Samsung, Lee Kun-hee, and Avocado Crostini

20201028, the way Chairman Lee stumbled through failures and hardships in running his business shows, more precisely, what the achievements that followed actually meant and taught. Whatever it is that Samsung's — and more broadly Korean business's — next generation of executives should genuinely learn from will be drawn out of that very process. What, after all, can you learn from an infallible god raised high up into the sky? He becomes nothing but an object of awe and worship. (Kim Young-bae, Why the Emperor Stayed in Seclusion) #samsung #leekunhee Behind the huge shadow cast by Samsung's success in semiconductors, home appliances, and smartphones — with Samsung Electronics as the flagship — there were failures too, in automobiles (Renault Samsung) and retail (Homeplus). Some argue that the massive failures that drove the company to the brink are exactly what forced it to choose and focus, and ultimately built today's Samsung. And alongside his 'achievements,' it shouldn't be forgotten that there's a long list of 'faults' too — collusion between business and politics, illegal succession of management control, union-free management, and more. Before the #avocado gets overripe, #avocadocrostini 1. Drizzle olive oil in a pan and lightly toast the bread. 2. Cut the tomato and let it marinate briefly in a dressing of olive oil, wine vinegar, and whole-grain mustard. 3. Lay the marinated tomato from step 2 (gently woken up) on the toasted bread and sprinkle with a little salt. Arrange sliced avocado neatly on top, then drizzle with olive oil, pepper, and lemon juice. Finish with lemon zest. (Used tangerine zest instead, since I was out of lemon.)