Why I hate the word “Pivot”

If you have ever seriously played basketball you would understand why I hate the word pivot when it comes to start ups. For those that did not, to pivot means having one foot planted firmly as the player is spinning around, unable to run and trying to pass the ball to one of the teammates. Normally, one pivots when they are in trouble, having stopped dribbling at the wrong time. Now, experienced players will tell you that the best way to score and outsmart your opponent is to change speed and change direction and get to the hoop to score.

Which pretty much describes what we did this year. Instead of spinning around, firmly planted on one foot, looking for help, we changed direction – manufacturing Vital Sign Detection kiosks, a medical device, suitable as an access control mechanism for a variety of industries. Making sure that the reading of the vital signs is precise enough to exceed ISO requirements and be in a position to be certified by various health care authorities around the world. We have set up a global network of Value-Added resellers, moving away from our mostly direct sales model utilized long ago in the BC (before Covid) era.

We also changed speed, coming out with a prototype within 6 weeks of the concept. Manufacturing and shipping units 4 weeks later. We have now evolved to a stress tested Gen 2 model, industrializing it to the point where we can set up manufacturing facilities close to where our customers are and produce thousands of these devices, as the demand for quality, precise instruments grows. 

Why would the demand for quality grow? As the infection rates and, unfortunately, death rates continue to climb around the world, the emphasis on health and safety will not diminish. Our communities learnt a lot this year, about ourselves, about germs and viruses, washing hands and wearing masks to prevent the spread of the disease before the vaccines come out. So, as we speak to people across sectors and industries there is a growing realization that not all solutions are created equal.  Business owners are looking for devices that help them reassure their stakeholders by using equipment that will accurately measure vital signs and confidently ensure that only healthy people are able to enter their premises. 

Beyond the obvious bottom line concerns businesses have a lot to contend with. They are responsible for keeping employees physically safe and protecting their mental health. Office cleaning takes on a whole new levity and bringing customers into your space involves a growing number of protocols. Reassuring staff and customers that they are safe by using trusted and proven measures not only protects their health but also the liability concerns of the business and its directors.

Have we won the game? No, not yet but we are playing hard to win. Our team is growing as are our headquarters. We are fulfilling orders for Elenium Vitals on each continent and the number of industries we are helping is growing. Covid is a formidable opponent and we are glad to be part of a multi-step strategy to defeat it.