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Zimmer was once a pretty good company to work for, but it has changed dramatically. It is run by managers that either haven't ever worked in a sales position or haven't sold in such a long time that their knowledge is irrelevant. Most of their best reps have left the company over the past 2 years...that should tell you something about what it's like to work in their environment. As a rep (I'm still there), it's very difficult to remain excited about an overpriced and out of date product. The new Trabecular metal implant is a joke within the industry, and it seems the only docs willing to pay for it (a $500 implant) are from one of the coasts. It's also quite difficult to keep the enthusiasm needed to achieve sales goals when there is zero repect for the middle and upper management teams in this organization. Arrogant, unrealistic, bitter, micromanaging, cold...that pretty much sums up the management here. If you had an opportunity 7 or 8 years ago to work for Zimmer, it probably would have been a good move...but not now. If I were you, I wouldn't even consider it. I plan on resigning as soon as my offer is official with the company I've been interviewing with.
 












In my opinion, Zimmer started to falter when the internal hex became public domain, and has, at best, stumbled every since.

For an ortho giant- they've dropped the ball with R&D, and the trebecular implant has been a colossal failure. Im on the coast- nobody uses it. Maybe it was the $500 price point in the worst economy in years, maybe it was the recall, who knows- but Zimmer basically has had it's backside handed to it since Implant Direct came to pass. Now, they have to discount the heck out of everything ($125-150 per implant) to try to compete.

Take a look at everything there- a great rep will be successful selling a mediocre product. Just be aware that their heyday is long gone, and they struggle in dental as a company.
 




Anonymous said:
Is a career here on "the coasts" any different? Serious replies please...also interested in an current opening.
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If you like the pressure of having to hit 95% just to start earning commission each month, Zimmer is the place for you. Come in at 94.99% and you get a big fat $0 commission check. AWFUL comp plan for reps.
 








Anonymous said:
Do they have an outside recruiting company? How long is the hiring process? I was supposed to hear back from recruiter but I'm still waiting.
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The hiring process takes FOREVER.

1. Phone screen with HR person
2. F2F with hiring manager
3. Ride along(or 2) with current rep(s)
4. More phone conversations with hiring manager
5. Phone interview with Area Director
6. Video conference interview with VP of Sales and Head of HR
7. Full background check including body cavity search
8. If you make it through all of this, you finally get an offer

The entire process takes a minimum of 8 weeks from first contact. Since you are working with a recruiter, it will be an even longer process since the clock hasn't even started yet.
 








There is a lot of truth to the responses above and I agree the comp plan sux unless you are above 100%. With that said, there are reps that hit every year and do very well. You better understand from the get go you have to convert implant business or you will starve. Most reps arent happy about the CP or management but that doesnt mean you cant make money here.
 




Anonymous said:
There is a lot of truth to the responses above and I agree the comp plan sux unless you are above 100%. With that said, there are reps that hit every year and do very well. You better understand from the get go you have to convert implant business or you will starve. Most reps arent happy about the CP or management but that doesnt mean you cant make money here.
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A new rep will not make more than 100k for the first year. The management all over is a joke that has no ue how to sell in this environment. Lastly, they suck mkney out of you through their Runzheimer program regarding reimbursment for your car. Products are good bu they only have half solutions and when you ask for the other half they tell you the customer wouldnt want that when in fact they do. Total garbage division of a good company. Dont do it unless you are truly desperate.
 




Anonymous said:
A new rep will not make more than 100k for the first year. The management all over is a joke that has no ue how to sell in this environment. Lastly, they suck mkney out of you through their Runzheimer program regarding reimbursment for your car. Products are good bu they only have half solutions and when you ask for the other half they tell you the customer wouldnt want that when in fact they do. Total garbage division of a good company. Dont do it unless you are truly desperate.
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The same bottom 50 territories are the ones that are constantly having turnover and it is nearly impossible to turn around a consistent underperforming territory at Zimmer. Either a bad rep ruined the Zimmer name or the competition has solid reps but the bottom line is you will tread water at best by hitting your number half the time. Then after a year or so, depending on your manager, the pressure will rachet up and the call from HR will soon follow.

You've been warned...
 




Very true. I would walk away. You do NOT want to work for this company, trust me. Both Directors of Sales (Craig and Rick) are complete idiots. They simply have no idea how to navigate in the current dental implant environment. The VP of Sales (Jens) is a true asshole, a typical German who can't seem to get out of his own way. And the CEO (Harold) is just a figurehead who has zero ability to lead.
Zimmer Dental is a joke (it wasn't always this way). A few good people remain, but I know for a fact they are on their way out, hopefully on their own terms. Don't waste your time. This company is in rapid decline. I'm getting out in a few weeks since I've been fortunate enough to receive a couple good offers. As soon as I decide which one to take, I am out of here. I will not miss it.
 








Anonymous said:
You get to work for the world's #1 ortho company. The opportunity is yours to do what you will with it. Enough said.
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Working for the dental division of an ortho company has about as much meaning as working for the division of Apple that sells tic-tacs. No relevance.

The failures of Ortho companies in dental has been staggering in recent years. Apart from Zimmer (with their new "magical" trebecular metal $500 implant flop and bone sourcing issues), you have ortho giants Medtronic (InFuse) and Stryker (Bicon) who both saw that the ortho model doesn't work in dental.

If you want to work for Zimmer ortho, interview with Zimmer ortho.
 




Anonymous said:
Working for the dental division of an ortho company has about as much meaning as working for the division of Apple that sells tic-tacs. No relevance.

The failures of Ortho companies in dental has been staggering in recent years. Apart from Zimmer (with their new "magical" trebecular metal $500 implant flop and bone sourcing issues), you have ortho giants Medtronic (InFuse) and Stryker (Bicon) who both saw that the ortho model doesn't work in dental.

If you want to work for Zimmer ortho, interview with Zimmer ortho.
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You're a clown. Bone sourcing issues?? Every major implant company has a high $400 implant and the only reason infuse isnt used more is price per case. To the OP, check other boards, these clowns are everywhere. The comp plan sux but if its a good territory, you can make money and a lot of it with this years plan. Of course it will change again next year. It doesnt matter what respectable implant company you work for, its the easiest 100k job you'll ever have.
 




Anonymous said:
You're a clown. Bone sourcing issues?? Every major implant company has a high $400 implant and the only reason infuse isnt used more is price per case. To the OP, check other boards, these clowns are everywhere. The comp plan sux but if its a good territory, you can make money and a lot of it with this years plan. Of course it will change again next year. It doesnt matter what respectable implant company you work for, its the easiest 100k job you'll ever have.
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Have fun at your QBR when you finish Q1 at 94.9% and make $0 in commissions...
 




Anonymous said:
You're a clown. Bone sourcing issues?? Every major implant company has a high $400 implant and the only reason infuse isnt used more is price per case. To the OP, check other boards, these clowns are everywhere. The comp plan sux but if its a good territory, you can make money and a lot of it with this years plan. Of course it will change again next year. It doesnt matter what respectable implant company you work for, its the easiest 100k job you'll ever have.
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Bone sourcing issues = bone recalls due to lack of traceability from companies harvesting the bone from cadavers.

Zimmer was the first to break $500

Clinician's primary interest for Infuse happens to be off-label. NOBODY is going to pay the price for the few usages that it is approved for. And the FDA came down on Medtronic for promoting off-label use. Medtronic isn't stupid- they are one of the best Ortho companies in the world- but they got out of dental because they couldn't make money with the indications they had- IMHO
 




Anonymous said:
Bone sourcing issues = bone recalls due to lack of traceability from companies harvesting the bone from cadavers.

Zimmer was the first to break $500

Clinician's primary interest for Infuse happens to be off-label. NOBODY is going to pay the price for the few usages that it is approved for. And the FDA came down on Medtronic for promoting off-label use. Medtronic isn't stupid- they are one of the best Ortho companies in the world- but they got out of dental because they couldn't make money with the indications they had- IMHO
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Medtronic did not get in trouble for off label selling in Dental. I believe it was their Spine division. So when you are on a dental board using the word "clinicians" it implies dentist. I respect Medtronic, but they were selling off label. Medtronics is more than an Ortho company. So its hard for me to take your opinion as fact about why they left dental when you have half the facts. Just stick to what you know.
 




Anonymous said:
Medtronic did not get in trouble for off label selling in Dental. I believe it was their Spine division. So when you are on a dental board using the word "clinicians" it implies dentist. I respect Medtronic, but they were selling off label. Medtronics is more than an Ortho company. So its hard for me to take your opinion as fact about why they left dental when you have half the facts. Just stick to what you know.
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They just couldn't sustain their own sales force selling Infuse and their crappy putty because sales were so terrible. So they got BioHorizons to pay them a bunch of money to add it to their portfolio and still nobody uses it.
 




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