외국직원들 싫어하는 네이버; 업무 생산성 저하시킨다

한국은 눈부신 인터넷 속도와 유비쿼터스 연결성으로 유명하다. 이런 한국에서 대다수 사람들이 처음 인터넷을 접할 때 빼놓을 수 없는 것이 바로 점유율 70% 정도를 자랑하는 ‘네이버’ 검색포털이다. 

네이버가 한국에서 이렇게 인기를 끄는 이유는 여러가지가 있으나 비즈니스적인 맥락에서 볼 때 필자는 네이버의 검색엔진 모델이 비효율적이고 생산성을 크게 저하시킨다고 본다. 네이버 시스템이 지닌 영리함은 네이버가 콘텐츠 생산과 서비스를 모두 담당한다는 데 있다. 이로 인해 검색결과가 네이버가 생산한 콘텐츠와, 혹은 네이버가 호스트하는 사이트 상에 부합해 거의 전적으로 내부 트래픽 증가를 촉진하는 시스템을 만들수 있었다. 

네이버 홈페이지는 각종 정보와 헤드라인으로 가득해, 구글 홈페이지와는 완전히 딴판이다. 독특한 점은 네이버 홈페이지에 실린 많은 링크와 헤드라인들이 네이버가 개발했거나 블로깅 플랫폼 등 자체 사이트 중 하나에 호스트된 페이지로 연결된다는 것이다. 검색 선호도와 관련해 구글 이용자들은 자신이 무엇을 검색할지 이미 알고 있는 반면, 한국인들은 무엇을 검색할지 알기 위해 네이버를 방문한다는 얘기까지 있다. 

현재 한국 기업들이 직면한 문제는 대학을 나온 여러 세대의 지식인들이 온라인 검색은 네이버에 크게 의존하고 있고, 검색결과와 정보는 네이버의 블로그와 지식인과 같은 페이지에서 얻는다는 것이다. 네이버에서 한국어로 ‘한국 경제 전망’을 치면 네이버 카페, 네이버 블로그, 네이버 뉴스, 외부 사이트 등의 결과가 뜬다. 이 중에서 정부 공식 사이트는 하나도 없다. 반면 구글에서 한국어로 ‘한국 경제 전망’을 치면 한국 기획재정부가 발표한 공식 보고서와 국영 싱크탱크인 한국개발연구원(KDI) 등이 뜬다. 같은 검색어를 영어로 치면 국제통화기금(IMF)과 OECD, KDI, 금융기관들의 보고서가 뜬다. 이는 네이버에서는 한국 정부, 싱크탱크, 국제기구 같은 공식 소스에서 나온 정보를 찾기 어렵다는 뜻이다. 

사무실 근로자라면 전문가가 준비하고 작성한 보고서, 사례연구, 통계, 리서치 자료 등을 놓칠 수도 있다는 얘기다. 누구나 무료로 접근할 수 있는 정보인데 말이다. 여기에 부족한 영어 독해능력까지 더해져 리서치 스킬도 형편없고 정보 소스도 없는 인력이 만들어진다. 한국 기업이 하지 못하고 있는 것은 직원들을 대상으로 업무와 관련해 영어 자료를 읽고 쓰는 능력을 교육하는 일이다. 마지막으로 랜딩페이지(검색엔진, 광고 등을 경유하여 접속하는 유저가 최초로 보게 되는 웹페이지)로서 네이버는 결국 근로자의 관심을 현재 일어나고 있는 사건과 “유행하는 것들”로 돌려버릴 것이다. 물론 네이버는 강점도 있다. 크라우드소싱 방식의 정보 접근 덕분에 식당 등 화제가 되는 명소를 찾는 데는 그만이다. 하지만 업무용 검색엔진으로서는 생산성을 고갈시킬 뿐이다.

Old New Recruits and Young Retirees a Complex Issue for Corporate Korea

Korea’s fast aging population and subsequent risk to their economy and pension funds is a recurring and well documented issue in South Korea. With an official retirement age much lower than its western counterparts at 60; Korean workers despite their notoriously long hours actually work less than the average worker in other developed countries.

However the aging workforce issue won’t simply be resolved by increasing the retirement age, although it is likely to form a significant part of a nationwide strategy that will also include increased employment of mothers returning to the workforce, Korea also has to deal with a continual increasing average age of first year workers

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I have documented this in my previous articles but a recent survey conducted by Dong-A Ilbo and recruitment website Incruit.com, found that the average age of new office workers in Korea was a staggering 33.2 years of age for men (up from 27.3 in 2008) and 28.6 years of age for females.

This trend has yet to show signs of change and is caused by a range of issues unique to the Korean employment market. Many young Koreans are highly educated with an estimated 70 per cent enrolling in tertiary education. The catch is that the majority of the 70 percent have sought tertiary education in order to win jobs with major corporations which contribute to around 80% to Korea’s GDP but only make up about 10 per cent of jobs available. Samsung Group for example regular record some 100,000 applicants every job season for entry level jobs such is the competition for what are widely considered as the prestigious jobs with prestigious companies in Korea.

Failure to secure a decorated job means many young people are postponing their entrance in to the work force to pursue extra education such as language certificates, going on overseas exchanges or working holidays and dedicating gap years to extended study for notoriously tough company and public institution entrance exams. Not only contributing to the aging workforce equation but also investing thousands of family savings in the process.

South Korea’s men are also required to do a minimum of around two years of military service unless exempted for medical and other reasons. This effectively stops new university graduates from entering the workforce if they have yet to complete their service as many companies will require new recruits to have completed their service before entering a company. This is just one way Korean companies are discriminating during their recruiting process.

While there is a need for a monumental change in Korean society views towards skilled labour and “blue collar” jobs I also believe that major Korean corporations which set the tone for the entire industry have a role to play in combating the growing age of recruits. This could entail a variety of policies such as a reduction in the filtering techniques used to identify “suitable” candidates, A change in perception around military service and unpaid leave or even scrapping English language test requirements.

The rising age of recruits is also a problem for Korean companies operating in the global market. Korean Companies with overseas offices in countries such as in Australia are likely to encounter distrust and factions amongst the workforce around the sensitivity of status and pay. Korean society and companies place a large importance on age and hierarchy in the workforce.  With new graduates entering at the age of 30 most will not be in mid-management roles until their 40s. Koreans Expats sent to work in overseas offices will as a consequence encounter workers of the same age but of significantly higher status and pay compared to themselves. This unique issue is particularly troublesome when 30-35 year old foreign managers are dealing with 45 year old Korean co-workers who refuse to treat their ideas and opinions with the appropriate respect because of the age gap – something I have encountered first hand in my role consulting to Australia – Korean businesses.

Whatever the policy, Korean corporations need to recognise that they are part of the cause but can be part of the solution. In modern Korea, Chaebols are at the center of Korean society and culture and a shift in attitude from them will trickle down to a shift in society’s perspective. It’s simple to see that more must be done to promote young Koreans to enter into the workforce at a younger age and Korean Chaebols will have a large role to play.

Seoul National University (SNU) Korean Language Program Review

Seoul National University (http://lei.snu.ac.kr/site/en/klec/main/main.jsp)

Arguably the most prestigious school in Korea and set against the backdrop of gwanak-san the Korean language program at Seoul National University is in comparison much smaller than at Yonsei or Sogang but does provide a much different experience

What foreigners say: Really isn’t much said about this program. Those who have attended it would say that it’s more for the long term learner. This assumption is based on the fact that many in the course are there as a requirement to enter into a university course and or masters course at the university; So you are more likely to find people who are looking to build careers in Korea rather than just have a gap year soju bender.

Cost: Regular program during the mornings is 1,580,000 KRW/Term (200 hour course) roughly 100,000KRW cheaper than Yonsei / Sogang but the unpopular afternoon class times are available for 1,420,000KRW which seems like a bargain.

Living: From my very biased opinion the living area is the real selling point for SNU. Surrounded by Gwanak Mountain there are multiple areas with easy access to the university which also provide competitively priced officetels and quick access to local nightspots either at Sillim, or further down the train line with Gangnam and hongdae both 20 minute trips either way.

The main area for students is in Sillim-2dong, a little valley “town” of Gwanak Mountain which is colloquially known by most as “Goshichon” (고시촌) or “Nokdugori” (녹두거리). The first nickname is derived from the fact that the area is home to many well-known law hagwons (Academies) and study rooms (독서실) which are filled with aspiring lawyers who are preparing for the Korean equivalent to the BAR exam. There are the 3 famous tests in Korea, the Law exam, the government servant exam and the foreign diplomat exam; all with ridiculously tough entrance requirements and even harder competition rates. Students preparing for these tests are known to go own self-imposed sabbaticals in which they live in Goshichon for 2-3years to focus on their studies. Add in the SNU students and also students for nearby Soongshil and Chungang and basically it’s a little town for nerds with track suit pants combined with sandals the fashion of choice. Despite the large population of students there is not much of a party scene because most are so concerned with their studies but there are plenty of bars for stressed students to unwind and more than enough places to eat on the cheap! Local coffee shops charge around 1,000 – 2,000 KRW and there are a selection of “Student” restaurants which will be a slightly cheaper version of Kimbab Cheonguk. Living in the area you are only a 5 minute bus trip away from Sillim Station which is a poor man’s substitute for Hongdae/Gangnam but none the less serves just fine as an alternative area to go out for drinks with friends. Beyond that you will be around 20-30 minute walk from the SNU campus and around the corner from the entrance to Gwanak Mountain, one of the easier and hence more popular mountain climbing trails in Seoul. Prices in this area vary but I have stayed here and friend have also stayed here for 2,000,000KRW Key money or less; paying around 200,000 – 400,000 KRW / Month rent. So it’s a good option for someone without key money and for those brave enough has tiny spaces (literally just a bed) available for practically nothing.

Beyond this area you also have the option of living in the areas surrounding Seoul National University Station (Bongcheondong; Nakseongdae) both are excellent options and provide a slight upgrade to living in Goshichon. I have previously lived in Bongcheon for 5,000,000 KRW / 450,000 KRW month rent in a nice one bedroom officetel. These areas provide something a little different to Goshichon and are a mix of apartment buildings and small officetels / jutaeks. In and around these areas are lots of little marts, dry cleaners and local pizza / chicken shops so they are great areas for anyone looking for a bit more of an authentic community feel in a less well known area. But just keep in mind that most of the students will be in Goshichon or nearby and so you will sometimes get annoyed at always having to take that 10 minute bus up and down the hill to get to the “Chon” (Goshichon)

There is also shared rooms available in the SNU dormitory but it’s location at the top of the campus hill makes it a bit of a nuisance for late night drinking down in Goshichon. Also there was a suicide there a few years back so that would put me off recommending staying there.

Student Body: Surprisingly a lot more mixed than at other universities. There is always a strong Chinese presence but as I have stated it also acts as a stream for non-Koreans to enter into SNU courses. Expect a good representation from Mongolia, a few Americans, Europeans and a token Aussie or Kiwi. Not as many Japanese/Russians as other places. It should also be noted that during my time there were almost no Korean Gyopo’s - a stark contrast to Yonsei.

Atmosphere: A lot more focused towards studying with a strong community feel. With the majority of students all living in Goshichon you get a good chance to create strong bonds over drinks. Definitely for the types that prefer the low-key style of fun – quiet barbecues, pool, darts etc. If I was to compare it to Yonsei/Sogang I would say that Yonsei is like going to a new party every night while SNU is like going to your mates to play video games. Because most students are set to be in Korea for 4-5 or more years it allows everyone to get to know each other without the feeling that each term will be a brand new party with brand new people.

Culture / Job Opportunities: Very limited. Don’t expect the same amount of opportunities as Yonsei to appear on TV shows or find English tutoring. That said there is still a few part time opportunities posted on the SNU notice boards. Teachers are not really well connected either for significant job opportunities. Most of the students are preparing to go into university so there is a lack of networking opportunities for the slightly older business professional. 

The Sawons Rating:

       

4 / 5 Sojus

I really wanted to give it 5, but the lack of networking and job opportunities meant I drunk the 5^th Soju. SNU strong points lie in its surroundings and for those that are sick of the heavily urbanised feel of Seoul living in a valley of Gwanak Mountain can provide a nice break. I certainly recommend this university for any students about to go into levels 3 or beyond and for those who considered themselves a more focused student. If you are after the party life then SNU is probably not for you; but if you like going out at midnight for a quick drink and a bite to eat with your mates in your pajamas then SNU is your best options.

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Chung-Ang University (CAU) Korean Language Program Review

Chung-Ang University (CAU) (http://caugsenglish.cau.ac.kr)

Perhaps not as popular as the Korean Language Courses on offer from the universities in Sinchon, Chung-Ang University’s Korean Language Course offers a structured and thorough learning program for a cheaper price, with good exposure to various Korean cultural activities throughout the semester.

Located in Heukseok, a neighbourhood of Dongjak, CAU is within 5 minutes walking distance from Heukseok Station on Line 9. Notable landmarks include Soongshil University to the south, and the Seoul National Cemetery to the east.

What foreigners say: The curriculum places more of an emphasis on grammar and writing than speaking, but there are so many opportunities to speak outside of class and the university also encourages student participation in various university groups or clubs (동아리).

Cost: 1,300,000 KRW per semester (textbooks not included). Classes are held in the mornings (9am to 1pm) for Levels 1-2, with afternoon classes (1pm to 5pm) for Levels 3 and above.

Living:

Living in Heukseok-dong close to CAU is a popular option for students, however the shortage of accommodation in the area surrounding the university means you would need to get in quick weeks before the semester begins. However, the surrounding areas such as Noryangjin, Sangdo and Nodeul are a good alternative and have a large amount of buses that service CAU. (There is even a free shuttle bus exclusively for CAU students that runs to and from Noryangjin Station to CAU campus via Sangdo every 10 minutes).

Bongcheon-dong and other areas surround Seoul National University Station (서울대역) also provides a convenient living alternative.(See SNU Review)

Heukseok is by no means party central and although there are many restaurants and cafes around the uni, there are only a few bars which means that you won’t have to put up with loud, thumping music or drunken partygoers when you’re trying to sleep. However the area is notorious for its traffic congestion (especially in the morning) and is often a common complaint among students and residents.

Property around Heukseok is mainly limited to villas or one-room accommodation with prices averaging around 500,000KRW/Month with 5,000,000 Key money.

Living on campus dormitories was until recently offered only to students attending the university itself, but this has now opened to included students who are only taking the Korean language program. Dormitory fees are about 2,600,000KRW per year, however during semester breaks you will be required to pay an additional fee.  

Student Body: 
The great thing about studying at Chung-Ang was the fact that I was practically the only western student not just in my class, but within the entire Korean language program. (There was one French student in my class). This meant I was a bit of a novelty on campus and provided me with many opportunities to network and create friends with the Korean students.

CAU Language Program primarily caters to Chinese students and I would say at least 90% of students in the language program were Chinese. The course textbooks have a Chinese translation and explanations, however the English version has to be obtained on request from the International Education office. In my class of about 20 students, there were 16 Chinese, 1 French, 1 Mongolian, 1 Japanese and 1 Australian (myself). 

Atmosphere: 
The campus is designed to fit in well with its natural surrounding and offers many places to sit under a tree with your friends after class (There is even a small man-made lake with a dragon water fountain) The atmosphere is what you’d expect for a university, if you’re looking for a party atmosphere you’d be better off going to Hongdae Uni or Yonsei. Staff are professional and very helpful and will go to extra lengths to help you assimilate into university life, even offering a buddy program that partners you up with a Korean student at the university, which is a great opportunity to make new friends and practice your speaking.

Culture / Job Opportunities:
In terms of networking, the university really pushes the동아리 clubs and societies and by joining up to a few of these you will no doubt make a large amount of Korean friends and networks. CAU is renowned for its drama, media and film faculties and there are always students looking for foreigners to act as an extra or model for their photo shoots.

My Verdict:

      4/5 Sojus

The language course itself is pretty standard compared to other universities, however the extra-curricular cultural activities are a great way to balance the content with culture. The lack of English speaking students means you will be put in the deep-end and made to speak Korean with other students, but if you want to learn the language it really is the best way to do it. This will also open up more opportunities to network and participate in activities that in other universities you may not have the chance to do.

As I said before if you’re looking for a university with a big party scene you’d be better off looking in Sinchon. However, if your goal is to focus on learning Korean, Chung-Ang University is a great choice. The fact that is some 300,000 KRW cheaper and provides a more unique experience I have bumped it up from 3 to 4 sojus.