It really is. And some of us have been masters of it for a long time. I have some iam team members who have grown very portly just meeting other reps frequently for "company business meetings." These lunches usually take about three hours. The rep leaves his house around ten, maybe makes one call, then meets his territory partner or partners around 11:30. They take a nice leisurely lunch until about 2 or 2:30, then either head home or maybe make another call. One of my territory partners has made an entire career out of this strategy. I think he made P club once many years ago when almost everyone in the region went on the trip. Other than that he throws together some spreadsheets and does some useless number analysis for the clueless DM. On the calls he does make he spends most of the time chatting with office staff. Any clinical messaging comes from a ride with an MSL once in a while. The guy is as happy as a pig in a poke, because he is a master of this game. He's taught me and others his secrets: ALways have at least a couple of lunches, breakfasts, snacks on the expense report to make the manager think you're working. The other funny thing is that most of the docs in his territory are no see, or have minimal access. But before he rides with a manager or anyone he goes in with some nice goodies prior to make sure the staff and doc remember him the next week he comes in.
Marti in the meantime has no clue, and the rep loves to call other reps on the phone and make fun of her cluelessness. I'm thinking of sending her and MY and his RBD an anonymous suggestion to ride with this rep for a few days in place of his manager. Give him minimal lead time, like a day, and then spend three days from 9 to 5 with him. Make sure you tell him you want to see a strong close and some solid clinical messaging from him, Marti. You'll be getting his name soon. The rest of us will be waiting to see what happens. If you don't ride with the guy, it means you're playing favorites or just targeting other reps. Or maybe he's a mole. We'll see.
Maybe we'll even post some strong hints and clues on here as to who we're talking about. Along with some of his teammates who use similar strategies. I know one rep on that team who has only two or three accounts in her territory that are accessible. Make a three day ride out of that one, Marti.
I can't wait to post more. That email is coming, senior management. And it will get copied on here as well.
Who you gonna call?
Boast-busters!
Boo!