Daring Different(우리는 행복을 진단한다)(영어판)

The Management Story of SCL: Pioneering the Era of Accurate laboratory medicine

When visiting the hospital to diagnose an illness, patients undergo a routine process: clinical specimens like blood are collected and sent to a testing agency. Only after the test results are received can doctors precisely diagnose the disease and determine the subsequent treatment. These laboratory medicine, often conducted out of the public eye, play a crucial and intimate role in our healthcare system. The recent coronavirus pandemic has heightened public awareness and understanding of laboratory medicine, such as PCR and rapid antigen tests, with many people even using self-diagnosis kits at home.

This book traces its origins back 40 years, to a time when laboratory medicine was not as recognized and doctors' experience was often the primary basis for treatment. It was during this period that 'evidence-based medicine' which insists that treatment should be supported by accurate evidence was introduced in Korea. Seoul Clinical Laboratories (SCL) was a pioneer during the early days of evidence-based medicine. Daring Different narrates the unseen efforts and achievements of SCL, which has been advancing Korea's laboratory medicine field for four decades.

WHAT DOES SCL DO?
At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, laboratory medicine facilities like SCL were on the front lines of the battle against the virus. Before the pandemic, SCL conducted approximately 500 tests per day; during the pandemic, this number soared to 3,000 to 4,000. Employees took up residence near the company to manage the relentless stream of specimens for coronavirus testing. With the expectation that new viruses will continue to emerge, interest in medical companies like SCL is surging.
Reflecting on the journey that Seoul Clinical Laboratories (SCL) has charted in this book, you will discover many significant events that have occurred in our country. This is because SCL represents a living history in the field of laboratory medicine. One notable example is the mitochondrial nucleic acid analysis of victims affected by humidifier disinfectants. Given the high-profile nature of this case, it was inevitable that SCL felt a tremendous burden. Nevertheless, the testing agency maintained a steadfast commitment to delivering results based solely on scientific facts, despite external pressures. The fact that SCL was chosen to conduct these tests and confirm mitochondrial genetic mutations in the victims highlights the crucial social role that medical professionals and laboratory medicine companies play.

Even now, there are individuals deeply engaged in the analysis of specimens within laboratory walls. Through the SCL employees featured in this book, readers can gain insight into their professional dedication and the challenges that they have experienced. These professionals adhere strictly to scientific accuracy and never compromise their integrity. They are also acutely aware that they have to see the human element behind each specimen. Although they typically remain unseen, their work is indispensable, acting as a vital component of the medical field. This is why this book resonates so profoundly, providing a tangible sense of reality and touching readers with its portrayal of business management in a critical sector.

SCL Takes up the Challenge to Become a Global Medical Leader

This book chronicles the journey of the medical company SCL from its humble beginnings in the laboratory medicine field to its rapid ascension to global leadership. Readers will discover the remarkable progress made over the past 40 years from the days when salespeople manually transported samples on express buses to the present era of sophisticated automated systems. The book details SCL's challenges and triumphs in achieving the highest global standards and shares its philosophy and vision for managing a world-class medical company. The success story of SCL, defined by its unique specialties and clear strengths, will serve as a valuable reference for anyone interested in the medical industry. Additionally, case studies of various companies worldwide provide broader insights to readers.

SCL has not only pioneered advanced laboratory medicine methods but is also making significant strides in international markets. After expanding into Mongolia and China, the company is now spearheading the K-medical wave in Indonesia. The coronavirus pandemic underscored SCL's exceptional level of medical diagnostic care globally. This book invites readers to explore the past, present, and future of our medical industry through SCL's corporate narrative, illustrating how the values of 'human-centric' care and 'growth' as a company are being realized in tandem.

Words of Recommendations ㆍ4
Introduction ㆍ8

Chapter 1 A Road Not Taken by Others
FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS ABOUT HUMANITY ㆍ19
SHOUTS ECHOED THROUGH THE ANATOMY LAB ㆍ19
PRACTICING THE HEALING ART OF MEDICINE IN A DOCTORLESS VILLAGE ㆍ24
THE CORNERSTONE OF DECISION-MAKING THAT SAVES LIVES ㆍ28
DISCOVER OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND A SMALL GAP ㆍ36
AN EXAMINATION ROOM THAT STAYS BRIGHT 24 HOURS A DAY ㆍ40
THE DAYS WHEN HE KEPT RUNNING FORWARD SOLELY ON HIS
OWN TWO FEET ㆍ40
THE MOMENT TO SPRINT ㆍ44
DOES SCL STAND OUT FROM COMPETITORS? ㆍ48
THE VALUE OF BEING THE 'FIRST' ㆍ57
HOW DOES ONE COME UP WITH PIONEERING IDEAS? ㆍ57
THE STRATEGY OF STRIKING FIRST TO DEFEAT THE COMPETITION ㆍ62

Chapter 2 Like Iron Refined by Quenching and Tempering
THE CRUCIAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FIRST-CLASS AND THIRD-CLASS ㆍ73
ET TU, BRUTE? ㆍ73
LET THE DEAD PAST BURY ITS DEAD! ㆍ77
IF YOU CAN SUSTAIN YET DISRUPTIVE ㆍ86
THE LAST BASTION AGAINST HUMAN ERROR ㆍ92
HUMANS MAKE MISTAKES, BUT HOW DO WE MITIGATE THEM? ㆍ92
SOP COMPLEMENTS HUMAN LIMITATIONS ㆍ97
FIGHTING PEOPLE'S PERCEPTIONS ㆍ100
A MOMENT WHEN TRUST FROM MANAGEMENT IS ESSENTIAL ㆍ104
WHEN ABRUPTLY CONFRONTED ㆍ108
WHO RANG THE PHONE? ㆍ108
INTEGRITY OVER PROFIT ㆍ114
THE PRECARIOUS LINE BETWEEN PRIDE AND BURNOUT ㆍ118

Chapter 3 The Key to Excellence
TOWARDS A NEW WORLD ㆍ125
THE EASIEST WAY TO OPEN PEOPLE'S HEARTS ㆍ125
IF YOU WANT TO GO FAR, GO TOGETHER ㆍ128
A LEAP TOWARD A WIDER WORLD ㆍ132
FOUR CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL OVERSEAS EXPANSION ㆍ134
FAIL AND CHALLENGE ㆍ140
DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TEST METHODS ㆍ140
THE COURAGE TO FIND SUCCESS AFTER FAILURE ㆍ145
A SENSE OF MISSION FOR SCIENTIFIC DATA ㆍ151
TWO PHRASES THAT MADE RESEARCHERS NERVOUS ㆍ151
THE CULPRIT THAT DISAPPEARED INTO THIN AIR ㆍ155

Chapter 4 Diamonds Pulled Out of the Mud
OVERCOMING THE COVID-19 TSUNAMI ㆍ163
THE SCARIEST WORDS IN THE WORLD ㆍ163
PEOPLE WHO FOUGHT AGAINST THE GOD OF DEATH ㆍ166
THE POWER TO PERSEVERE THROUGH PAINFUL TIMES ㆍ173
TYPES OF PCR TEST RESULTS THAT TROUBLE PEOPLE ㆍ176
A SENSE OF MISSION FOR LIFE ㆍ179
ANTS CARRYING A MORTAR ㆍ184
FROM BAD TO WORSE ㆍ184
LEANING ON EACH OTHER ㆍ189
PREPAREDNESS TO RESPOND TO INFECTIOUS DISEASES ㆍ192
A PHONE CALL FROM FINLAND ㆍ199
TRUST IN LONG-TERM EFFORTS ㆍ199
FAST PROCESSING, ACCURATE RESULTS ㆍ203

Chapter 5 The World of Dancing Stars
WHEN MANAGEMENT AND THE UNION JOIN HANDS ㆍ211
"WE WON'T BE ABLE TO PAY TODAY." ㆍ211
HOW TO CREATE A FAMILY-LIKE COMPANY ㆍ215
A COMPANY EVERYONE WANTS TO WORK FOR ㆍ226
REASONS FOR HAVING MANY LONG-TERM EMPLOYEES ㆍ226
MOTHER'S CANCER DISCOVERED THROUGH FAMILY CHECKUP ㆍ229
WELFARE SYSTEM THAT BOOSTS WORK MORALE AND PROMOTES
COMPANY GROWTH ㆍ233
HUMAN, ALL TOO HUMAN ㆍ238
EACH AND EVERY PERSON IS IMPORTANT ㆍ238
PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT & EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION TRAINING
AIMED AT CATCHING TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE ㆍ242
LIKE AN AFRICAN ELEPHANT LEADING ITS HERD ㆍ244
CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY SUSTAINED FOR 40 YEARS ㆍ249
WALKING GOOD STEPS FOR SIX MINUTES ㆍ249
ENSURING NO ONE SUFFERS ALONE ㆍ251
SCL'S MAJOR SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION ACTIVITIES (2021-2023) ㆍ257
COMPANIES FULFILLING THEIR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES ㆍ262

Lee Kyoung Ryul Chairman of SCL Group, specialist in laboratory medicine.

Lee Kyoung Ryul completed his bachelor's and master's degrees at Yonsei University College of Medicine, where he embraced evidence-based medicine (EBM), advocating the integration of objective scientific evidence with clinical experience in treating patients. He later served as a professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Yonsei University College of Medicine while overseeing the Seoul Clinical Laboratories (SCL), a clinical pathology contract laboratory established by his father, the founder of Beomyang Corporation, and his uncle, a pathology specialist trained in the United States. His transition to full-time entrepreneurship as the second chairman of SCL propelled the company to achieve global acclaim for its specimen analysis and research capabilities.

In 2010, he established SCL Healthcare Co., Ltd., expanding SCL into a comprehensive healthcare group that offers personalized precision medicine and a digital healthcare platform.
Lee is a committed medical scientist and a compassionate philanthropist. He is actively involved in community support initiatives, including health promotion projects, sharing household goods, and IT education for the underprivileged. His global efforts also include improving medical conditions overseas and providing medical supplies and relief resources to disaster-affected regions.

-Chairman of SCL Group, Director of Seoul Clinical Laboratories(SCL) General Medical Center, CEO of SCL Science Co., Ltd., Chairman of the Yonsei University Alumni Association, and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Yonsei University College of Medicine.

-Former Vice President of the World Korean Medical Association, Former President of the Korea AIDS Eradication Seoul Branch, and Former Financial Director/Auditor of the Korean Society of Medical Genetics.

-Recipient of the 'Health Equity Award' from the New York Health Forum.