This document provides an agenda and overview for a training session on working in South Korea for American businesspeople. The session will include introductions, icebreakers, presentations on South Korea's economy and hosting of major events, intercultural communication styles, and Korean cultural norms for greetings, names, body language, and maintaining relationships. It emphasizes maintaining harmony and avoiding losing face in business interactions in Korea's collective and high-context culture.

1. Welcome!
Our Group:
-American business men
and women, (aged 25-45)
moving to South Korea for at
least one year
-Management and
consultant team helping
build the Olympic Village for
the 2018 winter Olympics

2. Today’s Agenda
1. Introduction (2 minutes)
2. Icebreaker (5 minutes)
3. Overview (8 minutes)
4. Activity (10 minutes)
5. Debrief (5 minutes)
6. Conclusion (5 minutes)
7. Questions and Evaluation (5-10 minutes)

3. Draw a Tree!

4. South Korea
❖ Industrial Age to the Information Age
❖ South Korea entered the global business forum with gusto
❖ Foreign investors own 37% of the total market value of South
Korean companies
❖ South Korea hosting of the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Japan and
the 2018 Winter Olympics
❖ Intercultural competency is even more important than ever!

7. Stand Up!

8. Communication Styles

10. Cultural Dimensions
1. Power Distance
1. Individualism
1. Masculinity
1. Uncertainty/Avoidance
Index
1. Long Term Orientation

11. Do’s and Don’ts in the Work Place
DO:
● Work with the collective
group
● Recognize the strong
work ethic & sacrifice of
personal interests
● Bond as a group,
cultivating strong
personal relationships
● Compromise to settle
disputes
DON’T
● Expect the “frontman” to
act alone
● Conduct personal
business during
organization time
● Assume business will be
conducted based on
performance
● Use ultimatums,
frustration or anger
(losing face)

12. Greeting norms in South Korea
- Korean women usually
nod slightly and will not
shake hands with
Western men. Western
women may offer their
hand to a Korean man.
- Women should be the first
to offer a hand for a
handshake in South Korea
The bow is the
traditional Korean
greeting, although it is
often accompanied by a
handshake among men.
To show respect when
shaking hands, support
your right forearm with
your left hand.
- Bow when departing.
Younger people wave
(move their arm from
side to side).

13. Names and Titles in business world
- very impolite to
address a Korean with
his or her given name.
Address Koreans using
appropriate professional
titles until specifically
invited by your host or
colleagues to use their
given names
- Americans should
address a Korean with
Mr., Mrs., Miss + family
name; however, never
address a high-ranking
person or superior in
this manner

14. Body Language
- Koreans consider it a personal
violation to be touched by
someone who is not a relative or
close friend. Avoid touching,
patting or back slapping a
Korean.
- Direct eye contact between
junior and senior businesspeople
should be avoided. This is seen
as impolite or even as a
challenge.
- Do not cross your legs or
stretch your legs out straight in
front of you. Keep your feet on
the floor, never on a desk or
chair.
- Always pass and receive
objects with your right hand
(supported by the left hand at
the wrist or forearm) or with two
hands.

15. The concept of Kibun
- Kibun is a word with no
literal English translation;
the closest terms are pride,
face, mood, feelings, or
state of mind.
- It is important to know how
to judge the state of
someone else's kibun, how
to avoid hurting it, and how
to keep your own kibun at
the same time.
- Since this is a culture
where social harmony is
crucial, being able to judge
another person's state of
mind is critical to maintain
the person's kibun.
- Nunchi is the ability to
determine another person's
kibun by using the eye.
- Nunchi is accomplished by
watching body language
and listening to the tone of
voice as well as what is
said

16. Wrap-up
-Break into groups
-discuss key learnings
-share one with the
class

17. Key Points
● Our own cultural norms affect relationship in the
workplace
○ Think about your own reactions, preferences and
feelings
● Stepping into a new culture can seem very different
○ The Cultural Dimensions model is a guide
○ Societies are not homogenous
○ There will always be deviations