The Hanyang Start-up Care Center launched a program called ‘Hanyang Start-up Talk-Talk’ to aid students who are interested in starting their own businesses. Through the social networking app ‘Kakao Talk’, ‘Hanyang Start-up Talk-Talk’ communicates conveniently with students on their business ideas. This program is open to all current Hanyang University (HYU) students and even to students who already graduated. Students who are interested in this activity can learn more in detail by searching ‘Hanyang Start-up Talk-Talk’ on Kakao Talk, or scanning the QR code posted on the promotion posters around campus.
The Hanyang Start-up Care Center performs two major roles in terms of helping students; first, it answers any questions a student may have, regardless of how simple or complex the question may be. Secondly, the center regularly sends out notifications about the school’s programs and systems for entrepreneurs.
“‘Hanyang Start-up Talk-Talk’ is another way of fulfilling the center’s task, by respecting students’ reluctance to ask directly in person,” said Manager Park Min-jung. Talking face to face with someone places indirect pressure on students, which is why the ‘TalkTalk’ system is so efficient. Students feel less burdened to ask questions and are encouraged to ask even trivial questions. However, of course, any student is still welcomed to visit the actual office if he or she wants an in-depth consultation.
Currently, there are 258 students who have added ‘Hanyang Start-up Talk-Talk’ as their Kakao Talk Plus Friend. The manager of this service said, “Many students who are completely uninformed about starting a new business frequently ask questions about how they should start brainstorming, or if they could talk to the manager or the professor in charge.”
For the students who do not use Kakao Talk, there are three other alternatives to reach the center; by Facebook, e-mail or phone. Everyone is free to ask any questions related to starting a new business of their own.