Only now that I am gone...

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Anonymous

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Only now that I am gone from this company and industry do I see what it had done to me. I was with Sandoz/Novartis for over 25 years until being "displaced" in the recent layoff. For the first 15 or so years I falsified nothing. Who I saw was who I saw. Then QTQ and programs that I was pressured to do forced me to lie. I can't tell you the stress that put on me. I worked every day and never dreamed I would be let go. I did my job, why would they let me go? I am not writing this to say that I was done wrong, I understand that I cost more than younger, less experienced reps. Novartis provided a nice life for me and my family and I will always be grateful. DM ride-alongs, teleconferences, role-playing, I-Learn, RD-ride-alongs, useless e-mail from everybody in specialty type roles, expense issues related to head count, etc. By not having to deal with these things, I can't tell you how my life has changed. I don't have a job yet, but I will. The one thing that I can guarantee is that I will never work for a drug company again.
 












Anonymous said:
Only now that I am gone from this company and industry do I see what it had done to me. I was with Sandoz/Novartis for over 25 years until being "displaced" in the recent layoff. For the first 15 or so years I falsified nothing. Who I saw was who I saw. Then QTQ and programs that I was pressured to do forced me to lie. I can't tell you the stress that put on me. I worked every day and never dreamed I would be let go. I did my job, why would they let me go? I am not writing this to say that I was done wrong, I understand that I cost more than younger, less experienced reps. Novartis provided a nice life for me and my family and I will always be grateful. DM ride-alongs, teleconferences, role-playing, I-Learn, RD-ride-alongs, useless e-mail from everybody in specialty type roles, expense issues related to head count, etc. By not having to deal with these things, I can't tell you how my life has changed. I don't have a job yet, but I will. The one thing that I can guarantee is that I will never work for a drug company again.
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I am hoping I get laid off in the next round. Won't leave on my own just not working much. It is no longer fun and no matter how hard you work it all depends on IMS reporting issues.
 












For those of us who spent a long time in this organization I agree with the poster that a good income and life were provided. When Sandoz and Ciba merged there was hope that the combination of both cultures would take the best of both and make a great organization and a great place to work. For the first few years after the formation of Novartis things seemed to be going in the right direction and people were treated as valued and respected. But somewhere the ship went way off course, the culture disintegrated, people were no longer valued or motivated by the organization. Instead of supporting each other it became cannibalism, survival, and ass kissing to stay alive. It was give me more and more, unrealistic goals and expectations with no tangible rewards. When was the last time someone said thank you or job well done, unless they were forced to? You were only as good as your last sales week or month, who cares that you won awards 50 or 60% of the time in your career, your not doing it presently so you suck. And if your boss above didn't like you or some counterpart had it out for you watch out. Glad to be gone grateful for the package and it's benefits. For those who are still there, there is life after Novartis, may take awhile but if your assertive enough and can sell your self you will land on your feet.
 






this story is true for thousands of people across all of the company boards here on CP. I was with another big pharma for many years and like the OP, i didnt realize the affect this life had on me. Doing a speaker program, I would rather get a rectal exam. Going to a DPM, I would rather be cathed. I have thrown up worrying about having my manager ride with me. Not for me.
 






Anonymous said:
this story is true for thousands of people across all of the company boards here on CP. I was with another big pharma for many years and like the OP, i didnt realize the affect this life had on me. Doing a speaker program, I would rather get a rectal exam. Going to a DPM, I would rather be cathed. I have thrown up worrying about having my manager ride with me. Not for me.[/QUOTE

I was also layed off in December and like the first person to post I was fortunate to have had a great ride in the industry. I am fortunate to have found another position. One thing I have noticed is that my brain is working again. It feels great not to be in a robotic industry and worried about how many people signed the sign in sheet (ridiculous). Glad to be out!!!!!!!!!!!
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I can not agree more with the first post. I was also let go in December after 10 years with Novartis. My one bad year got me. I have worked 15 other years in other industries and was treated with great respect in my former jobs.
The only thing I gained in my life while working for Novartis was a good paycheck.
I realize now what kind of pressure I was placing on myself physically in order to continue to deliver their products and produce increased product sales.
YOu only got a thank you if you could help the mgr get district of the year. All the other years, I was always made to feel like a loser. If you dont mind selling yourself to the devil go for pharma.

The one good thing I did was to save alot of that money and invest it well. I strongly urge everyone to do the same. The writing is on the wall with big pharma. We are all being replaced with less expensive reps. The physicians just dont care to speak with reps any longer and they are being forced to write generic.

I do not have another job yet but I can assure you there are other companys which do not make pp feel like losers. I have an MBA and am a very accomplished person.

I am now ready to enjoy some peace and the fruits of my labor. I will be working for a smaller company or perhaps for myself.

IT FEELS SO GOOD TO BE GONE FROM NOVARTIS AND TO FEEL LIKE THE WINNER THAT I KNOW I AM.
 






Anonymous said:
I can not agree more with the first post. I was also let go in December after 10 years with Novartis. My one bad year got me. I have worked 15 other years in other industries and was treated with great respect in my former jobs.
The only thing I gained in my life while working for Novartis was a good paycheck.
I realize now what kind of pressure I was placing on myself physically in order to continue to deliver their products and produce increased product sales.
YOu only got a thank you if you could help the mgr get district of the year. All the other years, I was always made to feel like a loser. If you dont mind selling yourself to the devil go for pharma.

The one good thing I did was to save alot of that money and invest it well. I strongly urge everyone to do the same. The writing is on the wall with big pharma. We are all being replaced with less expensive reps. The physicians just dont care to speak with reps any longer and they are being forced to write generic.

I do not have another job yet but I can assure you there are other companys which do not make pp feel like losers. I have an MBA and am a very accomplished person.

I am now ready to enjoy some peace and the fruits of my labor. I will be working for a smaller company or perhaps for myself.

IT FEELS SO GOOD TO BE GONE FROM NOVARTIS AND TO FEEL LIKE THE WINNER THAT I KNOW I AM.
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AMEN!
 






Spot on!! I was also one of the displaced--I can't stress enough investing and saving money while you are with Pharma. Also, take advantage of any education you can get. I went outside the industry and upped my salary by 10%. I have also started a business. This will be a very lucrative year for my family, plus I am finally free of the stress that we all lived under for so many years. Many of you brag about not working, some of us did work and I wager it is those who did work hard that are no employed. Those still waiting to get back into pharma so they can sit on their asses will continue to lose.
 












The place is toxic. Move on now, or at least make a plan for changing out of the industry. You'll be happier. You may surprise yourself by finding out that the paycheck didn't make life better. There are so many other career paths to consider. Take control and move towards a better life.
 






Anonymous said:
The place is toxic. Move on now, or at least make a plan for changing out of the industry. You'll be happier. You may surprise yourself by finding out that the paycheck didn't make life better. There are so many other career paths to consider. Take control and move towards a better life.
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I couldn't agree more. I walked away several weeks ago and already feel years younger. My blood pressure is finally normal again. Get on with your life and don't look back.
 






I seriously did develop high blood pressure from this job. Got a new one and already feel a sense of work life balance and calmness... So glad to be out of big pharma, closing that chapter of my life.
 






I left on my own and it was the best decision I could have made. Yes, sticking around and hoping to be cut so I could get a nice severance package could have been nice for the wallet, but i prayed to get cut last year and my wish didnt come true. I found an amazing job that pays only slightly less in base, greater opportunities in bonus, still provides a company car, etc etc. My new job allow me to take my customers out to dinners, events, and send them gifts. I get to talk to people who are way more interested in talking to me. I even get 7 dollars a day to get lunch on the road. The list goes on and i am so happy and I only just left novartis 2 weeks ago. Novartis made me feel guilty all the time, i was on anitdepressants for 2 years while i worked there, and I was stuck with no opportunities to move up. I feel like im being treated like royalty in my new position. I think people need to stop being so greedy and letting your life go by being miserable just so you can collect your paycheck and not have to put the effort into looking for something better. And dont listen to the people who say nothing is out there. LOOK! i looked for a year and i found several great opportunities that were close to what i wanted but just not perfect so i kept looking. now im on cloud nine! Oh, and i was stuck in the bottom after coming off a presidents award. I know alot of people are stuck in crappy ranks because the company is making it impossible to do well. You are sales people, you can sell yourself, so you can still nail an interview. start with a rock star resume and you will be signing an offer letter in no time! Good Luck!
 






Anonymous said:
Isn't it nice to be away from it all?
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Life after Novartis is the best. No more dm watching your every move as if you are not a person to be trusted. No more exams, no more stupid guidelines like you need to make certain number of calls, no more district/regional mtgs where you can do it by phone. Glad I'm out. Yes money is good but its best outside novartis. Most important is to get a company that will trust you and treat you with respect. Money will come along when you really enjoy what you are doing. Best of luck to everyone. Remember quality of life and life is short and enjoy.Be happy you will receive what you wish for,.
 






I was let go in December. As a male over 55 I was apprehensive, but found work before Feb The severance is a nice bit of play money, and my base was within $5000 of what I made before with the opportunity for profit sharing that has already qs'd me to my 2010 salary. I had networked my entire career @ Novartis so the transition was not difficult and I am now able to face the future with the hope I had lost in Pharma. Good luck to all
 






The problem is this co. has turned the art of sales into a science. When was the last time a manager said "let's go into this next office and have you show me how you engage the physician in your own way. Do what you do best and show me how it would go if you were in charge." It has all just become check the box. I am not the best sales rep in all honesty. Think about the best sales person you ever saw in your life. Guaranteed they are not in pharma.
 






NVS gave me a lot of positives but it also gave me so much stress and anger over many things. Too numerous to go into. one of the biggest problems were the evil reps in new york city. most from n7 but some from other divisions. most are gone now but their legacy lives on.
 






Have talked recently with people who are still at the sheithole, Everyone is unhappy and looking to get out except those whose only talent is ass kissing and backstabbing. There is life after Novartis, stay away from Primary Care Pharma look towards equipment and specialty you will be much happier. It may take a little while but if you have talent and work hard you will find something else.
 






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