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🔸Inside Orthopedics

🔸Inside Orthopedics

By Tiger Buford

An inside look at the Orthopedics industry. Brought to you by Tiger, an Orthopedics industry insider, blogger, and recruiter for early-stage Orthopedics companies.
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#41 - How to prevent yourself from ever joining a Startup (5 mins)

🔸Inside OrthopedicsAug 16, 2021

00:00
04:25
#45 - Navigating change in Orthopedic Sales: a deep dive with Stu Brandon (106 mins)

#45 - Navigating change in Orthopedic Sales: a deep dive with Stu Brandon (106 mins)

Stu and I talk about the changes happening in orthopedics. Stu walks young sales reps in how best to start out. Then for those experienced sales reps in a big organizations who are frustrated, Stu offers a way out, a way to achieve control and agency in their sales career - the Broker Rep.

The Q&A flow.

  • Stu, before we dive in...  tell us about your journey.  How did you move from working in sales for DePuy to becoming a Change Agent in sales?
  • How has this diverse experience across different positions and companies shaped your approach to driving change and innovation in the industry?
  • You have been in orthopedics sales for 30 years... what has changed?
  • What are the most dramatic changes in the last 5 and 10 years?
  • Where is the true power in the market for the big 5 Orthos?
  • How has the earning potential of 1099 and W2 reps changed over time?
  • How are non-competes deployed with new salespeople and what are the implications of signing non-competes?
  • What are some ways salespeople get marginalized today with product line changes, commission changes, territory changes, etc?
  • What is a Device Broker and why should some salespeople consider being a  Broker?
  • What are the limits of an Agent Broker in orthopedics?
  • What are the advantages for Orthopedic surgeons and facilities to work with a broker?
  • Who is your ideal customer?
  • Who is not a good fit to work with you or a Broker?
  • Could you tell me how listeners can find out more about you and ASCdx ?
Aug 28, 202301:45:47
#44 - Discussion with Episurf US leader, Patrick Jamnik (50 mins)

#44 - Discussion with Episurf US leader, Patrick Jamnik (50 mins)

Episurf is a Swedish company who has brought 2020s technology into resurfacing implants with patient matching and 3D printed implants. Episurf is a very careful EU company that has invested in clinical studies for their Episealer implants. They have excellent clinical outcomes and have received US clearance for the Patellofemoral implant system. They are coming to America!

Website - https://episurf.com/

Enjoy the discussion.

Jul 18, 202350:21
#43 - Anatomy of a startup - Discussion with the Vic Nunes, the CEO and Founder of QMed Innovations (58 mins)

#43 - Anatomy of a startup - Discussion with the Vic Nunes, the CEO and Founder of QMed Innovations (58 mins)

Finally, finally, finally... a company has solved the instrument and implant logistics problem.  If you are an owner of instrument cases, this is a no-brainer. You should start a Quest pilot next week. 

You will literally double the effectiveness of these assets. 

Website - https://qmedinnovations.com/
Aug 15, 202258:05
#42 - Anatomy of a startup - Q&A with Bill Hunter, CEO of Canary Medical (55 mins)

#42 - Anatomy of a startup - Q&A with Bill Hunter, CEO of Canary Medical (55 mins)

I predicted about the coming of Smart Implants on OrthoStreams back in 2012. Today, Bill Hunter and his small team at Canary are actually doing it. They are bringing “talking” orthopedic implants to market that can predict problems before the patient even knows there is a problem.  FDA clearance is imminent. Zimmer is “all-in” with this new technology in their flagship TKA brand. Listen and learn more about how Canary is ushering in the future of orthopedics with the first true smart implants. Website - https://canarymedical.com/

Enjoy

Aug 18, 202154:32
#41 - How to prevent yourself from ever joining a Startup (5 mins)

#41 - How to prevent yourself from ever joining a Startup (5 mins)

This is about career sabotage.  Orthopedic professionals miss out on startup opportunities every day by doing these 10 things. 

Aug 16, 202104:25
#40 - Anatomy of a startup - Q&A with the Founding CEO of Ossio (51 mins)
Feb 11, 202151:32
#39 - The new Digital Playbook for Orthopedic Procedures with ExplORer Surgical co-founder and CEO Jennifer Fried (38 mins)
Sep 15, 202038:02
#38 - Intelligent surgery and the future of orthopedics with the Peter Verrillo, the CEO of enhatch (53 mins)

#38 - Intelligent surgery and the future of orthopedics with the Peter Verrillo, the CEO of enhatch (53 mins)

Software is slowing eating orthopedics.  Enhatch is exhibit one here. 

Enhatch is a pure software player, but they are not actually eating orthopedics so much as they are making the hardware better (implants, instruments and robots). They are a fast nimble startup, and when COVID hit, they quickly created a new tool called RepVision that enables remote rep support in the OR using a standard iPad.

Enhatch is a truly forward thinking startup in orthopedics.

Enjoy. 

Jul 07, 202053:03
#37 - The Future of Surgery Support with the Avail CEO, Daniel Hawkins (60 mins)
Jun 27, 202059:34
 #36 - The Birth of Orthopedics 3.0 (10 mins)
Jun 21, 202009:51
#35 - How to capture sales leads in the new COVID world (9 mins)
May 01, 202009:04
#34 - Orthopedics is going bespoke (13 mins)

#34 - Orthopedics is going bespoke (13 mins)

Today, I am declaring today that…  Orthopedics is going bespoke and nobody can stop it!    In future procedures, implants will be designed and manufactured to fit the patient for better outcomes.  This will be the end of orthopedic implant sizes as we know them today.  This will be the end of inventory and closely fitting implants.

Mar 02, 202012:50
#33 - Anatomy of a Startup - Q&A with the Founder and CEO of Augmedics (29 mins)
Feb 04, 202028:59
#32 - The New Business Model in Orthopedics (10 mins)

#32 - The New Business Model in Orthopedics (10 mins)

Software is changing Orthopedics forever.  Believe it or not, in the near future, many Orthopedic companies will discount or even give away “medical devices", in exchange for the data.  

TODAY most orthopedic companies will say that they “sell implants, disposables and capital equipment…  and, by the way, we provide software for the surgery or tracking clinical results or steps.”  The software is a free service provided to sell more implants.

TOMORROW most orthopedic companies will say that they “sell data captured by software….  and, by the way, we provide implants, disposables and capital equipment.” The implants are provided to get the data. It’s flipped.

Follow me through this thought experiment. 

Then tell me what company will be first to leverage the new software profit model in Orthopedics. [ tiger@tigerbuford.com ]




Oct 06, 201910:14
#31 - Anatomy of a Startup - Q&A with Mark Foster, CEO @ Trice Medical (42 mins)

#31 - Anatomy of a Startup - Q&A with Mark Foster, CEO @ Trice Medical (42 mins)

Mark provides insight into how a disruptive little startup, called Trice Medical, has created a brand new category in orthopedics and how they are executing today. Please excuse the cell phone skips during our conversation. You will be glad that you listened.  Enjoy.

Mark Foster on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-foster-meddevice/

Trice Medical website - https://tricemedical.com/

Trice Medical was founded to fundamentally improve orthopedic diagnostics for the patient, physician, and payer by providing instant, eyes-on, answers. Trice has pioneered fully integrated camera-enabled needle technologies that provide a clinical solution that is optimized for the physician’s office. Trice’s mission is to provide more immediate and definitive patient care, eliminating the false reads associated with current indirect modalities and significantly reduce the overall cost to the healthcare system.

Sep 20, 201941:34
#30 - Sacred Cows in Orthopedics (8 mins)

#30 - Sacred Cows in Orthopedics (8 mins)

“Sacred Cow” is a firmly held belief that is rarely questioned. The big orthos are not immune to Sacred Cows because of their defensive mindsets driven by a short-term finance goals.  I share 7 Sacred Cows that I see in Orthopedics today. 

Sep 13, 201907:49
#29 - The Founder Effect in Orthopedic Startups (12 mins)

#29 - The Founder Effect in Orthopedic Startups (12 mins)

An analysis of how the background of the Founder creates strengths/weaknesses for the startup business in the early years.  The Founder's strengths help to create the Founder's blind spots.  I dissect 7 Founder types by strengths/weaknesses and offer advice on early moves to compensate for weaknesses. 

Sep 12, 201911:52
#28 - The End of Big Ortho Dominance (6 mins)
Sep 11, 201905:47
#27 - How can Orthopedic device companies leverage digital marketing (58 mins)

#27 - How can Orthopedic device companies leverage digital marketing (58 mins)

This is a deep dive into how Orthopedic Companies can leverage Digital Media using new strategies and techniques. 

Lisa Denison and I cover these questions and more:

  • How do Orthopedics companies use digital marketing today?
  • How should Orthopedics companies use digital marketing?
  • Which social media platforms are the best for reaching surgeons and patients?
  • Walk me through some real example with details, timings,  costs etc 
  • What are the metrics of digital media versus traditional  orthopedic marketing?   For instance, how does a company do a targeted FB ad?  Walk us the through the mechanics.
  • Talk about the cycle of experimenting, AB testing and how to make changes on the fly.
  • What are the laws regarding promoting to an individual doctor's practice?…   and how do conservative orthopedic companies and progressive orthopedic company play this?
  • When should a small orthopedic company outsource their digital media and when should they insource it?

Lisa Denison can be contacted here - mdtr.denison@gmail.com

Jul 03, 201957:56
#26 - Anatomy of a Startup - How little Danek became the largest spine company in the world (68 mins)

#26 - Anatomy of a Startup - How little Danek became the largest spine company in the world (68 mins)

The first time this story has been told.  This is the real story of Danek as told by Ted Bird. Ted was there. He was one of the early employees at Danek and was part of the team responsible for the dynamic growth. In this podcast you will hear some great startup business practices, some brilliant gambles and the culture that enabled Danek to go from zero to world dominance in spine.

Jun 26, 201901:08:12
#25 - Anatomy of a Startup - Q&A with Marty WynKoop, co-founder of OrthoHelix (58 mins)

#25 - Anatomy of a Startup - Q&A with Marty WynKoop, co-founder of OrthoHelix (58 mins)

An inside look into a  successful orthopedic startup (OrthoHelix) from inception to being acquired.  The story is told by Marty Wynkoop, co-founder and head of operations, sales and marketing.  Marty shares nuggets of wisdom on how to build value in an orthopedics startup, hiring, funding, developing products, focusing on profitability and more. 

May 08, 201958:27
#24 - Anatomy of a Startup - Q&A with Dr. Brett Sanders, Founder of Tensor Surgical (34 mins)
May 05, 201933:57
#23-Real Career Advice for Engineers working in Orthopedics (12 mins)

#23-Real Career Advice for Engineers working in Orthopedics (12 mins)

I share 16 specific pieces of advice.  This is real-life coaching for Engineers who want to accelerate their careers in our industry.  Nobody else in going to tell you this stuff.  I wish I had know these stuff when I was starting out in Orthopedics.  Enjoy. 

May 02, 201912:31
#22 - Six Hiring Mistakes that can Kill an Orthopedic Startup (8 mins)

#22 - Six Hiring Mistakes that can Kill an Orthopedic Startup (8 mins)

Don't blow it early.  The first 5 to 10 people that you hire in will either set your company up for success or break your company.  I discuss six hiring mistakes that I have seen in early stage orthopedic companies. 

Apr 22, 201909:50
#21 - How to create innovation in orthopedics (10 min)

#21 - How to create innovation in orthopedics (10 min)

Want innovation?  Interation could be the killer app for creating game-changing innovation today in orthopedics. 

Successful innovation giants that we all know like Danek, SpineTech, Kyphon, Arthrex, MAKO, Hand Innovations and Mazor Robotics used iteration to innovate.  

I will teach you how to use innovation today in your company. 

Apr 16, 201910:03
#20-Anatomy of a startup - 1st conversation with Erik Paul, CEO of Exiom who is bringing 3D printed casts to the US for better early fracture immobilization (17 mins)
Apr 01, 201917:07
#19-Anatomy of a startup - 1st conversation with the Micro C Founder, Dr. Greg Kolovich (30 mins)

#19-Anatomy of a startup - 1st conversation with the Micro C Founder, Dr. Greg Kolovich (30 mins)

How does a surgeon take an idea and turn it into a solution that will change imaging in the operating room forever?  

Listen to this "live" interview with the Founder of Micro C, Dr. Greg Kolovich.  You will hear the story of product concept through design freeze, before FDA submission of his invention. 

Micro C is reinventing what is possible imaging in the operating room with handheld mobile fluoroscopy.   https://www.microcimaging.com/

Apr 01, 201930:18
#18 - A Random discussion between Joe Hage and Tiger Buford (41 mins)

#18 - A Random discussion between Joe Hage and Tiger Buford (41 mins)

Eavesdrop into a cell phone conversation between Joe and Tiger.  We discuss a variety of topics, including:  orthopedics buying decisions, LinkedIn, building medical device communities with digital marketing, the future of work, virtual consulting, and marketing direct to patients. 

Mar 13, 201940:46
#17 - The 7 Benefits of Working Inside a Startup (7 mins)

#17 - The 7 Benefits of Working Inside a Startup (7 mins)

This one is for my orthopedic friends who think they might want to work inside a startup but don’t really understand the upsides.  I share the 7 real-world advantages of startup work in orthopedics. 

Feb 09, 201907:03
#16 - Why good people get stuck inside big Orthopedic companies (5 mins)

#16 - Why good people get stuck inside big Orthopedic companies (5 mins)

This one is for orthopedic professionals working in big orthopedic companies and have an interest in moving to a smaller orthopedic company.  I share insights into how good people stuck and become "institutionalized".  Don't become the frog. 

Feb 05, 201904:39
#15 - Are you ready for a Startup? (9 mins)

#15 - Are you ready for a Startup? (9 mins)

Most people do not know if they would excel inside a startup.  Answer 8 simple questions to see if you have the RIGHT STUFF.  Take the startup test and see if you pass.  Good luck.

Feb 03, 201908:44
#14 - An inside look at a successful startup – Ellipse Technologies (17 mins)

#14 - An inside look at a successful startup – Ellipse Technologies (17 mins)

How did Ellipse go from a product concept to  an irresistible takeover target 8 years later?  I share 10 insights into this real-life success story from the early days to acquisition.  I was there.  

Feb 03, 201916:59
#13 - Who is Reinhold Schmieding? (20 mins)

#13 - Who is Reinhold Schmieding? (20 mins)

The story of how the Arthrex founder went from a startup to the king of Sports Medicine using a different focus and style from all the other Orthopedic giants.   Today, this little known executive is worth $5.9B (the 108th richest American). 

Jan 30, 201919:33
#0 - Introduction to Inside Orthopedics (2 mins)

#0 - Introduction to Inside Orthopedics (2 mins)

In this series, you will hear unique insights into the orthopedic industry. Tiger will share trends,  emerging startups that he believes are poised for success, and new ways of looking at successful orthopedic businesses. NOTE - Tiger has no allegiances or obligations to anyone in the industry so he can share  honest insights about what he sees. Enjoy. 

Jan 25, 201901:59
#11 - The Secret Weapon for Orthopedic Startups (8 mins)

#11 - The Secret Weapon for Orthopedic Startups (8 mins)

Startups can use RISK as a competitive weapon.  I share the experience at Ellipse Technologies where we used this weapon to blow past the competition and go from $0 to a $400M valuation. 

Jan 23, 201908:05
# 9 - Why you should Fire your Marketing Leader (9 mins)

# 9 - Why you should Fire your Marketing Leader (9 mins)

Marketing leaders make alot of mistakes, especially in Orthopedics. 

Here I share 6 Red Flags to look for that you may need to make a change to your Marketing leadership.

Jan 21, 201908:33
#8 - Why you should fire your R&D Leader (6 mins)

#8 - Why you should fire your R&D Leader (6 mins)

If your new product pipeline is not robust, then your R&D Leader could be the problem.  I review 8 specific Red Flags to look for in your R&D leadership.

Jan 18, 201906:21
#7 - Six Early Hires that will Breed Success in your Orthopedic Startup (8 mins)

#7 - Six Early Hires that will Breed Success in your Orthopedic Startup (8 mins)

Startup CEOs often ask for advice on the what kind of people to bring in early and in what order.  I will share my thoughts on the first six people to add. 

Jan 16, 201908:01
#6 - Dynamite for your Orthopedic Company (9 mins)

#6 - Dynamite for your Orthopedic Company (9 mins)

5 traits to look for when hiring entrepreneurs to inject innovation into your orthopedic company. 

Jan 10, 201909:02
#5 - Dear CEO, the Future of Orthopedics is Software (7 mins)

#5 - Dear CEO, the Future of Orthopedics is Software (7 mins)

Something happened in 2018. I saw the Orthopedic world shift. It was subtle but real. This a wake-up call for my orthopedic peers as we head into the 2020 decade.
Dear CEO, the future of orthopedics is software.
Jan 06, 201906:50
#4 - An Open Letter to Orthopedic Companies (5 mins)

#4 - An Open Letter to Orthopedic Companies (5 mins)

Stop being ordinary!!!!   It's time to be Remarkable.

Jan 06, 201905:10
#3 - Why the orthopedic startup IDEA doesn't matter (5 mins)

#3 - Why the orthopedic startup IDEA doesn't matter (5 mins)

Orthopedic startups, your execution is more valuable than your idea. Here is why.
Dec 15, 201805:08
#2 - Hot Startups in Orthopedics *just my opinion* (19 mins)

#2 - Hot Startups in Orthopedics *just my opinion* (19 mins)

Tiger shares the 12 hot startups that he is watching in Orthopedics (19 mins)
Dec 15, 201818:55
#1 - The Future of Marketing in Orthopedics (10 mins)

#1 - The Future of Marketing in Orthopedics (10 mins)

Advice for Orthopedic manufacturers.
Why today's marketing techniques are broken.
A look at how marketing will be executed in the future.
Dec 05, 201810:31