Devices & Diagnostics, Health IT, Startups

Beware Pollyanna entrepreneurs: GE Healthcare Global Health Services CEO is a fan of balanced pitches

GE Healthcare has been a major force in supporting innovation in healthcare. One example is […]

GE Healthcare has been a major force in supporting innovation in healthcare. One example is a three-year collaboration with Startup Health that began last year as part of its Healthymagination program. Through the program, it set aside $6 billion to develop and invest in innovations that improve the quality of healthcare and make it more accessible globally.

Mike Swinford is GE Healthcare’s President and CEO for Global Healthcare Services. He’s delivering a keynote talk at the MidAmerica Healthcare Venture Forum. It’s set for April 22-23 in Chicago.

The event unites active investors with corporate business development executives to facilitate investment opportunities with promising Mid-America-based startups. It also highlights emerging innovation and technology dealflow that begins in the Midwest.

To give readers a better sense of the speakers in the run-up to the conference, we asked them each the same four questions.

Be sure to register for the event — there’s still time — and join our LinkedIn group for the event.

Who influenced you to get involved in healthcare and/or investing?

I have worked for GE Healthcare for 21 years. I joined GE on a corporate program and fell in love with the healthcare business and industry given the purpose we all share — to help people.

What do you think is the most important change happening in healthcare today?

Real reform, not just payment reform. The global healthcare dynamics are demanding more and better care at a lower cost. Information, technology, cloud, mobility, social, etc. It’s all coming together to change healthcare.

What is your biggest pitch pet peeve or what’s the most bizarre press pitch you’ve ever received?

I’m not fond of presentations that are overly positive without the balanced perspective of what isn’t such a good story. I question/doubt when a story is only good.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to an entrepreneur?

Effective communication is often the difference between success and failure — even more than innovation. Clear, articulate, outcome-based, energizing and inspiring communication is absolutely a differentiator.

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