Kevin Erdner is Senior Director of Product Management at Labcorp, with previous roles in the media and healthcare industries, notably at West Penn Allegheny Health System and Philips Healthcare.
In a conversation, Erdner discusses how lessons from improv comedy, such as adopting a 'yes, and' culture, have influenced his approach to product management.
Transitioning from the media to healthcare industry was driven by his passion for problem-solving and innovation in a sector where he could make a meaningful impact on people's lives.
Adapting to the healthcare industry involved a shift towards regulatory compliance-focused KPIs, outcome-driven metrics, and the complexity of integrations and market composition.
Lessons from the media industry, especially avoiding inside-out thinking and prioritizing user value, have influenced Erdner's approach to product strategy in healthcare.
Erdner emphasizes the importance of putting the patient at the forefront of product priorities and efficiently navigating regulatory requirements while adding user value.
Implementing strategies from improv comedy into business, Erdner promotes a culture of creativity, out-of-the-box thinking, and creating a safe space for idea generation within his team.
Encouraging a balance between fostering a fun, creative environment and meeting end goals, Erdner believes that a team that enjoys their work performs better and remains focused on their purpose, especially in the healthcare sector.
Specializing in 'disruptive change,' Erdner discusses trends in healthcare like AI adoption, patient-centric models, and outcomes-based reimbursement, and empowers his team to embrace technological advancements while ensuring solutions address real problems.
By focusing on educating his team on AI capabilities and ethical considerations, Erdner envisions solving impactful problems in healthcare with innovative solutions and disruptive changes.
Erdner's experiences showcase the intersection of improv comedy principles, healthcare product management, and innovative thinking, highlighting the importance of balancing creativity, compliance, and user-centric solutions.