By Kang Seung-woo
PCA Life Korea, a unit of the U.K.-based PCA Group, abides by a management philosophy focusing on listening to and understanding customers.
To achieve better communication, the life insurer launched a two-month “Listening Campaign” on April 11, with the slogan “Always Listening, Always Understanding.”
In addition, PCA Life, which believes mutual understanding between employees and executives is a pre-step for improved communication with customers, plans to take advantage of this program to listen to its own staff.
PCA, headed by CEO Kim Young-jin, recently set up a center for civil petitions that helps the firm interact face to face with customers.
The international financial service provider, which has established itself as the best player in the retirement insurance market since it began operations here in late 2001, has sponsored University of the Third Age at Seoul National University and its executives and employees are taking the school’s classes to strengthen expertise in mapping out retirement plans.
The insurance company has organized two monthly meetings ― Town Hall Meeting and Time with the CEO ― where informal conversations can take place between management and employees.
It has opened an application ― “Smart Magic TV” ― which is available on both smartphones and tablet PCs, to encourage its workers to more easily share intramural information and education programs as well as data for sales and customer consulting.
The company expects the cutting-edge technology to boost business efficiency as well as performance.
PCA Life has also been stepping up efforts to promote corporate social responsibility (CSR). Since 2008 it has supported mental health counseling for kids and youth from low-income households with its social contribution fund.
In 2010 the elderly who live alone have also been assisted with a 3 million won donation and volunteer assistance on a monthly basis after signing with HelpAge Korea, an agency that helps older people claim their rights, challenge discrimination and overcome poverty.
Besides, PCA LIFE, in collaboration with the British Council and SOS Children’s Villages, sponsored the “English Adventure” program for children in communities with limited opportunities for English education from 2007 to 2009. It is a mobile classroom equipped with interactive software for a fun and innovative approach to second language acquisition.