Heightening Work Experience and Bringing New Opportunity(9)

Heightening Work Experience and Bringing New Opportunity

Actually, for the brand-new section, an interview with a high-profile figure is of significance to draw public attention. Thus, I contacted Dr. Nonaka via Dr. Odo and he kindly accepted my suggestion. 

Even though I couldn’t make the interview due to the unexpected company order, trial itself was quite a big news to me and my company. And 3 months stay in Hawaii, Dr. Nonaka’s last session at JAIMS in particular, definitely helped me a lot in coming up with the idea and made it almost realized.

Heightening Work Experience and Bringing New Opportunity(7)

Heightening Work Experience and Bringing New Opportunity

In other words, articles of the section will be like the MBA school lecture printed on the newspaper. The member selection process went through several steps and I was chosen as one of the final members of the section. Without EWKLP certificate, it would be highly unlikely that I would work for the department. 

Regardless of my willingness to join the section, it was a sure thing that Hawaiian experience provided me with another chance to show off what I studied at JAIMS and to devote my company with fresh and intriguing ideas. 

Heightening Work Experience and Bringing New Opportunity(6)

Heightening Work Experience and Bringing New Opportunity

Whenever it happens, looking back on good days in Hawaii, I smiled with pride and explained them the tacit knowledge. In doing so, what I learned at JAIMS will be penetrated into the entire Korean media industry and play crucial roles in enhancing the quality of articles and even spreading the importance of knowledge management into all sectors of the Korean society. 

In addition, EWKLP brings me new opportunities, which was not easy or time-taking to get before. After returning to work, out of the blue, I was assigned to a newly-lunched department of my company, 'Corporate Management Section'. The new section covers corporate success or failure stories, global business trend and interviews with academic or corporate gurus in the business field.

Heightening Work Experience and Bringing New Opportunity(4)

Heightening Work Experience and Bringing New Opportunity

My column on MBA education will be a model example. In the column, I overlooked where Korean MBA schools are at this moment. And I emphasized the significance of timely MBA education, insisting "MBA schools should be places where students can learn what the society wants contemporary. MBA curriculums should reflect what the market eagerly demands, to name a few, green growth, NGO(Non-Governmental Organization) management." 

Honestly speaking, I got this idea thanks to the experience in Hawaii. Lectures and course works at JAIMS did stress what MBA education should be like. The lesson is that MBA education basically shouldn't be theory-oriented. But it’d better focus on practices and 'Genba', which implies the curriculum would be consist of subjects that can digest various interests from the outside world. This point of view can be supported by students' high remarks on some classes such as professor Kobayashi, professor Kotabe and Mr. Larry Smith.

Broadening Global Horizon and Establishing Rich Friendship(10)

Broadening Global Horizon and Establishing Rich Friendship

Last not but least, comparing other corporate scholarship programs, Fujitsu scholarship assignments seems much. I understand each company has different point of views on their scholarship policies as part of its CSR(Corporate Social Responsibility) activities. However, even requiring an additional assignment after students go back to their home country sounds not a reasonable idea. Once given, it could be better to leave the scholarship entirely in the hands of students. 

In spite of some shortfalls, in general, EWKLP and Fujitsu scholarship is well-organized enough to realize my goals which I dreamed back in Korea last year. Once again, I truly appreciate all JAIMS staff and Fujitsu personnel for letting me broaden global horizon and build up rich friendship. And I hope JAIMS and EWKLP will make more distinct presence in the international community soon.

Broadening Global Horizon and Establishing Rich Friendship(3)

Broadening Global Horizon and Establishing Rich Friendship

Against this background, it is not an easy thing at all to find out proper words or expressions which best describes my 3 months stay in Hawaii. After nights of twist and toast, I finally came up with two ideas; Broadening Global Horizon & Building Up Rich Friendship. 

Needless to say, life at JAIMS and further in Hawaii was ‘Golden Period of My Lifetime’ mainly because I learned global perspective and met 19 gorgeous friends at the same time. And the expectation that I sincerely had deep in my heart back in Korea, dare to say, almost achieved during the past 3 months.

Enhancing the Quality of MBA Education in Korea, Japan and China(2)

Improving the Quality of MBA Education in Korea, Japan and China - Integrating East & West

Negative point of view is also found out even inside the academic field. For example, Ikujiro Nonaka, a professor at JAIMS and one of the most influential scholars in the management academy, claims that professors do not know the real business world. He went on saying that professors tend to focus on abstract theories and models without enough hands-on experiences. 

However, we insist that an Eastern-Western value integrated MBA education would be a competitive advantage to companies, particularly in Asian context. And the integrated MBA education could raise their value within companies consequently.

Broadening global horizon and building up rich friendship(10)

Broadening global horizon and building up rich friendship

Putting the title of a filed study in the shade, energy and vitality was rarely noticed on the sport as if reflecting gloomy economic situation in Hawaii. Last not but least, comparing other corporate scholarship programs, Fujitsu scholarship assignments seems much. 

I understand each company has different point of views on their scholarship policies as part of its CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities. However, even requiring an additional assignment after students go back to their home country sounds not a reasonable idea. Once given, it could be better to leave the scholarship entirely in the hands of students.

In spite of some shortfalls, in general, EWKLP and Fujitsu scholarship is well-organized enough to realize my goals which I dreamed back in Korea last year. Once again, I truly appreciate all JAIMS staff and Fujitsu personnel for letting me broaden global horizon and build up rich friendship. And I hope JAIMS and EWKLP will make more distinct presence in the international community soon.

Broadening global horizon and building up rich friendship(3)

Broadening global horizon and building up rich friendship

These may create new business opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region after EWKLP students go back to their home. Amongst the participant countries, it is also anticipated that improved image on Korea will enhance nation-level relationship.

Against this background, it is not an easy thing at all to find out proper words or expressions which best describes my 3 months stay in Hawaii. After nights of twist and toast, I finally came up with two ideas; Broadening Global Horizon & Building Up Rich Friendship.

Needless to say, life at JAIMS and further in Hawaii was 'Golden Period of My Lifetime' mainly because I learned global perspective and met 19 gorgeous friends at the same time. And the expectation that I sincerely had deep in my heart back in Korea, dare to say, almost achieved during the past 3 months.

Broadening global horizon and building up rich friendship(1)

Broadening global horizon and building up rich friendship

Before coming to Hawaii, in my application forms to JAIMS, rough expectation on EWKLP went like this: EWKLP will be of great significance to me. By studying various subjects of business, I can not only deepen my knowledge but also harmonize my experience, as a journalist, with theory. 

That could explain why lessons from EWKLP will lead me to make more profound articles on business practices. I have little doubt that 3 months in Hawaii will absolutely help me realize my lifetime goal, contributing myself to my country. 

In this time of financial crisis, insightful articles can make people happy. It can change the world, too. State-of-the-art business cases will also give new ideas to business leaders in Korea with whom I have had firm relationship. 

How I became interested in Southeast Asia(3)

Brief story of how I became interested in Southeast Asia including Indonesia

I was also given a chance to take a short-term MBA program at JAIMS in Hawaii, America. JAIMS(Japan-America Institute of Management Science) is an in-house management institute of Fujitsu, a Japan-born IT giant. 

My global capacity seemed to be improved a lot during 4 months in Hawaii. I intensively discussed and debated in English with classmates from 10 different countries all over the world at the campus.

Back in the social section at Maeil Business Daily, I was in charge of the Korean MBA rating project in partnership with QS, a world level college rating agency. 

How I became interested in Southeast Asia(2)

Brief story of how I became interested in Southeast Asia including Indonesia

I advanced to Graduate School of Law at Younsei University while I was still working for the newspaper company. Unlike my undergraduate course, I chose law as my major because I realized the necessity of legal mind. 

My topic for the dissertation was 'A Study on Territorialitatsprinzip and Lex loci Protectionis in the International Disputes over the Intellectual Property Rights(Focused on the Issue of the Governing Law in Von Dutch Case)'. 

This is because I wanted to deal with international issues and the international law in depth in which I had been much interested. I was also given a chance to take a short-term MBA program at JAIMS in Hawaii, America.

Reason for applying for EWKLP(3)

Reason for applying for EWKLP(East-West Knowledge Leaders Program)

In doing so, I learned how textbook theories, such as marketing, human resource management and global strategy are put into reality in the fierce business world. 

Sometimes, professors are incorrect because they fail to catch up with fast-changing business trends. For example, most textbooks teach related diversification is good while non-related diversification is wrong. 

However, based on my on-the-spot-experience, some companies succeeded in expanding their business into non-related field. TAIHAN electric wire in Korea is a proper example. Although wire and cable are its core products, TAIHAN electric wire managed to make profits in the leisure and textile field through aggressive M&As. 

Enriching Work Experience and Bringing New Opportunity(4)

Enriching Work Experience and Bringing New Opportunity(4)

In other words, articles of the section will be like the MBA school lecture printed on the newspaper. The member selection process went through several steps and I was chosen as one of the final members of the section. Without EWKLP certificate, it would be highly unlikely that I would work for the department.

 

Regardless of my willingness to join the section, it was a sure thing that Hawaiian experience provided me with another chance to show off what I studied at JAIMS and to devote my company with fresh and intriguing ideas. 

Honestly speaking, after watching that I was sent to the new department, some of my colleagues were envious of me and even asked me how they could get the Fujitsu scholarship.

An attempted interview with Dr. Nonaka deserves to be mentioned as well. While I was working for the corporate business department, an interview with Dr. Nonaka just came to my mind. It is because he has full qualifications for media coverage, as the one of the most influential scholars in the Asian business academy.

Enriching Work Experience and Bringing New Opportunity(3)

Enriching Work Experience and Bringing New Opportunity(3)

And it is non other than catching up with the most recent trend of advanced MBA education in the world. If not staying in Hawaii, I probably can’t have this persuasive view. Not only for articles, but also for brainstorming and daily conversation at work, the role of EWKLP training means a lot and makes me to intellectually grow as time goes by.

And needless to say, it distinguished me from other Korean journalists who covered similar area with me. After reading my unusual but sophisticated articles, colleagues both at my organization and other companies asked me what’s secret of my excellent coverage. 

Whenever it happens, looking back on good days in Hawaii, I smiled with pride and explained them the tacit knowledge. In doing so, what I learned at JAIMS will be penetrated into the entire Korean media industry and play crucial roles in enhancing the quality of articles and even spreading the importance of knowledge management into all sectors of the Korean society. 

In addition, EWKLP brings me new opportunities, which was not easy or time-taking to get before. After returning to work, out of the blue, I was assigned to a newly-lunched department of my company, 'Corporate Management Section'. The new section covers corporate success or failure stories, global business trend and interviews with academic or corporate gurus in the business field.

Broadening Global Horizon and Building Up Rich Friendship(5)

Broadening Global Horizon and Building Up Rich Friendship(5)

Looking back on, there are things which I hope to be improved or fixed in the near future. For example, I still can't fully understand why students have to submit a key learning report per each class. Some class lasted only 2 or 3 hours and contents were not clear as well. Under this circumstance, requiring a key learning report is asking too much. Students may have strong temptation of cooking up stories.

Additionally, a couple of outdoor activities such as visits to Swap Meet and Honolulu Zoo were way from expectation. Putting the title of a filed study in the shade, energy and vitality was rarely noticed on the sport as if reflecting gloomy economic situation in Hawaii.

Last not but least, comparing other corporate scholarship programs, Fujitsu scholarship assignments seems much. I understand each company has different point of views on their scholarship policies as part of its CSR(Corporate Social Responsibility) activities. However, even requiring an additional assignment after students go back to their home country sounds not a reasonable idea. Once given, it could be better to leave the scholarship entirely in the hands of students.

In spite of some shortfalls, in general, EWKLP and Fujitsu scholarship is well-organized enough to realize my goals which I dreamed back in Korea last year. Once again, I truly appreciate all JAIMS staff and Fujitsu personnel for letting me broaden global horizon and build up rich friendship. And I hope JAIMS and EWKLP will make more distinct presence in the international community soon.

Broadening Global Horizon and Building Up Rich Friendship(2)

Broadening Global Horizon and Building Up Rich Friendship(2)

Against this background, it is not an easy thing at all to find out proper words or expressions which best describes my 3 months stay in Hawaii. After nights of twist and toast, I finally came up with two ideas; Broadening Global Horizon & Building Up Rich Friendship.

Needless to say, life at JAIMS and further in Hawaii was ‘Golden Period of My Lifetime’ mainly because I learned global perspective and met 19 gorgeous friends at the same time. And the expectation that I sincerely had deep in my heart back in Korea, dare to say, almost achieved during the past 3 months.

First of all, thanks to EWKLP program, my global horizon was amazingly broadened. Honestly specking, it was not my first time to go abroad. Since I joined the media industry, I have been to more than 20 countries on business trips even to South America and Scandinavian countries. However, it was the work which counted the most on business trips. 

In other words, I rarely had enough time to look around the place and taste the local atmosphere. As a result, most times, I made myself be just satisfied with only scratching the surface of the unfamiliar culture. But this time was a huge exception. Course works, group discussion and presentation, field studies, outdoor activities and travelling combined together, really worked to widen my global sights on various issues.

Broadening Global Horizon and Building Up Rich Friendship(1)

Broadening Global Horizon and Building Up Rich Friendship(1)

Before coming to Hawaii, in my application forms to JAIMS(Japan-America Institute of Management Science), rough expectation on EWKLP(East-West Knowledge Leaders Program) went like this: EWKLP will be of great significance to me. By studying various subjects of business, I can not only deepen my knowledge but also harmonize my experience, as a journalist, with theory.

That could explain why lessons from EWKLP will lead me to make more profound articles on business practices. I have little doubt that 3 months in Hawaii will absolutely help me realize my lifetime goal, contributing myself to my country. In this time of financial crisis, insightful articles can make people happy. It can change the world, too. State-of-the-art business cases will also give new ideas to business leaders in Korea with whom I have had firm relationship. Interviews with CEOs and corporate management convinced me that they are dying for new and practical business principles.

In addition, EWKLP will serve a good chance to promote Korea to foreign friends. In spite of strong economic size and potentials, Korea is one of the undervalued countries in the global stage. Some business sectors such as semi-conductor, shipping and automobile industry, Korean companies are leading the world. By actively introducing Korean companies and their success stories to classes, I want to let EWKLP participants know more about Korea.

At the same time, I will do my best to be more aware of neighboring countries. These may create new business opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region after EWKLP students go back to their home. Amongst the participant countries, it is also anticipated that improved image on Korea will enhance nation-level relationship.

Improving the Quality of MBA Education in Korea, Japan and China(1)

Improving the Quality of MBA Education in Korea, Japan and China(1) - Integrating East & West

It is little doubt that MBA (Master of Business Administration) education is important to business people. It is because MBA education can help students develop career, expand network, go through global experience, start new business and broaden horizon.

However, there is some criticism of MBAs from the corporate side, especially during economic downturns. Critics point out that most MBA education is not worthy of investing huge amount of money and time. They argue that MBA education fails to bring whatever value companies eagerly want to get although snowballing number of students fly to American or European MBA schools to study year by year.

Negative point of view is also found out even inside the academic field. For example, Ikujiro Nonaka, a professor at JAIMS and one of the most influential scholars in the management academy, claims that professors do not know the real business world. He went on saying that professors tend to focus on abstract theories and models without enough hands-on experiences.

However, we insist that an Eastern-Western value integrated MBA education would be a competitive advantage to companies, particularly in Asian context. And the integrated MBA education could raise their value within companies consequently.