If you use an application or tool very often you'll probably want faster access to it.
In KDE, you can add a single application or an entire menu as a special quick-launch button on the kicker.
If you'd like to start an application directly from a launch button on your kicker, try the following exercise on your own desktop:
Choose: Application Starter > Panel Menu > Add > Application and choose an application from the menu like in the top example.
This should give you a brand-new icon on your panel, similar to the one in the bottom example.