Medical Device made Easy Podcast

From Zero to One: Creating your Consulting Firm


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Guest: Stefan Bolleininger 

Title: From Zero to One: Creating your Consulting Firm 

Logo: Be on Quality  

Telling the story behind Be on Quality,  

the challenges for you,  

the way you did grow the business,  

the things you would do differently  

cost 

Sharing also the life of a CEO that did start this project.  

How many hours are you working,  

is it easy to disconnect,  

what are your fears....   AI 

What’s next for Be on Quality 

 

Link: 

Be on Quality:  https://www.be-on-quality.com/

Stefan Bolleininger Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-bolleininger-3a717028/

Quick recap 

Stefan shared his entrepreneurial journey from working in automotive quality management to founding and growing his medical device consulting company, which was later acquired by a French engineering firm and merged with his sister company in Switzerland. Through discussions with Monir about his business experiences, they explored topics including customer relationships, pricing strategies, and the challenges of managing company growth while maintaining quality and communication. Stefan emphasized the importance of taking risks, maintaining industry connections, and leveraging technology while emphasizing the value of human interaction in their field, particularly in the context of his company's recent acquisition and expansion. 

Next steps 

Stefan to continue leading Be on Quality through the merger with Volker group. 

Be on Quality team to expand services, particularly in AI implementation for medical devices and clinical trial areas. 

Stefan to maintain transparent communication with employees regarding company changes and future plans. 

Be on Quality to collaborate with sister company Be on Conception in Switzerland on combination products. 

Stefan to continue balancing work responsibilities with personal time, including occasional “beach visits”. 

Stefan to maintain regular revenue and project load calculations to mitigate fears about project availability. 

Stefan to focus on providing value and mentorship to senior consultants and business area leads. 

Be on Quality team to continue using AI as a tool to enhance work efficiency without replacing human expertise. 

Summary 

Journey to Medical Device Consulting 

Stefan shared his journey from working in automotive quality management to founding his own medical device consulting company, Be on Quality GmbH, after being encouraged by his mentor. He described how he grew the business through referrals and local connections in Nuremberg, where there are approximately 500 medical device companies. Stefan emphasized that taking risks is essential for growth, particularly when transitioning from freelance work to company ownership, and noted that his supportive wife's encouragement was crucial since he was the first entrepreneur in his family. 

Customer Retention Strategies in Medical Devices 

Stefan emphasized the importance of maintaining connections and visibility in their industry, highlighting that cold calling and direct knocking do not work effectively. He shared experiences of past customer relationships, including a challenging project where deliverables did not meet the client's expectations, leading to a contract that could not be salvaged. Stefan stressed the need for clear communication and alignment with customer expectations to ensure long-term customer retention, which is crucial in their competitive medical device regulatory market. Monir suggested a mechanism for filtering potential customers with a small initial project to assess compatibility and expectations, which Stefan acknowledged as a useful approach, especially for startups and small companies. 

Business Growth and Team Dynamics 

Stefan discussed his business challenges, including a difficult working relationship with a former colleague that led to a split, but emphasized that such challenges are part of growing a company. He reflected on how his company, which started in 2017 and began as a freelance business in 2013, has grown to 27 employees, with his team sometimes advising him to focus on organic growth rather than taking on new projects. Stefan noted that while MDR hasn't significantly accelerated his business, he finds working with technology and engineering companies most comfortable, though his team has expertise across various product types. 

Client Pricing and Documentation Insights 

Stefan and Monir discussed pricing challenges with clients, where Stefan noted that while some clients negotiate prices, none have shown negative emotions about pricing. They also discussed the high costs of notified bodies and the importance of creating high-quality technical documentation to reduce review rounds. Stefan shared his perspective as CEO of Be on Quality, revealing he works approximately 50 hours per week and enjoys his job, though he prefers the concept of office time and home time rather than work-life balance. 

AI's Role in Human Work 

Stefan shared his professional journey, particularly in housing and installation projects, and expressed concerns about the evolving nature of his role as the company grows. He acknowledged his fear of not being able to provide sufficient mentoring to his colleagues, despite his efforts to maintain a hands-on approach. Stefan also discussed his perspective on artificial intelligence, emphasizing its potential to enhance rather than replace human work, and highlighted the importance of human interaction in their industry. Monir encouraged Stefan to view AI as a tool to assist and inspire, rather than relying on it systematically for all tasks. 

Strategic Company Acquisition Success 

Stefan discussed the recent acquisition of his company by a larger partner, which he described as a strategic move to expand services and reach. He emphasized that the decision was made after thorough discussions with his team, who supported the merger despite initial concerns about changes. Stefan highlighted the importance of trust and open communication within the company, which he believes contributed to the successful transition. The acquisition has allowed his company to grow and make a bigger impact, with additional resources and expertise from the partner company. 

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Medical Device made Easy PodcastBy easymedicaldevice

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