HBSQuarterly
Dear Reader,Welcome to another edition of the HBS Quarterly!
Like many of you, as this issue goes to print, HBS Consulting is preparing to attend MEDICA 2003. Primarily, we obviously try to visit our existing clients and try to acquire new ones. However, another important reason why our presence at the fair is quite extensive is the opportunity to learn about the new technologies and innovations of the healthcare industry. Thus we do not only send business developers like myself, but also analysts and consultants. It is our opportunity to help maintain our expertise of the market for which we are known.
This year MEDICA will be particularly exciting for us. The changing structures of the healthcare systems in Europe and increasing healthcare budget pressures has had a very healthy effect on the industry. The degree of innovation both in terms of new medical technology and service provision is at a level not seen for some time. In our assignments we have looked at incredible advances across all sectors, ranging from healthcare IT, diagnostic automation, robotic surgery to totally new concepts in wound care and wound closure. On the service side, we have helped to develop client-focused concepts for financing capital equipment, including leasing and pay as you go options. While this was born out of economic pressure, it has benefited healthcare providers, patients and the manufacturers. For example, the diagnostic markets have seen very little growth for years (except molecular diagnostics, haematology and diabetes) but the whole spectra of total laboratory automation is reinvigorating the market. Total laboratory automation will mean less staff costs and thus savings for the healthcare provider and innovative financing services will enable this equipment to be installed. Patients benefit form faster a diagnosis.
This illustrates that a challenging trading environment can present the biggest opportunities if one is willing to react innovatively to the situation and HBS Consulting will continue to help its clients in doing so.
I hope you find the articles in this issue interesting as they look at some of the opportunities that still lie ahead.
Finally, if you know someone who would like to receive a copy of the HBS Quarterly, please e-mail us the details and we will be delighted to include them on our mailing list.
Yours sincerely,
Rupert Houghton, Director of Business Development