Business in South Korea

Business in South Korea

Etiquette report

(Executive summary)

We worked on the different ways of doing business in South Korea coming from an Australian firm, because the behavior is really different from one another. In order to help some Australians who are going to do business with South Korean people, we wrote the report.

(Introduction)

This report will look at:

--> appearance and business dress code

--> different behavior during meetings

--> Business practice, appointment, lunch time

--> meetings person's statuts and decision-making

(Appearance)

Firstly, you must know that appearance is important when you do business, no matter where you are on the world. But, depending on the culture, there is a dress code you must acknowledge. When in Australia, we are known to dress simply but elegantly, in South Korea the way you dress have to be very formal, the dress code is very important. You can notice a real difference between those culture. Australian people are claiming equality, freedom, and it feels when it comes to clothes : women can wear pants, and if it is not to whimsical, the tastes of each one can stand out. In South Korea, the dress code is more strict : it must be dark, classy, men wear suit and tie and women have to be pretty, wear skirts and branded accessories. In South Korea, if you have money, you must show it

(Behaviour)

Concerning the behavior in both countries, they are really different during the meetings. Meanwhile in our Australia, we often call each other by our first names, and stay really silent about our personal life, Korean businessman are the exact opposite of us. Koreans call each other by their last name followed by an honorific depending of your statuts in the firm. They like to go out after work with partners to talk about a lot of different subjects, and drink a lot of alcohol, since it’s a tradition. It’s very common to give gift, and really well seen to offer some whisky. The only common point we found between our two country is punctuality.

(Business Practice)

Business practices in South Korea and Australia differ largely. As in South Korea hierarchy is fundamentally essential in the whole organization and practices, in Australia business practice and organization tend to be egalitarianism. This huge difference is noticeable during meetings as South Korea's senior would never meet a junior from their firm or another one. You mustn't act carelessly during a meeting with South Koreans because hierarchy is the key to respect. You should always know who you meet, their status and their background in order to have the proper way to meet them.

Moreover, another part includes management style. In South Korea, you have to know that manager act as superior instead of Australian manager. They do take a real investment of being hierarchically superior. Obedience and loyalty are two important characteristics a manager wait from his employees. Don't

...