So tell me about the St. Louis Lifevest Region

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Anonymous

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Read through this board. Pretty funny stuff!

Recruiters have been blowing up my inbox about an open RM opportunity. Not really actively looking, happy where I am, just always like to see whats out there. They said to plan is $235k. (I know recruiters oversell) But it did get my attention.

So whats the skinny? I know the former RM was promoted. Good reps? High performing region? Is LifeVest really as bad as you say?

I take all this Cafepharma stuff with a grain of salt, been in the game for a while now.

So lets hear it, the good the bad and the ugly about the St. Louis region!
 






Anonymous said:
Read through this board. Pretty funny stuff!

Recruiters have been blowing up my inbox about an open RM opportunity. Not really actively looking, happy where I am, just always like to see whats out there. They said to plan is $235k. (I know recruiters oversell) But it did get my attention.

So whats the skinny? I know the former RM was promoted. Good reps? High performing region? Is LifeVest really as bad as you say?

I take all this Cafepharma stuff with a grain of salt, been in the game for a while now.

So lets hear it, the good the bad and the ugly about the St. Louis region!
Click to expand...


Sounds like you would be PERFECT for the role. Looked at all the data available on this site and yet looking for new data to support your own idea of what you want it to be. Here are your answers. No you will not make that kind of money. You will for the first few months but that will not be what you make year after year. RM was promoted because they could not get anyone else from the outside to come in and yes it's that bad. You will spend all you days trying to figure out how to keep your reps from not jumping ship and filling vacancies to replace those that did, getting them trained and then doing it all after again. Wash, rinse repeat over and over. You nor your reps will be respected by your customers. Have fun with that.
 






Look, I have worked for 4 big healthcare companies over the last 17 years. At every company there are good territories and bad territories, good regions and bad regions. Based on population, reimbursement etc etc etc.

Just wondering how the St. Louis region performs vs. the rest of the country. Not trying to make it what I want it to be. That is unrealistic.

I'll make my own judgements about the product, not just based on what I read on this bathroom wall, but what the customers think, blogs, publications etc etc. Pretty easy for me to ask the target market a few questions since I'm in the hospitals anyway. And, my ex-next door neighbor is a Cardiologist and I am waiting to hear back from him.

So, relax, take a breath...you will live longer.

It is very easy to tell that many of the posts on this wall are from the same people over and over and over.
 






Anonymous said:
Look, I have worked for 4 big healthcare companies over the last 17 years. At every company there are good territories and bad territories, good regions and bad regions. Based on population, reimbursement etc etc etc.

Just wondering how the St. Louis region performs vs. the rest of the country. Not trying to make it what I want it to be. That is unrealistic.

I'll make my own judgements about the product, not just based on what I read on this bathroom wall, but what the customers think, blogs, publications etc etc. Pretty easy for me to ask the target market a few questions since I'm in the hospitals anyway. And, my ex-next door neighbor is a Cardiologist and I am waiting to hear back from him.

So, relax, take a breath...you will live longer.

It is very easy to tell that many of the posts on this wall are from the same people over and over and over.
Click to expand...

Honestly, the money is at the RM level and above. The TM's are the one's that get screwed over!

Through all the splits I acquired a new RM a few months ago. This new RM is not the brightest bulb on the planet and explained to me how the region's goals were set. Long story short, region goals are less then what TM's goals are in aggregate. So basically, a RM can make their quota while most of their TM's do not.

You may in fact make what the recruiter sold you on, but you have to ask yourself a few questions:

1. Can you handle working at a company with a very poor culture?

2. Can you handle your region constantly turning over (~75%)?

3. Can you handle being associated with what is essentially a burden to the health care system (no data to support necessity which leads to very poor coverage and high copays).

and the biggest one of all

4. Do you know enough from the outside looking in to ask the appropriate questions and formulate a full evaluation of the "opportunity"?

The last one is the one that really matters! I did not, nor could I, know enough when I started to do this. From the outside looking in, it always seems like it is disgruntled employees posting over and over. You are going to be different and can be successful. You are more then welcome to believe that. I know I did, but alas it was just what is written here. I can say that this is my first post, but what I read on here is 100% correct. I'll close with the old saying; "where there is smoke there is usually fire"!
 












There are also RMs that have quotas higher than their reps in aggregate. If you have been around a while with that many years experience go and ask your doctors about the product and see what they say. Most will say it's a good product but I don't think going to work at Zoll would be a good move for you. I see so many people come and go in the organization.
 






Anonymous said:
There are also RMs that have quotas higher than their reps in aggregate. If you have been around a while with that many years experience go and ask your doctors about the product and see what they say. Most will say it's a good product but I don't think going to work at Zoll would be a good move for you. I see so many people come and go in the organization.
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This post is asinine, and I HATE this place! How can an RM have a higher quota then their TM'S? The only source of revenue is the TM's!?!?

Additionally, most physicians will not say it's a good device. If this were the case the uptake would be far greater, and it would be (or be much closer) to being standard of care. Most physicians will say it is an unnecessary expense for such a low risk. The cost of a life saved is hundreds of thousands of dollars!!!
 






Actually it happens a lot when RMs have higher quotas than the aggregate of their reps. Several TMs leave and the quota for each territory is reset to what it is actually doing for the new reps coming in. This was done for you when you came in. Of course we all know the quota goes up every two weeks and gets out of control and then the rep leaves and it starts all over again. What happens is that when a RM has several reps leave the individual territory quotas are reset but the managers quota is not so the manager holds the entire quota they were give at the beginning of the year, thus the manager having a quota that is now higher than the reps aggregate quota. During the next quota reset it washes back out and it should all add up. A few more reps leave and the whole process starts all over again.

It's not pretty but that's how it works.
 






At other companies, as a sales manager you have some authority to drive sales. The RM position really has some major shackles. The system as a whole is very fragmented and siloed for a reason. As an RM you will have little more authority than your TM's with internal management teams. For example, need inventory to address an issue-you deal with an account coordinator who is the same one your TM had dealt with. Ask to speak with the manager-not available or you will be told your issue is irrelevant. Need an understanding of bookings! Good luck- create all the spreadsheets you want and demand, revenue is still like a lotto scratch off-unpredictable for the most part. From the aspect of development/training (a core)-its dated, insulting and doesn't even meet pharma entry level standards.

St. Louis is not a bad region overall. The problem is market saturation and potential. The area is saturated with reps, hospitals have realigned core business and your in the range of about 40-60% market share with a 15% consistent lag in bookings. The team is young and looking or will be post-summer. You would get a ramp reprieve but at a 60% growth target or roughly $25K jump every month will soon put you neutral or under in about 9-13months depending on you start point. All in all the information on the site is actually pretty spot on even with filters.





Anonymous said:
Read through this board. Pretty funny stuff!

Recruiters have been blowing up my inbox about an open RM opportunity. Not really actively looking, happy where I am, just always like to see whats out there. They said to plan is $235k. (I know recruiters oversell) But it did get my attention.

So whats the skinny? I know the former RM was promoted. Good reps? High performing region? Is LifeVest really as bad as you say?

I take all this Cafepharma stuff with a grain of salt, been in the game for a while now.

So lets hear it, the good the bad and the ugly about the St. Louis region!
Click to expand...
 






Anonymous said:
At other companies, as a sales manager you have some authority to drive sales. The RM position really has some major shackles. The system as a whole is very fragmented and siloed for a reason. As an RM you will have little more authority than your TM's with internal management teams. For example, need inventory to address an issue-you deal with an account coordinator who is the same one your TM had dealt with. Ask to speak with the manager-not available or you will be told your issue is irrelevant. Need an understanding of bookings! Good luck- create all the spreadsheets you want and demand, revenue is still like a lotto scratch off-unpredictable for the most part. From the aspect of development/training (a core)-its dated, insulting and doesn't even meet pharma entry level standards.

St. Louis is not a bad region overall. The problem is market saturation and potential. The area is saturated with reps, hospitals have realigned core business and your in the range of about 40-60% market share with a 15% consistent lag in bookings. The team is young and looking or will be post-summer. You would get a ramp reprieve but at a 60% growth target or roughly $25K jump every month will soon put you neutral or under in about 9-13months depending on you start point. All in all the information on the site is actually pretty spot on even with filters.
Click to expand...

Thank you. Very good information.
 






Anonymous said:
Look, I have worked for 4 big healthcare companies over the last 17 years. At every company there are good territories and bad territories, good regions and bad regions. Based on population, reimbursement etc etc etc.

Just wondering how the St. Louis region performs vs. the rest of the country. Not trying to make it what I want it to be. That is unrealistic.

I'll make my own judgements about the product, not just based on what I read on this bathroom wall, but what the customers think, blogs, publications etc etc. Pretty easy for me to ask the target market a few questions since I'm in the hospitals anyway. And, my ex-next door neighbor is a Cardiologist and I am waiting to hear back from him.

So, relax, take a breath...you will live longer.

It is very easy to tell that many of the posts on this wall are from the same people over and over and over.
Click to expand...

Dont tell this idiot anything...starts off with his crediantials like everyone else is a piece of shit and previously worked for Wallmart and Costco. Hes going to look at blogs and ask his Cardiologist neighbor about the lifevest LOL. Nice research. Then he tells you to breath youll live longer. Remember this asshole, your recruiter called you because you are a piece of shit. If you were as talented as you think you are, your recruiter would wait and save your resume for a company that paid big bucks for candidates. Thats the way it works smart guy. Second thought come on over and show us all how your so different from the hundreds of RM's before you! You want credentials well read away smartest guy in the room.....28 years in Cardiac Health care...retired 4 years ago with a sizeable nest egg. Came back because im to young to start a dry cleaners. Previous Regional Manager, Director of training, Director of Sales. Rep number 11 when a company named Genentech opened its doors. Cardiac surgery rep and manager selling products for one of the big boys for 11 years. So come on board and bring your vast amount of experience and knowledge and right the ship! By the way im breathing and it smells like bullshit. 235k interested you? You must be pharma. 235k in med device is expected. Good luck and get in the mix I want to see how you explain this company in your next interview....
 






he/she is just like everyone else....already desperate and made up their mind to see what they want. Providing them with all the information they want so they can make an informed decision in discussion over scooping dogsh*t with the neighbor in the backyard, will only solidify your points.
 






Anonymous said:
Dont tell this idiot anything...starts off with his crediantials like everyone else is a piece of shit and previously worked for Wallmart and Costco. Hes going to look at blogs and ask his Cardiologist neighbor about the lifevest LOL. Nice research. Then he tells you to breath youll live longer. Remember this asshole, your recruiter called you because you are a piece of shit. If you were as talented as you think you are, your recruiter would wait and save your resume for a company that paid big bucks for candidates. Thats the way it works smart guy. Second thought come on over and show us all how your so different from the hundreds of RM's before you! You want credentials well read away smartest guy in the room.....28 years in Cardiac Health care...retired 4 years ago with a sizeable nest egg. Came back because im to young to start a dry cleaners. Previous Regional Manager, Director of training, Director of Sales. Rep number 11 when a company named Genentech opened its doors. Cardiac surgery rep and manager selling products for one of the big boys for 11 years. So come on board and bring your vast amount of experience and knowledge and right the ship! By the way im breathing and it smells like bullshit. 235k interested you? You must be pharma. 235k in med device is expected. Good luck and get in the mix I want to see how you explain this company in your next interview....
Click to expand...

Wow...you got a little dick or something? So much anger. Why does my post make me a piece of shit? An asshole? Smartest guy in the room? Never claimed that. You got issues my man. I'm just a guy that looks at options when they arise. I have worked with this recruiter for years. Actually helped me get my current gig with one of the "Big Boys", and no it isn't pharma. ANY option that fits my experience she brings to me and I take a look at simple as that. And that is what I'm doing with Zoll.

With YOUR credentials, you must be living the good life! I'm confused though. You had to "come back" with your sizeable nest egg? Why? With all your experience you should be at least a VP of sales if not a C-level person by now with a gazillion stock options! Back as what, a rep? RM? C'mon, what happened? Do tell. Breathe! Get laid! Get a blow job! Relax. You'll live longer.
 






Anonymous said:
Wow...you got a little dick or something? So much anger. Why does my post make me a piece of shit? An asshole? Smartest guy in the room? Never claimed that. You got issues my man. I'm just a guy that looks at options when they arise. I have worked with this recruiter for years. Actually helped me get my current gig with one of the "Big Boys", and no it isn't pharma. ANY option that fits my experience she brings to me and I take a look at simple as that. And that is what I'm doing with Zoll.

With YOUR credentials, you must be living the good life! I'm confused though. You had to "come back" with your sizeable nest egg? Why? With all your experience you should be at least a VP of sales if not a C-level person by now with a gazillion stock options! Back as what, a rep? RM? C'mon, what happened? Do tell. Breathe! Get laid! Get a blow job! Relax. You'll live longer.
Click to expand...

Don't take a position at Zoll, "you'll live longer"!
 






Anonymous said:
Wow...you got a little dick or something? So much anger. Why does my post make me a piece of shit? An asshole? Smartest guy in the room? Never claimed that. You got issues my man. I'm just a guy that looks at options when they arise. I have worked with this recruiter for years. Actually helped me get my current gig with one of the "Big Boys", and no it isn't pharma. ANY option that fits my experience she brings to me and I take a look at simple as that. And that is what I'm doing with Zoll.

With YOUR credentials, you must be living the good life! I'm confused though. You had to "come back" with your sizeable nest egg? Why? With all your experience you should be at least a VP of sales if not a C-level person by now with a gazillion stock options! Back as what, a rep? RM? C'mon, what happened? Do tell. Breathe! Get laid! Get a blow job! Relax. You'll live longer.
Click to expand...


So your just trolling the Zoll site and havnt decided if your interested yet? What did your extensive research with your neighbor or the "blogs show"? You keep a close relationship with your recruiter??? LOL I guess your pretty happy with all the big boys you've been working for. Since your medical experience and degree has enabled you to give advice on breathing and blow jobs, heres some advice for you....come on over. Its a great place to work! You'll fit right in!! Im sure you've taken several courses on hiring...so bring your vast talents over here!! Let me paint the appropriate picture of your future...first youll come in thinking you bring some value and your going to straiten out your under performing region. You will learn all about tech support and exactly where your place is in the food chain. Youll have all sorts of ideas and suggestions to make Zoll and your team a better place to work and more efficient. After a couple of Regional Manager conference calls, and your presence at a couple of meetings, you will learn all about breathing and will be even more proficient at your skill set of giving blow jobs.
 






Anonymous said:
Wow...you got a little dick or something? So much anger. Why does my post make me a piece of shit? An asshole? Smartest guy in the room? Never claimed that. You got issues my man. I'm just a guy that looks at options when they arise. I have worked with this recruiter for years. Actually helped me get my current gig with one of the "Big Boys", and no it isn't pharma. ANY option that fits my experience she brings to me and I take a look at simple as that. And that is what I'm doing with Zoll.

With YOUR credentials, you must be living the good life! I'm confused though. You had to "come back" with your sizeable nest egg? Why? With all your experience you should be at least a VP of sales if not a C-level person by now with a gazillion stock options! Back as what, a rep? RM? C'mon, what happened? Do tell. Breathe! Get laid! Get a blow job! Relax. You'll live longer.
Click to expand...

This guy is a walking contradiction...takes what he hears on cafe pharma with a grain of salt but then asks whats up with the Region, of course on cafe pharma...says he stays in contact with his recruiter to explore good jobs but works for one of the big boys LOL Nice recruiter! Matter of fact I dont know one reputable recruiter that will touch the opportunity! Wants to walk in and expects to get paid 235 on somebody elses hard work and sweat! Then to top it off he talks like a street thug...nice professionalism. You deserve the opportunity if you can pass the test. This is the future of our company...pharm reps and new managers that are clueless about the market and cardiology.
 






Anonymous said:
Wow...you got a little dick or something? So much anger. Why does my post make me a piece of shit? An asshole? Smartest guy in the room? Never claimed that. You got issues my man. I'm just a guy that looks at options when they arise. I have worked with this recruiter for years. Actually helped me get my current gig with one of the "Big Boys", and no it isn't pharma. ANY option that fits my experience she brings to me and I take a look at simple as that. And that is what I'm doing with Zoll.

With YOUR credentials, you must be living the good life! I'm confused though. You had to "come back" with your sizeable nest egg? Why? With all your experience you should be at least a VP of sales if not a C-level person by now with a gazillion stock options! Back as what, a rep? RM? C'mon, what happened? Do tell. Breathe! Get laid! Get a blow job! Relax. You'll live longer.
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Wow what a piece of work! Cut us a break and go troll some other site you dont believe in! Do us all a favor and stay where you are! We have enough assholes from outside the company who landed here and are screwing things up! If you havnt sold the product and understand the process, you are worthless to your reps at Zoll. We dont need another manager who can only manage administrative tasks!!
 












Sooo... pretty much everything I've read on here is false. However, if you are looking at cafe pharma to decide whether or not to interview/take the job, than please keep walking.
 






Anonymous said:
Sooo... pretty much everything I've read on here is false. However, if you are looking at cafe pharma to decide whether or not to interview/take the job, than please keep walking.
Click to expand...

Fuck off desperate RM! The only way your statement is remotely true is if you mean people are leaving out even further negative details!

Since many patients and the general public get the Lifevest confused with a life jacket here's an analogy:

Zoll Lifevest is like the Titanic after it hit the iceberg...it's sinking! One may not know how long it will say afloat, so it is best to jump ship to one of the lifeboats if you're lucky enough to get a seat!
 






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