How Failure and Flexibility Can Spell Success in Medtech

After a brief hiatus from recording podcasts, it was a privilege to dust off the microphone and interview Kyle Frye. As U.S. president of SyntheticMR, Kyle is tasked with growing and expanding the brand and business in the U.S. for the Swedish-based company that is creating the future of quantitative MRI technology. Their innovative MRI software solutions support shorter exam times and deliver more information to clinicians, leading to improved diagnostic efficacies.

Prior to assuming this role in August 2019, Kyle was a Zone Vice President of Sales for Siemens. Before that, he held leadership positions at both niche and large medtech companies including Blue Belt Technologies (now Smith & Nephew), Verathon, and Brainlab. Kyle also worked for BioMedix for three years, working his way up from a sales rep driving 4–5 hours a day to Western Area Sales Director, which required relocation from metro Cincinnati to the San Francisco Bay area. Kyle received a B.A. degree in political science and finance from Northern Kentucky University in 2004.

Norbert Juist, an executive recruiter who specializes in medical device sales and marketing, joined me as a special guest for this interview with Kyle. He brings a unique perspective to this discussion, having worked as a sales rep and consultant in pharma and medtech for nearly 20 years prior to transitioning to recruiting.

Interview Highlights with Kyle Frye

• Why a competitive spirit and winning are important, but not the “be-all and end-all” to medical device success.

• How business failures have helped Kyle achieve success throughout his medtech career.

• Why focusing on people and relationships is crucial to a successful career path.

• Why communicating “the why” of career moves is key to landing new opportunities.

• How being flexible and willing to relocate can help advance your career, especially in the medtech space.

• The pros and cons of working for large vs. small companies.

• Why finding a happy medium between leaning in and letting go is essential for business and personal growth.

• How SyntheticMR is changing the treatment and diagnostic paradigm for brain MRIs through software AI.

• Kyle’s favorite business books, the importance of having a mentor, and the advice he would tell his 25-year-old self.