'Innovation leader' President J.H. Kim of Lucent Bell Labs introduced 3 ideas to creating new innovation Bell Labs under Lucent Technologies Korea (www.lucent.com/kr) held seminar with theme "Convergence and Beyond" on 24th of April. From the seminar, President of Bell Labs, J.H. Kim gave suggestions to applying strategy and its forecast.

President Kim gave speech titled "Innovation, maximize its power!" Using his 'Innovation Cube', a model developed by him, explained how R&D influences over our lives and its practical uses.

3 Rules to Innovation: Timing, Impact, Process
Kim, began the speech by introducing two concepts of innovation. He said "Precisely, innovation is introduction of new thing and the other is changes it brings from it. This can be summed up as creation and its influences." He also explained "recent, both governments and industries take ideas of new innovation very seriously and reason for that is because it brings advantage in the market competition."

Having said that, by using his ‘Innovation Cube’ Kim revealed 3 rules to innovation that can increase one's competitive power and edge.

He stressed "To make innovation, you first have to analyze and define three elements; timing, impact and process. Especially the timing is very important." His analogy was that it all depends on whether it’s for present market or future market, or for the progress or unconventional and to know creative process or is it just defining idea to distinguish and discern the specifics.

Kim also stressed that "A key to developing an important technology that can give influence is first, to understand these 3 elements and find out how to apply proper manpower and time and resources to come up with best system and strategy for it."

Cultural elements must be considered otherwise innovation can’t be achieved
However he also pointed out that the innovation is not so easy to come by just like in words. He mentioned a question that was raised in his seminar in China, "Is innovation possible through organizing?" where he said he replied with affirmative "No."

Kim elaborated latter with "Innovation can not be simply organized. This is like someone asking question like "Can you show me the way to be successful in starting a business?"and even if I could tell that person how to do it, there is no guarantee it will work."

He emphasized especially about importance of cultural element in making innovation. He said "Innovation has relation to its cultural background. I used the word "revolutionary" in Chinese seminar and it was received with misconception. I learned that the same word can be approached with different notion to different cultures."

Kim continued saying "in US, people respect others culture or opinions in contrast to China where unanimous opinion is sought. A very best innovation could arise from a odd scientist rather than from a mainstream. Innovation is possible in the culture that accepts odd opinion."

Eventually innovation too is made by human being!
Likewise, innovation starts from culture that respects diverse opinions. Kim followed with giving few pointers on what is needed to make innovation possible.

First, he said "without a risk, there can’t be a innovation!"In other words, bigger the risks better the rewards. In addition, to make a breakthrough technology, a long term outlook is needed. This means that innovation does not happen over a short period of time. Also, having a clear minded goal is a must even when you arrive at crossroads with different ideas in developing new technology, it will have to be overcome period!"

He emphasized importance of performance over cost. In reference to this Kim warned that "Asian countries should not conceit for advantage over other countries in 'cost'. Rather, they should not take the performance end lightly in order to keep up the advantageous position."

In closing, he carefully mentioned 'importance of a person' in making innovation possible. He said "of course, to make an innovation we need a structured system but let's not forget that system also requires a person to run it. Human beings are not perfect so is the innovation."