President Bae Jaegyu "Changes in HR System, Please Share Your Opinions"... Internal Attention on Communication Efforts

Korea Investment Trust Management Holds Regular 'Conversation with CEO'
Communicates with Employees through Town Hall Meetings
Announces HR Policy Changes on Intranet
"Let Us Know If You Want to Change Your Job"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Bae Jae-gyu, CEO of Korea Investment Trust Management, is strengthening communication with employees. He is leading internal cultural changes by exchanging opinions on personnel system changes through the intranet and holding regular town hall meetings.

On the 18th, according to the financial investment industry and Korea Financial Group, CEO Bae posted a message titled "We are promoting changes in the personnel system" on the intranet, informing employees that changes to the personnel system will be implemented this year. He stated, "As CEO, I will do my best to establish a 'win-win' relationship between the company and its executives and employees," and added, "We are pursuing reasonable measures."

Recently, CEO Bae posted another message related to personnel on the intranet. He wrote, "As promised at the beginning of the year, if you want to switch from your current work to another area, please share your opinions." He added, "If you have performed well in your current role, we will accommodate you as much as possible. Even if you cannot achieve your desired change, there will be absolutely no disadvantages in your current position." He emphasized, "Regarding year-end personnel decisions, we will make them as fairly as possible within the conditions given to the company."

It is known that CEO Bae shared the details of the personnel system changes to exert organizational centripetal force so that employees do not feel anxious amid sluggish market conditions. He reportedly told executives, "The worse the market conditions, the more important the morale of employees is," and "Personnel decisions should help smooth out tensions." The request for opinions on personnel matters such as job transfers was made in this context.

One of the biggest changes since CEO Bae’s appointment is the increased time spent in close interaction with employees. Korea Investment Trust Management has been conducting quarterly ‘Conversations with the CEO’ since his appointment. To listen more freely to employees’ opinions, they also hold ‘Atrium Meetings’ in a town hall format. Attendance is voluntary, and participants can leave at any time. Opinions are exchanged without formal constraints. At times, about 100 employees have attended.

It is known that especially the younger MZ (Millennial + Generation Z) generation inside the company evaluates these changes positively. While valuing communication, young employees who find hierarchical order difficult have shown strong empathy.

CEO Bae’s active communication with employees was evident during the ETF brand change. Before changing the ETF brand to ‘ACe,’ he posted on the intranet, "Please share your opinions regarding the brand change," showing a strong willingness to communicate. Changing the ETF brand, the company’s core business, was a major project that refined its identity beyond just cost burdens.

Even after the ETF brand change, he continued communication by asking employees for their impressions. At that time, he said, "If you have any opinions about future tasks, please post them," and declared his intention to actively communicate within the company through the intranet.

A representative from Korea Investment Trust Management said, "We know that after CEO Bae posted a request for opinions on job transfers, some employees actually visited the CEO’s office," and added, "We expect the internal culture to change over time."