The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 357
Only Krnovel
357. New building (1)
A week has passed since Taewoo Group began its internal culture innovation.
There was quite a bit of backlash from executives, but no one spoke out loud.
This was because, as the head of Taewo Group, I could not openly oppose the policies I had created.
However, that doesn’t mean I forced all executives to shut their mouths.
Executives who are contract workers may be concerned about what I think, but executives with outstanding ability can change companies at any time, so they say what they have to say.
This was especially true in the case of Economic Research Institute Director Fukuda.
Team leader Cheon Min-jeong, who is having lunch with me today, also belongs to that category.
“Chairman, the company’s culture innovation policy is good. Can’t you just ease up on overtime work a little? As you know, overtime work is essential in the IT field. It’s so frustrating to be interrupted while working.”
“Try to finish work within working hours as much as possible. If overtime work becomes a habit, wouldn’t employees’ lives feel like prisons? Work life can be enjoyable only when you enjoy cultural life and time with your family.”
This policy was by no means detrimental.
Overtime, vacation, parental leave, sabbatical, etc.
It was an issue related to shortening work hours, and many people heard that work efficiency increased because of this.
“These days, employees are struggling to get off work on time. They cut down on the time they go to smoke and try to go to the bathroom during lunch hours.”
“As your concentration increases, your workload will be similar whether you leave work on time or work overtime.”
“The atmosphere in the company has definitely improved a lot. The person who works right in front of me said he made plans for his wife and children.”
Nowadays, birth rate is not such a problem.
However, even after 10 years, the birth rate becomes a social problem.
Of course, I don’t intend to solve social problems myself, but it was something that could create the perception that Taewoo Group is different from other groups.
“Don’t you think there are more pros than cons?”
“We will have to wait and see more, but as of now, the response is definitely positive.”
“It’s good to hear that it’s good, but after conducting an anonymous survey, there were more than one or two things that bothered me.”
“There wasn’t much fuss about Taewoo IT conducting a survey.”
“So, I think it would be nice to create a space where employees can communicate using new methods rather than old-fashioned methods like surveys. Of course, with guaranteed anonymity.”
An anonymous community site for office workers.
Even before the regression, sites like this were very popular, and sites like this had not yet appeared in the world.
“In order to guarantee anonymity, information must be kept to a minimum, and in order to sign up, you must reveal that you are a member of the Taewo Group.”
“Wouldn’t it be possible to have a verification process through employee ID or company e-mail only when signing up, and then delete all information after signing up?”
“It is not difficult to create the site itself. However, I think it would be better to create an app format as well to encourage young employees to use it.”
Cheon Min-jeong could understand ten things even if he said just one thing.
There was no need for a more detailed explanation; she was the one who would create a service that all office workers would use in the future.
“Please create an atmosphere where communication is as free as possible. And block executives from joining.”
“We can’t let the elderly play in the kids’ cafe. The executives will make it so they can’t even access it.”
They were executives of the Taewo Group who were always treated well.
I was treated very warmly not only in Korea but also abroad.
However, he was reduced to receiving harsh treatment on anonymous websites for office workers.
Including me, of course.
* * *
October 2012.
It was the day when a new page for Taewo Group was opened.
Taewoo Group’s new headquarters was completed in Gangnam, Seoul.
“Grandpa, how do you like it?”
“I like it very much. Hehe, you worked hard. It’s all thanks to you. Without you, Taewoo Group wouldn’t be what it is today.”
It was an old man with red eyes.
Since I couldn’t show tears on such a happy day, I joked a little.
“So, are you going to continue to stay in Korea now? Even when the financial tower was built, you saw the completion ceremony and immediately returned to Vietnam. Now that we have a new headquarters, how about you stay in Korea?”
“Didn’t I tell you? You should know that I won’t come to Korea until I give you a great-grandchild.”
In an instant, the tears in the grandfather’s eyes disappeared.
Did they really spread honey on Vietnam?
Strangely enough, my grandfather was fond of Southeast Asia, including Vietnam.
“Still, will you help us today? We have a lot of guests.”
“I’ll be able to meet many familiar faces after a long time.”
The completion ceremony began.
After the brief ceremony, we began welcoming guests in earnest.
The first welcome guest to visit us was Samjin Group Chairman Oh Hee-gun.
“Chairman Kim! How many years has it been? I heard you were living in Vietnam, but even so, you never show your face.”
“Hey man. If you stay in Korea, will you do nothing more than work all day? You too should retire quickly and prepare for a comfortable end like me.”
It was Chairman Oh Hee-gun, who was similar in age to my grandfather.
The age difference is only 6 years.
When people were around my grandfather’s age, they all became friends up to 10 years apart.
He was an old man who was criticizing Chairman Oh Hee-gun, who had not yet stepped down from his position as head of the company.
“If I had a grandson as smart as Chairman Kim, I would have stepped down a long time ago. But I still have a long way to go. I need to teach him for a few more years.”
“Once you leave it to them, they’ll do it somehow. You’re like that when you’re running a business, but you’re so meticulous.”
“It’s my nature, so I can’t help it. Oh my, I left today’s hero standing like a stone. How are you?”
Chairman Oh Hee-gun said hello to his grandfather.
His expression changed immediately.
When I treated my grandfather, he seemed like a kind grandfather, but when he looked at me, his eyes were sharp.
“I should have visited and said hello often, but I’m sorry I couldn’t.”
“He is the busiest person in Korea, and I must understand. He will become even busier when the large-scale semiconductor complex being built in Gyeonggi-do is completed soon.”
“It will be the third quarter of next year for the semiconductor factory to be completed. And most of the factories are dedicated foundry factories.”
Samjin Electronics’ main product was semiconductors.
Therefore, we were wary of Taewoo Group building a large-scale semiconductor complex.
To alleviate some of the wariness, I emphasized that it was a foundry factory.
“I don’t like the fact that Korea’s top group like Taewoo Group is starting a foundry business. If we want to lead the global semiconductor market, shouldn’t we proceed independently from design to production?”
“Of course, we are investing a lot in the design field. Still, we believe that a foundry factory is essential in order not to compete with customers.”
In some ways, the foundry could be seen as a subcontract.
A subcontract factory that simply produces semiconductors designed by other companies.
Therefore, Chairman Oh Hee-gun expressed negative thoughts about the foundry factory.
However, the foundry factory was not a simple subcontract.
It was a field that would dominate the semiconductor market in the future, and it was also an industry that would become a strong cash cow for Taewo Group.
“Taewoo Group does not produce smartphones, so a foundry factory may be possible. But according to rumors these days, they say they are focusing on making money. Entrepreneurs should never become merchants or loan sharks.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Chairman Oh Hee-gun’s words were accepted without misunderstanding.
Of course, that won’t change my mind.
Because there is never only one way to get to the top.
“I’m leaving now. I’m glad to see Chairman Kim’s face after a long time.”
“Why are you leaving already? I have prepared a lot of good food, and I will especially treat you to good wine brought in from Europe.”
“As I get older these days, it’s difficult to be active outside.”
“Hey man. I was very lively when I was your age. How can someone so young already be having trouble already?”
Chairman Oh Hee-gun’s complexion was not very good.
Since ancient times, people from the Samjin family have been famous for their weak bodies.
And I already knew.
There are only a few years left until the head of Samjin Group changes.
“I’m going to see Chairman Oh off. You can take care of foreign guests.”
“You two can come and talk slowly.”
The grandfather went on his way while chatting with Chairman Oh.
Meanwhile, a very welcome guest from the United States approached me.
“Musk! Thank you for your hard work coming to Korea.”
“It’s Mr. Kim’s business, so of course you should come, right?”
“I’ve been hearing a lot of good news these days. I heard that a new type of rocket was successfully launched?”
“We were able to achieve rapid success thanks to NASA’s full support.”
Musk successfully launches the first rocket for a private company.
In recognition of its achievements, it became an official partner with NASA, developed a new rocket, and launched a large number of artificial satellites.
“Now that it has stabilized to some extent, shouldn’t we move on to the next project? If we can reuse the propellant, we can save more than 50% of the launch cost compared to now.”
“As expected, Mr. Kim knows my feelings very well. He came all the way to Korea just to talk about it.”
“If you run out of funds, please let us know at any time. We will invest as much as you want. And if there are technologies or patents owned by Taewo Group, collaboration is possible.”
SpaceX.
A space exploration company created by Musk.
Even now, the company’s value is growing rapidly, but as soon as propellant reuse is successful, its value will be dozens of times higher than it is now.
Then, of course, the value of my shares would increase, so there was no reason to save money.
“I am here to ask for collaboration with Taewoo Group’s artificial intelligence team. I would like to apply it to correct trajectory and design errors.”
“If that is your request, of course I must grant it. I will also increase your investment amount generously.”
“I will accept it without hesitation. There are a lot of places to spend money to create a propellant reuse system.”
It was Musk speaking with a sly smile.
With the success of Space
“I heard that electric vehicle sales have also increased significantly.”
“Sales increased more than expected due to synergy with Apple Car. And thanks to the GM factory, mass production became possible. Thanks to this, we were able to buy time to build a new factory.”
Musk’s success was my success.
He had a straw in every business he did, so even if he stayed still, he could just drink the sweet water.
“Let us continue to grow together in the future. There is still a lot of pie left in the electric vehicle market.”
“As electric vehicle infrastructure continues to improve, I am confident that the pie will become larger. Wouldn’t the pie in the electric vehicle market be larger than that of internal combustion engine vehicles within 20 years?”
I ended my greeting with Musk by talking about electric cars.
I prepared to welcome the next guest.
The grandfather who went out to see off Chairman Oh Hee-gun was a guest, and it was the appearance of Trump, who would become President of the United States a few years later.
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