KB Kookmin Card CEO Kim Duk-soo is reaching out to employees in a bid to more closely communicate with employees.
Refraining from the command-and-control approach to management, Kim has been touring the firm’s branches and taking part in various events with his colleagues to help strengthen the partnership.
“The ideas and opinions that employees express during their conversations with the CEO are often reflected in our business projects,” a Kookmin Card official said. He added that executives who attended the events alongside the CEO would frequently communicate with branches across the country to check on how the innovative new ideas were being followed up.
KB Card CEO Kim Duk-soo
On Aug. 8, Kim watched “Roaring Currents” with 49 executives and submanagers of the card company, saying that there was much to learn from the local naval hero Admiral Yi Sun-sin, who was noted for his leadership and his strategies in improving internal communication.
The company spokesman said top KB Kookmin Card executives plan on visiting some 25 local branches this month to discuss pending issues and receive recommendations on outstanding employees.
KB Kookmin Card CEO Kim Duk-soo visits the company’s library, which opened at its Seoul headquarters in July. (KB Kookmin Card)
The CEO came to more actively engage with his staff after discovering that such field management would help formulate stronger ties with employees, who would in turn work harder to gain consumer trust, company officials said.
Earlier this year, KB Kookmin Card was hit by a nationwide data leak that led some KB executives to resign. The company has since been actively promoting security control and working to regain customers’ trust.
To further boost workers’ morale, the card company opened a library at its Seoul headquarters in July and began encouraging book-sharing.
By Suk Gee-hyun (monicasuk@heraldcorp.com)
