Leaders

Using biology and electronics to improve people’s lives

Published

2 years ago

May 4, 2023

Matching the internal electrical stimulation and electronics to be able to improve people’s lives

When you think of companies leading the world in their field, the Bionics Institute is one that instantly comes to mind.

From developing medical devices and therapies that will change the lives of people living with conditions such as Alzheimer’s, to helping to create the bionic ear, the organisation has been at the forefront of medical technologies for over 30 years.

The organisation has grown so quickly – and so successfully – that it has given rise to three spin-off companies in the past six years.

“It’s a long process, you need to have very good research,” CEO Robert Klupacs told Ticker News Insight, detailing the process of how an idea goes from concept to reality.

“Once you get to the research phase, then it needs to be moved up the chain, you need to think about how you manufacture it, how to develop it, how you test it, it takes a lot of money.

“And it takes a lot of time. So research, for one of our companies was nine years of research before we could get to the commercialisation stage.

“And then it took another year to put it all together and put a company together.

“And six years later, it’s still a couple of years away from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.”

The organisation’s Chief Technological Officer and Head of Research Operations, Professor James Fallon, believes a culture of ‘failing safely’ needs to be adopted, as it is the correct approach for innovation.

“The real key is that we’ve got to be brave enough to fail,” Fallon detailed. “As with any innovation, there’s a risk of failing, I think we tend to be too conservative.

“We want to get devices into trial quickly – see if they work, and if and if they do, fantastic.

“And if they don’t, we turn around and we go again, bringing that experience back from industry in academia.”

The Bionics Institute recently completed a white paper, which revealed several key areas Australia could be doing better in order to achieve remarkable results on a world stage.

“We need to bring like-minded people together in clusters,” Klupacs continued. “Countries such as Israel, Germany, Sweden, Finland – they really support the young people from PhDs into their next phase of industry.

“In terms of the industry link with academia, people think Universities do research; Industry makes things. Actually, they should be much closer together, like in other parts of the world.

“And lastly, it’s how do we fund these things,” he said.

The Bionics Institute is holding an Innovation Lecture in Melbourne on Wednesday 17 May, 2023, bringing together med tech leaders to explore how Australia can accurately measure innovation, boost the med tech ecosystem and strengthen connections.

You can register via this link.

Leaders

Adapting to evolving media: trends, content, and strategy

Tom Webb highlights evolving media trends, emphasising long-form content and AI’s impact on brand visibility and marketing strategies.

Published

17 hours ago

April 22, 2025

Nathan Langridge

Tom Webb highlights evolving media trends, emphasising long-form content and AI’s impact on brand visibility and marketing strategies.

Media habits are shifting towards longer content like podcasts and YouTube, driven by consumer interests and generative AI. Tom Webb from Element Communications highlights the need for brands to adapt their marketing strategies to remain relevant in this changing landscape.

Podcasts and YouTube are significant contributors to this changing media landscape.

Generative AI is playing a role in media fragmentation and is redefining how brands are seen.

Today, effective marketing strategies are adapting by focusing on content and placing brands within relevant discussions.

Webb emphasises the necessity for brands to adapt to the evolving media environment.

Understanding these changes is essential for maintaining relevance in a crowded marketplace.

Leaders

Expert claims that leadership development enhances satisfaction, culture, and profitability

Leadership development enhances team performance and profitability by fostering alignment, self-awareness, and a healthy workplace culture.

Published

18 hours ago

April 22, 2025

Nathan Langridge

Leadership development enhances team performance and profitability by fostering alignment, self-awareness, and a healthy workplace culture.

Leadership development and executive coaching are essential for enhancing customer satisfaction and profitability.

Gearl “Jerel” Loden from Loden Leadership Consulting discusses the importance of starting with alignment and leading from one’s core.

True leadership begins with understanding one’s purpose, which enables leaders to effectively support their teams’ growth.

Leaders often dive into business decisions without realising the power of alignment, which can enhance effectiveness.

Loden highlights the necessity for leaders to adapt to diverse teams through the “platinum rule,” which emphasises treating team members according to their individual preferences instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.

Understanding team members’ needs boosts collaboration and strengthens team bonds.

For those interested in enhancing their leadership skills, Loden recommends visiting his website, Loden Leadership, where insights and resources are available for personal growth in leadership.

Loden’s expertise aims to prepare future leaders for the challenges ahead.

Leaders

Organisations prioritise cloud security amid rising cyber threats

Businesses must prioritise robust cloud security measures amid rising cyber threats, adopting proactive strategies and leveraging AI and blockchain advancements.

Published

18 hours ago

April 22, 2025

Nathan Langridge

Businesses must prioritise robust cloud security measures amid rising cyber threats, adopting proactive strategies and leveraging AI and blockchain advancements.

In Short

As businesses increasingly use cloud storage, data security is vital due to growing cyber threats. Craig Stockdale urges companies to adopt strong security measures and proactive approaches to protect sensitive information.

As more businesses adopt cloud storage, data security has become crucial due to rising cyber threats.

Craig Stockdale, Managing Director for ANZ at Wasabi Technologies, emphasises the necessity of choosing cloud storage solutions with strong security features to protect sensitive information.

Key security measures include encryption, access control, and continuous monitoring.

Stockdale highlights that Australian businesses face increased risks from cyber threats such as ransomware, phishing, and data breaches.

He advocates for a proactive security approach involving regular audits and employee training.

Additionally, businesses must ensure that third-party vendors adhere to the same security standards, supported by robust contractual obligations and ongoing risk assessments.

Looking ahead, Stockdale believes that advancements in AI and blockchain could significantly enhance data protection, providing new methods for real-time threat detection and securing data through decentralised verification.

The imperative is clear: as technology continues to advance, so must the strategies employed for safeguarding valuable data.