Have you seen news reports on TV, the internet, or other media sources about young people who are having difficulties getting jobs? Or have you seen people who study at the library or academies day and night even on holidays?
These days young people have a hard time finding employment. Some of them choose extreme solutions like suicide because they are unable to overcome their suffering and depression. Ironically, even though the job market is limited, most people still prefer to look for jobs in large corporations rather than small or medium-sized businesses. Let's look at the results of some studies done in 2010 by the Korean Federation of Small Business. These studies examine the real conditions faced by modern small businesses.
According to the study, the workforce of the manufacturing industry is short by 2.51%, this shortage is 0.14% higher than last year.
The workforce in the small and medium sized data-based service industry is short by 2.52%, which is 0.43% higher than last year.
Despite the problems faced by small and medium-sized businesses all over Korea, Artpq Inc. was able to take the first step into the cutting-edge culture industry in Jeju, where it is hard to survive as an IT (Information Technology) or CT (Culture Technology) company. Let's catch the feeling of the enthusiasm of a young enterprise trying hard to be a gateway leading people around the world to acknowledge Jeju as a part of the global culture.
An interview with the CEO of Artpq Inc., Oh Taeheon
It has been about 11 years since we established this company. Artpq is trying hard to develop a professional workplace including research and development. All the personnel, including myself, have pushed to make our company known in the IT and CT industry.
We made cute animated characters to represent our company like 'Mongni' and 'Sojungi' based on the Jeju Haenyeo (Diving Women). We are also planning an animated film featuring the story of a troop of women from Jeju in the Joseon dynasty. We were able to expand our company in a short time without a lot of trials and errors because the Jeju Knowledge Industry Promotion Agency gave us a lot of supports.
Our interest lies in young people and business. We run our company in this way. That is the thing making our company different from others. Most of all, we don't work alone. All of us work cooperatively and the company's interest always comes the first than ourselves. I think that is one of the reasons we have succeeded in our field.
Our personnel have a strong pride in their work. They get various experiences through many different projects. We promote projects that benefit Jeju public institutions by creating web sites for those organization. The employees feel motivated, making something all by themselves. That is the reason why we have a low turnover rate. We have a lot of staff who have remained at our company for a long time, along with the improved welfare. It is likely that our company belongs to all of us.
I bet we are the top company in Jeju currently. We always seek new opportunities and have a long-range view without any formality. I always tell my personnel, "Don't become big headed." I want them to lead others and not be behind them.
I know 90% of the enterprises in the current economy belong to big businesses and others small and medium-sized businesses. Although Korea is creating more jobs in these areas, there are few young people who want to work for small businesses. The number of people who want to be employed by major corporations is much larger than the number interested in smaller businesses.
Big corporations have a specialized workforce. The people who work at the big company only think of their own fields, so they lack experiences from various fields. That means their business experience is very limited. However, right after graduation and in the beginning of a person's social life, they need various experiences to mature and grow. Of course, corporations have a good conditions and a set system, but a person shouldn't remain in that position for a long time. People who stay at the same job for too long are very limited when they reach middle age because of lack of valuable experience. An elder friend told me, "Big businesses are good for right now or for a short time, but don't have as much benefit for lifelong jobs."
On the other hand, small and medium-sized businesses require one person to have the ability to do various things. For example, at our company, one staff member has several projects running at the same time. Employees in corporations only do the things assigned by management as part of a larger project. Young people need to have a long-term plan in mind and think wisely about their futures.
Small and medium-sized businesses manage their human resources more flexibly. According to an employee who worked at Seoul once, there is a salary gap, but less of a burden from work. The management style is a little more relaxed at these companies unlike the tight management of corporations. This is just one of the advantages working at small and medium-sized businesses.
In order to attain a successful position, small and medium enterprises need to lead their fields by developing new technologies and creating new and unique designs. Above all, they need passion. There are no shortcuts or tricks to success. Finally it is impossible to develop a small or medium-sized business without constant efforts and change.
Wrapping Up
Despite the unfavorable environment in Jeju for small and medium-sized businesses, the passion of this young pioneering and well-recognized enterprise inspires hope for the future of these kinds of business. The Haenyeo character Mongni, for example, shows its potential that Jeju cultural icons could be successful through the world market. As the CEO stated, they have a low turnover rate and high employee satisfaction. This can be understand that small and medium-sized businesses have their own unique charms. Like Artpq Inc., systematic and continuous support, whether locally or nationally, is needed to turn people's attention to small and medium-sized businesses instead of corporations. I hope more of young people will realize that there are more opportunities than they think if change their perspective toward jobs.