The concept of “leaning in” has generated a lot of discussion recently. This discussion was spurred by Sheryl Sandberg’s book about women in the workforce, titled Lean In. I have yet to read Sandberg’s book, but I’ve long embraced the concept of “leaning in” when it comes to change and uncertainty. If you own a […]
Partnerships in Clinical Trials: Exclusive 20% Discount for Rebar Blog Readers
The 22nd annual Partnerships in Clinical Trials is quickly approaching. It will be held at the Orlando World Center Marriott on April 21-24, 2013. The Partnerships team has graciously offered to provide Rebar Interactive blog and newsletter readers with a 20% discount. To receive the discount, all you need to do is use the discount […]
The Gamification of Clinical Trials: What’s Next?
Clinical Trials. Games. One of these things is not like the other. How can they possibly go together? Clinical trials are a very serious business. And games are, well, games. Do games really have serious applications? Here’s a quick story. Gamification in Business The success of Linkedin, as a social network, hinges on its ability […]
The 6 Best Rebar Interactive Blog Posts of 2012
What a great year it has been! In 2012, far more so than 2011, I have noticed increasing industry openness to clinical trial innovation. This new industry sentiment is one that I find very exciting. However, (true) innovation is about more than sentiment or talk. Ultimately, innovation requires action. It’s about trying new things. It’s […]
Disruptive Innovations To Advance Clinical Trials: A Social Recap
Social media is one of the best tools clinical researchers can use to stay competitive. Sure, social media carries challenges for patient recruitment. But even if you have significant concerns about social media in a recruitment context, it is not to be ignored entirely. That would be a mistake. Or to quote Vivian in Pretty […]
Disruptive Innovations to Advance Clinical Trials: Thoughts & Themes
If you are often frustrated by the pace of progress in clinical trials, there’s hope. Or at least that’s my feeling after attending the 2nd annual Disruptive Innovations to Advance Clinical Trials conference in Boston. It was a truly refreshing experience. And given the frustrations we face in clinical trials, I certainly welcome any opportunity […]
My Awesome Cajun Code Fest Experience (And What It Means For Clinical Research)
At 8am on Friday morning, I anxiously sat around a table with a group of people I had just met. I’d be spending the next 48 hours with them, and I had no idea what to expect. The event would be unlike anything I’d ever experienced. But I knew one thing. It would be extremely […]
Can “Keystone Habits” Create Pharma Innovation?
As I was recently browsing my Linkedin feed, I saw a PharmExec article titled “Innovation: Why is Pharma Scared to Death?” The article had this to say about pharma’s innovation problem: The missing ingredient is courage. (And no, it’s not because the FDA won’t let companies be courageous. Being a regulated industry selling serious products […]
Is Pfizer’s Virtual Clinical Trial Model a Failure?
In a recent article in Outsourcing Pharma, Nick Taylor detailed a big setback to Pfizer’s virtual clinical trial. According to Miguel Orri, senior director of clinical sciences at Pfizer, “it didn’t recruit.” Orri added, “problems stemmed from a failure, possibly caused by the team’s regulatory focus, to appreciate what patients need.” Are we to conclude […]
Digital Marketing for Patient Recruitment: 4 Benefits and 3 Challenges
Though still in relative infancy, digital media has significantly impacted the business world. It led to the meteoric rise of companies like Google and Facebook. And it’s also responsible for the struggles of Kodak, a once iconic (and seemingly invincible) brand. No one can predict exactly what changes digital media will bring next. But one […]
