Contextual Intelligence: Recent Episodes
Aktana
Contextual Intelligence can be defined as taking what you learn and making it work from one situation to another. That’s what we’ll aim to do in this series. Hosted by Clay Hausmann, the Chief Revenue Officer of Aktana, we’ll have lively discussions with very smart and interesting people, and hopefully, share some learnings that you can apply to your own business situation.
Today’s guest rose through the ranks of retail giants L’Oreal and Levi Strauss before landing his current role shaping data science strategy at one of the world’s leading biotech companies. In this episode, we’re joined by Youssef Idelcaid, the senior director of data science for Commercial, Medical and Government Affairs at Genentech. Listen as he shares what surprised him most about his transition from retail to life sciences, his best advice for getting started with AI, and how he decides when to stay in-house and when to outsource data science projects. And don’t miss “Youssef in Context,” where we discuss his greatest career inspiration, a new title for your must-read list, and who’s invited to Youssef’s ultimate bolognese dinner.
The conversation continues with Dr. Wael Barsoum—a practicing orthopedic surgeon, the president and chief transformation officer of Health Outcomes Performance Co., and the former CEO of Cleveland Clinic Florida. We circle back to discuss what the life sciences industry can do to get its grade up to an “A” and discuss the evolving roles of pharmaceutical and medical device reps.
In today’s episode, we’re getting a firsthand progress report on the industry’s commercial transformation efforts from Dr. Wael Barsoum—a practicing orthopedic surgeon, the president and chief transformation officer of Health Outcomes Performance Co., and the former CEO of Cleveland Clinic Florida. Listen as he reflects on his best customer experiences as an HCP, unpacks the link between data-driven care and improved patient outcomes, and explores the shift to value-based care. And don’t miss “Wael Barsoum in Context,” where we discuss the life lesson that shaped his future in medicine, an alternate career in the courtroom and a fascinating miniseries to add to your watchlist.
Today’s guest has had a front-row seat to the trends and market dynamics that have shaped commercial life sciences for the last 32 years. In this episode, we sit down with Deb Cava, the U.S. Oncology Portfolio Strategy Marketing Director at Merck, where she’s spent her entire career. Listen as she shares her perspective on the industry’s current omnichannel fervor, the increased pressure to be customer-centric in oncology, and her advice for getting honest about what customers really want from pharma. And don’t miss “Deb Cava in Context,” where we discuss finding fulfillment in the white space, a transformative read, and the nirvana of finding time with family.
Part of biopharma’s first wave of Chief Digital Officers, Francesca Wuttke has been tasked with developing and executing an end-to-end, companywide digital transformation at Almirall. In today’s episode, we check in with Francesca two years into her ambitious project for a behind-the-scenes progress report. Listen as she shares her tips for kicking off a major technology-driven initiative, how she’s getting critical cultural mindset shifts to take root, and why starting a “Digital Garden” was a non-negotiable part of her strategic plan. And don’t miss “Francesca in Context,” where we discuss the surprising influence on her career, the joy of TV escapism, and the eclectic guest list for her ultimate dinner party.
As Gramener’s co-founder and Chief Decision Scientist, Ganes Kesari knows a thing or two about extracting data insights to drive smarter decision-making. In this episode, Ganes puts on his executive consultant hat and outlines best practices for getting started with AI and other advanced data programs, measuring ROI and securing broad-based support for your initiatives. Listen as he gives us a quick primer on data storytelling, breaks down the “last-mile challenge,” and shares how he explains decision intelligence to his kids.
As Grünenthal’s Global Head of Commercial Excellence, Florent Edouard is a champion for change. In today’s episode, we learn how he’s leading the charge for digital transformation and customer-centricity in a traditionally risk-averse industry. Listen as he shares how he’s applying the same analytical rigor typically found in R&D to the commercial side of life sciences, his tips for creating a professional environment that sparks innovation, and the importance of transparency and trust in driving tech adoption. And don’t miss “Florent Edouard in Context,” where we discuss his favorite recent read, a dream dinner in Sao Paulo, and why you’ll never find Florent on TikTok.
In this episode, Veeva's VP of Commercial Strategy, Doug Caldwell, shares his expertise in working with emerging and mid-sized life sciences companies as they mature their commercial operations. Doug tells us how the pandemic and the resulting period of digital disruption has moved the industry forward by leaps and bounds—and highlights the ways emerging biopharmas are outperforming their larger peers. Don’t miss “Doug Caldwell in Context,” in which he discusses the book that bridges his personal and professional interests and reveals who would attend his meticulously planned ultimate dinner party (and golf match) for four.
As Head of AI Ad Product Design for IBM Watson Advertising, Robert Redmond is at the forefront of the intersection of data analytics and creativity. He shares how these symbiotic disciplines can inform one another and when combined, allow us to develop new and imaginative ways to excite consumers and leverage information. Listen as he shares surprising key findings from his career, why creatives should embrace—not fear—AI, and who he most wants at his dinner party.
As a specialist in change management at Bayer Canada, Marc Mollé has been guiding the organization through the adoption and implementation of an omnichannel approach. In this episode, Marc takes us inside the process—from the early decision making that put Bayer ahead of the curve to the ongoing success of the initiative—and shares how it has enabled them to be agile during the market changes of 2020.” Also, don’t miss “Marc Mollé in Context,” in which he describes a book that enlightened him, the job he’d never take, and why Jimi Hendrix is his ultimate inspiration.
Paul Tunnah founded pharmaphorum in 2009. As a seasoned expert in healthcare and content-based engagement, he brings a unique and broad industry perspective. Today he joins us on the podcast where he shares the inspiration behind pharmaphorum, the media dialogue around buzz terms like ‘AI,’ ‘machine learning,’ and omnichannel, and why it’s never been a better time for the life sciences industry to show its value.
Today we hear from Nicholas Mills, a senior partner at McKinsey. Drawing on his close relationships with top executives across the pharmaceutical industry, Nick shares the inside story of the industry’s last decade. Hear about the cultural and process-based obstacles that hindered change before the pandemic—and the rich opportunities for growth that his clients today are better poised to capture than ever. We also explore the importance of human-centered change management, Nick’s surprising seatmate on a recent flight, and the way he explains management consulting to 7-year-olds.
With leadership experience in both consulting and technology, in addition to his stint as a Pfizer executive, Frederik Bay’s outlook is Contextual Intelligence personified; he is both a witness to and a driver of the digital transformation of commercial operations in life sciences, a shift now drastically accelerated by recent market changes. In this episode, Frederik explains the importance of “taking a holistic view of the customer journey,” especially as that view is enhanced by Artificial Intelligence — explaining why digital-first marketing cannot match the impact of combining human-centered approaches with advanced technology. As a bonus, learn the surprising influence of his high school French teacher.
In this episode, we discuss how Contextual Intelligence enables leaders to learn, adapt and improve outcomes. To explore this topic, we’re joined by veteran technology executive and Aktana CEO, David Ehrlich, who provides insightful analysis of the role that AI and real-world context should play in the decision making process for executives working in dynamic and competitive industries. Plus, who is on David’s dream dinner party guest list.
In this episode, we push past the hype and unpack how to successfully apply AI to complex environments. Aktana CSO, Pini Ben-Or, offers insights into technical, human and environmental factors that impact the effectiveness of AI systems. Plus, we find out more about Pini as a person, including his dream career and what he’s reading right now.
In this episode, we’ll be discussing Contextual Intelligence and how it has been applied to one of the most complex industries in the world, Life Sciences.
Contextual Intelligence can be defined as taking what you learn and applying it from one situation to another. In our world at Aktana, Contextual Intelligence helps Life Sciences companies build stronger relationships with Health Care Providers, using A.I. Each week, we’ll have a lively conversation with an experienced business leader during which we’ll explore the context of their business challenges as they utilize A.I. Along the way, we’ll be sure to share some learnings that you can apply to your own business situation.