Value context and insight. lkm@koreatimes.co.kr
Kookmin Bank chief seeks innovation
Hur Yin
By Lee Kyung-min
By Lee Kyung-min
KB Kookmin Bank CEO Hur Yin is ramping up his efforts to instill an innovative culture in the nation's largest lender by assets through digitization ahead of the one year anniversary of his inauguration that will fall Nov. 21.
In September, the bank began limiting the length of employee-submitted reports to two pages, in a move to reduce redundancy in the corporate chain of communications and help produce succinct and to-the-point message delivery.
Instead of printing out hard copies for their superiors, workers are required to submit reports via the company's online intranet using keywords, effectively summarizing their points.
The submitted files are permanently stored and shared online for future reference for efficiency. The move to centralize the digitally managed information promotes cooperation among workers regardless of their rank, department or work experience, the bank added.
“By facilitating digitization and removing redundancies ― a key initiative of our chief ― workers feel increasingly satisfied, which will help achieve the ultimate goal of a distinguished customer service,” an official said.
Similarly, the advanced technology was expanded to customer services.
The bank requires only one signature on a digital device, a highly streamlined process from the previous one where seven on-paper signatures were required.
More accountability is guaranteed under the new system through Time Stamp Authority, which preserves all records of individual transactions upon completion.
Starting next year, low-ranking female workers at the bank will no longer be required to wear uniforms, in a company-wide initiative to change its rigid corporate structure.
Initially, the relaxation of the dress code for female workers was considered fairly liberal for an institution known for its emphasis on conservative values.
The gender equality-leaning policy drew positive responses from workers who were long identified by rank, indicated by the uniform.
KB said the policy will help the women make autonomous choices in selecting work attire of their own choosing, thereby boosting workplace morale and improving productivity.
The new measure will take effect in May 2019. In the meantime, workers are allowed to either stick with the current uniform or wear other clothing until April next year.