The Future Is Now: “A precise GPS for the inside of hospitals” With Connexient CEO, Mark Green
By: Fotis Georgiadis
Tags: Leadership, Startup

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

I’ve been involved with growing start-ups in both healthcare and enterprise software throughout my entire career. My business partner, Joe Motta and I have a hospital wayfinding and graphic design business called GDS. As the proliferation of outdoor GPS platforms emerged (MapQuest, Google Maps and Waze), we innovated a mobile app called MediNav, it is a revolutionary solution for digital wayfinding in hospitals.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

The most interesting story of my career was when I was with the senior management team that sold Silknet Software to Kana Communications for $4.2B. At the time (2000) it was the second largest software acquisition ever. Since then, it’s been fun growing companies especially innovating with Connexient “Indoor GPS for hospital patients.”

Can you tell us about the “Bleeding edge” technological breakthroughs that you are working on? How do you think that will help people?

The bleeding edge technological breakthrough that we’re addressing at Connexient, include how to position and navigate someone on their smartphone inside a 5 million square foot hospital with multiple levels and several buildings. Our mission is to make the patient experience stress-free by providing blue dot turn-by-turn navigation.

How do you think this might change the world?

MediNav isn’t necessarily changing the world, but we’re contributing to the larger global navigation picture… indoor navigation is becoming just as important as finding your way outdoors. Hospitals are just one area Connexient is focusing on. Other companies are developing wayfinding apps for airports, stadiums, college campuses and malls. How many times have you gone to a new city or foreign country and typed your destination into Waze or Google Maps without thinking much about how difficult it used to be using Rand McNally Road Atlases? Now that’s an old school reference!

Keeping “Black Mirror” in mind can you see any potential drawbacks about this technology that people should think more deeply about?

There are always concerns about user privacy when dealing with mobile devices, but Connexient keeps everything anonymous. I don’t see this as a drawback because we don’t know who the end user is; we just help them get to where they need to go.

Was there a “tipping point” that led you to this breakthrough? Can you tell us that story?

The tipping point that led us to MediNav was realizing that people would come to expect the same type of mapping and navigation experience indoors, as they get outdoors. Using Google Maps or Waze while driving has become a way of life.

What do you need to lead this technology to widespread adoption?

Widespread adoption is in the works. We need to collaborate with our hospital clients on marketing strategies to promote the wayfinding app, once they’ve launched it on the app stores. We’re also integrating MediNav with EHR systems and appointment scheduling apps like Epic. That will increase the adoption of our solution significantly.

What have you been doing to publicize this idea? Have you been using any innovative marketing strategies?

We are building awareness through a host of marketing and PR strategies, including: digital and content marketing, social media, testimonials… we’re very proud of our Giving Tuesday initiative with Hackensack Meridian Health. We donated over 1,000 compassionate compression kits to be distributed to patients at Hackensack University Medical Center over the holidays beginning on Tuesday, November 27th (aka GivingTuesday). Compression socks increase circulation; decrease swelling and muscle soreness, while reducing the risk of DVT. This charitable act of kindness is an example of how we are giving the gift of compassion to patients alongside our largest customer. http://www.connexient.com/

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

My greatest mentor in life has been my father. He’s an accomplished person in academia who taught me the importance of hard work and a well-written thank you letter. From a business perspective, my mentor was Jay Wood, who was the CEO of Silknet software while I was VP of Sales. Now, he’s a filmmaker on the West Coast (aka Family Guy).

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?

I treat my employees with the same level of respect, as a client or someone in my family. I’m open to all ideas especially ones that help people, like our Giving Tuesday campaign with Hackensack (mentioned above in response #8). Connexient’s core values are closely aligned with my own: respect, gratitude, honesty, courage, integrity and excellence are the top five.

What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why. (Please share a story or example for each.)

Five things I wish someone told me before I started Connexient: it’s a marathon — pace yourself; anticipate challenges and set-backs — learn how to pivot; hire well and delegate; surround yourself with a skilled team of professionals; Stay true to your vision.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

If I could inspire a movement it would be to make education available to everyone. Whether that’s through formal academics or mentorship with a specific trade… I think many of the problems in our society could be solved with education and mentorship. I try to be a good mentor to my three adult children and my employees.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life,” — Steve Jobs.

How can our readers follow you on social media?

Readers can follow us on Twitter @Connexient and https://www.linkedin.com/company/connexient/

Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational.