Regional meetings

I really hope the training department or whoever else is in charge of setting agendas for these regional meetings is finally listening. I couldn't Agree more with the original poster. It’s so sad and discouraging to be locked in a hotel for 3 days and sit at a round table with 6 other reps and do absolutely nothing worthwhile. We live with our teammates all day everyday so talking amongst our peers is a complete waste of time. Whoever suggested bringing in speakers is spot on. I honestly would enjoy listening to clicnial perspectives from a speaker and having some sessions on anatamoy, pressure etc.

Anything sales related activities are time wasters. That’s definitely not what we need the most if at all

I am beginning to think the reason we do not have a MD come in to speak about the clinical perspective of our products is because no one is willing to support the clinical perspective and claims of our products.
 












"Only provide positive feedback, phony enthusiasm, and NEVER question, challenge, or suggest anything that is against the status quo." It also doesn't hurt to give some bullshit story about a sale or have everyone wearing an operation smile t-shirt or hat they received because they were forced to donate so the sales leader can send out a picture that makes her look good.

This is spot-on, but not just the Field - this is the corporate culture as well. I donate multiple times a year to Op Smile, visibly, so that I don't get demerits for not doing so.
 






I have been here a long time and would agree with the poster that training has gotten much much worse the last 5 years at least. We all knew it but I’m definitely hearing a whole lot more bitching. Everyone wants a national meeting and to actually learn something not simulate silly sales scenarios
 






I have been here a long time and would agree with the poster that training has gotten much much worse the last 5 years at least. We all knew it but I’m definitely hearing a whole lot more bitching. Everyone wants a national meeting and to actually learn something not simulate silly sales scenarios

Amen!!!! We we meet just talking about this at our cvt meeting as a team. The national meeting were so much better. The format was better and the content was superior. These regional meetings are a complete check the box time waster that is required by each region. Problem is the the managers are tasked with a lot of the agenda so you can imagine what happens. They simply spit out the same bs agenda with to kill time. They will get an rss to give a 20 min endocutter presentation then let’s take another 30 min to report out by the reps. It’s so stupid and this goes on and on and on for 2-3 days in some hotel room.
 






Amen!!!! We we meet just talking about this at our cvt meeting as a team. The national meeting were so much better. The format was better and the content was superior. These regional meetings are a complete check the box time waster that is required by each region. Problem is the the managers are tasked with a lot of the agenda so you can imagine what happens. They simply spit out the same bs agenda with to kill time. They will get an rss to give a 20 min endocutter presentation then let’s take another 30 min to report out by the reps. It’s so stupid and this goes on and on and on for 2-3 days in some hotel room.

you guys are such tools, "endocutters". no one says this besides you humps
 






I think they realize that a national meeting is the way to go and will get back to that.

The issues that the OP stated have been obvious to everyone for years and has always been talked about.

Gathering as a region keeps the scope so limited and you essentially end up having conversations with your own team and region that you already do in a daily basis. Only difference being you are in a hotel room doing it.

The focus needs to be on clinical acumen, product acumen, even anatomy to some degree. Little time if any should be spent on selling. It becomes a huge time waster to listen to just another rep and the way they verbalize something. Everyone has their own style.
 






Great progress moving to national meetings. Long overdue! But, are we still going to have whiteboards and report outs like we are at an Amway convention? Also, can we find more for the DSM's to do other than sitting on their asses and worry about looking good. Shouldn't they be in their own room learning management stuff or something?
 






Nef wanted a massive reorg and an impressive “show” at NSM!
Check the boxes.
Plus she wants to force people to wear business casual and there are specific instructions behind what “business casual” means.#Medieval times! #SoMuchForD&I #SoMuchForEmpowerment
 






Great progress moving to national meetings. Long overdue! But, are we still going to have whiteboards and report outs like we are at an Amway convention? Also, can we find more for the DSM's to do other than sitting on their asses and worry about looking good. Shouldn't they be in their own room learning management stuff or something?

Shouldn’t they be monitoring the reps who are hooking up at the meeting?
 


















Amen!!!! We we meet just talking about this at our cvt meeting as a team. The national meeting were so much better. The format was better and the content was superior. These regional meetings are a complete check the box time waster that is required by each region. Problem is the the managers are tasked with a lot of the agenda so you can imagine what happens. They simply spit out the same bs agenda with to kill time. They will get an rss to give a 20 min endocutter presentation then let’s take another 30 min to report out by the reps. It’s so stupid and this goes on and on and on for 2-3 days in some hotel room.

I used to be an ethicon rep and now responsible for some training in another med device company. Having just competed our area meetings I’m always lurking and interested in what’s going on with training from my previous companies. I can attest that Ethicon was too rep driven at meetings when I was there. Now that I’m in another pasture, meetings are so much more valuable. No more reporting out and rep centric stuff that offers no value. Experts and different opinions outside your direct peers is what we bring in and our sales people love it! They absorb the information like a sponge and take notes like mad haha! It was eye opening once I left.