Money Never Sleeps

Coming from management consulting, with an ‘up or out’ 6 month evaluation process, promotions every 24 months, and annual raises of 15%, I had prepared myself for corporate America where the pace is considerably slower.  However, in the past 15 months since launching into the medical device industry, much has happened on my career path.

I joined Medtronic in February as their Chief Strategic Officer, making sure we had the right 5 year plan in an industry that takes 3 years to develop a product.  In November, the President appointed me her Chief-of-Staff, which we’re still trying to understand what that means – but usually solving a pressing problem the business faces.   And just this week, I became the Chief of Business Development.  Somehow I’ve not been able to jettison any of my responsibilities, so officially I’m the “Chief of Staff, Strategy, and Business Development.”

I’ve always used the same metric to measure any job I’ve had.  Firstly, am I having fun and whistling when I come to work?  All too often, we’re not honest with ourselves on this one and don’t know when to make an exit.  Secondly, how much am I learning and will I be smarter 12 months from now?  So with my new territory to explore at Medtronic, I’m ticking all the boxes.

Business Development plays in the space of acquiring or partnering with other companies to achieve your strategic goals.  This ‘wheeling and dealing’ plays right to my interests, while the complex financial instruments such as minority shares and convertible debt are parts I need to learn.  Net-net, this should be a great ride!  Whoever told me corporate America moves slower didn’t realize that money never sleeps.



~Ken  (The themes of my office are travel, medical, and ducks.  Thanks to Heidi, Charlotte & Bill, Aunt Sis, and Aunt Kay for collectibles, doctor bags, globes and photos)