Like many trainees, I initially had very little understanding of what business development entailed. However, one thing I did know was that networking was important.
While planning my annual holiday trip to Seoul, South Korea (my hometown!) I thought it would be a good opportunity to engage in some business networking activities.
I had previously made contacts through a CIPA event, where I assisted Dick Waddington and David Clark last year. This involved helping with the CIPA-KPAA (Korea Patent Attorneys Association) Seminar in London, a joint event between the KPAA and CIPA committees. My role was to assist with any language issues between Korean and English-speaking attendees. Although most Korean attorneys spoke good English, some felt nervous at times. I was there to provide support and ensure smooth communication between the two parties. It was a rewarding experience, and I had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful Korean patent and trade mark attorneys.
As I prepared for my trip to Korea in April this year, I decided to reconnect with these contacts. Drawing on vague memories from marketing training and lunchtime TekTALK sessions, I reached out to arrange some meetings. I wasn’t expecting much, thinking that, as a trainee, I might receive one or two responses if I was lucky. To my surprise, I received multiple replies, all expressing a willingness to meet me in Seoul!
During my stay in Seoul, I had seven productive meetings. Thanks to our marketing team at Appleyard Lees, I came equipped with chocolate gifts, which were well-received. I also carried Appleyard Lees tote bags during my visits and while on public transport for visibility – I wasn’t being serious really, but it was fun, and a couple of times it sparked conversations, obviously with patent attorneys! A particularly memorable moment was meeting the newly elected KPAA president in his impressive office, where he generously spent an hour discussing various topics with me. The KPAA public relations team also asked me to write an article on ‘how to become a UK trade mark attorney’ for their magazine, which I think is a great publicity opportunity within the Korean IP community.
In summary, I enjoyed excellent coffee and meals as well as insightful discussions with lovely people, and I look forward to maintaining these connections. While it’s uncertain where these interactions might lead or whether they will yield any tangible results, I’m confident that the experience has been valuable and that I will continue to learn from these experiences.
Top left: CIPA – KPAA seminar in London in September 2023.
Top right and bottom left: FAs visit to Seoul in April 2024.
Bottom right: Marketing Appleyard Lees in Seoul.
