[This Week's Books] 'The Essence of Management' and 5 More Titles

◆The Essence of Management = This is a management guidebook by Fredmund Malik, a leading European scholar in management studies. The author refers to the present era as a time of great transformation. Most countries are experiencing unprecedented rapid changes in economic and social fields. He warns that this is a chaotic period marked by increased complexity and uncertainty, requiring precise preparation. However, it is not a matter for worry alone. The author introduces six management principles and seven management tools to lead organizations and companies through change, emphasizing that management is not an exclusive talent of a few gifted individuals. He stresses that many ordinary people have achieved extraordinary things and that management can be learned by anyone through study. (Written by Fredmund Malik · Sensio)

◆King Jeongjo’s Monarch Image = This book discusses King Jeongjo, who has historically received contrasting evaluations. The author explains that until the 1980s, Jeongjo was regarded as a weak king and a frail crown prince, but from the 1990s onward, he has been recognized as ‘King Jeongjo the Great’ who inherited the Tangpyeong policy and established a rule-of-law governance system. Why did such contrasting evaluations arise? The author cites the Gyujanggak archives as one reason. During the Japanese colonial period, only a few Japanese could access these archives, severely limiting the general public’s access. However, after the Gyujanggak facilities became independent in the 1990s, extensive use of the materials became possible. Based on this, the author examines Jeongjo’s actual image during his time, the circumstances he faced, and the achievements passed down to later generations. (Written by Kim Baekcheol · Ihaksa)

◆The Moment When Classical Music Attracts So Much = Why do people think of classical music as difficult and boring ‘elite music’? This book starts from that question. Classical music is present in many everyday places closer than expected. You can encounter it not only in neighborhood hospitals, bookstores, or department store restrooms, but also in other everyday settings without much difficulty. Yet, the author explains that the sense of distance from classical music comes from a lack of connection points. As a classical music record collector and columnist, the author shares a personal experience from high school when he heard Wagner’s ‘Tannh?user’ on the radio while his mother was preparing a late lunch, and his heart pounded?an experience of connection. He encourages readers to open their hearts to the whispers of music. The book details the ‘power of music’ that you understand when you know, see, and feel it. (Written by Choi Jihwan · Booklife)

◆Japanese Pottery Travel: The Eight Major Joseon Kilns of Kyushu = This book is about Japanese pottery, which has undergone brilliant development over hundreds of years, establishing unique technological skills and a cultural industry. The author explains that Japanese pottery, which hides the tears of Joseon potters, boasts excellent artistry and practicality, and was exported to various parts of Europe during modernization, enabling Japan to accumulate enormous wealth. Through events like the Paris Universal Exposition and the Vienna Universal Exposition, Japan promoted and actively sold its pottery worldwide. After building solid capital, Japan launched its Asian invasions. The author explains Korea’s historical tragedy related to Japanese pottery with specific cases and various historical materials. (Written by Jo Yongjun · Dodo)

◆Sudden Departure = This is a collection of short stories commemorating the 140th anniversary of Franz Kafka, a representative writer of the 20th century. It includes ‘The Metamorphosis,’ the most widely known work among domestic readers, as well as ‘The Judgment’ and ‘A Country Doctor,’ which Kafka himself was most satisfied with. Also included is ‘The Burrow,’ which Kafka left as an exception when he ordered his manuscripts to be burned before his death. Thirty-two carefully selected works that reveal the essence of Kafka’s literature in theme and style are gathered. The book also contains a pictorial collection of Kafka’s famous sentence, “A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us,” from a letter to his friend Oskar Pollak, along with drawings from his university days. (Written by Franz Kafka · Minumsa)

◆Reverse Brainstorming = This book contains the business success experiences of Masanori Kanda, who holds numerous titles such as mentor to Japanese CEOs, top marketer, management consultant, sales copywriter, educator, and bestselling author. Introducing the ‘reverse thinking scenario,’ which derives the desired outcome first and then finds solutions, he advises that anyone can naturally succeed as intended by simply shifting their thinking to grasp the essence of a problem. The five-step thinking method includes: ▲Step 1: Imagine a future where the customer is 120% happy ▲Step 2: Consider the customer’s current situation ▲Step 3: Find the climax where the customer becomes happy ▲Step 4: Present ideas leading to the climax ▲Step 5: Stage the opening. This method introduces how to approach the core of problems. (Written by Masanori Kanda · RH Korea)

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