Story of a Big Player from Gangnam

Gun-Ho had lunch with GH Mobile’s executive officers that day.

They went to a Korean restaurant that specialized in a set menu with seasoned wild vegetables. The restaurant was located inside an orchard.

A total of six people went there including President Jang-Hwan Song, the internal auditor— Hee-Suk Goh, the chief officer of the research center—Joon-Soo Oh, the general affairs manager—Joon-Young Choi, and Production Director Jong-Suk Park.

“Since President Song joined us, our sales revenue has increased. I wanted to have a get-together.”

“Thank you.”

“Mr. Chief Research Officer, how’s your work? Is there anything I can improve to make you feel more comfortable working with us?”

“Everything is good, sir. Thank you.”

“Does our former chief research officer come to visit us sometimes? He is now working in an advisory position.”

“Yes, he does. He comes to our research center from time to time and guides us in the right direction.”

“How are the new researchers doing?”

“They are doing fine too.”

President Jang-Hwan Song asked the research center’s chief officer,

“Oh, I was going to ask you about this. You said you personally developed something when you worked for your previous company, which you wanted to apply for a patent but you haven’t yet, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Let’s apply for a patent with GH Mobile’s name. Even though it might not be a product that is lucrative, let’s just do it.”

“I don’t think it will bring good money.”

“That’s okay. We just need some patented products to show that we are a decent and competent company. It will work favorably for us when we apply for the KOSDAQ registration.”

“Well, since you brought it up, I actually have one more item to be patented. I even once made a presentation about this item at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade.”

“Is it related to an automobile?”

“That’s right. It is about the suspension system.”

“Let’s then apply for two items. We can have them patented with GH Mobile’s name.”

“But I doubt that this item would bring a good business. Moreover, it will cost us to have them patented and once they are patented we will pay some fees to maintain them.”

“Those fees are nominal. You don’t have to worry about it.”

President Song looked at Gun-Ho and said,

“President Goo, let’s do this. Our company can pay for the fees and get two patented items.”

“Okay. That sounds good.”

Food came out. There were so many side dishes. Gun-Ho ordered two bottles of beer as well.

As Gun-Ho filled up each person’s glass, he said,

“Let’s just have one glass of beer for lunch since we need to get back to work.”

The research center’s chief officer said as he was taking his glass from Gun-Ho,

“It’s nice that we don’t drink a bomb shot here. In my previous company, they always made a bomb shot and we had to drink it. I tried everything I could to avoid it.”

“Hahaha.”

As the business was going well, the executive officers looked happy and relaxed.

Director Jong-Suk Park, who was sitting on the last seat at the table, said,

“I want to thank you, President Song. I was told that you are the one who suggested getting me a new car.”

“I suggested President Goo getting you a new car because you are traveling a lot between Dyeon Korea and GH Mobile, and also you often go to a meeting with our client or vendor companies. You need a good car for your work. Also, your current car is too old. You don’t have to thank me, Director Park. But keep in mind that you have to choose a car that is less than 2000 CC.”

The general affairs director raised his hand.

“I have something to suggest too.”

“Sure. Go on.”

“Our wage negotiation with the labor union starts next month. We all have to attend the meeting on behalf of GH Media, except President Goo.”

“We know that.”

“President Jang-Hwan Song will lead our representation there. So, I was thinking to suggest to you, President Song, to consider the welfare of our workers. We don’t have to spend much money for it. We can give them some bonus vacation days for those who have been working with us for an extensive period of time, or we can rent a vacation home to an exemplary worker or something like that.”

Gun-Ho looked at President Song, and said,

“That doesn’t sound bad at all. What do you think?”

“Sure. Why not?”

President Song said while nodding his head.

The internal auditor chipped in while having a tofu dish.

“We can purchase two condos as a vacation home under GH Mobile’s name, so our workers can use it when necessary. Also, anyone from the management team can use it too.”

Gun-Ho nodded his head.

The internal auditor continued to talk,

“It’s also a good idea to have a business membership to a golf country club with the company’s name. It will be very useful for President Song in trying to bring more new clients. He can use it, and also the executive officers can use it too when we take some time off. I know that President Goo, President Song, and the research center’s chief officer do play golf. I also know how to play golf. I guess that the general affairs director and Director Jong-Suk Park are the only ones who don’t know how to play golf, but they can learn it easily.”

President Song looked at Gun-Ho this time, and said,

“I think it’s a good idea. The golf membership fee doesn’t exceed 100 million won in this area. I will work harder, President Goo as we need more revenue to spend in buying the membership.”

“Okay. Let’s do that.”

They all had a pleasant and relaxing time during lunch.

After lunch, Gun-Ho went to Dyeon Korea.

The production worksite was filled with loud noises. It seemed that the machines were working.

When Gun-Ho entered the worksite, everyone was standing in front of a machine.

“Are they coming out?”

“Yes, they are.”

Director Kim brought a small and yellow piece of substance on his palm. It looked like a bean.

“So we are wrapping these materials up and sell them, huh?”

“That’s right. It’s an elastomer plastic material. We call it EP. We pack them in 20 kilograms. We have already ordered the wrapping bags and boxes, and they will arrive tomorrow.”

“We will at first target the companies that are currently using the materials purchased from Monsanto Company in the U.S. or German Company—BASF. I hope GH Mobile uses more of our Dyeon Korea’s materials too.”

“Hmm.”

“One thing that bothers me now is that these materials that we just produced look a bit different from the samples that the American engineers bought from the U.S. Their colors and the degree of gloss are a little different. I want Director Jong-Suk Park to come here tomorrow and help us with the machines.”

“Hmm.”

Gun-Ho then noticed that there was a man who was standing by the machine. Gun-Ho had never seen that man before. Director Kim said,

“Oh. This is the candidate who we just had an interview with, for the position of a manager in the maintenance team. This is our president.”

The man who looked like he was in his late 30s gave a deep bow to Gun-Ho.

“I’m Yong-Duk An, sir.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“He used to work as a manager in the maintenance team at the industrial complex in Cheonan City. Sir, would you like to interview him before we finalize his employment?”

“It wouldn’t be necessary. If you, Director Kim and Director Yoon are okay with it, then I’m okay.”

“Okay, then, I will let him know that he can start working from tomorrow.”

“I look forward to working with you.”

Gun-Ho extended his hand to the man for a handshake. The newly hired maintenance team’s manager gave a deep bow to Gun-Ho while holding Gun-Ho’s hand with both hands.

After having a handshake, the new manager grabbed work gloves and walked towards the machines and laid down under it, even though no one asked to do so. He started working right away.