The first Habit opened in Santa Barbara, California in 1969 and was most recently named the winner of USA Today’s 10Best in Regional Fast Food. The Habit has since grown to over 265 restaurants in 12 states throughout Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Washington as well as six international locations. More information is available at www.habitburger.com.

About Bridging Culture Worldwide
Founded by Don Southerton, Bridging Culture Worldwide provides targeted market entry, strategy, and consulting to Korea-based global businesses as well as support for major western firms entering Korea.

With a life-long interest in Korea and the rich culture of the country, Southerton has researched and authored numerous publications with topics centering on the creative culture lifestyle, the Korean auto industry, new urbanism, entrepreneurialism, and U.S.-Korean business ventures.

Southerton has been a contributor to The Economist, Branding in Asia, Automotive News, the BBC, CNN Fortune, Korea Times, Yonhap, Korea Herald, tbs eFM, Wall Street Journal, and Forbes. To learn more, go to www.bridgingculture.com.

Global Collaboration: an cultural approach

September 29, 2019 Don Southerton Commentary Comments Off

Short 2-minute video on Global Collaboration: an early stage cultural savvy approach. Timely as so many JVs, MOUs and partnerships.

Questions? Comments? Inquiries?

mailto: dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com

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Today is an exciting day

September 17, 2019 Don Southerton Commentary Comments Off

Today is an exciting day for me. I just launched my Patreon page.

Staying on top of Korea facing business issues and breaking news that impacts you makes a large demand on my time.

The research, analysis, writing, and delivering the best content possible to you every week has become a full-time job.

In order to continue providing the very best content I can, I could really use your help. I feel Patreon is a great option to offset the costs. If you aren’t familiar with Patreon, it’s an easy way for those interested in my work to see new exclusive content and have access to a range of my services.

100% of all funds contributed through Patreon will be used to cover my bandwidth, so I can focus on creating great content. As a friend, I wanted to share the news with you before promoting more widely.

So, if it feels right to you, anything you or the company contribute is most appreciated. With each tier there are some cool benefits, too.

Here’s the link and how to participate. https://www.patreon.com/EverythingKorea

Don

Chuseok Korean Harvest Moon Festival

September 8, 2019 Don Southerton Uncategorized Comments Off

It’s that time of the year with Chuseok, (the Korean Harvest Moon Festival) right around the corner.

This year, Chuseok will be observed Sept. 12-14, with the holiday on Friday, and the day before and after celebrated as National Holidays, too.

Koreans, like many agrarian cultures, once followed the lunar calendar, but in recent history, they have deferred to the solar calendar in line with international practice.

While public holidays are based on the solar calendar, there are a few days that are celebrated based on the lunar calendar.

These are the two most important traditional holidays, the Korean New Year’s Day (the first day of the first lunar month) and Chuseok, the Harvest Moon Festival (fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month).

En mass a substantial part of the population travel. For many, this means going back to their home villages. Over the holiday they perform ancestral rituals at the graves of relatives as well as share time with their family over traditional foods. Others may opt to travel overseas, or a popular trend has been to staycation in a luxury hotel.

For your Korean colleagues (in Korea), you can wish them a happy Chuseok while they are still in their office, so this coming Tuesday, September 11 in the West (which will be Wednesday AM in Korea).

Again, for most Koreans the holiday break will begin Wednesday Korea time at the end of day through the weekend. Some may take extra days off that week.

For expat Koreans working outside Korea, you can wish them happy Chuseok on the actual holiday, Friday September 13.

If you’d like to try, here’s a common greeting:

Chuseok jal ji nae sae yo.

Happy Chuseok works fine, too.

Even though many things have been changed by Korea’s rapid industrialization, urbanization, and globalization we find in the celebration of Chuseok that family remains one of the bedrocks of Korean society.

Please read!
I hope you find value in my Korea facing updates and analysis; information that impacts you, your teams, and company. Staying on top of the issues and breaking news makes large demands on my time. With so much transition currently underway in Korea and within their global organizations we’ll actually see an acceleration in change—one all will find challenging, Koreans and Westerners.

In order to continue providing the very best content and insights, I could really use your help. Frankly this means making sure we are engaged throughout the year with either one of my onboarding, mentoring and coaching programs, the Korea 101 workshops, or as a trusted advisor.

Your voice and support matters and is much appreciated.

Don

Korean Business Talking Points

July 6, 2019 Don Southerton Commentary Comments Off

Korean business and talking points. American holidays allow me to step back, see what I may be missing, take a deep breath and uncover the best solutions to current challenges. My goal is to provide frank insights and pro-active recommendations. Below are a couple of helpful talking points.

Talking Point #1
As with all individuals, no two of us are alike—and the same goes for westerners and Koreans …. Each has his or her unique cultural workplace strengths, skills, and experiences.

That said, one topic I constantly revisit is the assumption that executives and teams engaged in Korea facing business will simply “get it” and “learn as they go.” Without ongoing coaching, this common default seldom works. More damaging is that some team members without support and mentoring may “never get it.”

Arguments that such support can wait often come with a price tag—missteps along the way, poor productivity, and miscommunications.

Push back attributed to the costs for support is often cited, too, as well as what appears to be dismissing or delaying any action until there is a real unavoidable need. The later, can range from denial with hopes that things will work out—to concealing these issues because they might reflect poorly on some in local management. Again, regardless such hopes to dismiss and not engage fail to recognize what I see as decades of history to the contrary.

Talking Point #2
Most non-Korean executives employed to run Korean business divisions are veterans of their industry. They know the business. They are experts. Sadly, they can know little of Korean business and/or feel their past work knowledge is sufficient.

Even more significant, I found that some feel that given time, they will get Koreans to do business their way following the model and methods they polished and acquired working for other firms—often Japanese or German.

Contrary to this hope and recognizing the considerable work practices and corporate structure changes underway in Korea, such as dress codes, fewer hierarchical titles, and a more balanced workday, I do not see Korean firms changing much in their core and deeply rooted business values and processes. More so, American, German, or Japanese business practices like Korean are rooted in their own respective intrinsic cultures.

My suggestion for division executives eager to bring change is to first become fully versed in Korean methods. Learn about the company and their partners. Learn how Koreans manage. Drill deep.

This learning does not occur without considerable insight, mentoring and coaching. In turn, once this ground work is completed, I have found and can offer some sound approaches for introducing new business methods and practices without push back.

In both cases…
Ongoing support of non-Korean management is a must for all Korea facing organizations. Mentoring and coaching is the key. Experience and skills vary, so support must be tailored to address individual needs.

More significant, mentoring requires a deep mutual understanding of both Korean and western business, not to mention the specific Western and Korea-based firms and the industry in general.

I look forward to answering any questions and providing recommendations.

Don https://www.bridgingculture.com

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Smart City, Songdo International City and the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ).

Don Southerton Insights on Korean Business