William Standwill

I am a commercial strategist who partners with diagnostics and medtech companies to prepare for launch and growth. I serve on the RIT Executive Advisory Board for Applied Critical Thinking and as a Harvard Business Review Advisor.

1.  How do you use Applied Critical Thinking in your professional practice, teaching, or research, and what are your favorite resources?

In consulting, applied critical thinking is the lens I use to validate data, pressure-test strategies, and align teams on execution. My go-to resources include industry publications, scientific journals, and structured decision frameworks like SWOT, MRD/MVP, and scenario planning.

2. Why do you think Applied Critical Thinking is important in your domain or role?

Diagnostics and medtech are high-stakes fields where errors in strategy or execution can delay life-saving tools from reaching patients. Critical thinking ensures decisions are grounded in evidence and market need, not assumptions or hype.

3. Can you share a story where quality Applied Critical Thinking was key to your success?
 
When advising a company on whether to expand into Europe, I combined reimbursement data, regulatory timelines, and competitor positioning to build a scenario model. The analysis helped them pivot resources toward a faster U.S. launch, saving millions and accelerating market entry.

4. How do you use Applied Critical Thinking in other areas of your life outside of your profession?
 
I apply it in parenting—encouraging my 16-year-old son to weigh options, ask better questions, and not accept the first answer. It’s a lifelong skill, not just a professional one.

5. Any last critical thoughts you wish to share? 
 
Critical thinking is the bridge between information and wisdom. In a world overwhelmed with data, the ability to pause, evaluate, and synthesize is more valuable than ever.