Abstract
Thomas moves to Colombia. He teams up with Daniel to create an Internet platform on which hospitals, clinics, and doctors from Colombia can offer their services to patients from the US. The promotion of medical tourism is a priority for the local government. Thomas decides to outsource the design and programming of Flyclinic’s Internet platform. This proves to be challenging. The initial launch of the website is delayed by eight months, and making hospitals and clinics sign the contract for use of the platform proves to be difficult. This causes Thomas to rethink the business model. Thomas questions whether the health-care providers in Colombia are interested in medical tourism at all. Flyclinic eventually enters into what Thomas calls a “starvation mode.”
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Notes
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Hospitals provide treatment with specialized medical and nursing staff focusing on inpatients that stay overnight or for an indeterminate period of time. Clinics are places where a doctor analyzes patients, prescribes medicine, and provides instructions for medications. Clinics usually focus on outpatients that stay within the institution for less than 24 hours (Wikipedia n.d.).
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Appendix: Curriculum Vitae of Thomas Treutler
Appendix: Curriculum Vitae of Thomas Treutler
Thomas Treutler: Experienced Executive and Entrepreneur
Summary
Strategic and performance-focused executive with 15+ years of experience in various industries in Europe, the US, and South America. Expert in leveraging global resources, capabilities, and relationships to gain an advantage when developing highly effective interdisciplinary professional networks. Motivational leader known for clearly defining mission and goals, aligning people and resources, and consistently delivering results that exceed expectations. In-depth knowledge of local cultures. Thorough understanding of complex intercultural business transactions. Fluent in Spanish, English, and German.
Specialties: General management, global business development, performance optimization, strategic planning, P&L responsibility, corporate administration, crisis management, budgeting and finance, cleanroom markets and pharmaceutical production, open innovation and commercialization, research and development, intercultural negotiations, technical sales, project management, sustainability strategy.
Experience
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Lecturer at Universidad EAFIT/Medellin (Colombia): January 2000–Present
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CTO at Berkshire Corporation (Great Barrington, MA, USA): July 2007–June 2013 (6 years)
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Led development of new products in key technological areas
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Implemented new technologies, taking advantage of global interdisciplinary team
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Increased visibility of technological expertise in the industrial sector
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Developed groundbreaking technology patent
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Advisor to CEO since 2013
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Sales Manager Europe at Robert Bosch GmbH (Stuttgart/Germany, Detroit/USA, Tokyo/Japan, Madrid/Spain): July 2003–June 2007 (4 years)
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Led global team, responsible for 42M USD in tier 1 sales
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Successfully developed and implemented strategy for technology rollout in the North American automotive market
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Supported Global Board of Directors in 1B USD litigation and won
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Education
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Universität Leipzig (Germany): PhD, Physics, Chemistry, Nanotechnology, 1997–2002
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Activities and Societies: Leo Club, Lions Club Leipzig
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Leipzig University (Germany): MA (Diplom), Physics, 1991–1997
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Keele University (England): Semester Abroad, Physics, Organizational Behaviour, 1995
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Lund University (Sweden): International Internship, Physics, 1993
Source: LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-treutler
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Fuerst, S., Torkkeli, L. (2019). The Rise and Fall of an International New Venture: The Case of an Online Medical Tourism Platform. In: Reyes-Mercado, P., Larios Hernández, G. (eds) Reverse Entrepreneurship in Latin America. Palgrave Pivot, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94466-1_2
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