one of the top priorities of III is the reform of R&D operations. In addition to establishing new departments such as ARC (Advanced Research Center), SMG (Strategic Mentor Group) and OISC (Open Innovation Service Center), various SIGs (Special Interest Groups) were also formed to conduct technological exchanges and matchmaking activities with other sectors on the topic of digital transformation. III hopes that a stronger constitution will enhance the ability to engage in R&D of advanced technologies.
Faced with the challenges of internal reforms and changes in the external environment, the Innovation and Advanced Research Advisory Committee (ARA Committee) is convened by III every year to stimulate innovation. Mr. Cheng Wu was invited to become a member of ARA Committee and provide III with recommendations on innovation trends through the two review meetings held each year. To maximize the effectiveness of the ARA Committee, promote mutual interaction and to continue learning from the committee members, a series of initiatives were developed by the III Planning & Promotion Division including: A telephone conference was held every one to two months in 2019 in addition to the yearly two review meetings so that III personnel could brief the Committee on project progress. Mr. Wu would then suggest directions based on the industry trends he had seen. In addition to the telephone conferences, routine correspondence was also used to keep both parties informed on progress and trends.
Mr. Wu has extensive experience as an international entrepreneur and in high-tech management. He was named one of the “Top 25 Unsung Heroes of the Internet” by the US publication Interactive Week. He can be considered a role-model for innovation, entrepreneurship and wealth-creation in the technological innovation sector among the global Chinese community. Mr. Wu’s mentoring of III personnel was characterized by clear instructions and all-new perspectives, along with selfless guidance and sharing of the latest trends. The interest he takes in the industrial development of Taiwan is admirable.
Mr. Wu often shared his observations over the years with III personnel as well. He concluded that many entrepreneurs in Taiwan started by developing a technology first before deciding how it was to be applied in the market. However, things should be the other way round. Based on the principle that “innovations in business model should precede technological innovation”, these entrepreneurs should first focus on business innovations and start by observing the market and looking for problems that need to be solved. They must get the jump on the market in advance in order to develop technologies that have future potential.
Mr. Wu even recommended ignoring the myths about market size during market analysis and evaluation. It is not market size that determines success, but the market potential, points of entry and keys to victory. As for innovation, it must be “bilingua” (ambidextrous) as in being conversant with technology while also having an understanding of the business environment. A disruptive innovation mindset must be established in order to maximize the returns.
Under the guidance of Mr. Wu, III personnel not only learned how to think about problems but also how to look at them from a market perspective. They must understand the deficiencies in the solution and find the corresponding technologies in order to carve out a niche in the market. At the same time, technological R&D personnel should also focus on the cultivation of cross-domain knowledge. They must recognize that: “A professional role may not exist after ten years but a professional will still be needed. "
Two projects have now been developed by ARC after a year of networking and discussions. They are the “Edge Data Center Infrastructure Systems Technology R&D Project” and “5G Next-Generation TV and Multimedia Contract Project.” More emerging and advanced topics are continuing to be developed as well. III is certain that the guidance provided by Mr. Wu based on his previous successful experience will help ARC projects be successful because of the correct view resulting from standing on the shoulders of an entrepreneur giant.