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My version of 15 by 15

Well let's see, Merck put my kids through collage, paid my mortgage, put food on my table, gave me a nice quality of life ,with above standard benefits and perks, helped with my retirement. And yes I worked hard, put in long hours, contributed and left with a sense of accomplishment, pride and self esteem.

The winey 15's on the other hand never have done a damn thing for me.
So, as the saying goes, " You have been measured and in the balance, found wanting."
Overall the " 15's" are just part of the grievance culture. They like to play victim as an excuse for their own failures and in the theatre of society they feel they are owed something. While doing very little for it. The entitlement crowd. Whatever. There are always these types. They are called " chaff ." The rest are called " wheat." The chaff always get separated. It's always been so. Wheat produces bread and leaves behind seed. Chaff produces nothing, leaves behind nothing. "15" is chaff, that's all.

Who gives a F'k about the sales force. You are all hanging on for dear life and are part of Mercks problem Dead weight has been RIFd in mass numbers in last 8 years
 












Well let's see, Merck put my kids through collage, paid my mortgage, put food on my table, gave me a nice quality of life ,with above standard benefits and perks, helped with my retirement. And yes I worked hard, put in long hours, contributed and left with a sense of accomplishment, pride and self esteem.

The winey 15's on the other hand never have done a damn thing for me.
So, as the saying goes, " You have been measured and in the balance, found wanting."
Overall the " 15's" are just part of the grievance culture. They like to play victim as an excuse for their own failures and in the theatre of society they feel they are owed something. While doing very little for it. The entitlement crowd. Whatever. There are always these types. They are called " chaff ." The rest are called " wheat." The chaff always get separated. It's always been so. Wheat produces bread and leaves behind seed. Chaff produces nothing, leaves behind nothing. "15" is chaff, that's all.

"Collage" wow, you are clearly a spelling genius.
 












Well let's see, Merck put my kids through collage, paid my mortgage, put food on my table, gave me a nice quality of life ,with above standard benefits and perks, helped with my retirement. And yes I worked hard, put in long hours, contributed and left with a sense of accomplishment, pride and self esteem.

The winey 15's on the other hand never have done a damn thing for me.
So, as the saying goes, " You have been measured and in the balance, found wanting."
Overall the " 15's" are just part of the grievance culture. They like to play victim as an excuse for their own failures and in the theatre of society they feel they are owed something. While doing very little for it. The entitlement crowd. Whatever. There are always these types. They are called " chaff ." The rest are called " wheat." The chaff always get separated. It's always been so. Wheat produces bread and leaves behind seed. Chaff produces nothing, leaves behind nothing. "15" is chaff, that's all.

I'm a self-described "15". It's not possible to be more wrong in your assessment of me. Perhaps it applies to some 15's, but certainly not me. I don't whine about anything. I don't belong to any culture, I just know that Merck has thrown every person I've ever respected here under the bus and I fully realize I can be next. So I decided to buy a business and I spend far more time working on that than I do here. After all, this job is looking very temporary. I'm not a victim and nobody owes me anything. To say that the "entitlement crowd" makes me sick is an understatement.

You can spew whatever trash you like. You can assign whatever labels you like. The simple truth is that Merck has long since lost its way and lost the trust of many once-loyal employees, myself included. I've watched them destroy more lives than I care to remember over the last ten years, without so much as a blink. I believe this company is evil to the very core and I'm more than happy to give them the minimal effort in return for their minimal loyalty. I don't feel bad about that one little bit. When I leave, I will be leaving with a smile, knowing that I have won. My colleagues that didn't better prepare for their departure have all given me the advice to do EXACTLY as I am doing.

I don't care what you or any any other Merck loyalist thinks. I only respect the opinions of intelligent people. With your lack of vision, you obviously don't qualify.

FU MERCK
 






I'm sorry life is so tough for you. What have you lost? Your job, paycheck, your house? No. None of those. I don't defend Merck. I don't believe it's inherently " evil." It is what it is. It's answerable to shareholders, not you, sorry. It still performs well, stock is still recommended. It's not in business for you, again sorry, and yes you sound " Whiney." There just seems to me something inherently wrong with people who constantly defend their own sloth, disloyalty, failure, inactivity, whatever, however you want to describe it. You have another side business? Fine. Why advertise? Trying to justify yourself because things haven't gone your way at Merck but you can't find another career? Fine but I have no sympathy for those who come on and moan and cry about Merck. When I was there I observed a lot people who worked just as you described, just like a " 15". And things were good, the culture was great. So what was the difference? There are always employees like you, that's all. It's the 80-20 rule. 80% of the success of any organization can usually be attributed to 20% of its employees. 15 just falls in the 80%, the middle of the bell curve, the drones! the " slot fillers." And the company treats them accordingly. Nothing evil about it. It's just business, the 80%, 15ers are expendable, " temporary" as you called it. I saw those that constantly had a sense of entitlement at Merck. The job was a couch for them. Things change, adjustments are made, 15's don't like it, their comfortable on their Merck couch, coasting along, over paid for underperforming. They blame Merck, never themselves, can't find the ambition to find something else. They justify themselves, feel good, coming on here and moaning and crying about the " evil" company. Fine, but doesn't quite square the circle with me, no sympathy. There have always been your types in every company. Work avoiders, self promoters, glory stealers, poor performers, but first in line when payday comes along. Your nothing new. Blaming Merck changes nothing. "15" in all it's forms never paid my bills. Thinking it will, now that's evil.
Oh, and FU too.
 






I'm sorry life is so tough for you. What have you lost? Your job, paycheck, your house? No. None of those. I don't defend Merck. I don't believe it's inherently " evil." It is what it is. It's answerable to shareholders, not you, sorry. It still performs well, stock is still recommended. It's not in business for you, again sorry, and yes you sound " Whiney." There just seems to me something inherently wrong with people who constantly defend their own sloth, disloyalty, failure, inactivity, whatever, however you want to describe it. You have another side business? Fine. Why advertise? Trying to justify yourself because things haven't gone your way at Merck but you can't find another career? Fine but I have no sympathy for those who come on and moan and cry about Merck. When I was there I observed a lot people who worked just as you described, just like a " 15". And things were good, the culture was great. So what was the difference? There are always employees like you, that's all. It's the 80-20 rule. 80% of the success of any organization can usually be attributed to 20% of its employees. 15 just falls in the 80%, the middle of the bell curve, the drones! the " slot fillers." And the company treats them accordingly. Nothing evil about it. It's just business, the 80%, 15ers are expendable, " temporary" as you called it. I saw those that constantly had a sense of entitlement at Merck. The job was a couch for them. Things change, adjustments are made, 15's don't like it, their comfortable on their Merck couch, coasting along, over paid for underperforming. They blame Merck, never themselves, can't find the ambition to find something else. They justify themselves, feel good, coming on here and moaning and crying about the " evil" company. Fine, but doesn't quite square the circle with me, no sympathy. There have always been your types in every company. Work avoiders, self promoters, glory stealers, poor performers, but first in line when payday comes along. Your nothing new. Blaming Merck changes nothing. "15" in all it's forms never paid my bills. Thinking it will, now that's evil.
Oh, and FU too.

Oh so correct. They will be back on the thread bemoaning your right on synopsis but who really cares. My ultimate reward for them is a rapid firing and removal of the slimy bottom feeders.
 






I'm sorry life is so tough for you. What have you lost? Your job, paycheck, your house? No. None of those. I don't defend Merck. I don't believe it's inherently " evil." It is what it is. It's answerable to shareholders, not you, sorry. It still performs well, stock is still recommended. It's not in business for you, again sorry, and yes you sound " Whiney." There just seems to me something inherently wrong with people who constantly defend their own sloth, disloyalty, failure, inactivity, whatever, however you want to describe it. You have another side business? Fine. Why advertise? Trying to justify yourself because things haven't gone your way at Merck but you can't find another career? Fine but I have no sympathy for those who come on and moan and cry about Merck. When I was there I observed a lot people who worked just as you described, just like a " 15". And things were good, the culture was great. So what was the difference? There are always employees like you, that's all. It's the 80-20 rule. 80% of the success of any organization can usually be attributed to 20% of its employees. 15 just falls in the 80%, the middle of the bell curve, the drones! the " slot fillers." And the company treats them accordingly. Nothing evil about it. It's just business, the 80%, 15ers are expendable, " temporary" as you called it. I saw those that constantly had a sense of entitlement at Merck. The job was a couch for them. Things change, adjustments are made, 15's don't like it, their comfortable on their Merck couch, coasting along, over paid for underperforming. They blame Merck, never themselves, can't find the ambition to find something else. They justify themselves, feel good, coming on here and moaning and crying about the " evil" company. Fine, but doesn't quite square the circle with me, no sympathy. There have always been your types in every company. Work avoiders, self promoters, glory stealers, poor performers, but first in line when payday comes along. Your nothing new. Blaming Merck changes nothing. "15" in all it's forms never paid my bills. Thinking it will, now that's evil.
Oh, and FU too.

If this was true why would so many former award winners be gone or 15s right now? The 20% driving the company's success, as you claim, to management are just a random collection of ever changing staff.

Your argument ignores the fact that the industry has changed in a way that no longer supports the field sales model. How hard you do or don't work has no bearing on whether you are part of the 80 or 20% or whether you stay or are cut. The choice now is join the 80% and plan your future or be the 20% then come here when you're cut to bemoan how they got it 'wrong' and how your loyalty was betrayed by your shifty CTL. The 20% have a lot of free time when the other shoe drops.
 






I'm sorry life is so tough for you. What have you lost? Your job, paycheck, your house? No. None of those. I don't defend Merck. I don't believe it's inherently " evil." It is what it is. It's answerable to shareholders, not you, sorry. It still performs well, stock is still recommended. It's not in business for you, again sorry, and yes you sound " Whiney." There just seems to me something inherently wrong with people who constantly defend their own sloth, disloyalty, failure, inactivity, whatever, however you want to describe it. You have another side business? Fine. Why advertise? Trying to justify yourself because things haven't gone your way at Merck but you can't find another career? Fine but I have no sympathy for those who come on and moan and cry about Merck. When I was there I observed a lot people who worked just as you described, just like a " 15". And things were good, the culture was great. So what was the difference? There are always employees like you, that's all. It's the 80-20 rule. 80% of the success of any organization can usually be attributed to 20% of its employees. 15 just falls in the 80%, the middle of the bell curve, the drones! the " slot fillers." And the company treats them accordingly. Nothing evil about it. It's just business, the 80%, 15ers are expendable, " temporary" as you called it. I saw those that constantly had a sense of entitlement at Merck. The job was a couch for them. Things change, adjustments are made, 15's don't like it, their comfortable on their Merck couch, coasting along, over paid for underperforming. They blame Merck, never themselves, can't find the ambition to find something else. They justify themselves, feel good, coming on here and moaning and crying about the " evil" company. Fine, but doesn't quite square the circle with me, no sympathy. There have always been your types in every company. Work avoiders, self promoters, glory stealers, poor performers, but first in line when payday comes along. Your nothing new. Blaming Merck changes nothing. "15" in all it's forms never paid my bills. Thinking it will, now that's evil.
Oh, and FU too.

I am also gone from Merck. I was one of the most decorated Merck reps in history. That's not an exaggeration. So labeling me as a "poor performer" doesn't fit. If I could go back, I'd be a 15er, too. You will never get it. I just don't think you have the head for it, frankly.
 












If this was true why would so many former award winners be gone or 15s right now? The 20% driving the company's success, as you claim, to management are just a random collection of ever changing staff.

Your argument ignores the fact that the industry has changed in a way that no longer supports the field sales model. How hard you do or don't work has no bearing on whether you are part of the 80 or 20% or whether you stay or are cut. The choice now is join the 80% and plan your future or be the 20% then come here when you're cut to bemoan how they got it 'wrong' and how your loyalty was betrayed by your shifty CTL. The 20% have a lot of free time when the other shoe drops.

This I agree with. Merck " destroyed lives"? Too melodramatic, and just not true. I was laid off by Merck, in the depths of the recession. Shocked,disappointed, afraid? Yes. Shake my fist and curse the whirlwind and blame the " evil" corporation? No. I had a severance, pension, 401k, went and found another job and survived. The 15's were kept, still had a paycheck and STILL chose to NOT work. The Merck safety net is a hammock for some. ANY change to the comfy, cosy, cushy pillow, they don't like.You are right. The model is obsolete. Has been for almost 20 years. Some can adapt. Some can't. My impression of the whiney 15 is that's someone who can't. They have no other skills. It's a fuller brush sales model in a Wal-mart world. That's really the source of their anger and frustration. Trust me, I've been with many pharma co.s, they ALL treat their sales focus the same more or less." Merck lost its way"? Not really. Go somewhere else. This IS the way. Merck people were spoiled and shielded from the reality of real corp. life. They didn't know it, now reality hits, they don't like it. I've been treated much worse by companies before and after Merck. Could be it's not them. Could be its " you." Hence " 15". Good luck with that plan.
 


















I am also gone from Merck. I was one of the most decorated Merck reps in history. That's not an exaggeration. So labeling me as a "poor performer" doesn't fit. If I could go back, I'd be a 15er, too. You will never get it. I just don't think you have the head for it, frankly.

Here is the 15 in his natural habitat. Here is typical Merck. " I was the most decorated Merck rep, in history" blah,blah,blah. " I was a 15."

Translation: We all know the numbers are bogus ( hence " 15") oh, BUT MINE were valid! I wasn't a " poor performer"!
Sure. You and the DM play golf togather during the week while everyone else made calls? Then at the end of the year all the " decorations" went to you, to the puzzlement of the rest of your district? Is that how it worked? Most likely.

Which is it? It can't be both. You can't throw rocks at the system, at Merck, at the " numbers" then turn around and brag about how GOOD YOU were. It doesn't work that way. If it's all bogus , then so are you. But you don't get it. Probably never did. You frankly and obviously don't have the head for it. You were so good you didn't have to work out at it? Sorry ain't buying. Yeah, and there's a bridge in Brooklyn ...

This is THE example of "Merck sense of entitlement. " - I deserve every thing that came my way even though I never worked very hard." Say, how many were in your " cluster." Sounds like someone was pulling the numbers, it just wasn't you. You just took credit. Seen that all too often too. But I'm sure all your , err, " decorations" still decorate your wall.
 






Here is the 15 in his natural habitat. Here is typical Merck. " I was the most decorated Merck rep, in history" blah,blah,blah. " I was a 15."

Translation: We all know the numbers are bogus ( hence " 15") oh, BUT MINE were valid! I wasn't a " poor performer"!
Sure. You and the DM play golf togather during the week while everyone else made calls? Then at the end of the year all the " decorations" went to you, to the puzzlement of the rest of your district? Is that how it worked? Most likely.

Which is it? It can't be both. You can't throw rocks at the system, at Merck, at the " numbers" then turn around and brag about how GOOD YOU were. It doesn't work that way. If it's all bogus , then so are you. But you don't get it. Probably never did. You frankly and obviously don't have the head for it. You were so good you didn't have to work out at it? Sorry ain't buying. Yeah, and there's a bridge in Brooklyn ...

This is THE example of "Merck sense of entitlement. " - I deserve every thing that came my way even though I never worked very hard." Say, how many were in your " cluster." Sounds like someone was pulling the numbers, it just wasn't you. You just took credit. Seen that all too often too. But I'm sure all your , err, " decorations" still decorate your wall.

Was wondering if Abbvie was hiring? How about Abbott?
 






Here is the 15 in his natural habitat. Here is typical Merck. " I was the most decorated Merck rep, in history" blah,blah,blah. " I was a 15."

Translation: We all know the numbers are bogus ( hence " 15") oh, BUT MINE were valid! I wasn't a " poor performer"!
Sure. You and the DM play golf togather during the week while everyone else made calls? Then at the end of the year all the " decorations" went to you, to the puzzlement of the rest of your district? Is that how it worked? Most likely.

Which is it? It can't be both. You can't throw rocks at the system, at Merck, at the " numbers" then turn around and brag about how GOOD YOU were. It doesn't work that way. If it's all bogus , then so are you. But you don't get it. Probably never did. You frankly and obviously don't have the head for it. You were so good you didn't have to work out at it? Sorry ain't buying. Yeah, and there's a bridge in Brooklyn ...

This is THE example of "Merck sense of entitlement. " - I deserve every thing that came my way even though I never worked very hard." Say, how many were in your " cluster." Sounds like someone was pulling the numbers, it just wasn't you. You just took credit. Seen that all too often too. But I'm sure all your , err, " decorations" still decorate your wall.
You are entitled to your opinion and I respect that. I could do in 15 hours what would take
50. If I was a scientist we would have a great pipeline. Sorry about that. At the end of the day you have so many cycles in a day. Spend them all at work. Why should I care? I don't care if you never see the kids and wife. I don't care if you hit the bottle all day. I'm not your keeper. I make good money and produce results. If I work 40 hours a week the price is too high. The money is not worth sacrificing of my family. You do it. I don't want to look back with my kids having problems that I could have stopped. Same thing with my wife. I am not chasing my dreams, it's right in front of me. As a man I have an obligation to my family. If more men would be more responsible this would be a better and happier world. Most countries don't have a 40 hour work week. The US didn't always have a 40 hour work week.
 


















You are entitled to your opinion and I respect that. I could do in 15 hours what would take
50. If I was a scientist we would have a great pipeline. Sorry about that. At the end of the day you have so many cycles in a day. Spend them all at work. Why should I care? I don't care if you never see the kids and wife. I don't care if you hit the bottle all day. I'm not your keeper. I make good money and produce results. If I work 40 hours a week the price is too high. The money is not worth sacrificing of my family. You do it. I don't want to look back with my kids having problems that I could have stopped. Same thing with my wife. I am not chasing my dreams, it's right in front of me. As a man I have an obligation to my family. If more men would be more responsible this would be a better and happier world. Most countries don't have a 40 hour work week. The US didn't always have a 40 hour work week.

Well, if you are talking about " sales" then you are right. Truth be known, they are not needed at all , much less 15. Everyone knows that. The " results" you think you " produce " are debatable. Everyone knows that too. Reps are a huge expense, and an even bigger liability. Their ROI is low, becoming more and more insignificant. The question now being answered is what to do with them? The answer is loud and clear. Get rid of 'em. Then you can " be there for your family" as much as you want. Just come up with a good line as to why they can't have the new house or vacation that your wife wants, or the car or the school the kids ,want when it's time. We may have different definitions of what we think our obligations are. My requirements require more than less than 40 hour work week. But your requirements maybe getting by with less and making do. Sometimes that's a hard sell to the family, but hey, you' re in sales. You'll think of something to tell 'em.
 






Well, if you are talking about " sales" then you are right. Truth be known, they are not needed at all , much less 15. Everyone knows that. The " results" you think you " produce " are debatable. Everyone knows that too. Reps are a huge expense, and an even bigger liability. Their ROI is low, becoming more and more insignificant. The question now being answered is what to do with them? The answer is loud and clear. Get rid of 'em. Then you can " be there for your family" as much as you want. Just come up with a good line as to why they can't have the new house or vacation that your wife wants, or the car or the school the kids ,want when it's time. We may have different definitions of what we think our obligations are. My requirements require more than less than 40 hour work week. But your requirements maybe getting by with less and making do. Sometimes that's a hard sell to the family, but hey, you' re in sales. You'll think of something to tell 'em.

You are naive if you think the CEO, top leadership, the marketing team and DCO's bust their asses for the millions they make. Corporate life is a game of survival by any means necessary. It is not about who works the hardest will get the most success. I don't know how some of the leadership can live with themselves by exercising tens of millions in options each year while the company continues to struggle and lay good people off. Maybe if Merck stop over paying the people who don't go out and sell to the customers each day and gave back that money to the constantly downsized salesforce, maybe the reps would work harder and feel more invested in the company. Who wants to give 100% to a company who lays off reps every year and rewards leadership with million dollar comp packages that do very little to actually bring in revenue to the company. Why don't you go whine to leadership about that or better yet, do what makes you happy because those of us who decide to work less are fine with it considering how Merck treats its reps.