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.
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.
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.
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 #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.
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.
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.
