Episodes

  • What If Sales Did MedTech Design + Dev? With guest, Jason Scherer, CEO, VitaTek.io

    What If Sales Did MedTech Design + Dev? With guest, Jason Scherer, CEO, VitaTek.io
    Mar 5 2024
    From napkin sketch to sales revenue! Our latest guest has built a completely vertically integrated medical device development company, taking inventor ideas, translating them into products with all the necessary checks and balances, and launching them into their early stage surgical sales force!I am Maureen Shaffer, Host of the Message Engineer for the Medtech Startup show and CEO of message and market advisory, Mingletoe. In this episode, I share my insightful conversation with Jason Scherer, CEO of vertically integrated medical device development company, VitaTek, which takes devices from napkin sketch to sales revenue. Previously, Jason spent 15 years as a top tier, award-winning surgical sales manager. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with Jason about how he applies the focus and speed of sales along with key opinion leader relationships to full medical device development, from sketch to sales.We dive deep into the world of contract device development and discuss how to accelerate medical device and medtech development and reduce time to market.Overall, this episode is full of insightful and thought-provoking discussions about medtech design and development, including the topics below. I highly recommend giving it a listen or watch and joining the conversation online!🔥 The Unique Sales Approach🔥 Balancing Features and Costs for Success🔥 The Evolution from Larger to Smaller Devices🔥 Essentials for Launching Surgical Devices in MedTech🔥 The Rapid R&D Approach in MedTech🔥 Navigating Risks in MedTech Launches🔥 From Complaint Handling to Customer Messaging🔥 The Advantage of Onsite Engineering in MedTech Manufacturing🔥 Why Offshoring Is Not Always Smooth Sailing in MedTech🔥 How Weekly Meetings Transform MedTech DevelopmentLINKS AND REFERENCES🎬 WATCH this video episode and subscribe for morehttps://youtu.be/31O5Ba2rQHQ🎧 LISTEN to the full episode on the Message Engineer Podcast everywhere! Including Apple Podcast, Audible, Google and Spotify. 💬 ASK “Alexa, play Message Engineer podcast” on any Amazon Echo or smart speaker product.🍃 FOLLOW Jason Scherer https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-scherer-69b81675/🍃 FOLLOW Maureen Shaffer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenashaffer/_________________________________🚀 Messy message strategy? DM Maureen on LinkedIn!Exit the messaging struggle bus! MedTech messaging is challenging and complex. On the Message Engineer Show we dissect best practices for messaging in the ever-changing health care field from prominent CEOs and influencers who have a word or two to say about what makes for GREAT messaging. Jump into the express lane to the best engineered messages and follow along! We engineer clear, compelling, and competitive messages to close successful fundraising (seed, Series A, Series B) and grow revenue for medical device, health tech, and medtech startups using the Message Engineer(tm) Roadmap.☎️ Get 1:1 Advice https://calendly.com/maureenshaffer🔗 Connect https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenashaffer/🎧 Listen https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/message-engineer-for-the-medical-device-startup/id1609884245#medicaldevice #medtech #startup #messageengineer #strategy #startups #medicaldevices #message #marketing #market #funding #revenue #digitalhealth #healthtech #founderDisclaimerThe information contained in this presentation and/or podcast is provided for informational and educational purposes for private, non-commercial use only.Your use of this material does not establish a professional relationship.This material is not a substitute for a private, independent consultation with an attorney, regulatory, medical or other professional selected to advise you after a full investigation of the facts and details relevant to your matter.Users of this material are advised to do their own due diligence when it comes to making business decisions and all information, products, and services that have been provided should be independently verified by your own qualified professionals.©2024 Mingletoe LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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    52 mins
  • Learn Surprising Ways to Use Data with Paul-Lukas Hoffschmidt, Founder and CEO, Alpha Sophia | Host, Maureen Shaffer

    Learn Surprising Ways to Use Data with Paul-Lukas Hoffschmidt, Founder and CEO, Alpha Sophia | Host, Maureen Shaffer
    Dec 11 2023

    In this episode of the Message Engineer podcast, host Maureen Shaffer, CEO, Mingletoe, shares her insightful conversation with health care data provider, Paul-Lukas Hoffschmidt, Founder and CEO of Alpha Sophia. Paul created Alpha Sophia to get to the heart of data needed for young medtech and digital health startups to scale rapidly and well, without the exorbitant cost burden of others. Paul is also an experienced angel investor with multiple investments in new innovations.

    This data-packed episode is full of insightful and thought-provoking discussions about healthcare data, how to use it to determine target markets, including early adopter physicians, healthcare facilities such as hospitals inpatient and outpatient, ambulatory surgery centers, and others. I highly recommend giving it a listen or watch and joining the conversation online!

    🔥 Data to Insight to Action: Navigating Uncertainty

    🔥 Retargeting Insights

    🔥 Medtech Messaging Pro

    🔥 Signals and Personas

    🔥 Signal Filtering Pro

    🔥 Data Mastery Innovator

    🔥 Combined Data Strategist

    🔥 Precision Networking Strategist

    🔥 Healthcare Data Insights

    🔥 Limited Budget is Startup Advantage

    🔥 Message Testing Expert

    🔥 Honesty and Feedback Advocate


    LINKS AND REFERENCES

    Three (3) FREE physician profiles from Alpha Sophia! https://www.alphasophia.com/maureen

    Alpha Sophia https://www.alphasophia.com

    🎬 WATCH this video episode and subscribe for more https://youtu.be/Y4vmeEEr8JE

    🎧 LISTEN to the full episode on the Message Engineer Podcast everywhere! Including Apple Podcast, Audible, Google and Spotify.

    💬 ASK “Alexa, play Message Engineer podcast” on any Amazon Echo or smart speaker product.

    🍃 FOLLOW Paul-Lukas Hoffschmidt https://www.linkedin.com/in/hoffschmidt/

    🍃 FOLLOW Maureen Shaffer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenashaffer/

    🚀 Want help with your market and message strategy? DM Maureen on LinkedIn!
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    58 mins
  • Unmasking the Secrets of a Neurodivergent ADHD Founder in Medtech with Jeremy Nagel, Focus Bear

    Unmasking the Secrets of a Neurodivergent ADHD Founder in Medtech with Jeremy Nagel, Focus Bear
    Jul 24 2023

    Welcome to the Message Engineer Show with your host, Maureen Shaffer.

    In this episode of the Message Engineer Podcast for medtech startups, we have a fascinating conversation with Jeremy Nagel, the CEO of FocusBear. As a neurodivergent software developer turned startup founder, Jeremy brings a unique perspective to the world of entrepreneurship. He successfully sold his prior startup, Smooth Messenger, to MessageMedia in 2022 and now serves as a product manager at MessageMedia. Join us as we dive deep into Jeremy's latest venture, FocusBear, an innovative productivity and work-life balance app specifically designed for individuals with ADHD. We explore the challenges of founding companies, the intricacies of raising funds, and the importance of properly understanding and connecting with neurodivergent audiences. As a medical device startup, it's crucial to grasp the nuances of messaging neurodivergent individuals, and Jeremy sheds light on what is often missed in this respect. Gain valuable insights into the world of ADHD, and discover how FocusBear is transforming the lives of those with this condition. Don't miss this engaging and informative interview with Jeremy Nagel, the visionary CEO of FocusBear, as we unravel the secrets to effective communication with neurodivergent audiences. Tune in now!


    #neurodivergent #interview #CEO #FocusBear #messaging #audience #JeremyNagel #community #neurodiversity #communication #interviewseries #insightful #awareness #conversation #neurology #inclusion #diversityandinclusion #neuroscience #autismacceptance #mentalhealth


    ___________________

    Exit the messaging struggle bus! Medical device messaging is challenging and complex. On the Message Engineer Show we dissect best practices for messaging in the ever-changing health care field from prominent CEOs and influencers who have a word or two to say about what makes for GREAT messaging. Jump on the express lane to the best engineered messages and follow along! We engineer clear, compelling, and competitive messages to drive successful fundraising (seed, Series A, Series B) and grow revenue for medical device, health tech, and medtech startups.


    ☎️ Get 1:1 Advice https://calendly.com/maureenshaffer

    🔗 Connect https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenashaffer/

    🎧 Listen https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/message-engineer-for-the-medical-device-startup/id1609884245


    #medicaldevice #medtech #startup #messageengineer #strategy #startups #medicaldevices #message #marketing #market #funding #revenue


    © Copyright Mingletoe LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Unlocking Series A Funding for Health IT with Lenard Marcus, General Partner, Edison Partners, a Best Growth Investment Firm, GrowthCap

    Unlocking Series A Funding for Health IT with Lenard Marcus, General Partner, Edison Partners, a Best Growth Investment Firm, GrowthCap
    Jun 20 2023
    In this episode of the Message Engineer podcast, host Maureen Shaffer, CEO, Mingletoe, shares a deeply helpful how-to-fundraise conversation with growth investor, Lenard Marcus, who specializes in health IT and enterprise software. Lenard Marcus is currently a General Partner with Edison Partners, an award-winning growth investment firm, making it onto GrowthCap’s short list of best growth investment firms for the second year in a row. Lenard co-leads Enterprise Software team where he focuses on healthcare IT and cybersecurity and works with Gregg Michaelson on the Healthcare IT team. Lenard also serves on the board of Capital Rx a 2.0 PBM and VirtualHealth, a cloud-based care management platform. Lenard earned his IE degree at Stanford and his MBA at Columbia.🍃 FOLLOW Lenard Marcus https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenard-marcus-808275/🍃 FOLLOW Maureen Shaffer https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenashaffer/🎬 WATCH this video episode and subscribe for more https://youtu.be/pBTH8n0Q35c🎧 LISTEN to the full episode on the Message Engineer Podcast everywhere! Including Apple Podcast, Audible, Google and Spotify. 💬 ASK “Alexa, play Message Engineer podcast” on any Amazon Echo or smart speaker product.Overall, this episode is full of insightful and thought-provoking discussions about raising your Series A, especially for health IT and enterprise software for health care. I highly recommend giving it a listen or watch and joining the conversation online! We cover…💥 Bootstrapping💥 Angel Investor to Series A💥 Align Exit Timing💥 Align Investors💥 Post Investment💥 Investor Approach💥 Workflow Value💥 EMR EHR Workflow💥 Telehealth Adoption💥 Connect Care–Save Lives💥 Interoperability💥 Why Virtual Care💥 New Healthcare Players💥 In-House Pitch💥 The How of TAM🚀 Want help with your message strategy? Connect on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenashaffer/Book time to chat https://calendly.com/maureenshaffer LINKS AND REFERENCESLenard Marcus on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenard-marcus-808275/Lenard Marcus at Edison https://www.edisonpartners.com/team/lenard-marcus Edison Partners https://www.edisonpartners.com/team/lenard-marcusBest Growth Investment Firms https://growthcapadvisory.com/best-growth-investment-firms/Capital Rx https://www.linkedin.com/company/cap-rx/VirtualHealth https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtualhealth/____________________________________________________________________Welcome to the Message Engineer for the Medtech Startup!We are focused on how to create clear, compelling and competitive messages for the medtech and medical device startup to drive funding and revenue. © Copyright Mingletoe LLC. All Rights Reserved.#messageengineer #strategy #medtech #medicaldevice #startup #medicaldevices #message #marketing #market #funding #revenue#healthit #healthcareinnovation
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    1 hr and 26 mins
  • Conflict Zones and Corporate Teams: Insights from former US Army Special Forces Officer, Sal Filardi

    Conflict Zones and Corporate Teams: Insights from former US Army Special Forces Officer, Sal Filardi
    Jun 6 2023
    Conflict Zones and Corporate Teams: Insights from former Special Forces Officer, Sal FilardiIn this episode of the Message Engineer podcast, host Maureen Shaffer, CEO, Mingletoe, shares her insightful conversation with former US Army Special Forces officer (Green Beret), Sal Filardi. Sal Filardi is a Communications Consultant, Pinnacle Leadership Coach, and FirstTee Youth Mentor and Golf Coach. Sal is also a proud father & veteran. Sal discusses his work in conflict zones worldwide, and how he draws on that experience to help corporate teams better communicate and work together. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone looking to take their organization to the next level and build a lasting, successful company. Tune in and join us for an informative and engaging conversation. He speaks to us from his home in North Carolina.🔥 In this episode, the importance of communication is discussed in both internal and external messaging. The guest emphasizes the need to have the right people in place and focused in the right direction internally before launching any external messaging or marketing. Drawing on their experience working with the US Army Special Forces and the Green Berets, the guest highlights the importance of clear communication and a structured approach to messaging. They discuss the use of playbooks and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure everyone is on the same page and knows how to communicate effectively. Additionally, the guest emphasizes the importance of clear communication within a team, including knowing how to talk to other team members and when to talk to the boss. Overall, the episode highlights the critical role that communication plays in both internal and external messaging and the importance of having a structured approach to ensure effective communication.🔥 The speaker also mentions that reports are a crucial part of the command and signal portion of the planning process. They explain that commanders should be specific about the reports they want to receive from their team, as it can help to destress the team leader. By being clear about what information is needed, the team leader can focus on completing their tasks without worrying about constantly updating their commander. This specificity also allows the team leader to prioritize their work and focus on what is most important. The speaker emphasizes the importance of communication in a team and suggests that being clear about what information is needed can help to foster a more productive and less stressful work environment.🔥 Furthermore, the guest speaker stresses the importance of having a big and worthwhile vision. They describe vision as something that can be imagined when one closes their eyes and thinks about what they, their family, or their company could achieve in the next seven to ten years. The speaker believes that a vision should be something that is worth going through challenges and obstacles to achieve. The example of Apple's vision is mentioned, which was to have a personal computer in every home in the United States within 40 years. Although Apple ended up achieving a personal computer in every pocket, their original vision was still a big and worthwhile goal to strive for. Overall, the episode stresses the importance of having a clear and ambitious vision that can guide decision-making and motivate individuals and teams to work towards a common goal.____________________________________________________Welcome to the Message Engineer for the Medtech Startup! We are focused on how to create clear, compelling and competitive messages for the medtech and medical device startup to drive funding and revenue. LINKS AND REFERENCESMedTechVets YT https://www.youtube.com/@medtechvets4764MedTech Vets https://medtechvets.orgThe First Tee, Building Game Changers https://firsttee.org🎬 WATCH FULL video episode and subscribe for more https://youtu.be/USRf1kLyFv8🎧 LISTEN to the full episode on the Message Engineer Podcast everywhere! Including Apple Podcast, Audible, Google and Spotify. 💬 ASK “Alexa, play Message Engineer podcast” on any Amazon Echo or smart speaker product.🍃 FOLLOW Sal Filardi https://www.linkedin.com/in/sal-filardi/ 🍃 FOLLOW Maureen Shaffer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenashaffer/🚀 Want help with your message strategy? DM Maureen on LinkedIn!CONNECT🎯 LinkedIn🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenashaffer/🎯 Instagram @messageengineer 🔗 https://www.instagram.com/messageengineer/🎯 Twitter @medtechmessage 🔗 https://twitter.com/medtechmessage© Copyright Mingletoe LLC. All Rights Reserved.#messageengineer #strategy #medtech #medicaldevice #startup #medicaldevices #message #marketing #market #funding #revenue
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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • Transforming Healthcare from Volume to Value: Upsides, Obstacles and Big Ideas with JB Muñoz, MD

    Transforming Healthcare from Volume to Value: Upsides, Obstacles and Big Ideas with JB Muñoz, MD
    May 30 2023
    In this episode of the Message Engineer podcast, host Maureen Shaffer, CEO, Mingletoe, shares her insightful conversation with healthcare expert, JB Muñoz, MD. Dr. Muñoz is  currently a Visiting Fellow at MedTechVets and Director, Network Development at Pearl Health. Dr. Muñoz was previously a Medical Director and Surgical Intensivist at the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).We dive deep into the world of healthcare and discuss important topics that affect us all. Here are three takeaways:1.     The importance of thinking and acting holistically at the societal level. To move from volume to value in health care, Dr. Muñoz emphasizes the need to think across sectors and to have a broader view of the world to move the big mothership that is healthcare.2.     How to align health care incentives for prevention. Dr. Muñoz describes an example of internists purchasing air conditioners during a heatwave for seniors to prevent heat-related medical issues–a win for patients, for medical providers, and for payers.3.     The startup culture and how to transition from military life. We discuss the cultural values of a healthcare startup called Pearl Health, which has "anything is possible" as its number one value and MedTechVets which helps veterans transition into medtech, medical devices, and pharma.Overall, this episode is full of insightful and thought-provoking discussions about healthcare–check out the topics below. I highly recommend giving it a listen or watch and joining the conversation online!🔥 Thought virus 🔥 Metamessage 🔥 Message Delivery Rx 🔥 Patient Continuum 🔥 Guardian of Health 🔥 Adolescent Obesity 🔥 Data Visibility 🔥 Value-Based Care = Air Conditioners 🔥 Outcomes + Tools 🔥 50% Wrong 🔥 One Twinkie a Day 🔥 Disease of Mass Media 🔥 Be-Brainy Butter Buckets 🔥 Incentives for Health 🔥 Military to Medtech 🔥 Mission Completion 🔥 Medtech VetsLINKS AND REFERENCESMedTechVets YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@medtechvets4764MedTech Vets https://medtechvets.orgPearl Health YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@pearlhealth3296Pearl Health https://pearlhealth.comWhy Most Published Research Findings Are False https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16060722/🎬 WATCH this video episode and subscribe for more https://youtu.be/HlQdDZu_mWI🎧 LISTEN to the full episode on the Message Engineer Podcast everywhere! Including Apple Podcast, Audible, Google and Spotify. 💬 ASK “Alexa, play Message Engineer podcast” on any Amazon Echo or smart speaker product.🍃 FOLLOW JB Muñoz, MD https://www.linkedin.com/in/jb-muñoz-md-041bba26b/🍃 FOLLOW Maureen Shaffer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenashaffer/🚀 Want help with your message strategy? DM Maureen on LinkedIn!All guest opinions are their own and not necessarily representative of their company, organization, or clients.
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    1 hr and 26 mins
  • Patient Advocacy and Death with Andrea Wilson Woods, Patient Advocate + Award-Winning Author

    Patient Advocacy and Death with Andrea Wilson Woods, Patient Advocate + Award-Winning Author
    May 16 2023

    In this episode of the Message Engineer podcast, host Maureen Shaffer, CEO, Mingletoe, interviews Andrea Wilson Woods, an award-winning author, passionate patient advocate, and founder of a liver cancer nonprofit. During the podcast, Maureen asked Andrea to define the word “patient advocate.” Andrea explained that an advocate is “fighting for what you want, a cause or a belief.” For patient advocates, this means fighting for what the patient wants and educating them about all of their choices. Andrea noted that when you get a serious diagnosis, you don’t always realize that you have options. They discuss the role of patient advocacy in the medical industry and the importance of educating patients on their options when facing a serious diagnosis.

    Andrea shares her personal experience with her younger sister's battle with liver cancer and how it inspired her to found a nonprofit organization, Blue Faery. 

    🎬 WATCH this video episode and subscribe for more https://youtu.be/n832CdLNZuk

    🎧 LISTEN to the full episode on the Message Engineer Podcast everywhere! Including Apple Podcast, Audible, and Spotify. 

    💬 ASK “Alexa, play Message Engineer podcast” on any Amazon Echo product.

    🍃 FOLLOW Andrea Wilson Woods https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawilsonwoods/

    🍃 FOLLOW Maureen Shaffer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenashaffer/

    🚀 Want help with your message strategy? DM Maureen on LinkedIn!
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Behavioral Design with Dr. Jason Hanft, CEO, and Michael DiTullo, Chief Creative

    Behavioral Design with Dr. Jason Hanft, CEO, and Michael DiTullo, Chief Creative
    Apr 18 2023

    Jason Hanft, CEO at Defender Operations and Michael DiTullo, Chief Creative at Michael DiTullo and former designer of Nike, Converse, and Jordans joins Maureen Shaffer, CEO, Mingletoe, to chat about:


    ·       3D Humans

    ·       Why Guess?

    ·       Cool Matters

    ·       Frankenstein

    ·       Looks Matter

    ·       Naming Wins

    ·       Marketing Test

    ·       Naming Impact

    ·       Easy Compliance

    ·       New Airport Test

    ·       Outcomes Design

    ·       Amputation Wins?

    ·       Celebrate Function

    ·       Product is Marketing

    ·       Compliance Challenge

    ·       Keep Asking Questions

    ·       DTCaregivers and Friends

    ·       Reimbursement–If It Walks Like a Duck

    ·       And much much more!


    Listen to hear for yourself! Watch to see!


    🎬 WATCH this video episode https://youtu.be/HTy-VNTmbZQ  

    🎧 LISTEN to the full episode on the Message Engineer Podcast everywhere! Including Apple Podcast, Audible, and Spotify. 

    💬 ASK “Alexa, play Message Engineer podcast” on any Amazon Echo product.

    🍃 FOLLOW Jason Hanft: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-hanft-99655a11/

    🍃 FOLLOW Michael DiTullo https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelditullo/

    🍃 FOLLOW Maureen Shaffer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenashaffer/

    🎬 WATCH all video episodes https://www.youtube.com/@messageengineer

    🚀 Want help with your message strategy? DM Maureen on LinkedIn! 🎯

    © Copyright Mingletoe LLC. All Rights Reserved.

    #messageengineer #strategy #medtech #medicaldevice #marketing #startup #message #messaging
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    1 hr and 22 mins