CEO message
Dear customers, business partners and friends:
This is an exciting time. We are in the midst of a digital revolution, characterized by ceaseless creative innovation and change. Though the benefits of this revolution are impossible to overestimate, there are other repercussions for businesses. Amid all the changes and challenges, no business group can assume its market leadership is assured. On the contrary, every leader must realize there is a long line of hungry companies at its heels, waiting for an opportunity to leap ahead.
Samsung is no exception to the rule. Our achievements have been great, but this is not time to rest. To stay ahead in this tumultuous time, we must be able to adjust to the rapidly changing environment around us and turn any change into an opportunity. The 20th century was driven by advances in productivity. This new era, where digital technology is transforming all of society, will be driven by creativity and innovation.
Cultivating a creative spirit
This is the business imperative of our time. So, how do we go about ensuring that we fully embrace the creative spirit across every inch of the organization, from marketing and design to product development and management? How do we anticipate and deliver the next great products and technologies?
It is important for us to seek the best talent from around the world, as well as harness the tremendous skill and imagination within our company, encouraging people to express their creativity and realize their full potential. We must adopt the attitude of a pioneer, which embraces challenge and is not afraid to fail, for failure is a stepping stone to innovation and new ideas. We must recognize that inspiration comes from unlikely places and encourage our employees to follow their intuition and leave no stone unturned.
At the same time, we must seize the leadership position in new business sectors. The changes that occur in just one year of this digital age are comparable to those generated in a century of the analog age. Adjusting our strategies to quickly adapt to changing market trends, honoring our core competencies while seeking new ones, and sowing the seeds for success in new business sectors is the best way to make the most of opportunities as they arise.
We must also continually remind ourselves of our responsibilities to our customers and business partners, not to mention to the communities that have made Samsung’s global success possible. We must strengthen our relationships with existing business partners and nurture new collaborative efforts. And we must continue our commitment, through various social efforts and programs, to contribute to the prosperity of people all over the world in the hope for a better society.
Envisioning a better world
On the world stage, we have seen the terrible consequences of confl icts and disasters. Yet, despite such adversities, we continue to see steady economic growth in many parts of the globe. In business, as in global policy-making, a willingness to explore new ideas and adapt to changing conditions will be essential going forward.
At Samsung, we are committed to strengthening our culture of creativity and seizing the opportunities of the day. That is how we prosper and thrive in these challenging and exciting times. As long as our passion endures, as long as our fervor for creative innovation and challenge endures, tomorrow will be still better and brighter. Always remember, the future awaits those who dream.
In closing, I want to express my gratitude to our customers, business partners and all others who have supported our continued success.
Kun-Hee Lee
Chairman, SAMSUNG
