The "Sin" of trying to be an older sales rep at Merck

[Anonymous]

We mean nothing to them!

 

[Anonymous]

The way business in general now a days must be conducted in different than just a few years ago. More importantly, this shift has been more profound in this industry. The way things were are not relevent today, further, by carrying that baggage you are a liability to the required change that has to take place in culture.

Additionally, the role of rep is now recognized for what it always has been a cost element far in excess of the value it brings to the table.

Admit you have had a good ride, lucky almost, and move on, that reality has caught up with the current and likely future revenue streams of the industry.

 

[Anonymous]

I am now retired. I knew my "flaw" was not kosher in the new Merck. Ken and Barbie models would gather on Wednesday afternoons to drink and be merry. They knew I would still out making one or two calls since most offices are closed on Wednesdays. Soon they don't even invite me to the Wednesday outings anymore. They gave me the look and wonder what was the big deal canceling out on lunches (to me it spells "commitment" and a "promise") for whatever reason, including for one Ken, he was out late often this ideal dream woman 100 miles away. Soon I realize Merck is not the old Merck anymore. Those with inner qualities and values are not treasured. Those who dress well, speak eloquently, and detail perfectly in workshops are praised and rewarded. It was time for me to retire and to live my life in a normal world, away from this twisted toxic corporate culture.

twisted toxic corporate culture...you pretty much summed up Merck with those 4 words...

 

[Anonymous]

The way business in general now a days must be conducted in different than just a few years ago. More importantly, this shift has been more profound in this industry. The way things were are not relevent today, further, by carrying that baggage you are a liability to the required change that has to take place in culture.

Additionally, the role of rep is now recognized for what it always has been a cost element far in excess of the value it brings to the table.

Admit you have had a good ride, lucky almost, and move on, that reality has caught up with the current and likely future revenue streams of the industry.

It has been well documented that the access percentage for reps is now dippimg below 50%. ROI is extremly low and liability exposure is high. What is remarkable , with all the "smart" people and mba's at drug companies, no one seems able to come up with a better model.

 

[Anonymous]

I suspected as much that you might be retired and I don't blame you for getting out of our dysfunctional corporate environment. I know we all have our flaws but it seems there is an extreme shortage of people of character that one can respect and look up to in our corporation as well as society. It's a sad sad day when there is no one currently at Merck who comes to mind as worthy of admiration and respect. Instead we have a bunch of parasitic gamers feeding off a company that was once vibrant and healthy but is now very sick from the resultant "twisted toxic corporate culture" that supports them. If only Merck could heal thyself.

Think about it this way. The old VPs of sales (used to have several of them for different region) rose through the rank the honest way. Okay, I am sure with some office politics too. The new ones which I have the "privilege" to know and work with, are snakes. They have no soul. They are just nasty corporate animals. The old VPs commanded respect and awe. The new ones demanded the same with fear and threat. We jumped up and applauded the old VPs because they have speeches that have your blood boiling and proud to be a Merck rep. They were your advocates! We stood up and dutifully applauded the new ones because my manager is watching in the back and taking mental note. Then the SOB had the balls to say, "I don't hear your applause loud enough!" So we faked it louder.

 

[Anonymous]

File away,because nothing will come of it,and you will have signed away a nice severance. Believe me,I know from past experience that they have you by the balls!!

Oh so not true. Perhaps you didn't have a strong enough case to go forward with a lawsuit.

In many cases in large corporations, just their menacing tactics and veiled threats are enough to make an employee not want to step up and say "enough is enough".

I documented everything in detail when I starting getting that gut feeling something was up. I contacted a reputable attorney, laid out all the facts, and then filed a lawsuit. Manager was gone, I got what I was entitled to, and that is that.

True, this doesn't happen very often, or, if it does, the matter gets buried so deep and the powers that be cover up the fact that an employee actually took them on and came out vindicated.

Just saying ....