Five Key Tips for Medtech Success: Career Advice From John Crombie

Like many areas, medtech is rapidly changing as the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning is now making its mark and the use of technologies such as robotics and augmented/virtual reality are changing labor-intensive procedures such surgeries. Keeping up with the constant changes is not easy, but for engineer turned inventor and entrepreneur John Crombie, those changes keep him challenged and motivated.

Earlier this month, John Crombie spoke to Design News at length about his long career in medtech, starting with the early days as an engineer to running a product development firm called Upstart Product Development. At the MD&M East Show at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City Wednesday, Crombie captivated the audience during a MedTech theater talk titled “How to Build a Better Engineering Career.” The eager audience appeared to have students as well as those already in the work world. Crombie gave valuable advice on navigating a career in medtech, relating his extensive experience including being an entrepreneur, which was a key inflection point in his career.

Crombie’s advice is not necessarily original but is tried-and-true advice that he has followed throughout his career. While Crombie related his how-tos to medtech, the general principles certainly can apply to careers as well. Here are five key takeaways:

1.Be the best that you can be

As Crombie explained during the talk, he did not originally set out to be in medtech. His interests early on revolved around sports. But the competitive urge to be the best athlete helped fuel a passion within him that helped hone his enthusiasm and drive that has served him well in his journey from engineer to inventor to successful entrepreneur.

2. Be like a sponge and be willing to learn

The importance of continuing to learn new skills and information cannot be underestimated. In the medical technology field, this not only includes details on new technologies but also information on related issues such as medical regulations. While studying up on medical regulations may not sound exciting, understanding them is key to developing and promoting technologies that can successfully resolve medical issues, according to Crombie.

3. Network, network, network

Networking may seem obvious, but it is a practice that Crombie has used throughout his career, making valuable contacts he could count on for advice, information─and at least in one case, funding.

Crombie told the story that he was casually talking to a medical professional about an idea he had for an innovative medical product. Suddenly, the medical professional proceeded, without being asked, to write out a check for several thousand dollars, and told Crombie to use the funds to help fund his project and bring it to market.

4.Don’t burn any bridges

When Crombie transitioned from years in the corporate world to launch his own product development firm Upstart Product Development, he made sure to leave on good terms with his then employer Johnson & Johnson. Crombie said he had the company’s blessing for his new venture and maintained contact with them over the years. Crombie also noted that many of the industry contacts he has cultivated over the years have offered him employment, project work, and additional contacts.

5.Leverage the knowledge of others

Learning all that one can about a field is important. But since there is so much information out there, there is no way one can be an expert on everything. Crombie says that thanks to his extensive networking, he can leverage the expertise of others which can be a big help in pushing projects forward or even navigating the hurdles of getting products approved or to the right market. Crombie says surrounding oneself with people smarter than you can provide a win-win for all.