Starting a business is a big achievement for many entrepreneurs, but maintaining one is the larger challenge. There are many standard challenges that face every business whether they are large or small. It is not easy running a company, especially in a fast-paced, ever-changing business world. Technology advances, new hiring strategies, and now, political changes coming with the new administration, all add to the existing business challenges that entrepreneurs, business owners, and executives have to deal with.
Maximizing profits, minimizing expenses and finding talented staff to keep things moving seem to be top challenges for both SMBs and large corporations. We have been interviewing companies from around the world to discover what challenges they are facing in their businesses. We also asked each company to share business advice they would give to a younger version of themselves.
Below is our interview with Wendy Lund, CEO at GCI Health:
What does your company do?
GCI Health is a full-service specialty healthcare communications company that works with a wide variety of healthcare companies to create programs that raise awareness about various health conditions and treatments. We also help companies raise their corporate visibility and become viewed as leaders in their space. We offer our clients innovative, creative and breakthrough programming that reaches their target audiences across print, broadcast, online and social media channels. We pride ourselves on being able to empower patients and make an impact on healthcare around the world. The agency is headquartered in New York and London, with offices throughout the U.S. and Europe.
What is your role? What do you enjoy most about your role?
I joined GCI Health as Chief Executive Officer in 2010. What I truly enjoy is the diversity and depth of the work we do, collectively, to educate people about their health and help our clients succeed in meeting their business goals. I am inspired and passionate about playing an integral part on communicating healthcare advances and bringing hope to patients in need. Just as important, I am committed to creating an agency that fosters a company culture based on collaboration and encouraging staff, from the most senior executives to those just starting out in their careers, to be creative, to think differently and dream bigger.
What are the biggest challenges in your business right now?
Over the last few years, we have grown significantly – both in terms of clients and staff – and to manage this growth, retaining and recruiting excellent talent has been a big challenge. It’s important that we find employees who excel in the healthcare field. Fortunately, we have been able to achieve a high level of retention through motivating, hands-on and fun engagement programs, as well as recruit a steady stream of sought-after talent based on our reputation in the industry for being a fantastic place to work. Our supportive work environment shines through at every step of the interview process, and we stress to potential candidates and everyone who works here that we believe in a company culture that promotes continuous learning, professional growth and a healthy work-life balance.
If you could go back in time, what business advice would you give to a younger version of yourself?
Be confident, be bold, be present. In our industry, we all have the requisite skills to succeed. But what makes individuals truly excel and stand apart is how they use these skills. Don’t be afraid to speak up and speak your mind. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. What’s most important is that you show your managers, your colleagues and your clients that you understand your business and theirs, and that you’re always thinking about how to help them succeed.