Oh Mother Merck…How I long to be back in your safe, cozy & warm womb…

[Anonymous]

It's a fuller brush sales model in an Amazon world.

 

[Anonymous]

It's a fuller brush sales model in an Amazon world.

Nailed It!!!!!!!!

 

[Anonymous]

Post 37-I agree and it's logical. If access is continuing to decline, and you get maybe 30 seconds on average with providers, why would a company want to pay you the equivalent of what a Primary Care physician makes? To improve earnings, company needs to go completely to contract reps as impact seems to be the same as compared to the highly paid individuals, based on market tests. Business has severely changed and people need to wake up and re-invent themselves if they want to be employed.

Again, you f--king imbecile, you are completely out of touch with reality. There are barely ANY "30 seconds" visits. Those days are gone. You get your lunch appointments, you get in to see a few docs that you know well AND THAT'S IT. Seven hours of every day is a UPS delivery effort. You say that business has changed, but you display no actual knowledge of anything that is actually happening. You sound like a former CTL ass clown.

 

[Anonymous]

Again, you f--king imbecile, you are completely out of touch with reality. There are barely ANY "30 seconds" visits. Those days are gone. You get your lunch appointments, you get in to see a few docs that you know well AND THAT'S IT. Seven hours of every day is a UPS delivery effort. You say that business has changed, but you display no actual knowledge of anything that is actually happening. You sound like a former CTL ass clown.

Wow such anger! Not my fault you can't figure out how to access doctors. So every rep in the country can't see docs for 30 seconds? I know it's not true as I'm still in touch with counterparts, and I still go to dinner with a couple docs I used to call on. Again, it's YOU that needs to change, not the world. Now go back into your home and kick the dog. Oh woe is me!

 

[Anonymous]

Gotta go with poster 44 on this one. Access isn't what it used to be its true. Also irrelevant. You do the most you can do in an office whether it's 30 sec. Or 30 min. Reps have to take some responsibility for their own jobs. Unfortunately few do. I've observed reps who have nothing to say in 30 minutes much less 30 seconds. Many are just flat out unprepared, lazy or both. You fight so hard to get access and when you finally get there you show pics of your kids or talk about the ball game or your vacation? It's no wonder providers have said " enough, I don't have time for a rep, they waste time." Reps themselves give no thought to bringing anything of value, don't read, don't keep up, just parrot a marketing message. Reps complain about only getting a signature then when faced with an actual,provider that's all they accomplish. You could send in a high school kid to do that. The reps that complain the most are the worst offenders. My docs see me because, from experience they know I will have something for them, offer something they didn't know or have not though about. While others languish out in the waiting room. And if they just want to be signature collectors that's fine with me. Most of them are just in the the way. I wouldn't see half of these clowns either.

 

[Anonymous]

Wow such anger! Not my fault you can't figure out how to access doctors. So every rep in the country can't see docs for 30 seconds? I know it's not true as I'm still in touch with counterparts, and I still go to dinner with a couple docs I used to call on. Again, it's YOU that needs to change, not the world. Now go back into your home and kick the dog. Oh woe is me!

And those "couple of docs" are the only ones you'd have that 30 seconds with, just like the rest of us. At least I'm man enough to admit it.

This fossil will never admit the truth. He was a fraud and remains one to this day. A joke of man who did a joke of a job.

 

[Anonymous]

Gotta go with poster 44 on this one. Access isn't what it used to be its true. Also irrelevant. You do the most you can do in an office whether it's 30 sec. Or 30 min. Reps have to take some responsibility for their own jobs. Unfortunately few do. I've observed reps who have nothing to say in 30 minutes much less 30 seconds. Many are just flat out unprepared, lazy or both. You fight so hard to get access and when you finally get there you show pics of your kids or talk about the ball game or your vacation? It's no wonder providers have said " enough, I don't have time for a rep, they waste time." Reps themselves give no thought to bringing anything of value, don't read, don't keep up, just parrot a marketing message. Reps complain about only getting a signature then when faced with an actual,provider that's all they accomplish. You could send in a high school kid to do that. The reps that complain the most are the worst offenders. My docs see me because, from experience they know I will have something for them, offer something they didn't know or have not though about. While others languish out in the waiting room. And if they just want to be signature collectors that's fine with me. Most of them are just in the the way. I wouldn't see half of these clowns either.

Nice try (same guy), but there is absolutely nothing of value that you can possibly bring "all" of those docs you routinely just walk in and "consult" with. All two of them. We have nothing of value. You didn't, either. Loser.

 

[Anonymous]

Nice try (same guy), but there is absolutely nothing of value that you can possibly bring "all" of those docs you routinely just walk in and "consult" with. All two of them. We have nothing of value. You didn't, either. Loser.

Love it! I'm the retiree responding. No...this wasn't me, but I agree with who ever wrote this. I had to mentor many reps and I can't tell you how many were just like as you described. Nothing of value except my kid got an award at school, or I'm going on vacation to France. Many of these so called lunches were just social visit. The reps would bring out a PI or study, or even review MC placement of their products. Nobody said "all the docs". Make a difference with one, and then go on from there. You really need to get a grip with your own situation. I'm just trying to help you see the light. Finally, you call ME a loser? Funny...I'm retired, wealthy, brought PLENTY of value as my market share and awards/trips proved. Sales is obviously not the career for you. I feel bad for your manager if you're still employed, not you.

 

[Anonymous]

Love it! I'm the retiree responding. No...this wasn't me, but I agree with who ever wrote this. I had to mentor many reps and I can't tell you how many were just like as you described. Nothing of value except my kid got an award at school, or I'm going on vacation to France. Many of these so called lunches were just social visit. The reps would bring out a PI or study, or even review MC placement of their products. Nobody said "all the docs". Make a difference with one, and then go on from there. You really need to get a grip with your own situation. I'm just trying to help you see the light. Finally, you call ME a loser? Funny...I'm retired, wealthy, brought PLENTY of value as my market share and awards/trips proved. Sales is obviously not the career for you. I feel bad for your manager if you're still employed, not you.

Sir - you are thinking like a sales rep. You need to think a little more big picture.

Allow me - It's not reps that have changed as much as the macroeconomic picture. PC doctors making less than $100K in some markets and most owned by a hospital or IDN and have quotas to see big number of patients daily just to get to that comp. Sure, some docs are still private practice so this means you may have a shot at developing a relationship with them.

Most specialties have difficult access because the physicians are pipelining their next 3-4 weeks procedure log. A drug rep convo chips away at this pipeline. It's simple economics.

I would argue the job has gotten more difficult and yes if you work harder you will get more results (although I would argue fractional results.) It's not the same job...if you don't believe me then explain the macroeconomic reduction of headcount and the birth of CSOs?

Furthermore, if you are rich, then you most likely are the old guard. A blue hair. Congratulations on being in the right place at the right time but please: check your self-righteousness when you are only thinking at the 5'8" level.

Hope this helps.

 

[Anonymous]

The market has changed sure, when hasn't it? Those that can adapt survive even thrive, those that can't cry about the environment and fall out, good, they're in my way. From what I've observed the industry obviously over hired and a lot of nicely dressed brain dead social type reps became the norm. Science and medical knowledge went by the the wayside to be replaced by relationships when just the opposite should have happened. Merck reps were clueless when it came to institutional sales, sales process, formularies... This was the day when Merck had multiple block busters everything was on formulary, Merck hired wind up dolls, gave them a budget and a marketing message and sent them out. Most never had to sell in a real, competitive market and couldn't perform. These are the dregs, that have somehow avoided a layoff and whine all over this board.
I will say that the industry is product dependent now. Time was when you were with Merck, Pfizer, BMS ...you were set. No more. Now you better be nimble and chase the hottest product and unfortunately for you guys they aren't at Merck. No one cares anymore what company name is on your badge, it's all about what's in your bag. I wouldn't see today's Merck rep either. Mediocre reps, run of the mill products=lower tier company. No escaping that fact. Your leaders are only managing their liabilities which unfortunately for you, is you.

 

[Anonymous]

Sir - you are thinking like a sales rep. You need to think a little more big picture.

Allow me - It's not reps that have changed as much as the macroeconomic picture. PC doctors making less than $100K in some markets and most owned by a hospital or IDN and have quotas to see big number of patients daily just to get to that comp. Sure, some docs are still private practice so this means you may have a shot at developing a relationship with them.

Most specialties have difficult access because the physicians are pipelining their next 3-4 weeks procedure log. A drug rep convo chips away at this pipeline. It's simple economics.

I would argue the job has gotten more difficult and yes if you work harder you will get more results (although I would argue fractional results.) It's not the same job...if you don't believe me then explain the macroeconomic reduction of headcount and the birth of CSOs?

Furthermore, if you are rich, then you most likely are the old guard. A blue hair. Congratulations on being in the right place at the right time but please: check your self-righteousness when you are only thinking at the 5'8" level.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the insight. Looks like we have a difference of opinion, and I'm not alone if you read post #50. I'm not a blue hair at 58 and certainly not of the old guard. I only worked at Merck for 18 years. I just worked hard and invested well. To me that's not being self-righteous, I'm just stating a fact. I just think it's sad that people take the easy way out and blame everyone else, or the environment. I wish some people would stop whining and get off their butt and do something with their life....or the great machine wins!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the insight. Looks like we have a difference of opinion, and I'm not alone if you read post #50. I'm not a blue hair at 58 and certainly not of the old guard. I only worked at Merck for 18 years. I just worked hard and invested well. To me that's not being self-righteous, I'm just stating a fact. I just think it's sad that people take the easy way out and blame everyone else, or the environment. I wish some people would stop whining and get off their butt and do something with their life....or the great machine wins!

Nah….There's a whole bunch of self-righteous going on with you. Had you been born 10-15 years later, your Big Pharma experience would have been drastically different. You did indeed get lucky, whether you know it or not. I'm not going to call you any bad names, but let's just say the denial ain't just a river in Egypt. It's kind of hard to keep from getting nauseous, listening to you old timers. I swear you're all brainwashed into believing your own B.S.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd be bitter too if I was someone who, by happenstance, was still stuck in pharma. We " old timers " were indeed fortunate and it's a fool who doesn't know that. Glory days are gone. As are perks ( including, possibly retirement) , trips, big salaries and bonuses. I can't even think about 5 more years much less 15+ like some of you guys are looking at. Good luck. You will need every bit of it.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd be bitter too if I was someone who, by happenstance, was still stuck in pharma. We " old timers " were indeed fortunate and it's a fool who doesn't know that. Glory days are gone. As are perks ( including, possibly retirement) , trips, big salaries and bonuses. I can't even think about 5 more years much less 15+ like some of you guys are looking at. Good luck. You will need every bit of it.

For those who took the hand raiser option with at least 15 years in and an immediate retirement bridge, the health benefits and pension the future is EZ glide....

For the many without the bridge and frills its a trip to reality without a sugar coating...Obamacare and pinching pennies!

 

[Anonymous]

Nah….There's a whole bunch of self-righteous going on with you. Had you been born 10-15 years later, your Big Pharma experience would have been drastically different. You did indeed get lucky, whether you know it or not. I'm not going to call you any bad names, but let's just say the denial ain't just a river in Egypt. It's kind of hard to keep from getting nauseous, listening to you old timers. I swear you're all brainwashed into believing your own B.S.

Call me what you want....don't really care. But if I was born 15 years later and had 15 years left to work, I would have change tactics or jobs. The goal is to get to retirement, not work at Merck or any other company. The company is the vehicle to get me there. The difference between me an the whiners, is I control my life, not a company. FYI...Merck was the 3rd pharma company I worked for and did at one point think about leaving. Make a difference, or get out of the way.

 

[Anonymous]

Couldn't agree more. Very aptly said. Maybe sales really isn't for those that can't sell themselves outside of Merck. They were always about quantity over quality anyway. Never had much of a training department. All you have to do is get to the end whether it's Merck or another vehicle. It's a marathon not a sprint.

 

[Anonymous]

Couldn't agree more. Very aptly said. Maybe sales really isn't for those that can't sell themselves outside of Merck. They were always about quantity over quality anyway. Never had much of a training department. All you have to do is get to the end whether it's Merck or another vehicle. It's a marathon not a sprint.

Outside of pharma, sales is different.
You no write up, you no get sale!
Now....try getting them to sign on the line and spend 20K on a fun new diagnostic machine....

Pharma is suggestive, massage style selling....nothing more!