Growth Insights for CEOs
The Chief Outsider
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Why MedTech’s Brilliant Innovators Must Also Become Commercial Architects
| Great technology is necessary. It is not sufficient. The graveyard of MedTech is lined with brilliant innovations that never found their market — not because of scientific failure, but commercial invisibility. |
I just returned from LSI USA ‘26 in Dana Point — the most impressive gathering of emerging MedTech talent I’ve witnessed in decades. The event convened 2,000 executives, 394 presenting startups, and over 500 active investors and strategics. The scientific ambition in that room was extraordinary.
Recent Posts

Keeping Up With Technology
Thu, Jun 18, 2020 — According to a recent study by Chief Outsiders, a national business strategy consulting firm, 88% of Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) see difficulty in staying ahead of technological advancements.

How Should Restaurants Deal with Coronavirus Consequences?
Wed, Jun 17, 2020 — The Coronavirus, also known as COVID -19, is already affecting the economy, at least in the short term, with cancelled events, cruises and less foot traffic to retail stores and restaurants. But will it continue and for how long? The answer is we just don’t know. So, what can restaurants do to mitigate the negative effects of this pandemic on their business?

How will the restaurant industry be permanently changed by the coronavirus pandemic?
Wed, Jun 17, 2020 — The top-10 changes I see in the future for restaurants
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Successful Digital Marketing Implementation - Tactics in Search of a Strategy
Thu, Jun 11, 2020 — Part One: How to Prevent Digital Marketing Tactics from Killing Strategic Objectives Are you experiencing the following issues with digital marketing tactics? Are you frustrated with digital marketing initiatives and have a hard time seeing adequate ROI? Is the company's marketing strategy getting lost in translation when it comes to digital tactics? Do you feel stuck between your marketing strategy and your digital marketing agency? Is it hard to understand why digital marketing tasks aren’t getting done correctly or in a timely manner? Are you struggling to get your website to both look attractive to your target market and drive results? Does your website need work, but things move at a snail’s pace? Does your digital agency promise the world and then struggle with the most basic tasks? Is there a lack of reporting and regular meetings to review progress and results? If you have run into these or similar issues, join the club. Digital marketing initiatives sound great in early team meetings and brainstorming, but can often become a nightmare during the implementation of tactics.

The 7 Rs of Resiliency Programs
Thu, Jun 11, 2020 — The world's best epidemiologists only have models to predict the full depth and breadth of the COVID-19 pandemic, but companies are already feeling the economic fallout. They're scrambling to find the best way to respond, and in many cases, survive, all the while being rightly concerned for the health of their families and communities. It's not easy, and this is no time to pretend otherwise.

CEO Preparedness Guide for the Post-Pandemic Recovery: Planning for the Rebound
Wed, Jun 10, 2020 — Like the eye of a hurricane, businesses raked by the leading edge of the COVID-19 pandemic are now taking a cautious look outside. Though the winds have subsided, and it’s tempting to think that the worst is over, the eye simply gives us a chance to prepare for what’s left to come. If you have withstood the worst of the impacts of the pandemic so far, you likely have accepted that the storm was coming, and had battened down your hatches (or at least applied for PPP funding to keep vestiges of your business afloat). Now, though, as we can start to imagine a future in which a return to a “new normal” is evident, it’s critical to have your plan in place when the rebound hits.

Buying Local: How Multi-Unit CEOs Can Win at Marketing in Anytown, U.S.A.
Wed, Jun 10, 2020 — There was a time, generations ago, when buyers didn’t venture too far from their home to satisfy their basic needs. Today, most consumers don’t think twice about using a few keystrokes to get the necessities shipped from some distant warehouse to their front door. Despite this phase shift, “buying local” remains a relevant concept, and even source of pride for communities that rally around the bricks-and-mortar businesses that still dot the landscape.

It’s Not Too Late to “Act Digital”
Wed, May 20, 2020 — Sometimes events get ahead of you. Did you have intentions of implementing a business continuity plan for your business but perhaps it just never got the priority needed to get it defined and operational? Because of events like COVID-19—events we can’t control—now is the time to make it a priority and make it happen. The adoption of “digital” in your business may be another of these initiatives with great intent and little traction. With the need for increased abilities to manage your employees, and your customer acquisition and relationships more virtually, you may be behind the curve.

Finding the Sweet Spot in B2B Markets
Fri, May 1, 2020 — Narrowing Focus to Drive Demand In a prior blog post, I discussed how a lack of market focus can lead to poor marketing campaign conversion rates.