2 day field rides.. absolutely ridiculous

Field ride obsession is literally sucking the joy out of working. Our ABL has no Self Awareness of when to shut up. Then has the audacity to put feedback on coaching reports you should have done x more. When? He rarely shuts up. I like him but he is driving my providers and team crazy. I wish ABL’s had managerial courage versus the lack of leadership compliant soldiers they are. They provide no value and yes, it is getting worse. At this point give them samples and their own set of targets. But leave us alone for business sake. They literally repel providers that now avoid us at lunches etc…,

 

Sounds like some of the male d bags from NY and NJ.

 

You hit the target. The ABL is the most outdated job in pharma. Bringing my ABL into a office is like mosquitos showing up at a outdoor BBQ. Doctors are running away looking for bug repellent. This is why most of my team has given up. Unattainable goals and micromanagement.

 

ABL’s approve expense reports and are ball smellers.

 

2 days of BO in the car and loud mouth yapping with cheese breath

 

Why do you all torture yourself, working for this company?

After taxes, the money isn't that great.

Also, you are in a constant state of stress, with all the technological micromanagement. Add the office cows, and arrogant doctors, and you have a mess of a job, a really bad job.

I left after 20 years (terrible decision to stay that long), and I am enjoying life as a teacher. Lost about 40 lbs this year, and under 200 pounds, with less stress and a real career.

 

You left to be a teacher, and you're insulting pharma salaries? I agree your new career is far more noble and necessary, but even if you were a tenured professor (you arent) you would have taken a paycut.

 

Every word there is true. After my monthly field ride and criticism, it takes a a week to get my mind right to sell again, just enough time to hustle in and make an apologetic visit to my providers. Then in a couple of weeks, I get notice from my manager of another short notice field ride and I can only hope we don’t have to go to the same offices as last month.

 

I make more PER HOUR, and have less stress.

I put 20 years in this industry, when I was stupid, but I was smart enough to make good investments, and don't even need to work.

If I were to do it again, I would have NEVER done pharmaceuticals or medical or any corporate selling...because the pay PER HOUR is terrible, the micromanagement is absurd, the coworkers are strange, the doctors area annoying, and the office cows are jealous.

The main point I am trying to make here is this: Corporate Sales is a TERRIBLE way to go through life. Smart people know to finesse through life, and can find ways to save money to still live in the best areas and have low stress, and enjoy their work and life. I didn't see that in this industry in my 20 years.

All I observed were dummies that were stressed out, and mostly had drinking and marital problems.

 

Lots of cognitive dissonance going on in this industry.

I wouldn't say the majority of people in this pharmaceutical world are stupid, but they certainly have the wrong priorities in life.

Also, most are still in the worldview that these medications are good and that money is more important than health. Very strange ideas, but I think that is what most of them believe, and that leads to making the bad decision to get into this space. Doctors share the similar beliefs. I would say that over 90% of doctors are socially awkward and brain washed, as well. Not good for our society, that is for sure.

 

Your whole comment is so much bullshit. Teachers make a pittance, maybe 1/4 of what we make per year and they work far more hours than we do. No company car, no free lunch, none of these benefits. Your whole argument tells me not only have you never been a teacher, you don’t even know any well enough to know what they make or what they do. And….you would have me believe you’re a teacher now and you still have time and interest to participate in the Novartis cafepharma board?! Nah. Nope.

 

I’m off for spring break. I only work 9 months a year plus lots of week long holiday breaks. I don’t miss being an sig collecting UPS deliver person or lunch delivering caterer. I have much more substance and make a difference in young peoples lives as a teacher.

 

Jealousy teacher I’m off to Cinnabon. So choke on that seal steak

 

No I’m not the teacher but let’s not get carried away here. I don’t think there is anyone jealous of any Pharma reps. There are many reasons for this but primarily any dumb ass can get hired as a Pharma rep. Nice try to self,inflate it though. Hahahahaha

 

It’s great your teacher. Sounds like the reason you can afford to be a teacher is due to you working in pharma for 20 years. I find it very hard to believe you work less hours than a pharma rep. Most pharma reps are in the field a few hours a day. After 20 years, with the 2 weeks bereavement/take care of a family member time off, the 5 plus weeks of vacation, unlimited sick time, a week for personal days, the week shut down at Christmas, holidays and you receive over 3 months off in pharma. Way more flexibility than following a school calendar for planning vacations.

Kudos to you for going into teaching on back end of your career. Prob very nice to be doing something useful.

 

No, I would have made more if I was teaching earlier...because I was downsized a few times in stupid pharma. The consistent pay as a teacher would have allowed me to make more to take advantage of market downturns in the stock market and real estate.

 

Being a rep is embarrassing, and I say this as someone who has done it for far too long.
I respect and admire teachers; but I also see them beg for supplies, work dreadful summer jobs and endure endless disrespect from entitled kids.
The salaries should be reversed, as pharmacy reps, even the successful ones, don't do much of actual consequence.
I hope you enjoy your new career, as I doubt you enjoyed even one minute of your old one, but don't knock reps who still need the dough and put themselves through this stupidity.

 

I am the teacher and I 100% agree.

 

Dumbass

 

Teaching has a much higher intellectual level than Pharma by far.