Creativity Makes Daewoo Cadets CEOs
By Yoon Ja-young
Staff Reporter
Daewoo Securities is known as a ``securities academy'' in the industry.
Many CEOs in the industry once worked at Daewoo, which has led the industry during the past decades.
Daewoo owes the fame to systematic training, which turns its employees into professionals coveted by not only other securities companies but also asset management firms and other financial businesses that demand strong research skills. Hence, not only current Daewoo executives and employees but also former Daewoo people, who are taking leading roles in other companies of the industry, are proud that Daewoo was a part of their career history.
Daewoo Securities CEO Im Kee-young believes that achievement comes from creative atmosphere. The securities industry in general is known for its conservative and somewhat bureaucratic atmosphere but this isn't the case with Daewoo Securities. Daewoo is known as a free and humane organization, where its people feel comfortable communicating with each other and cooperating.
For example, it adopted a casual day for each Friday, where the securities business people can enjoy casual outfits instead of the white shirt and ties with suits.
On the last Friday of the month, Daewoo has ``Family Day'' ― All Daewoo workers leave office at 5 p.m., so that they can spend time together with their families or do things for themselves.
Instead of meddling in details, Im allows maximum power and autonomy to those who lead in the field. This aims at setting up a free and creative corporate culture.
Daewoo is also one of the most generous in the industry when it wants to remunerate those who have made achievements, either with a promotion or bonus. Daewoo has enhanced corporate welfare for employees to the highest level in the industry.
Im also has been interested in corporate social welfare activities, in the belief that the firm should give back part of its profits to society, supporting those in need.
Daewoo Securities has increased its social contribution activities and donations, and plans to further expand spending. It launched a volunteer team comprised of employees last year. Daewoo volunteers are engaged in diverse activities including Habitat for Humanity where they build homes for needy families, support multicultural families and after school classes for underprivileged children.