Scientists as business people
6 July 2008Finished reading Craig Venters book, “A Life Decoded” the other day. What a great read. I heard Dr. Venter speak at the BIO 2008 meeting and was very inspired. I was very impressed with the passion and intensity that he found driving his life. It would be amazing if more people were able to discover something that they could be so passionate about.
What struck me though was his continued involvement in for profit companies as a CEO. While an obviously brilliant scientist and exceptional leader, Dr. Venter appears to be at heart a scientist intent on saving the world (which is an incredibly noble task). I’m curious why the money folks don’t partner him with experienced management, people who know how to lead and build companies as the pattern in his life is essentially do great research, form company, get fired from company, do more great research and repeat. I know that to be a great scientist requires a healthy ego and self-confidence and being a leader of a company developing cutting edge products and services does too. So maybe it’s possible to have them in the same person, but I just think what might be possible in terms of actually bringing innovative technology to the market if scientist and business people could find effective means of working together.
2 Responses to “Scientists as business people”
September 24th, 2008 at 2:21 am
I have seen some scientist especially in pahrama amd biotec field loosing there focus after becomign a CEO or running a company by themself.They knwo all the tricks to get grants and to fool in the name of reasearch and development.
December 1st, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I don’t know Craig Venter personally, but I’ve heard from a couple people that supposedly worked for him indirectly that he is big on taking credit and small on sharing the credit. They say from hearing him talk, you’d think he practically invented DNA.
He’s certainly a brilliant guy, but a glory hog.