The Champagne Technique:

A few years back, Chairman Tae Yun Kim was helping a troubled company, called CompanyX.  CompanyX really needed cash and decided to finance the company using Factoring.  It tried to get money through normal conventional lending, like banks, but at the time they were too new, and didn’t have the appropriate track record.  On the surface, this new method of financing, Factoring, looked very attractive.  It was based on AR invoicing.  So every time the company sent out an invoice, they could get a short term loan for up to 80% of the value of the invoice. 

This gave the company the cash it needed to survive and grow.  It provided quick cash, and that was the life blood of any company.  So the company signed up and started using the Factoring money. 

But, about 1 year later, they would find out, that the details of the deal were important.  The Factoring company advertised a very low interest rate, like 1.5%.  But that rate was charged on the initial loan, and every 15 days. 

So the company moved along happily doing business.  Cash was flowing and things seemed better than ever.  But about a year or so later, cash started to become tight again.  Something didn’t seem right.  So they were driven to drive Sales harder.  But as hard as they drove, things were getting tighter and tighter.  Things were so good.  Now they were tight again, and getting tighter and tighter.  How did things get so bad again?  The stress was mounting.

In the background, unknown to CompanyX, their debt to the Factoring Company kept growing.  Finally the company called in Dr. Tae Yun Kim to help.  She recommended a financial expert who was called in to help.  They calculated that the annual percentage rate they were paying on the borrowed money was about 44%.  What?  Impossible?  But True.  Crazy.  How in today’s society is this even legal?  The going rate for money was only 10% and they were paying 44%.  It was no wonder why things were so bad.  This was in the original deal, but they didn’t pay attention.  At the time, it didn’t seem important.  They were only looking for short term relief and gain.  But now they had to pay the price.

CompanyX went to the Factoring Company and wanted to get out.  Of course it was no problem, if they paid everything off and followed the termination clauses in the contract.  But at the time, all the company wanted was cash and would do anything for it.  They never really read the contract, especially the termination agreement.  But the contract said, that when it came time to terminate, that they needed 90 day notice and they had to pay an average of the last 3 months finance charges as a “get out fee”.  Also, on top of that, since the accounting and the reporting hadn’t been perfect, the Factoring Company had the right to charge an additional $400,000 penalty, before they could terminate.  This seemed like highway robbery. 

CompanyX thought to themselves.  We have been paying them tremendous interest all this time, surely if we go to the CEO, they will cut us some slack and let us out of this contract.  Surely he will help us.  So they went to the CEO of the Factoring Company, and he explained that they had a business to run too, and they were going to follow the contract.  Sorry, but pay up, or lose your business.  Crazy, no sympathy, no help, nothing.  That is the cold business world.  Everything seemed helpless.

At this point, Dr. Kim advised them to use the Champagne Technique.  In brief, they were advised to take a big bottle of Champagne over to the Factoring company, and have a celebration with the Factoring company CEO and team, and negotiate under better conditions and energy.

But the The CEO of CompanyX never thought this would work.  The Factoring Company CEO already said he wouldn’t do it.  The CEO of CompanyX felt trapped, and thought this was going to blow up and that lawyers and law suits would be involved.  It was cost millions, and where was that going to come from?  The stress continued to build.  This situation was close to exploding.

But they followed through as Dr. Kim advised, and they took ice cream and cake and celebrated the good relationship, and thanked the Factoring Company team for helping them get to the next level.  During that time, Dr. Kim discussed off – business topics, like how their kids were doing in the martial arts, and personal things. 

Dr. Kim created the energy and conditions for creative solutions.  The contract was pulled out and all the terms were agreed to over the champagne celebration, and the $400,000 penalty was waived.  Halleluah!!!  It worked.  With the help of God, a lot of praying, Dr. Kim changed the energy of the situation, and helped create a win win solution for everyone.   It was awesomeness to the 10^th degree.

Dr. Tae Yun Kim saved this company, and the company went on to be profitable and sustainable.  Yahoo!!

Summary:  There are many lessons here. 

1.     If you look for shortcuts to get ahead, make sure to look into the details.   For example, you may go to a school where you get your blackbelt sooner, but what are you sacrificing for the short term gain.  Are you really gaining anything? 

2.     Never give up.  The situation seemed impossible, but with creative energy and the spirit of “He Can Do, She Can Do, Why Not Me!”, anything can be accomplished. 

He Can Do, She Can Do, Why Not Me!”  is Dr. Kim’s motto, and was inspired from the bible.  God teaches us to always have faith and to have courage.  We have to apply that to our lives.

Remember to always help others.  Self-defense usually refers to personal self-defense, but this is a case where Chairman Kim reached out to help a company struggling in business.  This business effected thousands of peoples live.  Thank you Dr. Kim for all your love and wisdom.  Thank you for teaching us to be positive in life and help others.  

Dr. Tae Yun Kim, teaches these types of lessons to many people through her Jung Suwon Academy, her books like Seven Steps to Inner Power.  Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim is her formal title, and she makes a positive difference in millions of people's lives.  Lets all do our part and learn and help others.  

Thank you.  God Bless you.  :)

Core Values & Purpose:

Core Values and Purpose:

What are your core values?  Did you ever think about that? 

In the past, I know I haven't.  But this is a new year, and I have been in strategy meetings.

In order to think about strategy, you must think about your core values and purpose first.

We do this for businesses every year, but what about us personally? 

Here are some lines to help define Core Values:

• You do not create or set core values.  You discover core values.

• You do not deduce it by looking outside.  You understand it by looking inside.

• Ideology has to be authentic.  You cannot fake it.

• Discovering core values is not an intellectual exercise. 

• Do not ask, what core values should we hold?

• Ask, what core values do we truly hold.

I have been a student of Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim for over 30 years.  What are my core values?

I think about Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim's life experiences, and who she is at the core.

She motivates me and inspires me.  I have watched her face so many obstacles.  I remember she entrusted her whole company to a loyal student.  It seemed to go good for awhile, but the student’s ego grew, and finally decided that he wanted more.  He wanted to take over the business and throw Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim out of the business.  What a terrible thing.  She gave him such an opportunity, and yet he tried to stab her in the back.  He ran negative internet campaigns, and stole technology, and opened a competing business.  Then he conspired with another company to buy Dr. Tae Yun Kim out.  He even went to her and told her the following:

We have more money than you.  We can buy your suppliers.  We can buy your distributors.  We can buy your employees.  Give up while you can. 

It was enough to scare anyone.  But Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim said, “no way, I would rather go die first”.  Go ahead, take your best shot.  

 Dr. Tae Yun Kim fought for the next few years, and saved her company, and came out on top.  It shows her core spirit.   To fight for what is right.  To have a positive “Can Do” spirit.  To have the indomitable spirit of overcoming – He Can Do, She Can Do, Why Not Me!!!.  

I will forever be inspired.  thank you very much.

Tapping into your Inner Power

No matter how good a martial artist you are, when your life is in danger, you will need to quickly tap into your inner power.  Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim wrote a book on Seven Steps to Inner Power.  It is a great book, that really inspired me to dive into who I am, and to take charge of my life.  To be the master of my life, and to be the best I can be.  Dr. Kim outlines the 7 Steps to Inner Power.  I have read the book several times, and each time, I develop a deeper understanding.   I used this energy to drive me to become a martial arts Grandmaster, and to be successful in my career.  I used to read articles on people that were overachievers, but I didn't know how to get there myself.   Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim connected me my inner spirit, and the knowledge that I am a co-creater.  She taught me that my mind is stronger than I can imagine, and with the right thoughts, I can manifest my life and things around me.  I can take control.  What an awesome feeling.

Just like an Olympic athlete.  You have to be able to set your sights high, and be ready to commit yourself to this goal.  The same commitment is needed to become a very special martial artist.  This needs to come from deep inside you.  In your daily practice, you must practice tapping into this great source of energy.  Workout hard, and learn meditation.  Meditation at first is relaxing and makes you feel good.  But advanced meditation takes you deeper into your soul and connects you with your inner power.  And more advanced meditation allows you to manifest and use this power.  Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim taught me all of this.  Also, practice Ki-up'ing loudly.  What you practice is what you will do in reality.  You don't want to face your attacker with a soft sounding voice.  You need to develop your energy.  In advanced training, even your ki-up can stop an attacker.  Don't under estimate your energy.  Visualize yourself in a desperate situation.  Typically when you really need this great source of energy, there is no planning.  The connection needs to come from your subconscious.  So learn to tap into this great source of energy, and use it to drive your techniques and purpose.

Don't let anyone rob your goals.  Train hard and learn.  Why not?  Its all for you.  :)

The 3rd Eye

Many people when they first start training give away where they are going to attack, before they even attack.  How, usually by intensely looking at their target.  Your leg, or stomach, or head, etc… they look first and then they attack.  But this gives your opponent more time to react, plan, block, and get out of the way.  In other words it makes your attacks less effective and in some cases even useless.

They are so busy looking at your body, that they could be missing the bigger picture.  My master ( Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim ) recommends looking at a spot on the forehead between the eyes (This is called the 3rd eye, or anjun).   Dr. Tae Yun Kim also recommends learning the technique of “looking softly, but seeing everywhere".  Normally when you look intently at something, all your focus goes there, and that is all you really see.  But if you learn to look at your opponent’s anjun, “looking softly”, and open your awareness at the same time, you can learn to see the person’s whole body, even though it looks like you are looking into their eyes.  You can be aware of there every movement.  It takes practice and time to be able to do this, but it will help you tremendously.  It is like driving to drive a car, and you want to look at the brake or the accelerator.  That would be silly, but the martial arts is very similar. 

Another big advantage, is you can see into their eyes, without looking into their eyes.  This allows you to keep your emotions from getting dominated, but you can see their emotions as they change.  Are they angry, or calm, or frustrated, etc…  Their eyes are the gateway into their mind and soul, so as you get better and better at this, you can tell a lot about your opponent as the fight continues.  You can prevent them from seeing into your mind, but you can penetrate into theirs.  This is a very advanced technique, and takes years to perfect, but why wait?  If you are serious about self-defense you should know about this, and start to practice right away.  It takes years to develop, and the more you practice the more you will see.   As you get better and better you can even jump to another level and see your opponent's energy.  But remember, if you don’t really practice, and seek to improve and discover, it won’t help you.  

Have a great day, and always strive to be the best you can be.  :) 

The Importance of Blocking

                In the martial arts and in most fight arts, when people are learning, their tendency is to focus on offense and attacking.  Usually people ignore defense and blocking.  But, Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim emphasizes that we need to focus on perfecting both offense and defense equally.  Think about this.  If you can block really good, then you don’t have to worry as much about getting hit.  Your confidence goes up, and you can control the situation better. 

Of course the best defense is to avoid dangerous situations all together.  But when that becomes impossible, it is good for you to know how to defend yourself and your loved ones.  I learned from my master (Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim) that when we learn martial arts, we should always use it only for self-defense, and to protect our loved ones.  And of course train in the martial arts for self-improvement, but never to bully others. 
            My master (Dr. Tae Yun Kim) emphasized to me that blocking is really about the redirection or reflection of energy.  If strong force is coming at you, you have several choices.  You can step out of the way, or you can redirect the energy so that the blow misses you, or you can use their energy to throw them off balance, or you can reflect it back to them.  Any of these can be very effective.  It comes down to a keen understanding of these concepts, your own capabilities, the size and weight of your opponent, and of distance and timing. 

As you get better at blocking, deflecting, and redirection, you can block and draw your opponent out.  You can make your opponent tired by playing with him.  You can give your opponent the feeling that you are less aggressive and they will attack you more, all the while, you are studying their strengths and weaknesses.  Then you can choose when you are ready to attack.  You can block and create openings.  You can learn to throw your opponent off balance.  You can frustrate your attacker by remaining calm, and deflecting their attacks.  You can confuse your attacker because their attacks don’t get through.  You will have the element of surprise.  You can plan your attacks and look for your openings.  But when the time is right to attack, give it all you have.  Attack with speed and forcefulness.  Ki-up loud and strong and surprise your opponent.  If possible put fear into them, and put them on the defensive.  Blocking will increase your control and confidence, and will increase your chances of successfully defending yourself.

                In the real world, when people are trying to attack you and really hurt you, a good defense, and good blocking techniques can turn into your offense.  You can block to deter, or injure, or break something.  The same motion that redirects a kick from your vitals can turn into an attack on their leg.  You can use your elbows to inflict pain to their toes, shin splints, knees, or pressure points.  It won’t take many of those to get them to stop kicking you.  

                One of the most important things is to train regularly to build up your energy, courage, endurance, awareness, technique, and a humble attitude.  Never use what you learn to bully or take advantage of people.  Use it only in self-defense.

Train hard, feel good, help others, and smile and be happy.  :)

We must help teach the next generation...

We must help teach the next generation...

Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim has devoted over 40 years of her life to teach and help others take charge of their lives and to live healthier more positive lives.  She leads by example.  She is an inspiration to me, and helps me to direct my activities to helping others also.  The next generation needs us now.

I love when she says to smile each day and share joy with others.  It doesn't cost anything.

Thanks To Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim
and the Jung SuWon Academy of Martial Arts.

New Tae Yun Kim Blog (don't miss it), Facebook

Tae Yun Kim as CEO directs her company to make a positive difference in this world

Responsibility - Help the Younger Generation

Many teenagers are growing up are wild and crazy.  They get involved in what seems like everything bad.  Some get involved in partying and drinking.  Others learn to steel and lie and get away with it.  Why work hard when you can seemingly take the easy and fun way, or so it seems.  Some get lost and depressed and head towards suicide. 

Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim helps to redirect kids and teenagers to use all their energy in a fun and exciting way.  She teaches the Art of Jung SuWon Martial Arts, and yes it is very exciting and fun.  I know for me, that I used to have lots of energy and needed some constructive place to use that energy.  If not, I would get in trouble.  But Dr. Tae Yun Kim, help to show me how exciting Martial Arts can be, and then put me on a path to getting my black belt.  This was awesome, and one of the best things that ever happened to me.

She gave me goals and dreams to strive for.  I wanted to be the best martial artist in the world.  In order to do that, I had to train regularly and be very disciplined.  This taught me so much about myself.  I learned to control and direct my energy into self-development and helping others.  This was a major inflection point for me, and we have to help others get on the right track.  It is our responsibility.

Thanks To Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim
and the Jung SuWon Academy of Martial Arts.