Industry Spotlight: Scott Rogers, EHOB, Inc

OWM: Please describe the education, training, and work experiences that prepared you for your current position as President and COO of EHOB, Inc.   Before joining EHOB, I worked in the telecommunications industry after graduating from Notre Dame with degrees in economics and pre-law. In 1993, I was brought on as EHOB’s Vice President of Sales to help restructure the department and expand our sales footprint domestically. My extensive training in sales and experience with small- to medium-sized companies and major accounts helped us put together the structure for EHOB’s sales distribution strategy that is currently in place.   More recently, I spent 4 years focused on the international growth of our company, working to further expand our products’ presence in Western Europe and China. In 2000, I assumed my current role as President and COO, carrying on the tradition of our family-run business and expanding my responsibility in all facets of the company. OWM: Why did you choose to take a leadership role with EHOB, Inc?   I’ve always been an entrepreneur to some degree, and I enjoy the challenge of constructing and building departments. I found I was losing the entrepreneurial spirit in my years in the large, corporate world; joining EHOB in its early stages as an executive presented the daily challenges and rewards I was seeking. OWM: What do you like most about working there?   Working with EHOB allows me to see the direct fruits of my labor, and it is rewarding for me to know I am making a difference within the organization and, most importantly, with the hospitals and patients using our products. It’s also a pleasure to work with so many wonderful individuals for as long as I have. We are fortunate that the tenure of the majority of our employees is 10 or more years. This undoubtedly brings to life a company culture that breeds opportunity and is filled with passionate employees. OWM: What makes you the most proud of EHOB, Inc and its employees?   I am extremely proud to see the environment we have built — one that is stable and encourages long, meaningful careers in the business of healthcare. It is common for employees to think the grass is always greener on the other side, but our working environment reaffirms the fact we treat our employees with the utmost respect, provide them with growth opportunities, and challenge them on a daily basis. In addition, we echo the benefits of EHOB not only externally, but internally as well, by providing our employees access to great health benefits, wellness programs, and more. OWM: What are some of the company’s biggest accomplishments thus far?   EHOB’s major accomplishments include:      • Moving EHOB from a regional to an international company operating in the United States, Canada, China, and Western Europe      • Witnessing the power of our clinical benefits and education initiated by founder Dr. James G. Spahn and seeing the value it has brought to our brand      • Opening a new office in Shanghai, China      • Growing our staff to more than 100 employees since our founding      • Maintaining growth while staying small enough to be flexible and match our products with the needs of patients in a timely manner OWM: What differentiates EHOB, Inc from its competitors?   First and foremost, product quality and economic value serve as our major differentiators. There certainly are products at higher and lower price points in the market, but the versatility, affordability, ease of use, and clinical effectiveness associated with our WAFFLE Brand Products certainly puts us in a category of our own. Next is the clinical education on which our company was built and that still guides the company today. When the company was founded in 1986, our products were originally developed by a surgeon with decades of first-hand experience and extensive training in soft tissue survival. This expansive knowledge that is unique to EHOB is continuously demonstrated in all area of the business, including R&D, customer training, and our independent clinician program. Finally, we would not be where we are today without our dedicated sales team. We are fortunate to have passionate, long-time sales representatives, resulting in a stable sales environment that fosters trust for facilities and end users. OWM: What is the biggest challenge you face working in the realm of wound care?   Like many in our industry, the biggest challenge facing EHOB today is the uncertainty surrounding the Affordable Care Act. In today’s landscape, we know we could be working with a 500-bed facility that has to make major changes, ultimately altering the existing dynamic they have with our company. Because priorities are changing rapidly, we must be ready to change our approach quicker than we have ever had to in the past and be sure we are present among the facilities’ C-suite. Another major challenge facing the wound care market is the unprecedented number of people in the aging population. With that said, finding the means and resources to service them in both the home and long-term care markets will remain a challenge. We know the numbers will result in many being cared for in the home, so we want to be sure they are equipped with our pressure ulcer prevention products for the proper level of care. OWM: In what direction would you say the industry is moving?   When analyzing today’s landscape and looking to the industry’s future, I believe economic value will become the most important factor in the realm of wound care products. Due to the looming uncertainty, this one factor will be the focus of all facilities when it comes to product selection and implementation. It will be integral to success for companies to be visible across all segments of a facility and to ensure caregivers and executives alike are fully aware of the competitive advantage your products provide. OWM: How does EHOB, Inc remain competitive in the wound care field?   EHOB continues to perfect what it is we do so well in creating affordable, effective, and easy-to-use products for the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers across the continuum of care. We make it our first priority to properly communicate the economic benefits and clinical outcomes associated with our WAFFLE brand products to the appropriate levels of the healthcare organization. Additionally, we have been successful at implementing consistent and immediately accessible customer service. OWM: What is the company doing to give back as far as corporate social responsibility or sustainability efforts?   To give back, our company champions work with Central Indiana nonprofits and organizations to impact the community surrounding our global headquarters. Goodwill Industries International is very important to us — we outsource a portion of our product preparation to a group of nearly 16 individuals who have experienced hard times and are trying to re-enter the workforce. To keep our manufacturing business completely in the US and maintain our growth accordingly, we also outsource components of our product manufacturing to local partner, Mt. Olive Manufacturing. Additionally, we lend our support to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, local youth sports, and more.