Thibaut Victor-Michel, President of Novartis France, joins The Leadership Consultation as the first guest from the pharmaceutical industry. In this episode, Thibaut shares his career journey, which began in consulting before transitioning to Novartis in 2006. Over the years, he has held roles in strategy, sales, marketing, and general management, working across France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Thibaut emphasizes the importance of intentional career decisions, focusing on roles that offer opportunities for impact and learning. While his career path was deliberately designed to build the skills necessary for general management, he views geographic moves as more opportunistic and credits open discussions with his family for enabling flexibility. He shares insights on managing organizations of different sizes, explaining how smaller teams require resource optimization, while larger ones demand a focus on simplicity and alignment.

Reflecting on innovation in the pharmaceutical industry, Thibaut highlights the critical need for early data generation to ensure market access and adoption. He discusses the challenges of driving behavioral change in healthcare, stressing the importance of understanding social, convenience, and economic factors that influence how new therapies are embraced by patients and professionals.

Thibaut also speaks about leading major transformations, including the integration of two large divisions at Novartis France. He describes the need to balance rational decision-making with empathy, ensuring clarity of purpose while supporting his team through significant organizational change. His leadership philosophy focuses on balancing complementary principles, such as courage with respect, empowerment with accountability, and transparency with kindness, which helps him adapt to challenges while staying true to his values.

On balancing work and personal life, Thibaut stresses the importance of recovery periods within professional life to sustain energy and focus. He also highlights the value of focusing on one area of personal growth at a time to drive meaningful progress.

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In this episode, we have the pleasure to host Matt Sturt, Vice President Neurovascular & Pelvic Health at Medtronic, for an in-depth conversation where Matt shares how his early days as a sales representative at Vygon in the UK and his transition to Medtronic shaped his perspective and leadership style. He highlights the pivotal moments in his career, including his move from local to regional roles and later into global leadership positions, which broadened his understanding of the complexities of managing diverse teams and responsibilities.

Matt emphasizes the transformative power of commercial excellence in building high-performing teams and driving business success. Drawing on his experience across regions such as Europe, the US, and Asia, he underscores the importance of understanding and adapting to cultural differences to foster collaboration and achieve shared goals. He passionately discusses authenticity in leadership, stressing the importance of staying true to one’s principles and values while balancing corporate expectations.

The conversation explores the challenges of leading through unprecedented times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and the lessons Matt learned about resilience, emotional intelligence, and focusing on what truly matters. He provides practical advice for aspiring leaders, encouraging them to seek diverse experiences, learn from others, and embrace authenticity as a cornerstone of effective leadership.

On a personal note, Matt shares how he maintains balance amidst a demanding global role. He offers tips for smart travel, staying healthy, and focusing on longevity, both professionally and personally.

The episode provides a blend of personal insights and actionable leadership advice. Matt’s reflections on authenticity, adaptability, and continuous learning offer a roadmap for effective leadership in a complex, globalized world.

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In this episode of The Leadership Consultation, we had the pleasure to welcome Carlo Argiolas, Senior Business Director Peripheral Vascular Health, Western Europe at Medtronic for a compelling discussion on leadership, cultural adaptability, and career growth. Carlo shares his experiences leading multicultural teams, emphasizing the importance of adjusting leadership styles to different cultural dynamics. He highlights the role of trust, clear communication, and understanding diverse perspectives in fostering collaboration.

Carlo reflects on his transition from marketing to business leadership, discussing the challenge of building credibility and balancing short-term sales goals with long-term strategy. He shares insights on effective team leadership, emphasizing personal relationships, psychological safety, and professional development.

The conversation also explores Carlo’s journey as an author and the motivation behind “The Medical Device Marketing Handbook”. He explains how the book fills a gap in industry knowledge, offering practical guidance for marketeers navigating the complexities of medical device marketing.

On a personal note, Carlo talks about his approach to work-life balance, his passion for outdoor activities, and his love for cooking and reading. He recommends “The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business” by Erin Meyer as must-read, providing many insights into how to deal with culturally diverse groups. As the episode wraps up, Carlo summarises his key lessons on cultural agility, continuous learning, and the importance of building trust as a leader.

You can connect with Carlo on LinkedIn and explore his book for deeper insights into marketing and leadership in the medical device industry.

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In this episode of The Leadership Consultation podcast, we have the privilege of hosting Julie Foster. Julie takes us through her inspiring journey, from her early days in Minnesota to her transformative career at Medtronic and her current role as COO of Cerebral Therapeutics.

Julie reflects on how her upbringing instilled in her a strong work ethic and a passion for making a difference—values that have guided her throughout her professional and personal life. Her journey at Medtronic began as an intern, and over three decades, she worked across various roles, regions, and business units, including a decade in Europe, where her leadership shaped the growth of key divisions.

After years in a corporate setting, Julie transitioned to a leadership role in a small biotech company—a move she describes as both daunting and exhilarating. She shares how this shift reinvigorated her passion for learning and innovation, teaching her to thrive in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment.

Throughout the conversation, Julie delves into her leadership philosophy, emphasizing the principles of servant leadership: building trust, empowering teams, and fostering authenticity. She also opens up about her approach to navigating crises, highlighting the importance of embracing reality, prioritizing effectively, and maintaining transparent communication to foster resilience within teams.

On a more personal note, Julie candidly discusses the challenges of balancing a demanding career with family life. She shares heartfelt reflections on the lessons she’s learned, including the importance of making intentional choices and empowering oneself to ask for flexibility.

Julie also shares her excitement about the future of healthcare innovation, particularly the transformative potential of AI and machine learning. She envisions these technologies revolutionizing personalized care, improving access to healthcare globally, and empowering patients and caregivers.

For aspiring leaders, Julie offers valuable advice: be clear about your goals, actively seek mentorship, and embrace humility as you grow. Her journey is a powerful reminder that leadership is a lifelong process of learning, adapting, and staying true to one’s values.

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This episode of The Marketing Consultation features Xavier Bertrand, a healthcare industry leader with a remarkable career spanning multiple roles, companies, and regions, currently serving as Vice President Peripheral Interventions EMEA at Boston Scientific. Xavier joins us to discuss his journey, the driving forces behind his career transitions, and his unique approach to leadership.

Xavier reveals how his career was largely shaped by curiosity and the constant desire to learn. He shares valuable lessons on navigating transitions in the healthcare industry, from embracing new opportunities to adapting to different team dynamics. A true advocate for learning and growth, he highlights the importance of humility and active listening, especially when stepping into new roles.

We also dive into Xavier’s leadership philosophy, including his use of "assimilation workshops" to help align teams and foster collaboration. His approach to leading through trust, authenticity, and purpose has been key in driving successful turnarounds and leading high-performing teams.

From a marketing perspective, Xavier reflects on the evolution of healthcare marketing and the shift from product-based strategies to customer-centric solutions. He discusses the critical role of data, digital tools, and agility in today’s rapidly changing landscape, while reminding us of the timeless importance of understanding customer needs.

This episode is packed with actionable insights for healthcare marketers and leaders alike, covering everything from career development to building strong, adaptable teams.

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In this new episode of The Marketing Consultation, we are joined by Susan Willig, a marketing leader with significant experience in the healthcare sector, particularly in brand strategy and patient access. The discussion delves into the importance of early market positioning for startups and strategies for differentiating a brand in a crowded market.

Susan emphasizes the necessity of establishing a strong value proposition early on. This involves understanding the target market and setting a solid brand strategy foundation, which guides all subsequent efforts and resource allocation.

In a crowded market, creating memorable customer experiences, or "delighters," is crucial. Susan advocates for developing detailed Personas through both qualitative and quantitative research. This deep understanding empowers employees to better serve the audience, ultimately leading to more effective marketing strategies.

Addressing the challenge of resource constraints, Susan recommends focusing on purposeful content creation and effective use of content calendars. She highlights the importance of behavioral change in marketing, ensuring content supports the audience throughout their journey. Susan shares her process of defining a compelling value proposition, which involves understanding current and desired behaviors of the target audience and clearly articulating how the product meets those needs uniquely.

Consistency in messaging is vital, but Susan acknowledges the need for adaptation based on market feedback and new insights. The conversation also touches on personal branding, with Susan discussing its importance, which mirrors brand strategy principles. Understanding one's core competencies and communicating them clearly and authentically is key to building a strong personal brand.

Overall, Susan’s insights offer valuable guidance for healthcare marketers, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning, understanding the audience, and maintaining consistency while being adaptable.

In this insightful episode of the Marketing Consultation podcast, Jamel Ouanda, Chief Transformation Officer at Ramsay Santé Group, shares his multifaceted career journey and his strategic vision on healthcare transformation.

Jamel began his career in chemical engineering, then shifted to the automotive industry, focusing on procurement—a move inspired by the influential people he met along the way. This early career stage was marked by extensive travel and interactions with diverse businesses, which enriched his understanding of global market dynamics and operational efficiency.

After a decade in the automotive sector, an opportunity arose in healthcare, which Jamel seized, driven by a desire to make a meaningful social impact. Starting in procurement within healthcare, he leveraged his experience to enhance operations, reduce costs, and improve service quality through strategic supplier partnerships and internal process optimization.

Jamel’s role expanded as he took on significant transformation projects, including the optimization of operating rooms and bed management systems. His effective leadership in these initiatives led to his involvement in a major merger, where he played a crucial role in integrating two large healthcare groups. This role not only involved finding synergies but also respecting and blending diverse medical practices and cultural approaches.

The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges, during which Jamel's focus shifted towards patient care, demonstrating the adaptability and resilience of his team. Post-pandemic, he was appointed as the Chief Transformation Officer, a role that capitalizes on his extensive experience in change management, operational leadership, and strategic innovation.

In his current position, Jamel is not just overseeing project management but also spearheading initiatives in HR, IT, and innovation, reflecting a holistic approach to strategic healthcare transformation. He emphasizes the importance of people, technology, and innovative care models in maintaining leadership in the healthcare sector.

Jamel's narrative is a powerful testament to the impact of professional evolution guided by mentorship, opportunity, and a deep commitment to societal contribution.

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In this episode of The Marketing Consultation podcast, we welcomed Caroline Kawashima, Director of Marketing and Communications at By the Bay Health, a non-profit home-based health care provider. Caroline is a dynamic and visionary leader in Growth Marketing and Communications Strategy in the healthcare and technology sectors. In our conversation, Caroline imparted profound insights on the critical roles of external and internal communication strategies, underlining their significance in aligning with an organization's branding and objectives.

Caroline kicked off the discussion emphasizing the essence of aligning marketing communications with business goals. She outlined that effective communication strategies not only support tangible business outcomes but also enhance strategic impact. Storytelling took center stage, with Caroline advocating for the dynamic shift towards multimedia storytelling techniques, notably video, to forge deeper emotional connections and illustrate the tangible benefits of healthcare services on patients' lives.

Internal communication's pivotal role in nurturing a positive organizational culture was another highlight. Caroline stressed the interconnectedness of internal and external communications, presenting employees as vital brand advocates. She also shared pragmatic approaches to boost internal communication efficacy, from leveraging digital platforms to revitalizing traditional town hall meetings, advocating for a mix that balances efficiency with personal interaction.

Caroline also ventured into emerging trends, expressing a cautious stance on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in marketing. While recognizing AI's potential to streamline processes, she voiced concerns over losing the authentic essence that characterizes impactful brand communication.

The episode distills Caroline's wealth of experience into invaluable lessons for marketing professionals in the healthcare sector. Caroline's expertise shines a light on the path forward, highlighting innovation, authenticity, and meaningful engagement as key pillars in advancing healthcare communication strategies.

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