Due North Executive Search

The day before Thanksgiving 2016, I was in my garage cleaning out my smoker so that we could smoke our turkey the following day. As fate would have it, my mother accidentally crashed through the garage door and ran me over. It was just beginning her struggles with Alzheimer's and she mistakenly hit the accelerator instead of the brakes. I ended up under her car with the front tire inches from my head! Luckily, I only suffered a badly broken arm, concussion, bumps and bruises. It could have been much worse. So, you may ask how was this "Good"? 1. I didn't die. 2. Outside of occasional stiffness, no major long term effects. 3. Most importantly, it made me really think about what I wanted to do with the rest of my career. That's where the idea for Due North Executive Search began. A year later, we launched and I have never looked back. Now, 8 years later, I am filled with gratitude that this Bad, Good accident took place. This Thanksgiving, be grateful for the Bad, Good accidents in your life. You never know where they may lead you. #gratitude #thanksgiving #duenorth

Imagine this, like a mighty train your MedTech leadership career is gliding on the rails smoothly towards its destination. Then suddenly a poorly trained engineer pulls the wrong lever. Or a unskilled marketer miscommunicates. Or a product manager misinterprets key market data. And so on. Suddenly, your once powerful, smoothly operating career is in a shambles because you as the leader are where the buck stops. It's not your fault these mistakes were made but it is YOUR responsibility. And now it is your train wreck. #toptalent #medtechleader #marketingrecruiting #

A friend recently said their journey to launching a new medical device was like "Planes, Trains and Automobiles". After laughing about it, I thought that it was a great analogy. As the film's characters embark on their chaotic trip, they encounter all sorts of transportation challenges. This mirrors the excitement and unpredictability of bringing a new medical device to market. There's a buzz of anticipation, much like setting off on an unexpected road trip with friends. Think of the regulatory approvals as navigating through busy airports (our 'planes' in the story), where precision and timing are everything. The 'trains' represent the behind-the-scenes work - manufacturing and distribution - requiring meticulous coordination and attention to detail. And our 'automobiles'? They're the on-the-ground strategies, adapting to market feedback and making sure the device reaches its destination: the hands of healthcare professionals and patients. Throughout the movie, there's a sense of camaraderie and resilience, qualities essential in the medical device launch team. They face each obstacle with a can-do attitude, finding creative solutions and never losing sight of their goal. In the end, just like the characters in "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" finally reaching home, the journey of launching a medical device culminates in the satisfaction of knowing that this hard work will ultimately contribute to improving healthcare. It's a journey of challenges, learning, laughter, and, most importantly, the fulfillment of achieving a meaningful goal. #thanksgiving #productlaunch #marketingrecruiter

In the high-stakes world of MedTech, leaders who find themselves without top-tier talent face a daunting and solitary path. In an industry where pioneering innovation and navigating complex challenges are daily demands, the absence of skilled team members casts a long, ominous shadow over these leaders. Stripped of the vital intellectual synergy and creative collaboration essential in MedTech, these leaders are often left to grapple with the weighty responsibilities alone. This isolation isn't just about the lack of support; it's a profound professional solitude that stifles innovation and dims the prospects of breakthroughs. Without a team of equal caliber, a MedTech leader's vision remains unchallenged, unrefined, and potentially unfulfilled, leading to an unsettling stagnation. This scenario paints a bleak picture where progress is hindered, and the leader is ensnared in a cycle of unending challenges with limited means to overcome them. In essence, for MedTech leaders lacking top talent, the future looms not as a landscape of opportunity, but as a solitary journey through uncharted and treacherous territory, overshadowed by the constant threat of unrealized potential and unachieved goals. At Due North, we specialize in curing loneliness for MedTech leaders. Contact us today! #hiring #toptalent #medtech #2025goals

"All they do is fling resumes!" This is what a potential vendor told me yesterday when referring to recruiters. This is a leading provider of backend services to the recruiting industry. What did he mean by this? He meant that they don't actively search for and screen talent. He meant that they don't conduct interview preparation with candidates and clients. He meant that they don't work to ensure the position is filled in a timely fashion by following a proven process. He meant that they don't follow-up with candidates and clients after the placement to ensure that the hire is successful. And this is the case with search firms large and small. If you want a search firm that actively hunts for those top talents that fit your role and culture... If you want a search firm that ensures that candidates are prepared to tell their story.... If you want a search firm that has a proven 8 Step process to quickly fill your role... If you want a search firm that will ultimately ensure that your hire is a success... Contact Due North today! #medtechrecruiter #salesrecruiting #marketingrecruiting #hightechrecruiting

Recently, I have been asked by several MedTech startups what they should do to attract investors and increase their company’s perceived value. One of the first things I ask is who is on their team and what is their expertise. In short, have they built a team of functional experts that can successfully navigate from wherever they are in the innovation and FDA approval process to commercialization. Often, I hear “We can’t afford that.” Or “We don’t want to give up much of our equity.” In both cases, they are pretty much sealing their fates because investors will place as much if not more value on the team you are bringing as they will the device or solution you have created. It’s like if you built an amazing race car but put it in the hands of an inexperienced driver. Best case scenario is that they don’t win the race. Worst case is that they destroy the car on the first turn. Now I understand that many startups are cash starved so they may need to pay with more equity. But if the choice is between having 100% of nothing and 20% of $20 million, I know which decision I would make. So, do you want to build your team with experts who can really drive your business value? Or, do you want to have a 100% of nothing? #toptalent #medtech #medtechrecruiter

With all the talk of imposing crazy tariffs on imports, I felt obligated to put this out there. Trade wars are bad! Don't believe me? - They raise prices - They cost jobs - They damage industries - They reduce growth Don't believe me? Google it. In the meantime consider this, the Wall Street Journal said that the next president will inherit a great economy before the election. The Economist called the US economy "The Envy of the World". And many industry groups are already sounding the alarms regarding any dramatic shift in policy. Hopefully, we can all influence our decision makers to avoid going down this dark path. Because... Trade Wars Are Bad! #marketingrecruiter #salesrecruiter #medtechrecruiter #hightechrecruiter

So, you're on the job hunt, sending out those polished resumes and nailing interviews. But did you ever stop to think about your social media trail? Yep, that innocent throwback Thursday picture or that late-night tweet rant might just be the sneaky culprits standing between you and your dream job. Let's dive into this a little more. 1. Your Digital First Impression: Did you know that a huge chunk of employers take a peek at your social media before calling you in? It's like turning up to an interview in pajamas. They see your online antics before they even meet you! So that meme you thought was hilarious? A potential boss might not see it the same way. 2. The Internet Never Forgets: Deleted that post from 2010? Well, the internet might just have a secret screenshot stashed away somewhere. It's like your past fashion choices... sometimes they come back to remind you. 3. Trust Issues with Privacy Settings: Even if you've gone full James Bond with your profile's privacy settings, there's always a way. A friend might tag you, someone could screenshot your post, or privacy rules could change overnight. 4. Blurred Lines: Ever added a colleague on Facebook or Instagram? Suddenly, your weekend shenanigans are office chatter on Monday. It’s tricky, isn't it, balancing personal and professional on the same account? So, What Now? Online Clean-Up: Ever Google yourself just for fun? Do it now, but with an employer’s eyes. Tidy up any mess you find. The Grandma Rule: Before posting, think, "Would I show this to my grandma?" If not, maybe rethink hitting that share button. Stay In-The-Know: Social media keeps changing its rules. Check-in now and then to see if you're still sharing what you intend to. Bottom line? While social media is a fun space to share and connect, it's worth taking a second to think before you post, especially when you're hoping to land that job. So before you send that rage tweet, political post or other questionable content, ask yourself if it is worth losing a career opportunity. #socialmedia #hiring #recruiting #toptalent

Nobody ever got fired for buying IBM. Clearly this is an adage for an earlier time but it still resonates with me and many B to B marketers that struggle with getting support for their marketing initiatives. In B2B industries, overlooking the importance of branding can be disastrous. Without a strong brand, companies risk becoming invisible in a competitive market, leading to missed opportunities. More critically, poor branding undermines credibility and trust, essential in high-stakes B2B transactions. This lack of trust can exclude companies from vital business deals. Additionally, failing to establish a brand as a thought leader in innovation and expertise can leave a company trailing behind its competitors. The impact extends to marketing and sales efforts as well; without a recognizable brand, sales cycles lengthen and marketing efforts become inefficient, creating a cycle of poor performance and weakened brand impact. Neglecting branding in B2B sectors is not just an oversight; it's a grave error that can lead to a company's downfall. Branding is fundamental to achieving visibility, credibility, and market success. Without it, companies face not just stagnation but potential irrelevance. So while it may have been true that nobody ever got fired for buying IBM, many have been fired for failing to meet their business objectives. #b2bmarketing #marketingrecruiting #marketing #toptalent

Recruiter: "Are you interested in a Marketing Communications Manager job?" Me: "No, I am in Strategic Marketing." Recruiter: "What does a Strategic Marketer do?" Me: click This is why I became a recruiter. I realized that recruiters didn't know what the marketing function does. So they have no idea who is good at what. Here's what a strategic marketers does: A strategic marketer is responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies that align with a company's overall business objectives. Their primary goal is to increase brand awareness, generate leads, and drive revenue growth. A strategic marketer typically begins by conducting market research to understand their target audience and their preferences. They analyze the competition and the industry landscape to identify opportunities and challenges. They then develop a comprehensive marketing plan that includes the messaging, positioning, and tactics that will be used to reach and engage the target audience. Strategic marketers are also responsible for measuring the success of their marketing efforts and adjusting their strategies as needed. They use data and analytics to track key performance metrics such as website traffic, conversion rates, and ROI. Based on this data, they make informed decisions about where to invest marketing resources and how to optimize their campaigns. Overall, a strategic marketer plays a critical role in helping a company achieve its business objectives by developing and executing effective marketing strategies. #strategicmarketing #marketing #recruiter #leadership