Curiosity and Opportunity

CHANGE AGENTS Optimistic.Pragmatic. Alison Little’s vision for the future of the life ALISON LITTLE sciences keeps her focused on how to deliver the best Raising the Bar solutions with clients. or Alison Little, measuring results is about more than simply benchmarking; Getting to know... F successful results are created by thinking Alison Little forward and making sure everyone is raising the bar. TITLE: Principal, Advisory Industry Leader for Ms. Little is a principal at KPMG as the Life Sciences advisory industry leader for life sciences within COMPANY: KPMG LLP the management consulting practice special- EDUCATION: BS, Materials Science & izing in transformation. Her extensive expe- Engineering, Johns Hopkins University rience in delivering strategic transformation FAMILY: Parents; husband; two children initiatives from strategy through to solution implementation has helped lead many clients HOBBIES: Cooking, yoga, spending time with to achieve greater results. family and friends “A big part of my role is to bring together BUCKET LIST: Travel with family to see all the the diverse sets of skills within our firm to Wonders of the World help our clients tackle their most critical ASSOCIATIONS: Healthcare challenges,” she says. “Clients tend to engage us when they want to go into something new Businesswomen’s Association; Hopkins Alumni — whether that’s implementing a new tech- SOCIAL MEDIA: nology, launching a new product, or entering a new market. My role is to make sure we are Driven to innovate by anticipating the needs of our clients so we can help them navigate these challenges.” PharmaVOICE Her vision for the future of the life sciences CURIOSITY AND keeps her focused on how to deliver the best solutions for clients. She believes that the industry needs to look at the ways compa- of nies are working, the practices and processes companies have, its technologies and whether OPPORTUNITY companies are really geared to be successful in anxieties outside and rise to the challenge pressure to transform the overall healthcare the future. She has often said it is important to ahead. ecosystem is acute. think forward and think about how everyone is “I try to make sure that my teams are “I have a great vantage point on one of the raising the bar, not just simply benchmarking, engaged in setting a vision for success and most dynamic industry transformations which focuses on the past. for defining the plan to achieve that vision,” ever,” she says. “I am energized by the op- Ms. Little says her goal is to build a prac- Ms. Little says. “The visions that we create as portunity to work with great people and tice that is known for the insight and profes- a team reflect the diversity of thought of the great clients on some very exciting projects.” sionalism of her teams, the collaborative way team and each individual becomes personally She would like to see the industry and her company works, the quality of the work invested in the outcome. Then I give them healthcare system transformed to focus on product, and the value she and her teams de- the space they need to achieve the vision, and creating wellness rather than treating sickness. liver to clients. support when they need it.” Still, in the absence of that, there are very fea- “When working on transformational proj- Challenges, she says, are the norm. sible steps she believes can be taken to improve ects, there’s a balance between bold vision and “I try to get my clients and teams to expect the health and well-being of everyone. practical limits,” she says. “It’s important to the unexpected,” she says. “What’s critically “I would make sure that people — from set bold but achievable goals and have a plan important is for the whole team to commu- preschoolers to the elderly — have the knowl- that is aggressive but reasonable.” nicate when there’s an indication something edge to make healthy choices about food Colleagues sayCompliments Ms. Little stands out for her unforeseen is happening. Early warning and and exercise, and that everyone has access to ability to elevate the performance of a group early intervention minimizes the disruption. healthy food, housing, and safe communities that may not believe they are the right team. There are times when I may worry — privately that support making good choices,” she says. Sometimes a task is bigger than what a team — but I never panic. I gather the right people She credits her father and his compassion has tackled before, sometimes the team is to focus on the facts, evaluate the options, and and dedication as an attorney for providing her wounded from a past project that went poorly, we deal with it.” with professional inspiration. (c) PharmaLinx LLC. Rights do not include promotional use. For distribution or printing rights, contact [email protected] and sometimes the fear of failure paralyzes the Keeping her motivated is the potential “I have tried to bring the same kind of group. She understands that people need to for life-sciences companies to significantly compassion and dedication to my work as he have the support of their leader to park their improve the quality of life, and she says the did in his,” she says. 86 July/August 2016 PharmaVOICE CHANGE AGENTS BRION BRANDES Eye on the End Goal he best and most powerful strategic ership in his company and with the co-promo- solutions are uncovered through col- tion partners. Collaborative. T laboration, according to Brion Brandes. “Most of the time there were different He marshals resources, uses the expertise ideas and perspectives on how strategies and around him, and draws on his own experience tactics needed to be implemented,” he says. to solve customer challenges. “My approach was to always put the brand first “Talking and working closely with col- and do what was best for the business, which leagues helps me gain the most well-rounded ultimately resulted in the strongest business perspectives to be successful,” he says. “A decisions and highest sales growth.” collaborative approach will usually uncover He cites as career highlights quickly turn- that ‘ah ha’ moment, or, at a minimum, serve ing around a struggling business development Innovative. as confirmation to a well-planned and diverse department and leading his team to consec- Brion Brandes provides solutions in a positive, approach.” utive years of record-breaking sales resulting can-do fashion and combines outstanding Since joining the contract sales organiza- in 134% and 148% above annual goals and, business acumen with the ability to build long- tion Spectra BioPharma Selling Solutions, the secondly, being part of the Rezulin launch term relationships. commercial division of The Medical Affairs team at Parke-Davis, which was responsible Company as executive VP, business devel- for bringing to market one of the first new Getting to know... opment, Mr. Brandes has been tireless in his molecular entities to treat diabetes. Brion Brandes efforts to ensure Spectra was successful from His professional goals extend the approach the get go. The respect, trust, and relation- he has adopted throughout his career: to be TITLE: Executive VP, Business Development ships he has fostered over his 27 years in considered the best in the industry, to con- COMPANY: Spectra BioPharma Selling the pharmaceutical industry ensured Spectra stantly learn, continue to have the highest eth- Solutions was immediately included in numerous key ical standards, to focus on collaborationPharmaVOICE while pitches and considered a strong competitor in maintaining empathy, and build and maintain EDUCATION: BA, Technical Marketing, the marketplace trusted partnerships with all colleagues and University of Connecticut He earns the respect of his colleagues, business partners. of FAMILY: Wife, Lisa, and son, Benjamin, and peers, and business partners by focusing on The proof of success lies in an extensive brother-in-law, Alan M. Blassberg, whose service and what provides the best value to list of satisfied customers that are profitable award-winning documentary (Pink & Blue: pharmaceutical clients rather than focusing on and seeing consistent revenue growth. He Colors of Hereditary Cancer) on male and short-term financial goals, and he never loses has also been successful in leading teams to sight of being part of a process that ultimately achieve goals, while focusing on morale and female breast cancer has increased awareness improves the lives of people across the world. employee engagement, commitment and ded- about this devastating disease. HOBBIES: Golf, kayaking, tennis, UConn Driven to innovate by basketball BUCKET LIST: Visit all of the U.S. National Parks, whitewater rafting, golf at Pebble Beach, COMPLACENCY and learn to play the guitar Indeed, if resources were no barrier, he ication, employee retention, repeat business, AWARDS/HONORS: Top Business would want to find a cure for all forms of and trusted partnerships. Development Colleague multiple President’s cancer and tackle the challenge of providing Those who work with Mr. Brandes note and Director’s Club awards; named founding all Americans access to the most current medi- his warmth and ability to connect with others. member of Susan G. Komen North Jersey “Pink cines and treatments for their diseases. They are continually inspired by his creative Mr. Brandes recognizes that there is a thought process and ability to adapt to the Tie Guys” continuous need for innovation and transfor- ever-changing challenges facing the pharma- ASSOCIATIONS: Healthcare mational change to Complimentsnot only succeed but also ceutical industry. Businesswoman’s Association; University achieve revenue growth. Mr. Brandes leads by example by being of Connecticut Alumni Association; Board He thinks outside the box and always an- authentic, building strong personal relation- Member, Dover Faith Kitchen, Dover, N.J. alyzes customers’ specific situations to bring ships, being hands on, creating an environ- nontraditional thinking to solutions.

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