Month: April 2023

It’s a team game – what we can learn from sporting principles to get the win

by Matt Wheeler |

I think of myself as a pretty straightforward sort of person – and perhaps a fairly predictable one!

During the week, you’ll find me at my desk, working on all kinds of different medical communications projects. At the weekend, I am almost certainly indulging my love of sports – generally observing, although I’m hoping to get back on the squash court soon. My absolute favourite place to be is at Franklin’s Gardens, home of the Northampton Saints rugby side.

The truth is that there is plenty in common between agency and sports teams. We have to be able to work in synergy to achieve a common goal, we have to be focussed, we have to communicate, and we have to have effective leadership.

If you’re a fan of tortured metaphors, then please do continue on…

Training

“If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.”

Mark Spitz, 9-time Olympic champion swimmer

In the project run up, we get ready. We work to get the brief exactly right, make sure the project team is well constructed and has the right experience to deliver, and know what an ideal performance looks like.

3pm on a Saturday – (or hopefully not)

“Do you know what my favourite part of the game is? The opportunity to play.”

Mike Singletary, former linebacker and head coach in the NFL

This is the fun bit – the opportunity to ‘do what we do’, whether we’re crafting the beautifully-written claim, designing the perfect ad, or building a website with the best UX – we all want to put our best work on tape, and on the field.

Half time – no time for the hairdryer

“Champions keep playing until they get it right.”

Billie Jean King, former world No. 1 tennis player and pioneer for equality and social justice

So, the draft is back from review, and it’s time to push the project through to the end. We need to understand what’s happened so far, make any tactical adjustments and get ready for the next steps. The team needs to know the plan for the second half, and the leaders need to make sure that morale stays high.

The last five minutes – it’s money time

“Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.”

Dean Karnazes, ultra endurance athlete

The end of the project can sometimes be the hardest part – the team has given their all, and the ‘final whistle’ is approaching. It’s vital to stay switched on and give the last bit of effort needed to get over the line.

Post-match – collecting the corner flags

“I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Michael Jordan, world renowned basketball player

Before we can move on, we need to learn any lessons we can for the next go around. It’s easy to see where to improve when you lose, but the best teams strive to learn from their victories too.

So, a tortured metaphor, and not a totally original one – what’s my point?

Nowadays, in top level sport, coaches have access to vast amounts of sport science data, and can watch their players out on the field, giving them the information they need to optimise performance.

For agencies working in remote teams, that kind of immediate feedback can be harder to come by. Effective communication is paramount in helping all members of the team deliver their best – whether it’s veterans coaching up the newer recruits, or if the manager needs a lift from their charges after a challenging couple of weeks. It’s something we work hard at, no matter the stage of career or job title, whether it’s through regular catch-ups, or providing concise and actionable feedback.

Working in that kind of environment leads to success – and some trophies on the mantelpiece. It’s no coincidence that we have that kind of award-winning squad at Makara – talented players, of course, but supported by a set-up designed so that we can flourish: working remotely physically, but very much part of a team.

Precision Value & Health Acquires Makara Health, Expanding the Company’s Footprint and Communications Capabilities in Europe

PRESS RELEASE |

Bethesda, Md., April 12, 2023 — Precision Value & Health, the industry leader in delivering complementary, integrated and specialized capabilities across the commercialization continuum, today announced that it has acquired Makara Health, a UK-based international healthcare communications agency. The move will expand Precision’s European footprint and reinforce the company’s market growth position with its core capabilities in Europe. Founded in 2013, Makara has capabilities in learning and development, medical and patient education, PR and brand promotion, offering its diverse roster of healthcare client companies high-quality, strategic, scientifically robust programs, as well as creative delivery solutions.

With this acquisition, Makara becomes part of the Precision Value & Health team. The Makara team will work closely with PRECISIONscientia, an agency dedicated to delivering medical and scientific communications that expertly interpret and translate the science of medicine.

Broadening the reach of our services in Europe is one of Precision Value & Health’s focused strategies in order to extend our offering to more organizations and healthcare clinicians around the world,”

“Ensuring scientific rigor and accuracy for those responsible for the care of patients is a business imperative for Precision and Makara’s proven track record beautifully complements our offerings.

Doug Fulling, president of Precision Value & Health.

The acquisition of Makara further enhances Precision Value & Health’s ability to offer pharmaceutical clients in Europe culturally aligned programs, along with tailored senior support to achieve their business objectives.

In considering this move, it was very important for us to align with the right company – one that shared our values and would ensure that Makara would continue to offer clients fresh and robust thinking from an experienced and talented team,”

“We are excited to say that we have found this with Precision Value & Health, a company that shares our approach and our belief in the scientific story as the foundation of every pharmaceutical brand.

Louise Sharp, founder and chief executive officer of Makara Health.

Given Precision’s breadth of commercialization experience, from market intelligence platforms to value and access solutions, the integration of Makara into Precision Value & Health will provide European customers a broader array of services from Precision, bringing more comprehensive and compelling support for clients worldwide.

About Precision Value & Health

Precision Value & Health is engineered to bring specialized expertise to every juncture of the innovation and commercialization continuum. With teams harnessing data-driven evidence and leveraging real-world experience, Precision Value & Health partners with life science companies to establish and communicate the clinical, economic, and humanistic value of innovative therapies. Our commercialization capabilities include global pricing and market access strategy, investor relations and ESG solutions, healthcare communications and marketing, evidence generation and strategy, medical and scientific communications, managed-markets marketing, and data-driven analytics and insights. Precision Value & Health is shifting the trajectory and accelerating your success. Visit www.precisionvaluehealth.com.

About PRECISIONscientia: “Your Science Is Our Responsibility”

Founded in 2002, PRECISIONscientia is an authority in interpreting and communicating the science of today’s cutting-edge therapies. With more than 230 employees who have experience in virtually every therapeutic area, PRECISIONscientia provides scientific and medical marketing, medical affairs, and training solutions to pharmaceutical and biotech clients. PRECISIONscientia was founded with the simple belief that the scientific story is the foundation of every pharmaceutical brand. As a result, it seeks out business professionals who deeply understand science and are committed to perfection, superior results, and relationships that transcend brands and companies. To learn more, visit www.precisionscientia.com/ or follow us on LinkedIn. Learn more about current openings by visiting our careers page.

About Makara Health 

At Makara Health, everything we do is informed by integrity, intelligence, and kindness. Set up with an agile model from the start, Makara brings together the brightest minds in the industry to work in partnership with our clients to ask the right questions, explore the possibilities, and inspire change.

Our highly experienced team come from a range of diverse backgrounds enabling us to offer clients tailored programmes that encompass elements from our five main offerings: Medical Education, Learning and Development, Brand and Promotion, PR and Communications, and Patient Education. From the smallest project to the largest programme, we care about delivering the highest quality strategy, outputs, and outcomes, supporting our clients as part of their wider team. At Makara, as soon as we’re in, we’re all in.

US Media Contact:
Kelly Wilder
Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
kelly.wilder@precisionmedicinegrp.com 

UK Media Contact:
Beth Gaffey
Media Contact
+44 (0) 7884 318 976
Bethan.Gaffey@PrecisionVH.com