A frame change mechanism that turns crises into opportunities.
Business, Relationships, and the Changing Environment… The Secret to Solving Problems

This book is a key to opening new doors and a valuable reference to help solve problems.

━ Highly recommended by Chairman Seungho Kim, author of "The Nature of Money" ★★★★★

From business to life, everyday life is a series of problems.
When a variable arises in the goal, most people either try to open a door that is not open or give up.
However, the "side door strategy" is a methodology for solving problems from a new angle when the existing method does not work.
When a frontal breakthrough is difficult, finding a detour and opening up a path along the way is the side door strategy.
The side-door strategy eliminates the pitfalls of sticking to the orthodox approach and creates unprecedented opportunities.
This applies to all fields, including business, human relations, and organizational activities.
The author was in charge of state protocol at the Blue House at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and now travels the world teaching international etiquette to CEOs.
In this book, he introduces various side-door strategies based on his experience in the global field.
The side door strategy is particularly useful in corporate activities.
Avoiding the red ocean and finding the door of opportunity is essential for businesses.
In this rapidly changing era, the path to success lies not in the familiar main gate, but in pioneering a new side gate.

My experience at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, particularly my experience handling presidential protocol, was a turning point in my life.
He participated in overseas events on the presidential plane and was in charge of detailed practical work, from selecting menus for state dinners and banquets at the Blue House to arranging performances and arranging seating arrangements.
He was in charge of handling state gifts in the name of the President and achieved the highly unusual feat of receiving official letters of appreciation from members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
At a national summit, not even a single mistake is tolerated.
But no matter how perfectly prepared you are, unexpected situations are bound to arise, and each time, a snap decision and solution is required.
Through this process, I truly realized that there is always a solution in any situation.
--- p.10, from "Prologue"

The success of professional side door openers is no accident.
They never turn away saying, "I can't do it" when the main gate is not open.
Rather, I approach it with the attitude of, "It wouldn't be fun if it opened right away! There must be another way, so let's find it somehow!"
Even in challenging situations, always think about how to improve and solve problems to increase your chances of success.
These seemingly small and insignificant differences in perception and attitude ultimately become the decisive factors that determine success or failure.
They also use the sense of accomplishment and confidence they gain from improving or solving a problem as a driving force to overcome failure.
As a result, we continue to grow and develop regardless of whether the problem is solved or not.
The attitude of embracing the uncertainty of the future with excitement, not anxiety, is the best weapon of the "pro side door openers."
--- p.26, from “A Serious and Enterprising Attitude to Life”

In a rapidly changing market environment, when the main door suddenly closes, or is slowly closing, you must be ready to immediately find a side door.
Otherwise, the fate of the company can change in an instant.
Continuously changing and innovating—always keeping the next door in mind—is essential and the only strategy for a company's survival and prosperity.
If you become complacent with the current situation, you may face irreversible difficulties, which could threaten the very existence of your business.
The downfall of Toshiba, Japan's leading electronics company, clearly demonstrates this.
Toshiba, which ended its 74-year trading career on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and was delisted at the end of 2023, once enjoyed a 148-year reputation for innovation, including the launch of Japan's first color TV and the world's first laptop.
But nothing in this world lasts forever.
--- p.107, from “If the side door is the only remaining option”

The side door strategy allows you to open a new chapter in your life by not missing small opportunities that arise unexpectedly.
This doesn't mean that you should simply leave everything to luck.
Rather, it means being awake in every moment of daily life, paying close attention to even seemingly trivial matters, and developing the sensitivity to seize opportunities.
Coincidence comes to everyone.
But it's up to me to turn it into a life-changing opportunity.

--- p.107, from “A Chance to Turn Your Life Around by Chance”

If you do not fully understand the nature of the side door strategy and misunderstand it, you may unintentionally fall into the temptation of illegal or unethical 'backdoor' strategies, so special care is needed.
The more you crave quick and easy success, the more likely you are to fall into the back door under the pretext of finding the side door.
By seeking shortcuts and taking dangerous paths, we can damage our personal morality and cause irreparable harm to ourselves and society in the long run.
--- p.127, from “Escaping the Temptation of the ‘Back Door’”

The idea that you shouldn't be attached to the main gate doesn't mean that you should try a little and then give up if it doesn't work out.
(Omitted) When things don't go as planned despite your best efforts, don't be disappointed, blame yourself, or be pessimistic, but rather look for another way, another possibility.
To elaborate further, it means to flexibly use methods or means to achieve your goals.
For example, when digging a well, rather than continuing to dig with just one dull shovel, you need to think flexibly and use a variety of tools, such as a hoe, a pickaxe, or an electric drill, depending on the situation.
--- p.132, from "Escape from the Swamp of the Unopenable Front Gate"

“A tiger leaves its skin, a man leaves his name,” they said.
Memories leave behind vague afterimages, records leave behind evidence and traces.
Let's get into the habit of taking notes and recording the big and small things that happen around us.
It's okay if you don't have writing skills.
(Omitted) What is important is the act of organizing and recording thoughts, experiences, and events.
We never know when, where, or how we will encounter the next door.
Even if the information seems trivial and meaningless at the moment, let's record it step by step.
Let's not forget that they can be clues to opening the side door we stumble upon and provide clues to finding the solution.
--- p.207, from “Second, Establish a basis with records and data”

To find and open the side door, you must first be light on your butt.
Rather than just thinking about it in your head, making promises in words, or expressing it in writing, the probability of solving a problem increases when you directly move your body and confront it.
all.
Even if you don't find the perfect solution, you will definitely learn and gain something along the way.
Sometimes you get results that are like a gift.
--- p.211, from “Three, Actions Speak Louder Than Words, Put It into Practice Now”

If there's one thing I've realized while searching for countless side doors, it's that side doors aren't just physical doors, they're people themselves.
The same is true in the business world.
For young people wandering in front of the solid door of employment, companies and investors can open the door to new opportunities through internships and mentoring.
When employees encounter difficulties while working on a project, colleagues can share ideas and open the door to innovation together.
From seniors nearing retirement but still wanting to continue working, to employees struggling with careers that don't suit their aptitude, to startups struggling to attract investment, everyone needs someone to act as a side door, and through that door, they can find new opportunities.

--- p.266, from "Epilogue"