Frans van Houten

Businessman

1960-04-26

Quotes by Frans van Houten

• We are addressing duplication and complexity. At the same time, we are investing more in research and development, speeding up the time to market of new innovations, and expanding our sales force in markets where growth is to be found, like Turkey, Russia, the Mideast, China, and southeast Asia.

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• The conventional way of selling products out of the catalogue no longer works; the relationship needs to become more sticky.

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• A siloed approach between suppliers doesn't really help hospitals well enough.

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• We are very optimistic about our opportunities in China. Our toothbrushes continue to sell very well, while the growth of private hospitals diminishes the risk of government preferring domestic suppliers.

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• Minimally invasive surgery is the way forward: the patient goes home the next day; there are fewer complications.

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• The computer can do a much better job than the human eye, as it is much more systematic in analysing tissues.

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• Even though we live in a fast-changing world with short term-ism all around, it requires years of determination to transform a company and structurally reap the rewards. Innovation companies need to set their sights on solving unmet needs - but this approach requires focus and long-term tenacity.

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• Like all major transitions in human history, the shift from a linear to a circular economy will be a tumultuous one. It will feature heroes and pioneers, naysayers and obstacles, and moments of victory and doubt. If we persevere, however, we will put our economy back on a path of growth and sustainability.

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• Government should create the environment and incentives to stimulate investment in sustainable innovation, take away barriers, and accelerate adoption, even in turbulent economic times.

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• I came back to Philips and quickly realised that the TV business had a major performance issue and some structural challenges. Rather than try to tweak it and sit things out, we said we had to go for a structural solution.

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• The agreement to acquire Volcano significantly advances our strategy to become the leading systems integrator in image-guided therapies.

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• We typically sell a catheter lab to a hospital, and it sits there for the next 10 years, and we don't visit the cardiologist on a daily basis. Volcano have a disposable business. They are in the cath lab on a daily basis.

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• Sustainable solutions based on innovation can create a more resilient world only if that innovation is focused on the health and well-being of its inhabitants. And it is at that point - where technology and human needs intersect - that we will find meaningful innovation.

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• It is vital that a company's culture shows a willingness to invest in employee wellbeing with no stigma or penalty attached to prioritising good health.

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• With access to professional coaching and support around the clock, patients will feel more empowered to manage their own physical wellbeing.

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