Dear European Members

From March to the end of May 2006, on Wednesday afternoon, the University of Incheon organizes presentations with various representatives of the EU established in Korea. The purpose is to gather various expatriates to discover the potential of European companies and institutions, their presence here in Korea, and the good and bad of being a European in Korea.
Thus during three month, guided by motivated students, different companies are invited to visit us and, briefly introduce themselves, respond to the students questions, and have an enjoyable experience presenting their homeland and their objectives in Asia.

The atmosphere of these presentations is meant to be very pleasant for all of us, and to celebrate your participation properly, you are invited to enjoy a dinner afterwards at the University restaurant. In order to graduate, each group of students supervising one of the ten delegations will have to summarize its presentation in the various university medias.

Michael MENKE (German Dept.) & Virgile MANGIAVILLANO (French Dept.)

Carrefour (Incheon)

Excursion to Carrefour in Incheon

I would rather go to Carrefour for shopping than any other markets.
First of all, Carrefour is very convenient to reach since it is located near by my house.
Secondly, it has qualified goods and reasonable prices which are the biggest merits of the market.
Thirdly, Carrefour especially has a variety of imported food products such as different cheeses and inexpensive wines.
Because Carrefour is my favorite place to go, I had enjoyed my research about the market. I have obtained some knowledge about the basic information of enterprise through the research. Listening other's opinions about Carrefour made me to think again the image of foreign company like Carrefour in Korea.
In addition, the examined information about the Carrefour such as its universal position which is ranked at 2nd in the world, marketing strategy, and targeting customers helped me to solve my curiosity related with Carrefour.
A presentation of Carrefour will be the last chance to discuss in the class, Understanding of European trade, since it declared withdrawal and had prepared to leave from Korea since last April.
The team divided our presentation into two parts. First part would be the introduction about Carrefour, and second part would be the contents of the process of disposal.
Since understanding of economic concepts are necessary, there are difficulties to prepare the presentation. However, I could study a lot of new materials and it was great experience. After the class, we spent enjoyable time with delicious breads, cakes and drinks.
On the other hand, I felt sorry about the withdrawal of the market. Even though I cannot see Carrefour here anymore, its name will remain as a good memory. Moreover, the preparing of presentation is meaningful job and Understanding of European trade is also very helpful to me. Thank you!!

BMW Korea

We welcome Mr. Kyung-Jong KIM, Project-Manager

A short story about BMW

In 1917 the company undertook an equipment-corporation, "Bayerische Motoren Werke", and was called as "BMW", which is abbreviation of "Bayerische Motoren Werke", but now it is meaning not only just Firm, but also boundless potentialities
The Emblem of BMW is quartered in a circle and opposite with white and blue, the shape symbolizes a propeller of aircraft, White color means the Alps and blue color means blue sky of Bayern (there is the main office in Munich), also it tells the history of BMW, that is changed from engine manufactory to automobile and motorcycles company, that is, it means "from the Sky to the Earth" and "from two wheels to four wheels." It has been about 90 years since BMW is founded. Now CEO is Dr. Helmut Panke.
BMW is one of the two great and elegance automobile's brands, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, in Europe, and has a premium product-line, such as the most popular products, 3,5,7 series and M, X3,X5,Z4 etc. Also they have launched "MINI" in the world market as a special brand from BMW. In addition not only "Motorcycles" based on techniques of the automobile's engine, but also Itself financial service through "BMW Financial Services", "Life style collection", which is over 100 items making our life enjoyable (Accessories-bags, sunglasses, watches and Outdoor Products-clothes, kid's cars, bicycles, also "Miniatures" etc.) are the important work parts.

During preparing presentation we were interested in BMW Motors much more. Honestly we have been aware of BMW Motors that are just nice and incredible expensive cars before this, but we could learn about BMW business as well as special features of only BMW Motors. All of BMW Automobiles have really fantastic Design and wonderful skills.
In this time marketing manager of BMW Korea Mr. Kim Kyung-Jin visited us to introduce BMW Korea. First of all he is Korean and was majoring in German literature in University. All students felt comfortable about him. He showed a moving picture about BMW to us. It was interesting and did help that we could understand BMW's marketing strategy, emphasis work and vision. Especially BMW is sponsoring golf championship as one of the image marketing works and investing in development of clean energy using hydrogen cycle. Also he gave us good advice about our future. He told us that you have to set a specific purpose about your dream, not vague, and be a person who live challengingly having enthusiasm and mission for your job. It was really impressive. In addition it will be advantage that we can speak German as well as English in the future, he implanted self-confidence in students.
After class, we had a meal with the professors. We talked in a quiet and calm atmosphere.
Mr. Kim's car is the one of BMW 5 series. He showed his car to us. We were glad because we could see the BMW car's special functions which we studied. Also we heard that BMW has a strong engine technical power and win a reputation with undertaking Rolls-Royce. We think that BMW will find much love, interest and an illusion in many consumers by the automobile which is special, excellent and popular.

Renault-Samsung

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We welcome Mrs Chi Whi YEUM, Marketing Planner

In September 2000, RENAULT SAMSUNG MOTORS entered the korean auto market with SM5 after Renault motors had taken over Samsung motors. After 2 years this automaker began to sell SM3. Four years later SM7 was shown to the public. In this year Jean-Marie HURTIGER became a new C.E.O. Now this group can produce 240.000 cars per year. Their brand mark is called Dynamo. It means the place for the customer as well automobile in universe which is like the eye of typhoon. Symmetrical construction means stability and reliance.

RENAULT SAMSUNG MOTORS differs from other group.
1) Longest guarantee repairing term in Korean automobile industry (8 years)
2) One-Price policy
3) Special advertisement

Especially their ads are very interesting for us, because other automakers' advertisement use many star performer. In other hands their ads have much innovative ideas and say clever things, for example their new style car or long after service for clients.

But RENAULT SAMSUNG MOTORS has also weak points.
1) This is not a Korean company. (It’s very important for to sell the car in Korean market.)
2) They can't make the main automobile parts (the engine and the transmission which are very important for function are all imported from Renault Motros) by themselves.

In this time marketing manager of RENAULT SAMSUNG MOTORS Miss Chi-Whi Yeom prepared many things to introduce her company. First of all she speaks Korean & French and English. But she didn’t want to speak Korean during the presentation. She worked for RENAULT SAMSUNG MOTORS since 1 year. Moreover she has much passions and prides about this automaker. She showed us many interesting advertisements about the company. We could understand this automaker’s marketing strategy. After class, we had a dinner with her and the professors. We talked various things in French (sometimes Korean & English).

Once again it was pleased to know about RENAULT SAMSUNG MOTORS in the European Trade class. We hope that RENAULT SAMSUNG MOTORS will become the No.1 automaker in the Korean market.

Illies & Co.

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We welcome Mr. Niels Plate

C. Illies & Co. is a technology, engineering and service company with a traditional focus on Asia and South Africa.

Illies is a privately owned company established in 1859 with more than 400 dedicated employees in Hamburg, Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, South Africa and Italy.

"We are a reliable partner to innovative industry.
Our aim is a successful client base in our markets.
The expertise of our entire organization and the permanent networking with globally competent specialists result in solutions that benefit our business partners..."

During the preparing for presentation, we had many problems cause it was not enough information for Illies company. So, we think that other students don’t understand very well our presentation. We’re sincerely sorry for it.

Mr. Niels Plate is active and he’s much laughed for the presentation. Especially, when he received the detailed questions.
We wanted to more talk with him, but unfortunately he was busy. So we couldn’t have a supper time and couldn’t talk with him.

Clasquin

We welcome Mr. Frédéric SADY, Sales Development Manager

In 1864 Mr. Louis Clasquin founded the Clasquin Company, headquartered in Lyon, specialized in international freight forwarding. For over a century, the company has expanded in national and international forwarding.
Now, Clasquin has become the one and only medium-sized company with its own worldwide network, including 14 subsidiaries and 33 offices worldwide, delivering industrial tailor-made solutions.
Clasquin Group offers comprehensive, "one-stop shop" forwarding and logistics solutions. ROM a traditional international freight forwarder with a significant global presence, the company has moved into a modern integrated overseas logistics supplier, with a complete range of customized Supply Chain Management services.

Frédéric Sady is a Sales manager of Clasquin. He is a young and passionate man. He made an internship in Korean Air 1999 and with Air France (in Seoul) in 2000. When we saw him for the first time, we felt that he is a pleasant fellow.
Now, though Clasquin is a small company. In the future, he was sure that Clasquin will be a large enterprise.
When he talked that, it seemed that he was full of self-confidence. We had a good time. He has good manners, so we talked enjoyable each other.
We talked about Korean’s recreation culture. He particularly likes go to the singing room. He adopted well himself to Korea.
It is not easy to work in foreign country after leaving his homeland. But it seemed that it’s easy for him.
He doesn’t look like fearing challenge.
A “Challenge” word came closer newly to us in his appearance.
It’s foolish to worry too much about challenge.

Mr. Sady: Enjoying daily cultural differences helps improving your personality!

Korean German Chamber of Commerce & Industry

We welcomed Dr. Roland WEIN, Director

The KGCCI (Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry) began operations in Seoul in 1981. It is a nonprofit chamber for the German enterprises in Korea.
It promotes economic relations between the federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Korea and gives information and introduction to business connection, and supports general services and complete range of further services.
It has more than 350 member-companies covering all types of businesses and all fields of industry and is a well recognized service provider for the Korean and German business community in Korea and abroad.
In addition the KGCCI has various services, events and publications such as German world, German wine and Korum.

Dr. Roland Wein had visited our class 26. April. 2006. He came from Germany and works in KGCCI as the general of the marketing and economic department. He gave so humorous answers that everyone burst out laughing. Furthermore he emphasized that we should have many experience (just like Internship) and our own ideas from studying.

French Korean Chamber of Commerce & Industry

We welcome Mrs. Thérèse CAZENTRE, Recruitement Manager

The FKCCI is a nonprofit chamber for the French enterprises in Korea. Concretely, it gives information and introduction to business connection, and supports general services and complete range of further services. The chamber has many kind of useful members and they support the chamber and receive good services. In addition the FKCCI often has various event. In this year is an anniversary about 120years of Korea & France establish diplomatic relations, so there are many plans to celebrate.

Mrs. Therese CAZENTRE had visited our class to explain of the FKCCI. She is from France and have lived in Korea for 5 years. Now she works in FKCCI as the chief of the personal department. She gives account of us very easily. And she has lots of wits and career. Through her advice and encouragement we could have self - confidence and look back upon the past.
Surely, her presentation meeting offers to us an incentive.

The FKCCI received 2005 about 500 resumes for job-application, from which 30% could be matched.
40% were Koreans
15% were French
30% came from France
15% were about internships

Advices from Mrs. CAZENTRE:
Don't concentrate too much on language-tests like TOEFL a.o.. Foreign companies will not ask for this test-results. They will test your real communications-skills!


From Chosun Ilbo, 20.4.2006

LG Electronics vice chairman Kim Ssang-soo was quoted as telling a FKI meeting that 70-80 percent of his job as a CEO was meeting foreigners, "and I regret that English isn't taught at an early age.” Kim pointed out that foreigners perforce account for some 70 percent of business conducted by big domestic companies, but lack of English proficiency among their staff means they miss out on continuing and additional business opportunities. The Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC), which remains the required test in most Korean companies when they hire staff, it is mostly written and multiple choice and DOES NOT HELP STAFF IMPROVE THEIR COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS.