The military mindset can provide the key to business success. Veterans typically realize the value of communication and decisiveness, and they have the discipline to focus on strategy and the formulation of goal-oriented tactics; for many, decisions that can mean the difference between life and death, which fosters a nimbleness of thinking that can become almost instinctive. They overcome obstacles that many would find daunting.
One such man is Scott Boulas, ex-army officer and CEO of the North America division of MROpen Evo. With seven and a half years of military service and a long history of success in the health tech industry, Scott has proved that sometimes curiosity combined with discipline can lead to remarkable achievements.
The Temptations of Tech
MROpen Evo has developed a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device that is revolutionizing the healthcare industry. It was designed for Orthopedics, Ortho Surgery Planning, sports medicine and busy outpatient imaging and boasts better weight-bearing imaging than traditional MRI, leading to superior imaging and a better patient experience.
According to Scott, MROpen Evo is the type of company that fits his preference for working in the fast-evolving medical technology sector. It’s a challenge that has excited him ever since he left military service.
Scott says, “Technology is evolving so fast that you must stay at the top of your game. MROpen Evo leads in tech but faced challenges. As North American CEO of an Italian company with impressive technology, we have been slow to commercialize in the U.S. Still, we’re making strides in a market dominated by legacy players. The tech is strong, with a solid install base. Customers image up to 35 patients a day, and we have a solid presence in research, giving us a good footprint.”
Scott’s career started with sales at GE Healthcare where he rocketed past his sales targets in his stomping ground of the New York and northern New Jersey markets.
According to Scott, “They expected six million, and I did $25 and a half million in the first year. And then I was like, where’s the next big challenge?”
One of the next challenges was as President of the US Division of Canada’s largest healthcare software company and from there diving into the world of entrepreneurship.
It’s a career evolution that has seen Scott put off retirement for the foreseeable future. Scott’s career success has Scott sought after as a leader and coach.
“I’m intensely curious, and tech has always fascinated me. To be able to combine that with making a real difference in patients’ lives is tremendously rewarding. I was about to hang up my gloves when I got a call from a headhunter who sold me on the idea that I had at least another good swing left in me, and he was right.”
The Military Mindset
For Scott, the experience of spending many of his most formative years in the military is the foundation of his business acumen – and it colors his approach to almost every business challenge.
“The military challenges you at a very young age, and the habits you learn in uniform tend to stick. I always say that my first job out of college (Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Economics from the University of Colorado Boulder and an Executive MBA from the University of Denver, among others) was CEO to 28 men holding rifles. Getting it wrong wasn’t an option,” laughs Boulas.
For Scott, this was a baptism of fire in the skills needed to become an effective leader.
“I like to think I brought the best of leadership from the military. The experience taught me the importance of task-focused strategic planning, organizational skills, discipline, and the ability to solve problems on the fly. Although, I do think that as I age, I’ve also learned the value of patience.”
Scott is the first person to admit that he is an extremely competitive person, and that has given him the edge when working within the complexities of large organizations in the health tech field.
“I think you learn to work smarter with each challenge. The military instilled that mindset in me. Today, you must embrace continuous learning to stay at the top of your game. That helps you see the bigger picture in a rapidly evolving sector. Once you know your product’s strengths and research the competition’s weaknesses, you can fill a gap in the market.”
Scott is also at pains to point out the pivotal role that communication plays in the success of any business.
“The military teaches the value of being a great communicator. You don’t want to be in the trenches with someone who doesn’t listen, can’t empathize or verbalize complex issues in a way that both an internal audience and clients can understand. You have to be able to cut through the clutter and provide support and actionable insights.”
For Scott communication is essential in supporting his team. It’s also resulted in his becoming a thought leader and fielding hundreds of calls from those who want his unique insight into a variety of business challenges. Leaders seek out Scott for advice and coaching.
The idea that veterans have a unique skill set that enables them to thrive in business isn’t new. In fact, a study at Syracuse University found that nearly 49.7% of WWII veterans went on to own or run a business.
Scott has a simple vision; to expand his team and provide them with the platforms and capabilities to better service the needs of a growing client base.
“I want to provide my team with everything they need to succeed. That goes double for customers, I need to know that they’ll be supported every step of the way to reach the highest levels of patient care. To use a military-related expression, I’m going to be in the trenches with my team and customers because the front lines are where the action is.”
To learn about the unique skill set that has seen Scott maintain his position as a thought and business leader, visit his LinkedIn page or find out more about MROpen Evo on the company’s webpage.
Published By: Aize Perez
