Advice for a newbie

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Thanks so much for the honest feedback!!! I like to hear the reality. It won't change my work ethic and will continue to bust my ass contract or not. I'm mature enough to hear both sides though. I look around and It seems others in my district are always so carefree. Either I'm working too hard or they or not working.
 






Anonymous said:
I am a new person too and everyone in the company has a chip on their shoulder! They must put you down to boost their own ego. It's disgusting the culture these idiots bred into each other and try to force on you. I would say about 80% of the reps are assholes and try to manipulate/brainwash you into becoming a fellow asshole with no life except for work or try to make you feel like shit! No wondering this company is a revolving door for a lot of reps. You're right they are dicks!
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Wait until you are there for a while. That 80% number will jump to 90%
 






Anonymous said:
And then there are the people who have not left their house since GW was in office and they blow it out every year. If you want advice newbie here it is. Having success at Ethicon (and I dont give a shit what business unit of ethicon) is all about having contracts and GPO's on lock down in your territory. If you dont then you are basically locked out of the facility. It is what it is. I dont want to hear from that lady who says this is not entry level device either or that if you can sell GPO's do not matter. They do.

We all know reps who have great areas that they had nothing to do with. Hell I have been there myself but that is sales. Newbies should ask the manager what the contract status is for the area and why the territory is open. You should also ask other reps who have access to numbers to tell you if the territory sucks a fat one. Most people do not leave a good territory so chances are if it is open it is knee deep in shit.
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You know, I think I agree with the above comments. Been at ees for apprx 1.5 years and I embarrassed to say that it's taken me this long to figure out how little you can control. Sometimes I wonder if my sales would be any different if I worked 3 days vs 5???
 






Newbie..former EES rep here. It is what it is...you only control 10% at EES. When the wind is in your favor, work hard and make that extra 10% count for something in your paycheck. But when the wind is blowing against you, the 10% you control won't make a difference in your paycheck.

The management at this company is really good at telling you its raining outside when actually someone is pissing on your leg... you have to think for yourself in order to see the true picture at EES.

There is a reason the average tenure is about 3 years...that's when your eyes open and you realize that the contacts you make in hospitals while at EES are much more valuable to you elsewhere.

... to all you EES die hards that wear the logo on your pajama's...a stapler is a stapler! You really sound foolish when you talk about better "B's".

Finally, EES really is the Pharma Device Company...Telling sign?? 500 reps!!
 






The previous poster is right. I worked for EES for 3 1/2 years. In that time, I've seen reps make a crap load of money and get promoted because there was a contract change in their favor. The rep had nothing to do with it. I know some think actually doing the conversion makes you a superstar but really all you do is switch out product and inservice alot. You can pay a young dumb college grad to do that.

I've also seen reps get managed out of the company because contract changes were not in their favor and they were expected to somehow make up a $2M loss..and that B.S. about selling off contract.. if you can make it work, Great! But be warned you can easily create enemies doing it. If you decide to leave and end up calling on the same hospital, it will come back to hunt you.

When I left EES I was most glad I developed long lasting relationships with the doctors and staff in all of the accounts I covered. It made life so much easier for me in my new job.

Finally, I make double what I made at EES and I work half as much.
 






I was contacted for an EES position earlier today; I was initially told these reps are the 'Captains of the Squad' and if you're at plan you're making $150K/yr. I've worked for a major ortho distributor for 3 yrs, but have some concerns about the direction it's heading in. Pricing is killing everyone, and the industry is starting to get commoditized. Not to mention the fact that I don't have my own territory and I'm salaried at $70K. EES sounded like a good move, but after reading all these comments about average tenure, idiot reps who don't know their way around an OR, and backstabbing management.

So my question to the guy who left EES and is making twice as much, working half as much, if ortho is getting commoditized (spine's next so get ready), and EES is not as rosy as the recruiter made it out to be, where is the next real opportunity to make some scratch?
 






Anonymous said:
I was contacted for an EES position earlier today; I was initially told these reps are the 'Captains of the Squad' and if you're at plan you're making $150K/yr. I've worked for a major ortho distributor for 3 yrs, but have some concerns about the direction it's heading in. Pricing is killing everyone, and the industry is starting to get commoditized. Not to mention the fact that I don't have my own territory and I'm salaried at $70K. EES sounded like a good move, but after reading all these comments about average tenure, idiot reps who don't know their way around an OR, and backstabbing management.

So my question to the guy who left EES and is making twice as much, working half as much, if ortho is getting commoditized (spine's next so get ready), and EES is not as rosy as the recruiter made it out to be, where is the next real opportunity to make some scratch?
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EES could be a good move for you. It gives you an opportunity to work for a direct company, salary, car/benefits etc... However you will not get more commoditized than EES. From what you do now, standing in ortho cases, this job will make you want to staple your balls to your leg. Your territory is based on contracts that are in place and you have little to do with so if you get a contract gain or loss you either make money and look great or you are proper fucked. Of course you cant control either one of them and this numbnut company will celebrate you or shit on you and they know its out of your control. EES is a entry level job for most where you can make good money, 130k and up. If you stick around for a while and become a lifer you can get to an executive level salary and make 175 at plan however the only way i think one should stick around here is if you want to get into management. Most get the training and use this as a stepping stone. Good luck.
 






Twice the scratch w/ half the work here...last poster definetly works (or has worked) for EES and is telling the truth. Most can not relate but I understand that wanting to staple your balls to your leg feeling..you get to a point where it would be a lot less painful than putting up with the EES BS. Given that, it is a good place to launch into something else. EES's product line exposes you to many surgical specialties. Focus on building your relationships in as many specialties as possible and when the time is right, those relationships will pay big.

When I started my search, I told recruiters I'm imterested in working for a small company that has a new technology which fills a void in a market with a large vaccum. I also stated I'm not interested in being competitive. I wanted to work for a company who is the only player in the market and needs people who can develop their market (This is where your relationships come in handy.) Competitive marketes to me mean you spend your day trying to keep more coming in the front door than what leaves the back door. That's the name of the game at EES. Ultimately, it means the cheapest vendor wins.

I found the molecular science field. Everyone, even the big boys, want to get into this field. The comp plan is the reason I get up everyday and go to work. Customers want to see me and growing the business is a factor of my work effort.

I know there will be EES ass lickers who will post hater comments but as of 8/1/11 my W2 reads over $180k...and I'm not the top rep!
 






Why does everyone say get in and get out? Sounds like a good enough plan, but where else is there to go. Ortho? Those guys look miserable to me!

I'm in the or everyday. If it's not ees or cov, it's ortho. Honestly don't know where else you go? Please let me know!
 






Anonymous said:
Why does everyone say get in and get out? Sounds like a good enough plan, but where else is there to go. Ortho? Those guys look miserable to me!

I'm in the or everyday. If it's not ees or cov, it's ortho. Honestly don't know where else you go? Please let me know!
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Personally I believe it is the grass is greener bs. The ortho guys and implant people who are burned out see Ethicon as a gold mine because it is JNJ. They see a salary, car, big company benefits, etc... and that looks amazing to them especially when most of them are straight commission.

Everythings always looks better from the outside. These people dont realize the horseshit that comes with working at a jnj type company. The other thing is many people view ethicon as a place to get good training and your feet wet in the OR.
 






Anonymous said:
So are you suggesting that Ethicon Products is the pharma of device and EES is sooo much different? Either way they are both great entry level jobs where you can get great training and use it as a stepping stone to something better. Good luck lady.
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I worked for EES for a couple of years and left to work for a real medical device company. There is not doubt about it. EES or Ethicon Endosurgery is the pharma of medical devices. It is run like a pharmaceutical company. Your success will be related to your account base and the bundling contracts in place. Have contracts? You will do well. No contracts? Start looking. The meatheads you run the training in Cincinnatti do a great job of intimidating the new trainees and this is not the best learning atmosphere. The managers are frightened Johnson and Johnson drones who are petrified to be called onto the carpet for harrassment so they don't expect help or sincerity from them. People leave because they can make a lot more money somewhere else. If you feel that insecure about what you are doing reach out to other people in the industry and do not show weakness in EES because you will be gone. Best advice that I can give you. I went on to a much better device company and have been there for years. I just love to come back and look at these posts and advise others because I had such a bad experience.
 












Just so we are all clear: Ortho is the space to be in. Period. Might it become commoditized in the future? Sure. But as of this moment, it is most definitely THE space to be in. There are plenty of joint and spine reps making 300K. The ortho trauma reps make even more than that. That kind of money may not be available for very long, but if you are in a position to get into that field, you'd be making a big mistake to not jump at the chance.
 












Anonymous said:
Twice the scratch w/ half the work here...last poster definetly works (or has worked) for EES and is telling the truth. Most can not relate but I understand that wanting to staple your balls to your leg feeling..you get to a point where it would be a lot less painful than putting up with the EES BS. Given that, it is a good place to launch into something else. EES's product line exposes you to many surgical specialties. Focus on building your relationships in as many specialties as possible and when the time is right, those relationships will pay big.

When I started my search, I told recruiters I'm imterested in working for a small company that has a new technology which fills a void in a market with a large vaccum. I also stated I'm not interested in being competitive. I wanted to work for a company who is the only player in the market and needs people who can develop their market (This is where your relationships come in handy.) Competitive marketes to me mean you spend your day trying to keep more coming in the front door than what leaves the back door. That's the name of the game at EES. Ultimately, it means the cheapest vendor wins.

I found the molecular science field. Everyone, even the big boys, want to get into this field. The comp plan is the reason I get up everyday and go to work. Customers want to see me and growing the business is a factor of my work effort.

I know there will be EES ass lickers who will post hater comments but as of 8/1/11 my W2 reads over $180k...and I'm not the top rep!
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I currently work in ortho and while I've done rather well (President's Club last year, only my 3rd yr on the job), our distributor is going through some radical changes that are causing me to look elsewhere. That said - where can I learn more about jobs in the molecular science field?
 












Anonymous said:
I worked for EES for a couple of years and left to work for a real medical device company. There is not doubt about it. EES or Ethicon Endosurgery is the pharma of medical devices. It is run like a pharmaceutical company. Your success will be related to your account base and the bundling contracts in place. Have contracts? You will do well. No contracts? Start looking. The meatheads you run the training in Cincinnatti do a great job of intimidating the new trainees and this is not the best learning atmosphere. The managers are frightened Johnson and Johnson drones who are petrified to be called onto the carpet for harrassment so they don't expect help or sincerity from them. People leave because they can make a lot more money somewhere else. If you feel that insecure about what you are doing reach out to other people in the industry and do not show weakness in EES because you will be gone. Best advice that I can give you. I went on to a much better device company and have been there for years. I just love to come back and look at these posts and advise others because I had such a bad experience.
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Right on. Ethicon is a good starting point and not horrible if you want to be treated like a robot forever. Products are average and the training is so non real world. Quotas change dramatically if you do well. There are good people there although the company is loaded with arrogant know it all types who think they are great because they can talk about staple formations all day. Most companies have their issues but I have never seen such a negative environment like I did there. Promotion opportunities are there but the process is poorly structured and so many deserving people dont even get interviews. The pay does not match up with the effort the company expects and you are micro managed constantly. I never realized how happy I was until I left that company two years ago. Ended up in Cardiac Device where everything is not perfect, but its not even close to the way people are treated at Ethicon Endo Surgery. The turnover is non stop at Ethicon. I see the same territories open and not because of promotion. Get your contacts in your territory and move on.
 






Anonymous said:
I guess I should have clarified. I've been is sales a while so I don't think I'm in over my head. First, I feel like i live, eat, and sleep the job. Trying to cover 15 hospitals spread out is impossible and it takes a toll. Waking up at 5 everyday and getting home at 6 is long hours. Not to mention after hours work. Now don't get me wrong, Im not afraid of hard work! I am not complaining! I do think I'm a perceptive person and it's just my observation that others don't seem as stressed or worn out. So I conclude that either they are working more "efficiently" or they are just used to it. I want to get to that point asap but just wondering how. I must be doing something wrong.

My second issue is working the competitive shop. Just curious how others approach this without drs getting sick of you. Do you just show up and how many times can you do this without getting kicked out. I know I'll get flamed for this. I don't care this is an anonymous board and I'd rather look stupid and ask than be too proud and be silent.
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im on ortho but this worked for me. go to your top three producers and suck on their nuts for awhile and have them teach you the ins and outs of your product. ask good questions (don't be annoying). surgeons love to teach but you don't want to come across as not knowing anything. you want them to have confidence in you. after three months of learning from your top producers go out and invite three b level targets to dinner. then invite 3 a level docs to dinner. dont sell them anything. ask them their opinion of the industry your in and ask what their opinion is on your products. invite them to labs. etc. if they see you working hard and your a good person afterwhile, they should throw you a bone
 






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