IN THENEWS

By Dr. Nihan Marun, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Sigma BioVet Sciences

Contact: nihan.marun@drnihan.com

The Key Lessons Learned at the Intersection of Science and Business

When I made the decision to step into the world of business, I never imagined the depth of lessons I would learn along the way. Science and business are not two separate worlds; they are intertwined, each feeding off the other, creating something much bigger than the sum of their parts. In my early days, I relied heavily on my scientific background, thinking it would be enough to navigate the business world. After all, science is grounded in evidence, logic, and experimentation. What could go wrong?

But soon, I realized that business isn’t just about data! It is about people, communication, style, relationships, and creativity. It’s about knowing how to apply the scientific principles to create real-world value. So, the data in the paper is not enough if it is only a theory.

Lesson #1: Science Without Business Is Incomplete

Science is big and it is powerful alone! But this does not mean you can always translate science into success in business. I could analyze data, interpret results, and create solutions, but I had to learn how to communicate scientific ideas effectively. Business taught me that understanding customers’ needs, developing a strategy, and managing resources were at least as necessary as the scientific results. In other words, if you don’t understand the market, the regulatory environment, and how to build the brand, even the most groundbreaking scientific discovery can fall short. Take science as the foundation, and create the business as a structure – they are good together!

Lesson #2: Failures Are the Best Teachers

It took a decade for me to accept failures as opportunities! In my early career days, any failure felt like the end of the world, at least the product or project. Then I looked back one day and realized that my failures have been my greatest teachers. After that day when something went wrong, I just saw it as an opportunity to adjust, learn, and grow. Remember that failure isn’t a reflection of your capabilities but a part of the journey. Enjoy and welcome them when they happen, then learn from, correct, and proceed.

Lesson #3: Small Steps Lead to Big Wins

One obvious outcome from my two decades of experience was: “Success rarely comes in a single leap. It usually is a series of small, intentional steps.” You can see how they become giant strides by taking small steps every day. Consistency is the key! Even a little something becomes a great buildup with consistent work, leading you to significant achievements.

Lesson #4: Build Strong, Meaningful Relationships

If you cannot be the queen or king of networking (like me, thanks to ADHD), immediately find one for yourself and love them so much! Focusing only on research, results, and data is easy and enough in the scientific world. But in business, relationships are everything. I learned that the success of my company was not just about the science behind the ideas and products; it was about the people I worked with, the connections I made, and the networks I built. Don’t make a big collection of new business cards! Focus on the collection of meaningful relationships with the people who challenge you, support you, and push you to grow. And be grateful to them – they are your true assets.

Lesson #5: Adaptability Is Key to Survival

If you ask me about a similarity between science and business, I say things will not go as planned, every time! An experiment might fail, but this is the beauty of science, right? We call it the ever-evolving process of learning and adapting! The same is true in business. No matter how carefully you plan, there will always be unforeseen challenges. The key is adaptability. When the market shifts or regulations change, being able to adjust your strategy is crucial. Thus, you must be flexible and open-minded, not to fear changing directions when necessary.

My Final Words

The corner of science and business streets is a joyful and solid place, but it requires more than just expertise in one area. It requires blending knowledge with creativity, data with people, and experimentation with strategy.

Most importantly, it requires resilience. Accepting failure is an essential part of the journey. Find the right people who would share their knowledge and experience with you. And most importantly, trust the process. Trust yourself!

You’ve got this!