Pros
A typical start-up in many ways, except for the following characteristics: 1. Validated strategy and business model: has raised a fair amount of money from well-known investors already. As far as VC buy-in acting as a proxy for what the company is doing, it's pretty solid credibility. 2. A truly multidisciplinary company, with lots of talented and passionate people. Lots of Glassdoor reviews will rave about the caliber, passion and diverse backgrounds of employees, and Touch Surgery is no exception. Where else are you going to see animators (with backgrounds from the best animation studios around) working with nurses to crack a problem that's as old as the field of surgery (i.e. surgical education)? 3. A meaningful mission. It's a double edged sword really. Ultimately, the company has its sights set on helping hospitals deliver the best surgery, for the least amount of money. Who ultimately benefits? Patients. As far as company missions, saving lives is far more meaningful than others, for example, a new marketplace to buy stuff online. Working in this sector, as a small disruptor, does have its downsides, however (see number 5, below). 4. Finding its footing in a truly meaningful and commercially viable 2nd generation product. Speaking to point number 1, above, the company's historical product has found success, to a certain degree. It's on a very exciting trajectory, rooted in its new portfolio of AI-based products, to really make a difference in the world. Of course, it comes with growing pains (see number 6, below), but there is a sense of something big just beyond the horizon.
Cons
Again, like many start-up's, the company has its share of challenges: 5. Needing to move fast, in a field that moves at a snail's pace and is dominated by large, established companies. There's a reason why start-ups and healthcare don't mix. The latter is known for slow-moving trends, tempered by regulations, hierarchies, an inherent nature for avoiding risk, and established, cash-rich companies. The former needs to move fast. This underlying tension permeates the entire company and everything it undertakes, from product development, to decision-making, to sales and marketing, etc. Not necessarily a con per se, nor is it something that can be changed. However, it does need to be acknowledged and considered as a fact of life. 6. Finding its feet and constant shape-shifting. The downside of the company beginning to find its feet in an exciting new suite of products is that it's not done yet. There's a lot of constant shape-shifting, which is frustrating to employees, who often hear about changes last minute and without proper context. It's not a problem that's unique to this company and there are certainly lots of solutions that can be applied. A word of advice to potential new hires, however: if you are looking of hum-drum, go to work from 9-6PM type of predictability and stability, this company or most companies in this stage of growth is not for you. Sticking to something when there is already evidence of it not working equates to stupidity. Of course, management can help too: faster decisions, as well as extensive communication to let employees know of the reasons behind and evidence supporting decisions, need to happen ASAP. 7. Politics and professionalising the senior management layer. Some reviews have pointed to internal politics within the company, but the truth is that politics exist in every company, small or large. The good thing is that the two co-founders believe in hard-work and results, and nothing else when it comes to decisions related to employment. A likely by-product of their surgical training. Whether or not politics influence the views and actions of other senior managers is hard to say. All-in-all, the company needs a capable bunch of senior managers, with expertise and experience in healthcare, across all functions surrounding the two co-founders to help make more informed and timely decisions.
