Understanding modern business concepts in Korean is essential for professionals working in or with Korean companies. This guide focuses on the term “Agile Organization,” explaining the core Korean expression and related vocabulary used in business contexts. You’ll learn how to discuss agile methodologies, team structures, and the characteristics of adaptable organizations in Korean.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 민첩한 조직
Pronunciation: min-cheop-han jo-jik
Meaning: Agile Organization (Literally: nimble organization)
Key Terminology
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Expression: 민첩성
Pronunciation: min-cheop-seong
Meaning: Agility, Nimbleness -
Expression: 조직
Pronunciation: jo-jik
Meaning: Organization -
Expression: 유연성
Pronunciation: yu-yeon-seong
Meaning: Flexibility -
Expression: 적응력
Pronunciation: jeok-eung-ryeok
Meaning: Adaptability -
Expression: 팀
Pronunciation: tim
Meaning: Team -
Expression: 협업
Pronunciation: hyeop-eop
Meaning: Collaboration -
Expression: 프로젝트
Pronunciation: peu-ro-jek-teu
Meaning: Project -
Expression: 방법론
Pronunciation: bang-beop-ron
Meaning: Methodology -
Expression: 의사결정
Pronunciation: ui-sa-gyeol-jeong
Meaning: Decision-making -
Expression: 효율성
Pronunciation: hyo-yul-seong
Meaning: Efficiency -
Expression: 변화 관리
Pronunciation: byeon-hwa gwan-ri
Meaning: Change Management -
Expression: 고객 중심
Pronunciation: go-gaek jung-sim
Meaning: Customer-centric
Describing Agile Organizations
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Expression: 민첩한 조직은 변화에 빠르게 대응합니다.
Pronunciation: min-cheop-han jo-jik-eun byeon-hwa-e ppa-reu-ge dae-eung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Agile organizations respond quickly to change. -
Expression: 팀 간의 협업을 중요하게 생각합니다.
Pronunciation: tim gan-ui hyeop-eop-eul jung-yo-ha-ge saeng-gak-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: They value collaboration between teams. -
Expression: 의사결정 속도가 빠릅니다.
Pronunciation: ui-sa-gyeol-jeong sok-do-ga ppa-reum-ni-da.
Meaning: The decision-making speed is fast. -
Expression: 수평적인 구조를 지향합니다.
Pronunciation: su-pyeong-jeok-in gu-jo-reul ji-hyang-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: They aim for a horizontal structure. -
Expression: 직원들에게 권한을 위임합니다.
Pronunciation: jik-won-deul-e-ge gwon-han-eul wi-im-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: They delegate authority to employees. -
Expression: 지속적인 개선을 추구합니다.
Pronunciation: ji-sok-jeok-in gae-seon-eul chu-gu-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: They pursue continuous improvement. -
Expression: 실패로부터 배우는 문화를 가지고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: sil-pae-ro-bu-teo bae-u-neun mun-hwa-reul ga-ji-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: They have a culture of learning from failure. -
Expression: 시장 변화에 유연하게 대처합니다.
Pronunciation: si-jang byeon-hwa-e yu-yeon-ha-ge dae-cheo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: They deal flexibly with market changes. -
Expression: 고객 피드백을 적극적으로 반영합니다.
Pronunciation: go-gaek pi-deu-baek-eul jeok-geuk-jeok-eu-ro ban-yeong-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: They actively reflect customer feedback. -
Expression: 투명한 정보 공유를 강조합니다.
Pronunciation: tu-myeong-han jeong-bo gong-yu-reul gang-jo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: They emphasize transparent information sharing.
Implementing Agility
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Expression: 애자일 방법론을 도입하다.
Pronunciation: ae-ja-il bang-beop-ron-eul do-ip-ha-da.
Meaning: To introduce agile methodology. (Note: 애자일 is the transliteration of “Agile”) -
Expression: 조직 구조를 개편하다.
Pronunciation: jo-jik gu-jo-reul gae-pyeon-ha-da.
Meaning: To reorganize the organizational structure. -
Expression: 다기능 팀을 구성하다.
Pronunciation: da-gi-neung tim-eul gu-seong-ha-da.
Meaning: To form a cross-functional team. -
Expression: 짧은 주기로 프로젝트를 진행하다.
Pronunciation: jjal-beun ju-gi-ro peu-ro-jek-teu-reul jin-haeng-ha-da.
Meaning: To proceed with projects in short cycles (sprints). -
Expression: 데일리 스탠드업 미팅을 하다.
Pronunciation: de-il-li seu-taen-deu-eop mi-ting-eul ha-da.
Meaning: To have a daily stand-up meeting. -
Expression: 업무 우선순위를 정하다.
Pronunciation: eom-mu u-seon-sun-wi-reul jeong-ha-da.
Meaning: To set work priorities. -
Expression: 피드백 루프를 만들다.
Pronunciation: pi-deu-baek ru-peu-reul man-deul-da.
Meaning: To create a feedback loop. -
Expression: 실험과 반복을 장려하다.
Pronunciation: sil-heom-gwa ban-bok-eul jang-ryeo-ha-da.
Meaning: To encourage experimentation and iteration. -
Expression: 칸반 보드를 사용하다.
Pronunciation: kan-ban bo-deu-reul sa-yong-ha-da.
Meaning: To use a Kanban board. -
Expression: 회고 미팅을 통해 배우다.
Pronunciation: hoe-go mi-ting-eul tong-hae bae-u-da.
Meaning: To learn through retrospective meetings. -
Expression: 조직 문화를 바꾸다.
Pronunciation: jo-jik mun-hwa-reul ba-kku-da.
Meaning: To change the organizational culture.
Korean Culture Notes
Implementing agile principles within a Korean company can present unique cultural considerations. Traditional Korean corporate culture often emphasizes hierarchy (상하관계, sang-ha-gwan-gye) and top-down decision-making, which may contrast with agile’s focus on flat structures and empowered teams.
Consensus-building (합의, ha-bui) is highly valued in many Korean organizations. While collaboration is key in agile, the emphasis on rapid iteration and decision-making might require adjustments to traditional consensus processes.
Communication styles can also differ. Agile promotes open and direct feedback, which might need careful navigation within a culture that often values indirect communication and maintaining harmony (화합, hwa-hap).
The concept of “failure” can be perceived negatively in some traditional settings. Fostering an agile culture where experimentation and learning from mistakes are encouraged requires deliberate effort to shift mindsets.
Despite potential challenges, many Korean companies are actively embracing agile methodologies (애자일 방법론, ae-ja-il bang-beop-ron) to increase competitiveness and adapt to fast-changing global markets, often adapting them to fit their specific cultural context.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two colleagues, Manager Kim (A) and Team Member Lee (B), are discussing their company’s recent shift towards becoming a more agile organization.
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Expression: A: 이 대리, 우리 회사가 민첩한 조직으로 변화하려는 노력이 잘 진행되고 있는 것 같나요?
Pronunciation: i dae-ri, u-ri hoe-sa-ga min-cheop-han jo-jik-eu-ro byeon-hwa-ha-ryeo-neun no-ryeok-i jal jin-haeng-doe-go it-neun geot gat-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Assistant Manager Lee, do you think our company’s efforts to transform into an agile organization are progressing well? -
Expression: B: 네, 부장님. 특히 팀 간의 협업이 이전보다 훨씬 활발해진 것 같습니다. 의사결정 속도도 빨라졌고요.
Pronunciation: ne, bu-jang-nim. teuk-hi tim gan-ui hyeop-eop-i i-jeon-bo-da hwol-ssin hwal-bal-hae-jin geot gat-seum-ni-da. ui-sa-gyeol-jeong sok-do-do ppal-la-jyeot-go-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, Manager. Especially, collaboration between teams seems much more active than before. Decision-making speed has also increased. -
Expression: A: 맞아요. 아직 적응 중인 부분도 있지만, 변화에 유연하게 대처하는 능력이 중요하니까요.
Pronunciation: ma-ja-yo. a-jik jeok-eung jung-in bu-bun-do it-ji-man, byeon-hwa-e yu-yeon-ha-ge dae-cheo-ha-neun neung-ryeok-i jung-yo-ha-ni-kka-yo.
Meaning: A: That’s right. There are still parts we’re adjusting to, but the ability to flexibly cope with change is important. -
Expression: B: 네, 저희 팀도 데일리 스탠드업 미팅을 통해 업무 우선순위를 명확히 하고 있습니다. 효율성이 높아진 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ne, jeo-hui tim-do de-il-li seu-taen-deu-eop mi-ting-eul tong-hae eom-mu u-seon-sun-wi-reul myeong-hwak-hi ha-go it-seum-ni-da. hyo-yul-seong-i nop-a-jin geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, our team is also clarifying work priorities through daily stand-up meetings. I think efficiency has improved. -
Expression: A: 좋습니다. 앞으로도 지속적인 개선을 통해 더 민첩한 조직 문화를 만들어 갑시다.
Pronunciation: jo-seum-ni-da. ap-eu-ro-do ji-sok-jeok-in gae-seon-eul tong-hae deo min-cheop-han jo-jik mun-hwa-reul man-deur-eo gap-si-da.
Meaning: A: Good. Let’s continue to build a more agile organizational culture through continuous improvement going forward.
Practice Tips
Mastering business terminology like 민첩한 조직 takes practice! Try discussing the pros and cons of agile methodologies with Korean-speaking colleagues or friends~ You could also read Korean articles or blogs about companies implementing agile transformations. Pay attention to how terms like 협업 (hyeop-eop), 유연성 (yu-yeon-seong), and 의사결정 (ui-sa-gyeol-jeong) are used in context. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon be able to discuss these concepts confidently in Korean!
