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Critical Support for Korea Facing Business 2023
Most western executives hired to run Korean business divisions are industry veterans. They know the business. They are experts. Sadly, they often assume they know, but understand little of Korean business practices and norms. Most often feel their past work knowledge is sufficient and some even “wing it.”
Even more significant, I found that some western executives feel that, if just given enough time, they will get their Korean teams to do business their way.
Often I have found their way is a business model and methods they polished and acquired working for their previous firms — often a U.S., Japanese, or German company.
Contrary to this hope for their Korean teams to change, 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.
I suggest that division executives eager to bring change first become fully versed in Korean methods. Learn about the company and its partners. Learn how Koreans manage. Drill deep!
