Summary
“When you over-collaborate, you confuse the word inclusion with something else. That’s when collaboration becomes ineffective.”
In this episode of the Let's Talk Risk Podcast, Naveen Agarwal and Dr. Ahmet Tezel discuss the critical role of collaboration in the medical device industry. They explore the balance between effective collaboration and over-collaboration, the importance of cultural and structural elements in fostering collaboration, and the impact of AI on work processes. Dr. Tezel shares insights from his career journey, emphasizing the need for strategic thinking and early involvement in innovation. The conversation concludes with advice for future leaders in the industry.
Listen to the full 30-minute podcast or jump to a section of interest listed below.
Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Collaboration in MedTech
01:55 Understanding Effective Collaboration
06:15 The Balance of Inclusion and Decision-Making
09:32 Cultural and Structural Elements of Collaboration
16:34 Personal Experiences and Career Growth
20:12 The Future of Collaboration in the Age of AI
25:35 Inspiring Innovation in Regulatory and Quality Functions
27:58 Career Trajectory and Advice for QA/RA Professionals
33:506 Closing Comments
Suggested links:
LTR: Communicate to facilitate collaboration, not to impose opinions.
Eric Topol: Deep Medicine: How Artificial Intelligence Can Make Healthcare Human Again.
Key Takeaways
Collaboration is essential but must be balanced with decision-making.
Not all opinions in a collaborative setting are equally relevant.
Effective collaboration requires clarity on purpose and objectives.
Over-collaboration can lead to ineffective decision-making.
Crisis situations can streamline decision-making processes.
Cultural aspects significantly influence collaboration effectiveness.
Encouraging early involvement from all functions enhances innovation.
AI is set to transform collaboration and productivity in medtech.
Diverse thinking styles in teams lead to better decision-making.
Leaders should inspire their teams to take risks and innovate.
Keywords
Collaboration, medical device industry, decision making, innovation, leadership, AI, regulatory affairs, quality assurance, career development, organizational culture
About Dr. Ahmet Tezel
Ahmet Tezel, Ph.D. is currently the Chief Innovation Officer at LivaNova. Dr. Tezel has a 20-year track record, guiding teams that have developed market-leading technologies across diverse medical domains from bariatric surgery to surgical ophthalmology. Prior to joining LivaNova, he served as Company Group Chairman at Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Johnson & Johnson’s medical technology businesses, leading its Global R&D and Innovation teams. Other R&D career experience includes executive-level positions such as Worldwide Vice President Research and Development at Johnson & Johnson (June 2020 to November 2022), Surgical Franchise Head, Research and Development at Alcon, Inc. (February 2017 to June 2020), Vice-President of Research and Development, Intraocular Lenses (April 2014 – January 2018), and Vice President, Research & Product Development- Medical Device at Allergan Inc. (February 2011 to March 2013), where Tezel developed Class III implantables and complex medical capital equipment.
He has an established track record of innovation turnarounds across diverse medical technology platforms. He began his career as an R&D scientist in 2004 at Inamed Corp. in Santa Barbara, California. Dr.Tezel earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from Bogazici University in Türkiye and a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of California-Santa Barbara in the field of transdermal drug delivery and vaccination.
Disclaimer
Information and insights presented in this podcast are for educational purposes only. Views expressed by all speakers are their own and do not reflect those of their respective organizations.
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