Archive for Global Business

Willingness to Change

August 12, 2018 Global Business Comments Off on Willingness to Change

The Culture Puzzle Part 1 and a willingness to change.

willingness to change

Noted Korea expert Don Southerton

When a western company enters an overseas’ market such as Korea, gaps in understanding commonly surface.  Most often the western brand and their team bring new ideas and an approach to the market.

This is nothing new.  In fact, many of today’s success stories result from looking outside the box.

For example, when Starbucks entered Korea, they encouraged customers to sit and enjoy their drink… as well as converse with a friend, read a book, surf the web or catch up on homework.

Prior, the Korean model was for a quick turnover — customers in and out the door.  This “stay” took some time to convince both the local Korean business partner and the customer.  Today it is the norm and only limited by seating availability.

Still, when companies change hands, merger or are introduced to international markets, it brings in new or different procedures.

In my experience, it is not unusual for Korean teams to pushback— as most companies might with market entry until they gain insights.

To some extent, local norms, regulations, and laws may dictate how the western brand must adapt and localize. That said,  most often with the pushback comes discussions beginning with the phrase, “But, in Korea,…”

Here we can find rigid thinking and risk avoidance overshadowing the openness to change. More so, western teams can feel that without fully embracing their brand or service’s nuances and business model, chances of success in the new market are reduced and may not even succeed.

Now the tricky part…

All said when to localize and adapt to the local tastes, preferences, and trends versus when to hold to the western model requires cultural finesse, an open mind and critical thinking.  This needs to unfold over time.

 

In Part 2 of the Culture Puzzle, I’ll look at Korean companies and their brands’ openness to adapt and localize in their overseas operations outside Korea.– and a willingness to change?

 

More to come…

https://www.bridgingculture.com

 

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Globalization and Trustworthy Management

April 21, 2018 Commentary, Global Business Comments Off on Globalization and Trustworthy Management

Each weekend I turn my thought to sharing topics on Korea business. This week it’s my article on Globalization and Trustworthy Management  from Korea Herald titled:

‘The Tall Man’ and the Globalization of Hyundai Construction

Hotel Architect Bill Swank opens Chaebol to West through Trustworthy Management

Globalization and Trustworthy Management

Bill Swank The Tall Man

Bill was the first westerner hired by the Hyundai Group.

The story was written in 2013, but still timely.

Bill passed away in February 2014.  It was an honor to know him. Bill was a huge advocate for my work.

Bill was the first westerner hired by the Hyundai Group.
Article Link

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

 

 

Questions, Comments, Thoughts?

DS

Weekend Read 5: The Hyundai Advantage

February 10, 2018 Global Business Comments Off on Weekend Read 5: The Hyundai Advantage
Hyundai guy

Don Southerton Hyundai Expert

I’d like to share the story behind what has become a cornerstone for Hyundai and Kia Motors. 

 

Please enjoy this weekend’s read, “The Hyundai Advantage, Creative Marketing and America’s Best Warranty—The Story Behind”

 

“A bold creative marketing ’10-year / 100,000-mile Warranty’ program was first introduced in the U.S. in 1998…not by Detroit’s Big 3 or the growing number of Japanese brands, but by Korean automaker Hyundai Motor.”

 

Here is the LINK http://www.bridgingculture.com/assets/advantage1998.pdf

 

​​​​​​​In my trip to SoCal this week, and KMA, HMA, GMA, MPA and HCA, many were asking about previous Weekend Read 1-4. No problem, go to: Case Studies

http://www.bridgingculture.com/what-we-do.html

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Weekend Read 4 Hyundai and Kia Motors: The Early Years

February 3, 2018 Global Business Comments Off on Weekend Read 4 Hyundai and Kia Motors: The Early Years
Hyundai and Kia Motors

Hyundai and Kia Motors: The early years

This week’s read (about 27 pages) is Hyundai and Kia Motors: The Early Years and Product Development.

Reaching back to the early 1960s, we will look at the political and economic forces long impacting the industrial growth and development of South Korea, including automakers Hyundai and Kia Motors.

In addition, we find the roots for the Korean export model where brands like Samsung, LG, SK and Daewoo also followed in partnered with global companies for technology and design prior to expanding rapidly in the domestic Korea and international markets.

I see this trend continuing even today… perhaps more so than ever.

Here is a link to the book in PDF. http://www.bridgingculture.com/assets/hkebook.pdf

Enjoy.

Here if you need to chat, too.

#hyundai  #kia

 

DS

Mad For Garlic Looks to the Americas

June 27, 2017 Global Business Comments Off on Mad For Garlic Looks to the Americas

This week, I’d like to share three popular South Korean chef-inspired restaurant concepts, including Mad For Garlic, that are moved into the second phase of international expansion. Successfully launched in South Korea and Asia, Seoul-based SUN AT FOODS now plans to bring their handcrafted artisanal cuisines to the U.S and the Americas.

One of my longtime personal favorites, which I have talked about often, is Mad for Garlic that first opened in 2001. They are known for their garlic-specialized Italian cuisine served in rather unique restaurant settings.

I feel their secrets are Mad for Garlic’s method of removing the garlic’s pungent smell and unique way of cooking Italian cuisine with a Korean twist. In Korea and Asia they have won the hearts of both garlic and non-garlic lovers.

mad for garlic America

Building on the success of Mad for Garlic are two new concepts Modern Nulung and Bistro Seoul.

Inspired by 1930s Shanghai Renaissance era, Modern Nulang is the combination words of ‘Modern’ and ‘Nulang’ –the latter meaning ‘woman’ in Chinese. They have reinterpreted the era’s ‘modern women’ in their dishes, which guests describe as ‘Sophisticated’ and ‘Romantic’ Chinese Cuisine. Best of all, folks love indulging in an exotic Shanghai dining and cultural experience captured so well in Modern Nulang.

Modern Nulang America

A third concept is Bistro Seoul. Here they offer authentic Korean cuisine made with fresh ingredients and seasoning prepared in a traditional but modern interpretation. Savory dishes include Grilled Short Rib Patties, and their ever popular Korean style pancakes that include Kimchi & Seafood pancakes, Crispy Potato pancakes and Minced Shrimp & Seafood pancakes.

Bistro Seoul America

SUN AT FOODS plans are now underway targeting top regional U.S markets as well as meeting with industry leaders and potential regional developers. In fact, I am their market development consultant and we’re eager to meet with potential partners to share the three concepts—each with their unique appeal.

For more information on the brands, please contact www.bridgingculture.com

 

For all urgent matters, text me at 310-866-3777

 

#everythingkorea

 

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Everything Korea November 7 Episode, Traversing the Challenges

November 8, 2016 Global Business Comments Off on Everything Korea November 7 Episode, Traversing the Challenges

november_7

One of my passions is mountain trail running—the more demanding the terrain–the better. It’s the same in my consultancy –I enjoy tackling tough challenges – and providing sound solutions and a work through.

Over the past few days, I’ve had inquiries on resources to help western managers and teams better work with their Korean counterparts.  As I’ve mentioned, for example, we’re seeing local teams increasingly in daily correspondence and on calls with Korea HQ teams, so practical skills and insights can help traverse the cross-cultural challenges.

In addition to my weekly vodcasts, now with more than 100 videos on the BCW YouTube Channel and over 20,000 views, I’d like to share another web-based resource –Issuu—where I’ve uploaded 22 publications.

Subjects are wide ranging from my 10 insights into Hyundai Motor Company culture to articles in Forbes, Chief Executive (Korean language), The Economist, The Korea Herald, Yonhap New Agency, FSR Magazine, and US Korea Connect to name a few.

Link to Issuu –

https://issuu.com/bcwkorea/docs

Oh, one more thing –

Have a subject you’d like me to discuss or comment on in an upcoming episode?

Just email the request to questions@koreabcw.com

Everything Korea October 31: Collaboration

October 31, 2016 Global Business, Uncategorized Comments Off on Everything Korea October 31: Collaboration

oct-31

Collaboration. We hear the term promoted both as a core value and expectation in Korean global business. For me, it’s building a solid relationship with Korean teams—one by one.

In fact, whenever I take on a new Korea facing project, I seek out a team member, first as a point of contact and then someone I can strengthen the relationship building trust and mutual understanding. This can include daily chats by phone, email and Kakao.

In most cases, over time I add layers of support … understanding they are in a tough place… at times having to relay requests and demands they themselves may not clearly agree but nevertheless need to communicate.

In particular, I’ve found they may not be familiar with the project nuances—in contrast the experienced Western team.  In my role, and to build the relationship I work as the go-between, mentoring and even share (confidentially) how to best frame their company’s issues and avoid if handled poorly what could result in an impasse.

Collaboration, all said, is about relationships, nurtured over time, and built on seeing a project through for both sides mutual benefits as well as the individual tied to the undertaking.

Thoughts, questions, comments? Share at questions@koreabcw.com

 

Everything Korea, October 24 Episode: Deconstruction

October 24, 2016 Global Business Comments Off on Everything Korea, October 24 Episode: Deconstruction

oct-24

As I have shared before, supporting clients and their challenges requires getting to the core issues. It’s distinguishing between what may be, for example, a local organizational, or what may be tied to the Company in Korea. It then requires probing for any cultural impasses before providing a practical solution and a work through.

Much of this work is first listening carefully to clients and their challenges.  Equally valuable is walking around the corporate offices, observing and capturing multiple viewpoints.  Nothing beats being onsite. Nothing beats getting face to face.

Too often, I find challenges as murky, complex and layered with frustrations, so a deconstruction is needed.

In most cases, I bring a fresh perspective—one rooted in years working with Korea-facing business.  I’d like to share that in addition to mentoring, my work also involves directly supporting specific and very select high profile projects with clients.

Next Steps

As a next step, I suggest we set a time to discuss how we can work together. My personal assistant Stacey at stacey@koreabcw.com can coordinate a time for us to meet or chat by phone.

 

Everything Korea October 17 Episode: “That wouldn’t work in Korea”

October 17, 2016 Global Business Comments Off on Everything Korea October 17 Episode: “That wouldn’t work in Korea”

 

Old fortress gate with light trails at downtown

Old fortress gate with light trails at downtown

This remark can be heard often.  I personally have experienced it pop up in discussions while at working for Korea companies. It surfaces often in chats with my Korea facing international clients.  In particular, it’s an issue when Korean firms promote themselves as “global, “ but push back with few wanting to move beyond the standard response “That wouldn’t work in Korea” or the caveat “That’s not how we do things at [insert company name] – most often this is when international teams seek to share their global approach to business.

Frankly they are right–things do work well in Korea, but this is the very root of the problem for a list of reasons.  For one, if global brand or company enters the local Korean market with a new product or service they bring an international model, which needs to be followed A-Z.

I’ve seen brands and projects falter when they do not embrace fully or the local partner picks and choices what they see fitting well, dismissing what they see as “different.”  At times one has to question the motive behind this pick and choice, especially when drilling deeper –Control or Openness to Change– becoming the real issue.

On another level, asking global team to follow Korean corporate norms outside Korea is a huge and growing concern. Policy developed in Korea which works well in Korea, rarely translates internationally. More so, when this means decisions for what should be local have to come from teams Korean HQ.

Of course working through these issues is where I come in… mentoring, giving perspective, providing context, sharing workarounds and facilitating the change we seek.

Everything Korea, October 10 Episode: Just Back from Seoul

October 10, 2016 Global Business Comments Off on Everything Korea, October 10 Episode: Just Back from Seoul

oct-10

I’m just back from Seoul. With “Meet and Greets,” more than once casually bumping into few longtime friends in the hotel and at the airport, a number of high level presentations, a VIP tour of Hyundai Card’s two newest venues—the Music Library and the Vinyl and Plastic retail store, and an even a day trip to PyeongChang, home to the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics, the days and nights stayed busy.

Amid all the travel, I study the corporate Korean workplace.  It’s the sub-culture within the different Groups and their affiliates—nuances– that capture my attention.  Marketing teams, for example, dressing ever more casual, ties less and less commonplace, meetings in coffee shops adjacent to corporate offices, not to mention many teams working Remote in the cafes with easy to access Wi-Fi.

Still often we see some constants—older senior executives in their company car, usually black Mercedes, BMWs or Hyundai Equus (now Genesis G90, but badged in Korea as EQ 900), the exchange business cards, although less formal in how they are presented, the dominance in the local market of the top Groups—Samsung, Hyundai, SK, LG and Lotte, as well as annual strikes underway—on this trip Hyundai Motor Company’s union and the subway and railway unions.

All said, what continues to linger in the workplace is rigid canons in the Day to Day — hierarchical top down management and communications, risk avoidance and zero-sum mindsets, and although companies boasting their globalism, few wanting to move beyond the standard response “That wouldn’t work in Korea” when international teams seek to share their global approach to business.

Of course this is where I come in… giving perspective, providing context, sharing workarounds and facilitating change.

Care to discuss?

My personal assistant Stacey at stacey@koreabcw.com can coordinate a time for us to chat by phone, meet or handle by email.

 

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