Seongdong-gu Retired Professionals' Free Consulting Service for SMEs Receives 'Positive Reviews'

Providing Short- and Long-Term Consulting in HR, Labor, Tax, Finance, and Management, High Satisfaction Among Companies

A scene of receiving the 'Free Consulting Service for Middle-aged and Older Adults' at the Hope Job Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) is operating a ‘Free Consulting Service for Middle-aged Professionals’ that utilizes retired professionals in their 50s and 60s to resolve management difficulties faced by small business owners and SMEs in the area.

In Seongdong-gu, about 75% of businesses are small enterprises with fewer than 4 employees, and about 23% are SMEs with fewer than 49 employees. Most of these companies face challenges due to insufficient manpower and economic costs.

Accordingly, the district provides various management consulting services to these companies by utilizing retired middle-aged professionals who have excellent careers and expertise, having worked in large corporations and professional fields.

The main consulting areas include ▲ labor and personnel such as employment contracts, job systems, and personnel regulations ▲ finance and taxation such as funding, loan guarantees, profit and loss analysis, financial statements, corporate tax, income tax, and value-added tax ▲ management such as market research, marketing and sales, and cost reduction.

Consulting is conducted in various ways over short or long periods. It ranges from one-time consultations on the Labor Standards Act or employment contracts to long-term consulting lasting two to three months, including marketing activation strategies based on management status analysis and identifying improvements in organization, personnel, and process establishment.

In addition, in cooperation with the Seongdong-gu Hope Job Center, companies experiencing recruitment difficulties during consulting are assisted through recruitment linkage services.

A district official said, “Most small businesses and small business owners recognize the need for consulting but often hesitate due to time and cost burdens. In fact, companies that have received consulting are so satisfied that they want to extend the consulting period. This project also provides job opportunities for retired professionals, achieving a win-win effect.”

Kim Ju-hee, CEO of Funbility, a play education specialist company currently receiving consulting, said, “At first, it was difficult because there were many materials to prepare suddenly, but through weekly consulting, I have been able to properly understand the procedures and matters necessary for company operation and have received a lot of help. I even asked questions on my days off, and I am grateful to the consultant who always kindly explained everything.”

Companies wishing to receive free consulting can visit the Hope Job Center Seongsu Branch located in Seongdong Anshim Shopping Mall from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays for immediate consultation.

On-site consultations at companies are also conducted depending on the situation.

Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “We hope this project will solve the problems of middle-aged professionals who have excellent expertise and diverse careers but face job-seeking difficulties after retirement, and provide practical help to SMEs suffering from severe economic downturns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.