Being a listed enterprise at the Korean Securities Dealers´ Automated Quotation (KOSDAQ) is a dream come true for every Chief Executive Officer (CEO). A listed enterprise on the KOSDAQ means they can be supplied the necessary funds from unspecified individuals at any time. In addition, the enterprise’s issues limit of debentures increases and it can develop terms that are advantageous for its public relations and reputation. This year BH Corporation became a listed enterprise. This is because of the CEO’s efforts. The Chung-Ang Herald (CAH) met the CEO of BH Corporation, JeaChang Kim (77, Electrical engineering). He is an engineering graduate, and CEO. Let us hear about his career, ceaseless efforts, and advice for a balanced life.
CAH: Tell us about your CAU life?
Jea Chang Kim: I led a monotonous school life at CAU. In fact, my major, Electrical Engineering, did not suit my taste. Now, I think that I was more suited to the faculty of business and commerce. I majored in Electrical Engineering, because my mother and brother-in-laws persuaded me. My father was engaged in the distribution industry. It was an unstable occupation. Therefore, my mother was dissatisfied with his occupation and wanted me to get a stable job. In those days, people, who majored in engineering, could get a job easily. For this reason, I majored in Electrical Engineering. Though my field did not suit my taste, I studied hard.
I enjoyed going to the Blue Dragon pond, and reading books. I like reading so much. I read many kinds of books. My major developed my brain’s left hemisphere, which controls intelligent active work, and my hobby, reading a book, led my brain’s right hemisphere, which controls creativity. This helped balance my intellect between my brain's left and right hemisphere.
CAH: Is there any special effort to becoming a CEO?
JeaChang Kim: There was no special effort, but my career made me a CEO. Always, I thought that my best choice in life was my first job. My first work place was a multinational electronics components corporation. It used to be a multinational corporation, but it was just a branch office that had only six employees in Korea. I tried many new things to grow my corporation. It was a valuable experience for me. Finally, this corporation could found a head office in Korea and had 600 employees. It grew as far as it could; however, it seemed to stagnate. In addition, I felt that it was time to get a new job. Just at the right time, a foreign-affiliate consulting firm announced the need for more employment. Conditions of employment that they wanted tallied with what I done. I applied to this firm and became an employee. Most employees in consulting firms have a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) or excel in the abstract. However, I was experienced in business. Many clients prefer to consult with me, because I had a hands-on-background. I was employed in a company that had one of the most stressful work places for ten years. For ten years, I made a good career meeting with big enterprise clients. In addition, I endured and did not give up in my field. I always endeavored to be a master in my work. Before I resigned from the consulting firm, I prepared for the BH Corporation with my best friend. It meant I made many options, because I was ready to found our company while still working for the consulting firm. I prepared several options, and chose one of them. If you have only one choice, you are chosen by it, however, if there are several options, you can choose among them. This entire career and my efforts made me a CEO.
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CAH: Did you get discouraged? If you did, when did you get discouraged? How did you overcome that?
JeaChang Kim: Maybe there was a time that discouraged me, but I do not want to tell about that discouragement. I take a cheerful view of life. I worked for my first and second occupations for almost ten years each. Obviously, sometimes I used to be depressed, because ten years was not a short time. However, I wanted to say how time goes by. We are all climbing a mountain called ‘life.’ Failure is also a process of climbing a mountain. We have to overcome failure and then we can reach the top of the mountain.
CAH: What is a BH Corporation like?
JeaChang Kim: We make Flexible Printed Circuit Boards (FPCBs). The company has our own factory. For this reason, visitors, who visit BH Corporation, have to change into dustless slippers to prevent dust from covering the machines. FPCB is an essential component in the electronics industry. The electronic product has changed into many different forms. Therefore, the circuit board has to be flexible. We make it and deliver goods to big enterprises. In addition, we develop ceramic semiconductor components.
CAH: What do you think about the role of CEO?
JeaChang Kim: I want to liken the role of CEO to a process of making Bibimbab (steamed rice with assorted mixtures). The CEO is not a person, who has an all-round capability, but has a need for capable people. The CEO has to harmonize and control these people like making Bibimbab with many ingredients. Also, a CEO requires generosity to encourage employees to work hard. However, though the CEO has to work hard. He or she should pocket their feelings. If the CEO looks free and easy, employees feel comfortable dealing with the CEO. The CEO can relieve their mental suffering, and be their friend but not their employer. The CEO always has to be confident in know that he and his company will achieve their goals.
CAH: As a CEO of an enterprise, what points do you have in mind when you interview applicants?
JeaChang Kim: Above all, I want an employee to have love, loyalty, and self-confidence for their corporation. I think, people, who love their family, can love their job, too. When I interview applicants, some of them answered cut and dried replies. On the other hand, some of them replied with story of their experiences with their family. I could feel their love for their family. These kinds of people do work with a loyalty to the company. In a word, I judge applicants by their emotion more than by visible numerical value like a score. Another important thing that I observe carefully is an ability to learn.
CAH: Please give an advice to CAU students.
JeaChang Kim: I want to say that the most important thing is patience. When I had an interview for an employment examination at my first occupation, the president of a company asked me if I am patient. These days, students do not have enough patience, because many changes happen in a short time. Some of our company employees, who are impatient, give up on the job and quit the office several months ago. Be more patient. If you bear up against that moment, it becomes a good career for you.