It Is Important to Create an Equal, Free Atmosphere

Efforts being made by Hyundai Glovis to promote horizontal communication

For smooth communication, an atmosphere must be created where basically any opinion can be voiced.
In such an atmosphere, an overall unrestricted culture is needed.
Hyundai Glovis is making serious efforts to create such an atmosphere.
Let’s check out the efforts being made to promote horizontal communication
among the systems and programs that we’re experiencing.

to provide physically equal positions

Free-seating system

Since moving into the new building, employees who are team leaders or below may sit at any desk that they wish. Previously, employees were allocated fixed desks, but the free-seating system enables them to sit at any desk they want, providing them a feeling of working in the same environment physically and visually.

to directly communicate with the CEO

Lifestyle Salon

The Lifestyle Salon to exchange opinions directly with the CEO through real-time video conferences by divisions by overseas branches is among the efforts for horizontal communication. Each division shares issues on open Kakaotalk chat rooms, and discusses the topics that received the most attention with the CEO. They talk about difficulties, questions, requests, and points for improvements, as well as realistic feedback.

breaking down formality

One-shot reports,

The one-shot reports which can be done ‘untact’ through G-SQUARE Teams online are a system that enables reporting by typing the contents or attaching related documents. In addition to the convenience, the feedback from the bosses is also faster because they can reply instantly by writing comments on it. This easy exchange of feedback breaks through the formalities and creates efficient communication.

Real-time Meetings with the Entire Staff,

CEO Meet-Up

It is similar to Lifestyle Salon in that it’s an opportunity to communicate with the CEO, but is different in that the target is all of the executives and staff members. These meetings are held after the CEO proposes the direction of the year, to exchange ideas with the employees real-time. Usually, employees have no chances to talk with the CEO unless they are at least team leaders, but this program enables freely communicating and creates an atmosphere to talk more frankly.

Innovation in positions,

Merging positions into managers and directors

Since conversation is the key to communication, many companies are coming up with ideas for the manner in which persons address each other. Employees of some companies address each other by adding -nim (honorific term) after the name, while some address each other only by their English names, without using titles. Hyundai Glovis has integrated the positions by calling rank-and-file workers and deputy section chiefs the Managers, and section chiefs, deputy department heads, and department head the Directors. This has knocked down the system of titles that caused the vertical atmosphere and closed the distance between employees.

Lifestyle 11 to break down bad customs

and to encourage autonomy and responsibility

Lifestyle 11, detailed work life guidelines, includes 11 themes to break away from the inappropriate attitudes at work that had been customized for a long time such as restricted communication between the top and bottom, inconveniences in vacations, giving work orders, etc. and to encourage autonomy and responsibility to the employees in company life. Details in language use and behaviors are delivered through it to help guide employees in actual company life.

to express the carefree mind and body Casual Day

In the past, people used to wear only suits and ties to work. Then a casual day was set on certain days, and now, every day is a casual day. The employees are coming to work in comfortable clothes such as jeans, jogger pants, hooded t-shirts, etc. As dresses got casual, we expect employees to feel freer and able to express their creative ideas.

A blind chat about horizontal communication among the employees