Accuray
Dr. John R. Adler, Jr., launched his first enterprise in 1987, when he invented the CyberKnife System, a robotic surgical tool that uses image-guided computer systems to eradicate tumors throughout the body. With highly concentrated amounts of radiation, the tool can noninvasively ablate tumors almost anywhere in the body. With this technology, Dr. Adler went on to found Accuray Incorporated in 1990. Nine years later, the FDA approved the usage of CyberKnife Systems for treatment of head, neck and upper spine tumors; today it is approved in Europe, Japan, Korea and the United States for use in treating tumors throughout the body.
Dr. Adler served as Accuray's Chief Executive Officer from 1999 to 2002, and as the Chief Medical Officer up until 2007. He founded the CyberKnife Society in 2002 and served as its President until 2009. Presently, Dr. Adler serves as a member of the Accuray Board of Directors.
Educated at Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Adler completed his residencies at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, both in Boston. He also completed a radiosurgery fellowship at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. Today, Adler is the Dorothy and Thye King Chan Endowed Professor of Neurosurgery at Stanford Medical School.
Related Links: http://accuray.com/
Last Updated: Tue, Jan 12, 2010
Dr. John Adler, Jr. and John "Trip" Adler III discuss their entrepreneurial experience and evolution as a business leader: For Dr. Adler, he describes his bumpy course in developing his biotechnology company, Accuray Incorporated; for his son Trip, he emphasizes the persistence and luck in developing Scribd, a social publishing site. Despite building companies in different fields, the two offer the same central advice necessary in building a successful company: trust yourself, have common sense, and there are no rules.
John Adler and Trip Adler discuss their entrepreneurial experience and evolution as business leaders: John Adler describes his bumpy course in developing his biotechnology company, Accuray Incorporated; while his son Trip emphasizes the need for persistence and confidence in developing Scribd, a social publishing site. Despite building companies in different fields, the two offer the same central advice toward building a successful business: trust yourself, focus on developing a great product, and remember that there are no rules.
Acuray founder John Adler laughs and says his free-spirited son, Trip Adler, couldn't have done anything aside from becoming an entrepreneur. "Entrepreneurs have no rules," he points out. One piece of advice he does give his son: Never give up the title of CEO. It's one of the hardest things to learn, he confesses. Trip Adler, CEO of Scribd, concurs. He explains that in many cases, it is the founder who is able to provide the vision to effectively direct product development.
"It wasn't luck, we were just doing things right," asserts Scribd founder Trip Adler. In this clip, Adler explains that luck can come to any entrepreneur who works hard and remains persistent in trying to reach his or her goal. 
Do successful entrepreneurs know they're using the right methods as they build their companies, or do they only realize it in hindsight? Trip Adler, founder/CEO of Scribd, explains that he did know he was taking the best approach at the time. He adds that entrepreneurship is a learned skill like any other, and that persistence pays off.
Accuray founder John Adler asserts "you can tweak culture at the margins, but ultimately the culture stems from your belief in the product." He echoes the sentiments of his son Trip Adler, CEO of Scribd, who says that product development should remain the top focus at all times.
Just go for it, advises Scribd founder Trip Adler. If you want to start a company, he continues, you just have to do it; you'll learn as you go. John Adler, founder of Accuray, agrees wholeheartedly, encouraging new entrepreneurs to resist feeling intimidated. Founding a company "calls for decision and bold action." While the lack of constraints and benchmarks can be daunting to the new entrepreneur, it also opens up great opportunities.
A surgeon and a CEO are nothing alike, observes Accuray founder John Adler. A surgeon, he explains, gives orders in the operating room; a CEO must persuade those in the boardroom to follow him. This difference in culture was a big surprise, recalls Adler, and took time to adjust to. Learning to persuade others is, in his view, a big part of the leadership process.
Given a choice between an MBA and a degree in a technical domain, which affords the best preparation for a entrepreneurial leadership role? Both Accuray's John Adler and Trip Adler of Scribd agree that for an entrepreneur planning to start a technology company, a degree in science or engineering provides the necessary edge for success.
"Trust your vison," exclaims Accuray founder John Adler. In a lively discussion with his son and fellow entrepreneur Trip Adler of Scribd, the two expand on the idea that ultimately no one knows your company better than you.. Though there's no shortage of advice from those older and more experienced, both agree that trusting your instincts and making your own mistakes are vital parts of the learning process for a new entrepreneur.
"Listen to users too much, you build a bad product," believes Scribd's Trip Adler. While analytics data can provide helpful information, he cautions that if you listen only to feedback from the most vocal users, you risk building a product that will appeal to a small niche market. Accuray founder John Adler agrees -- listen to your users, but base your decisions on your own vision for your product.