Surviving the Jungle: Rules for Korean Companies
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Surviving the Jungle: Rules for Korean Companies
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Consider South Korea: a relatively small land with few natural resources. And the Korean people, who despite limited space and resources, never give up and can achieve most anything they turn their minds to. In an unpromising environment, Korea is doing its best to promote itself and flourish. So what are the rules for surviving the jungle in this game?
Rule #1: Think outside the box
Sony and Nintendo have been powerhouses in console video gaming from the 1990s, since when they have dominated the market and kept competitors at bay. For the Korean gaming industry, trying to compete but uncertain of how to succeed, the solution was to think creatively - and to consider how to exploit their unique advantages.
Korea might not be geographically large, but it does have one of the world's fastest high-speed fiber-optic networks. It was that factor, along with the ability to develop creative games, that helped to transform Korea into a global game superpower.
What kind of game can be played without any costly new devices and can be enjoyed by an almost unlimited number of people? On-line games, of course! Most people already own or can access a computer to play and anyone can join a game at the click of a mouse. That creative thought process eventually resulted in Korea's rise to the forefront of the on-line game industry.
Another example of Korea's creative thinking is screen golf.
If you have ever played golf in Korea, you probably know that it can be a challenge just to get to the tee: courses are booked up long in advance, there is no way to play in the city, and playing during the winter is out of the question.
In screen golf technology, the company RD-Tek provides all you need to enjoy a round or two of golf wherever you are and whatever the weather.
Screen golf is a sophisticated golf simulator that you play indoors. As well as letting players experience some of the world's great courses, the concept uses advanced technologies such as high-speed camera sensors that accurately interpret shots and strokes such as fade and draw.
RD-Tek first made a splash in 2005 with its X-Golf premium golf simulator. The world's first simulator offering play for both right- and left-handed golfers, X-Golf offers on-line match play in real time along with swing analysis and lessons. With all of these features plus 3D graphics for a truly realistic experience, X-Golf is an established leader in the global screen golf market.
Rule #2: Focus and specialize
Motorcycling is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Korea. It might surprise you to learn that by market share a Korean company - Hongjin HJC R&D - is the global #1 supplier of motorcycle helmets. With four decades of expertise and specialization to draw on, Hongjin HJC R&D today is as always looking ahead. The company has developed a range of stringent safety and performance tests - including wind tunnel, premium integrated matrix, and air pump system assessments - that guarantee safety and style and set a new standard for protective motorcycle head-wear.
So how is Korea surviving the jungle? Beyond surviving to flourishing and prospering, Korea today is making and breaking the rules of game.