Tag Archive for Kia Motors

Everything Korea, October 12 Episode, more Context vs. Data

October 14, 2015 Global Business, Korean Business Culture Comments Off on Everything Korea, October 12 Episode, more Context vs. Data

One of my recent themes has been Context vs. Data.   

Background matters. Decisions, strategies and tactics need to take into account circumstances—some reaching back decades. I like to think I provide Context.  In part, I have invested years of research, study and first hand experience looking at Korea facing business. My books and commentaries reflect this work.

This short book I authored several years ago, Hyundai and Kia Motors

The Early Years and Product Development focused on the Korean brands mid 1960s to 2000.

H K Early Years

At this time Korean automakers went through a dramatic transformation.  They went from essentially partnered for technology and design with Ford, Mazda, and Mitsubishi….. to developing their own integrated research, development, and manufacturing􏰃, not to mention the economies of scale needed for the Korean automakers to compete globally with industry heavyweights such as Toyota, Ford, GM, and VW.

In the book i look at Hyundai and Kia models from the past such as the Pony and Excel, Brisa and the Pride, 
and the Sephia, as well as some still very popular and successful such as the Sportage, Rio and Santa Fe.

To access a complimentary copy of Hyundai and Kia Motors: The Early Years and Product Development, go to:

https://www.scribd.com/doc/283275859/

Everything Korea: Episode August 24—A Longer Answer

August 25, 2015 Commentary, general, vodcast Comments Off on Everything Korea: Episode August 24—A Longer Answer

In a June Vodcast I shared a “short answer” describing my work consulting for CEO and C-level management as well as the teams.

My short answer has been what client and long friend, a CMO for a major company best described my practice to others as Everything Korea… I also like having been introduced as “ a high power consultant” or Don is “the guru, the guy CEOs want to have their voice heard with…

In particular, I provide counsel and solutions based on my years working with Korean business—a good part in the international expansion into new markets and the challenges that surface.

I also shared why I post weekly Vodcasts, frequent media commentaries, case studies as well as books on Korea facing topics.   They all serve as channels to educate and inform.

This said, in my consultancy each engagement needs to be approached on a case-by-case basis—no two situations identical.

If you feel you might benefit from my Korean business insights, I’ve blocked out my availability to chat and discuss…. Just go to http://www.meetme.so/southerton

In closing, I’ve included a “Long Answer” List of varied media resources and interviews that share and highlight the scope of my work as well as advise for Korea facing companies.

Links

Wall Street Journal Korea Real Time

“Southerton Advises Non-Koreans in Overseas Korean Offices”

http://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2013/01/14/southerton-advises-non-koreans-in-overseas-korean-offices/

Busan Hap

“Korea Facing: Interview with Korea Global Consultant Don Southerton”

http://www.busanhaps.com/article/korea-facing-interview-korea-global-consultant-don-southerton

Korea Herald

“The Tall Man’ and the globalization of Hyundai Construction”

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130729000587

Wall Street Journal Korea Real Time

“Hyundai Motor: Cruising or Skidding?”

http://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2014/03/11/hyundai-motor-cruising-or-skidding/

The Korean Car Blog (a selection of articles authored by Don Southerton)

http://thekoreancarblog.com/author/don/

Forbes

“New Urbanism”

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jaynejung/2011/11/15/new-urbanism-comparing-songdo-south-korea-to-belmar-usa/

Korea Magazine

Cover Story: “Songdo”

http://www.scribd.com/doc/157552923/KOREA-2013-VOL-9-No-08

Fortune

“How Korean car makers beat out the Japanese”

http://fortune.com/2015/06/29/korean-japanese-cars-quality/

Leaf Chronicle

“Growth Summit Focuses on Global Jobs”

http://www.theleafchronicle.com/story/news/local/clarksville/2015/05/28/th-growth-summit-focuses-global-jobs/28094217/

Oh, one more thing, even more links to resources are available upon request.

New For 2014: Strategic Services

January 16, 2014 general Comments Off on New For 2014: Strategic Services

A Note from Don Southerton

While my services have been well received and highly valued over the past decade, in 2013, I began shifting focus from training programs and coaching leadership to a deeper role with a few select clients.

In other words, rather than standing outside the organization and giving advice, counsel and perspective, I actively facilitated and supervised projects that addressed the companies’ pressing needs. This approach, built upon my understanding the nuances of Korean-based business and their companies, has proven to be extremely successful for my clients.

This new role was driven from ten years’ of listening to teams and leadership share (and, at times, vent) challenges. Frankly, after listening to this dialogue, I felt that this expanded value-added approach—one clearly within my skill sets —would serve my clients well.

As we begin 2014, I look forward to supporting you and would like to discuss how this new service can help you meet your firm’s strategic challenges.

Don Southerton Korea consulting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com

 

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Golf, Songdo, Mad For Garlic, Cars and New Media

October 12, 2013 general Comments Off on Golf, Songdo, Mad For Garlic, Cars and New Media

By Don Southerton, Editor
From my previous post, I’m back from attending the PGA’s President Cup in Ohio. In 2015, the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea will host the event. Look for updates as they unfold.

Over the years, I have worked closely with the developers of Jack Nicklaus Golf Club, NY-based Gale International on their Songdo, city of the future. My cover story on Songdo was recently highlighted in Korea magazine. I see Songdo as ever evolving and becoming a knowledge-based forward thinking hub of East Asia.

Songdo Don Southerton

Over the past two years I have also advised top North America golf retailer Golfsmith International on entering the Korean market, plus I am working closely with Korea’s Mad for Garlic on opening in the US and the ME.

Don Southerton Mad For Garlic

Tasty !

What stands out is…US brands and concepts do well in Korea, and Korean brands do well here in North America.

Hyundai Motor Don Southeton

BTW I still work extensively across the Hyundai Motor Group supporting Hyundai, Kia Motors, Hyundai Capital, Hyundai Glovis—to name but a few. In addition, I support a number of key digital and media partners, which over the years has become one of my areas of expertise. Take Note: I see digital and new media work culture as edgy and very cool.

That said, regardless if its golf, forward leaning Songdo, garlic inspired cuisine, cars or new media–Culture– plays an incredible role. Sharing and communicating the nuances in workplace culture allow projects to move forward smoothly with no delays. In the worst cases, and without a strategy, coaching and support, expectations are not met, projects stall, deadline come and go, and often employee turnover is high with costs escalating.

When needed, my role is to provide support, strategy, coaching and training.

+1-310-866-3777
Dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com
Pretty much here 24-5

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Kia Motors America, A Bridging Culture Worldwide Case Study Success Story— A 2013 Revisit

June 17, 2013 general Comments Off on Kia Motors America, A Bridging Culture Worldwide Case Study Success Story— A 2013 Revisit

By Don Southerton

As a disclaimer, the viewpoints of this report are solely the opinions of Don Southerton and Bridging Culture Worldwide.

Kia Motors

Kia Motors America

I support a number of Korea-based global organizations. Many are in the automotive sector. This is because the top Korean auto maker (Hyundai and Kia Motors) has a huge overseas operations and the auto sector requires extensive infrastructure and staffing to support their network, including parts, sales, marketing, logistics, manufacturing, finance, R&D, design, legal, and compliance with a myriad of local, state and federal regulations.

Moreover, tier 1 vendors and suppliers now support the carmakers. This creates the need for these third party partners to better understand the mindset and corporate culture of Korea-based firms, such as Hyundai and Kia Motors.

First reported in 2010 and updated again the following year, I prepared a case study sharing how Kia Motors America, a subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Group, highly proactively provided their team with support. This included Korean culture training for new employees and ongoing Korean cross-cultural workshops for the team.

For over 7 years and in cooperation with KMA’s Human Resource Organizational Development team Bridging Culture Worldwide has offered multiple week sessions of Korea 101 and 201 cross-cultural training. Program lengths vary to accommodate schedules but usually the first 6 weeks focus on history, Kia heritage, and popular culture. A second six weeks program looks at the modern Korean workplace and its norms, practices, and expectations.

In May 2013, we extended the training outside the corporate offices in California to a well-received web-based program offered to Kia Motors’ ever-growing US nationwide team.

Kia has also provides ongoing support and coaching to key management and leadership. This includes Korea culture coaching to new non-Korean executives. Here we share Korea’s heritage, Kia history and corporate culture, workplace expectations, and etiquette, while providing answers to questions that surface day-to-day. We also prepare executives for their first visit to Korea and the norms/ expectations for meeting with senior Korean leadership and high-level meetings at Kia Motors HQ, R&D Center, etc.

Over the years we have supported KMA marketing teams, public relations, service, product planning, HR, legal and strategic developments teams. Our support has been diverse from working with Kia technicians competing in Kia Motors Company’s Global Automotive Technical Skills Competition in Seoul to sharing insights into the Korean workplace with university students working as interns at KMA each summer.

In closing the key to the success of Kia Motors America’s Korean cross cultural training has been the strong endorsement of the firms’ CEOs, senior American and Korean management, and the HR and OD team. As an organization they realize that their teams need support. In turn, we craft programs targeting their needs and flexible enough to meet demanding and ever-changing work schedules. Expecting employees to “ get it” without training and coaching rarely works. We are proud to work with Kia Motors and their team.

If you have questions on implementing a program to support your team, please feel to contact us at dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com or call 1-310-866-3777

Copyright 2013 BCW

Korea Facing–tbs eFM 1013 Main Street Interview

March 4, 2013 Education Comments Off on Korea Facing–tbs eFM 1013 Main Street Interview

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

Korea Facing book

 

Questions? Want a complimentary copy of the book? Just email dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com

WSJ: Southerton Advises Non-Koreans in Overseas Korean Offices

January 15, 2013 general Comments Off on WSJ: Southerton Advises Non-Koreans in Overseas Korean Offices

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/

 

Korean Holiday Greeting

December 17, 2012 Education Comments Off on Korean Holiday Greeting

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: Year end

December 11, 2012 general Comments Off on Korea Facing: Year end

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: The Book

December 4, 2012 general Comments Off on Korea Facing: The Book

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.

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