Behind the Grin | Innovation with Yarden Eilat

Imagining What’s Possible & Making It Happen

At Grin, I have to (humbly) say that I have the coolest job: Director of Innovation. Sounds great, right? But what does it mean? Working within a company that’s redefining the dental category through technology, I spend most of my time building proof-of-concepts and demonstrating what is possible. My goal is to plot a vision and take our products to the edge of possibility, enabling our customers to receive the best treatment, experience, and value.

With every investigation I embark on, I always keep in mind that Grin is customer-obsessed: everything we do is in service to everyone in our ecosystem. So, while I’m thinking big, I often ensure that I’m zeroing in on implementations that align with Grin’s values.

Lean Startup Methodologies

I’ve learned that one change can lead to a waterfall of other ideas. ​​I begin to work through these solutions while also considering other opportunities/products/concepts that may arise from any of these changes. I learn something like that by asking questions about reality through experimentation. Specifically, I implement the Lean Startup method by working in fast Build-Measure-Learn cycles. Each cycle is designed to answer a specific question about reality, and the experiment can encompass a wide range of topics, including changes to the product, running simulations, or even just a back-of-the-envelope calculation. Complementary to my BSc in physics I also hold a BSc in Engineering so I’m able to take abstract concepts of physics and think about how they can become reality. I’m also a tinker and 3D printing fanatic, so along with my questions, I can prototype in real-time. Following the breadcrumbs for the path of least resistance can yield some of the most profound results.

For example, while embarking on a PD project for our Grin Scope, I ask the questions of reality and possibility while continuously assessing Grin’s value-based parameters:

• User experience: Is it easy to use?
• Utility: Is it being used as intended?
• Output quality: Are we providing the best intraoral teeth frames?
• Extra value add: can we change the way people think and care for their oral health?

Begin Innovating

When I initiate an innovation cycle, I start by asking a series of questions about the product, the market, technology, and other relevant factors. Then, I run experiments to answer the questions that I asked from the outset. However, every time I get to the Learn phase, I pay extra close attention. From my experience, at this stage, I often find answers to other questions that I wasn’t initially asking. All of a sudden, the door is open for exponentially more directions to explore. For example, when testing a change in geometry for the Grin Scope, I printed out the new geometry on my 3D printer. I was forced to use the plastic color I currently had, which differed from the current Scope pigment. Although I set out to test the geometry, I discovered that the color change also had multiple effects on the scan that I hadn’t expected. All of a sudden, I had new avenues to explore and new hypotheses to test.

This is how I approach each day in my job. Being the Director of Innovation means leaving no stone unturned. I continually hone my acute sense of inspiration, as even the smallest detail can lead to the next big change. My innovative pursuits at Grin will not only lead to new hardware and software but also to business opportunities and products. This is what makes the role so dynamic, and one that continually sets Grin apart.