PLANT FORESTS

.....excerpt from my daily message to the company.

"A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence." - James Watkins 

I asked Dan Burnett, the founder of Potrero the other day, "Do you ever feel immense pride and wonder when you see pictures of what were once just ideas in your mind that are now technologies helping patients?" He said "yes, everytime".

Imagine for a minute rewinding 8 years ago and seeing Dan Burnett and a couple of engineers at Theranova huddled over a R&D table thinking about how to make this idea a reality. Think about 5 years ago when Saheel, Dan, Rich, Mark, Dimitri and others were trying to figure out the fluid and air dynamics that stumped other engineers throughout the world. Imagine 3 years ago when Sanjay and Eric worked to mass manufacture the disposable. Imagine all of the hard work and nurture that went into bring Potrero where we are today. The hard work, the struggles, the triumphs, the failures and the response to adversity all define us as a team. Because of the Potrero team's tenacity and willingness to keep pushing through adversity, we are where we are today.

An idea is like a seed. If you provide a seed with the right soil, in the right environment, with just the right amount of water, sunlight, and attention that tiny seed grows to an oak tree. The oak sapling starts small struggling to reach for the open sky, it will be tested over time, stressed by the wind, picked at by insects and animals, and battered by the changing seasons. The seed soaks up water and pushes its roots further into the ground gripping and holding to weather the next storm. The seed becomes strong and unstoppable, but it takes time, persistence, and patience. An idea follows the same pathway.

Sales team, think of how powerful you are and the gift that you have to plant forests. Just like our engineers and others at Potrero, we have a gift, and that is to grow an idea from nothing. To grow that idea into a strong oak tree. Almost all sales people "tend" to forests grown by people like you. You are in a unique and wonderful position with a once in a lifetime opportunity. Don't forget that. Just like our engineers that figured out what others said was impossible, you are pushing through where others would dare not venture. You are finding the right soil, environment, sunlight, and conditions for our technology. It takes a special person to do that...don't stop and never quit!

Today as you go through your day, think about the power of an idea. Challenge your doctors and nurses with an idea. Plant that seed with them on why they need Accuryn for their patients. Be persistent, patient, attentive, and always think of that person that is in the Operating Room or ICU bed. Freeze that thought in your mind, remember that moment!! Years from now as hospitals continue to adopt our technology, remember that idea started with you. You planted the idea, watered it, nurtured it and grew it to a figurative strong oak tree.  But never forget, it would not be possible without you taking the first step and planting the idea.  

Team, don't forget how lucky and fortunate we all are to be a part of something so special. Embrace the challenges and know what you are doing will pave the way for others that follow. That what you are doing will help that person that is in the OR/ICU bed.  

You are planting forests.

Joe

This is a series of articles based on the daily letters that I write to my company (slightly modified - company specifics removed). My hope is to share some positive thoughts that gently push the world toward positive thinking and encourage many to achieve their fullest God-given potential.