This is not my first thread here, but this one needed starting.
Okay, so most of us saw the letter written to SB. I found it to be a pretty honest, respectful and thought-out resignation letter. If you haven't seen it, I'm sure someone at Noven can get it to you.
We all know the mistakes that were made during this launch, and I know we all have ideas on what can make things somewhat better, so lets do that. The execs read this, so post some thought-out ideas for them to consider. It can't hurt.
I personally like Jeff and Scott a lot and find them to be genuinely good people. I think they listen, so I'm going to say a few things and hope others will add to it. I write this in hopes of immediate change, as I too care about the company and its employees.
One thing I can tell you is I give 100% with Brisdelle. I have been and will continue to work hard, ethically and smart with this product. I have made very good progress but am not where I want to be, nor is anyone, as we know.
My problem is, I too feel very underpaid here at Noven. No talk of merit increases and top reps being all leveled the same is BS, and you guys know it. When top reps got capped with the Mini launch bonus, it was unacceptable and so now is the time to make it up with Brisdelle. Truth is, I can't afford to stay here with a base salary that is 20 to 40% less than what companies are offering right now (some with even less experience). If you think there aren't jobs like a year ago, you would be wrong. I have actually been offered 2 in the last month. More money and potential for much more bonus. So why not leave already, you ask? Because if I'm going to leave, I want it to be a big jump because I believe in this company and the people here and don't want to jump for the first thing that I come across. To me, money comes second to loving what you do and enjoying the people you work with.... But there does come a point when the pay gap gets so large you feel compelled to make a jump. That point is approaching quickly. A 30% pay increase and potential for decent bonus eventually talks you into the "well maybe I'll love that company too." Take care of the reps that love this company. It's a rarity in corporate America today to have employees who love their job!
I have been in contact with several top performing reps with VVD, Mini, and even Brisdelle. Everyone is looking for work or at least testing the water. If you think this is not accurate you are living a lie. Either the low performing reps are looking, cause they know their days are numbered or the top ones are looking cause they are not making any real money, nor does there seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel with it. There is an old saying that everyone is replaceable, and it is true. But there are reps here that having to replace would be detrimental to the companies goals/future. They are going to leave! They don't want to! I don't want to!.. But the time has approached. I will continue to work my tail off to make Brisdelle successful. I will give it through the NSM, but after that, if nothing changes, I will leave this company.... So, here are few ideas to help keep the foundation of this company here, and I hope others will add some realistic ideas as well...
1) If you are not going to change the bonus structure, at the very least give your reps in good standing a solid base pay increase. If this is a specialty company, pay us like one. Don't come back with some 3 or 4%, I mean, make us competitive with real pharma specialty. There should not be a tenured, solid track record rep in good standing at Noven making less than $85k base, minimum!!! This is not Quintiles or Inventiv, or contract, where you start at 55 or 60. Lets get real and pay the reps who are deserving.
2) PAY BY ZIP CODE! It has been needed for years at this company, now more than ever. Trust your reps as they know their territory. Pay me by every script in my zip code and do away with this ridiculous target list. Here is the problem: I have a target that is lunch only to detail. He or she is in a group practice with 7 other providers. I have to feed all of them. No biggie, right? Well, target doc couldn't care less about the product, but 3 or 4 of the other 7 providers are very interested. Why waste my time even talking to them? Not going to get paid on them. Seriously, why?!.... But I do, because it is the right thing to do and I think Noven would want me to. But there is ZERO incentive to do so. I'm not going to get any credit for it, and even if I do add them as a target it takes months, if it happens at all. So make this easy... Here is your territory by zip code. Go make it happen!
3) This throw Mini in the closet cause it's all about Brisdelle is BAD BUSINESS! Either Noven is not being up front and forward about this product, or they are completely missing the boat. So what is it? I understand Brisdelle is "The Future" and now the patent runs through 2029 or something, but this is the part that makes no sense. I understand VVD was to go generic, and rumor has it Mini production was halted, or at least reduced in anticipation (big mistake), but the generic didn't happen and no one seems to know if or when it will. So what gives? Look, Mini gets us through the door to talk about Brisdelle. You may not want to hear that but it is true. The business I have generated with Brisdelle would not have come if I didn't have Mini in my arsenal... "You know what Doc, I understand that you 100% believe in estrogen, and it is a great product. I've sold it to you for years, and I still have it for those individuals who need it. But I have a product that is non hormonal and efficacious for VMS and is going to curb that fear a lot of your patients have that surrounds estrogen use. It's affordable and it works. And if it doesn't doc, you can always fall back on estrogen. But you and I know that you see a lot of patients that have that estrogen concern, so why not let them try Brisdelle for a month? It's not going to cost them a single penny? If you don't have positive feedback, I think your opinion on estrogen use will go even farther with them. But Brisdelle is going to work." ..... People, Mini still has a place, and will until the generic appears. It may still after..?? If you think it doesn't you are completely dropping the ball!... I have so many providers that were hesitant to convert from VVD to Mini. I believed in it and they could see it in me. They tried it and loved it. They trust me. They now listen to me with Brisdelle. They are open to it, and once we get this copay card sorted out and make it actually affordable the scripts will come. But we don't get there without the products that made Noven. I'm just now starting to see those providers who have tried a few patient with Brisdelle and are getting feedback. It's positive, which makes the doctor more likely to write more and more.
As Forrest Gump would say, "That's all I got to say about that."
Feedback appreciated.
Okay, so most of us saw the letter written to SB. I found it to be a pretty honest, respectful and thought-out resignation letter. If you haven't seen it, I'm sure someone at Noven can get it to you.
We all know the mistakes that were made during this launch, and I know we all have ideas on what can make things somewhat better, so lets do that. The execs read this, so post some thought-out ideas for them to consider. It can't hurt.
I personally like Jeff and Scott a lot and find them to be genuinely good people. I think they listen, so I'm going to say a few things and hope others will add to it. I write this in hopes of immediate change, as I too care about the company and its employees.
One thing I can tell you is I give 100% with Brisdelle. I have been and will continue to work hard, ethically and smart with this product. I have made very good progress but am not where I want to be, nor is anyone, as we know.
My problem is, I too feel very underpaid here at Noven. No talk of merit increases and top reps being all leveled the same is BS, and you guys know it. When top reps got capped with the Mini launch bonus, it was unacceptable and so now is the time to make it up with Brisdelle. Truth is, I can't afford to stay here with a base salary that is 20 to 40% less than what companies are offering right now (some with even less experience). If you think there aren't jobs like a year ago, you would be wrong. I have actually been offered 2 in the last month. More money and potential for much more bonus. So why not leave already, you ask? Because if I'm going to leave, I want it to be a big jump because I believe in this company and the people here and don't want to jump for the first thing that I come across. To me, money comes second to loving what you do and enjoying the people you work with.... But there does come a point when the pay gap gets so large you feel compelled to make a jump. That point is approaching quickly. A 30% pay increase and potential for decent bonus eventually talks you into the "well maybe I'll love that company too." Take care of the reps that love this company. It's a rarity in corporate America today to have employees who love their job!
I have been in contact with several top performing reps with VVD, Mini, and even Brisdelle. Everyone is looking for work or at least testing the water. If you think this is not accurate you are living a lie. Either the low performing reps are looking, cause they know their days are numbered or the top ones are looking cause they are not making any real money, nor does there seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel with it. There is an old saying that everyone is replaceable, and it is true. But there are reps here that having to replace would be detrimental to the companies goals/future. They are going to leave! They don't want to! I don't want to!.. But the time has approached. I will continue to work my tail off to make Brisdelle successful. I will give it through the NSM, but after that, if nothing changes, I will leave this company.... So, here are few ideas to help keep the foundation of this company here, and I hope others will add some realistic ideas as well...
1) If you are not going to change the bonus structure, at the very least give your reps in good standing a solid base pay increase. If this is a specialty company, pay us like one. Don't come back with some 3 or 4%, I mean, make us competitive with real pharma specialty. There should not be a tenured, solid track record rep in good standing at Noven making less than $85k base, minimum!!! This is not Quintiles or Inventiv, or contract, where you start at 55 or 60. Lets get real and pay the reps who are deserving.
2) PAY BY ZIP CODE! It has been needed for years at this company, now more than ever. Trust your reps as they know their territory. Pay me by every script in my zip code and do away with this ridiculous target list. Here is the problem: I have a target that is lunch only to detail. He or she is in a group practice with 7 other providers. I have to feed all of them. No biggie, right? Well, target doc couldn't care less about the product, but 3 or 4 of the other 7 providers are very interested. Why waste my time even talking to them? Not going to get paid on them. Seriously, why?!.... But I do, because it is the right thing to do and I think Noven would want me to. But there is ZERO incentive to do so. I'm not going to get any credit for it, and even if I do add them as a target it takes months, if it happens at all. So make this easy... Here is your territory by zip code. Go make it happen!
3) This throw Mini in the closet cause it's all about Brisdelle is BAD BUSINESS! Either Noven is not being up front and forward about this product, or they are completely missing the boat. So what is it? I understand Brisdelle is "The Future" and now the patent runs through 2029 or something, but this is the part that makes no sense. I understand VVD was to go generic, and rumor has it Mini production was halted, or at least reduced in anticipation (big mistake), but the generic didn't happen and no one seems to know if or when it will. So what gives? Look, Mini gets us through the door to talk about Brisdelle. You may not want to hear that but it is true. The business I have generated with Brisdelle would not have come if I didn't have Mini in my arsenal... "You know what Doc, I understand that you 100% believe in estrogen, and it is a great product. I've sold it to you for years, and I still have it for those individuals who need it. But I have a product that is non hormonal and efficacious for VMS and is going to curb that fear a lot of your patients have that surrounds estrogen use. It's affordable and it works. And if it doesn't doc, you can always fall back on estrogen. But you and I know that you see a lot of patients that have that estrogen concern, so why not let them try Brisdelle for a month? It's not going to cost them a single penny? If you don't have positive feedback, I think your opinion on estrogen use will go even farther with them. But Brisdelle is going to work." ..... People, Mini still has a place, and will until the generic appears. It may still after..?? If you think it doesn't you are completely dropping the ball!... I have so many providers that were hesitant to convert from VVD to Mini. I believed in it and they could see it in me. They tried it and loved it. They trust me. They now listen to me with Brisdelle. They are open to it, and once we get this copay card sorted out and make it actually affordable the scripts will come. But we don't get there without the products that made Noven. I'm just now starting to see those providers who have tried a few patient with Brisdelle and are getting feedback. It's positive, which makes the doctor more likely to write more and more.
As Forrest Gump would say, "That's all I got to say about that."
Feedback appreciated.