Horizon Just Ruined Their Own Launch

[Anonymous]

# of signature calls per day 8
# of calls total per day 10

I'm no longer targeting docs because they're potential RXers.
Instead I will spend all my time targeting docs who are willing to sign all the time.

Nice job Mike, Jeanne and Sean. You just screwed yourselves.

[Anonymous]

I agree, when you start placing metrics over sales everyone loses.

[Anonymous]

"Help Wanted, No Bullshit" - was actually bullshit.

[Anonymous]

Well Said!

Now Horizon is just like every other pharmaceutical company,,,, full of BS!

[Anonymous]

Well Said!

Now Horizon is just like every other pharmaceutical company,,,, full of BS!

HA HA HA

[Anonymous]

Team. Be at ease Tom is in the house. All is fine.

[Anonymous]

Full of BS. Jeanne outta check herself before she yacks up a bunch of bull about not being like big pharma, no signature counting.

[Anonymous]

Team. Be at ease Tom is in the house. All is fine.

Tom is solid and will do his best for the team. You may not like him, but he is on your side

[Anonymous]

I thought I would never see the day that I would actually cut a doctor off in - order to get his partners signature as he was walking by. A sad day for this entrepreneurial company. Since this new rule I have made no minimum than 10-12 calls per day with 9-12 signatures. But guess what? I have not sold anything. I just don't have time to detail. I have cancelled two lunches since who wants to waste 2 hours in an office when I have signatures to chase. All of those offices I removed from my target list because they would only sign, have been the the first ones I have visited the last few days.

I wonder what the company will do when we no longer have access to the offices because we have dumped boxes of samples and they just don't need anymore?

[Anonymous]

I spent my entire lunch setting up the computer so that each doctor could sign. Racked up 9 signatures from the lunch and got a pat on the back from my manager! YES! I am really selling now. Only problem is, I think the doctors thought I was a UPS man. Sure hope they knew I was selling DUEXIS. I don't know where to stick the loads of samples I am leaving behind. The boxes are already huge and now that each doctor has to sign, I am leaving a whole case in some offices. Guess the company could care less about scripts. That's good since we won't be getting any now that we are leaving months of samples in the closet.

[Anonymous]

I spent my entire lunch setting up the computer so that each doctor could sign. Racked up 9 signatures from the lunch and got a pat on the back from my manager! YES! I am really selling now. Only problem is, I think the doctors thought I was a UPS man. Sure hope they knew I was selling DUEXIS. I don't know where to stick the loads of samples I am leaving behind. The boxes are already huge and now that each doctor has to sign, I am leaving a whole case in some offices. Guess the company could care less about scripts. That's good since we won't be getting any now that we are leaving months of samples in the closet.

I refuse to conform with this policy. The reps that are doing this will fail miserably once the numbers come out. If samples equated into scripts then Vimovo would be selling like crazy now since I see boxes and boxes of that laying in the closet. It devalues the product. This is a bad move from the company's perspective. Reps will soon find that they have sampled themselves right out of an office. 80% signatures is one step below a contract sales force. It is what you do with an old drug that has gone generic, not something you do at launch. Especially since you are preaching frequency not reach. Even big pharma has figured that out. If it were all about reach, I could maybe understand. But if you want us to see these people weekly, you need to rethink the sample dump strategy. Its over flowing the bins in some offices and looks bad for the company and the rep.

[Anonymous]

I refuse to conform with this policy. The reps that are doing this will fail miserably once the numbers come out. If samples equated into scripts then Vimovo would be selling like crazy now since I see boxes and boxes of that laying in the closet. It devalues the product. This is a bad move from the company's perspective. Reps will soon find that they have sampled themselves right out of an office. 80% signatures is one step below a contract sales force. It is what you do with an old drug that has gone generic, not something you do at launch. Especially since you are preaching frequency not reach. Even big pharma has figured that out. If it were all about reach, I could maybe understand. But if you want us to see these people weekly, you need to rethink the sample dump strategy. Its over flowing the bins in some offices and looks bad for the company and the rep.

Over flowing the bins is an understatement. I had to hide a few in an office behind some other samples. It's a waste of resources.

[Anonymous]

There is a reason companies don't use contract companies to launch products. Dumb move. Oh well, it was fun being the owner of my territory while it lasted.

[Anonymous]

Full of BS. Jeanne outta check herself before she yacks up a bunch of bull about not being like big pharma, no signature counting.

and it took her less than 60 days to start singing a new tune. HA HA Some people just can't handle the pressure and lack of control. Either trust the people you hired, or don't. No BS. yeah right. No assholes? Yeah right again.

[Anonymous]

I am definately working harder chasing signatures just not smarter.

[Anonymous]

I am definately working harder chasing signatures just not smarter.

very true. our manager wants us to have 14 quality calls per day with 80% signatures. So basically 2 quality calls per hour leaving no room for drive time. 14 calls per day is hard enough just dropping samples and grabbing a signature, its impossible to get that many quality details in a day unless you are just camped out at an hospital or large clinic. Where do they come up with this stuff? Big pharma had us getting 10-12 and that was just maintaining a blockbuster drug. Calling on specialists takes more time and requires more detail. The metrics don't even align with the spin.

[Anonymous]

very true. our manager wants us to have 14 quality calls per day with 80% signatures. So basically 2 quality calls per hour leaving no room for drive time. 14 calls per day is hard enough just dropping samples and grabbing a signature, its impossible to get that many quality details in a day unless you are just camped out at an hospital or large clinic. Where do they come up with this stuff? Big pharma had us getting 10-12 and that was just maintaining a blockbuster drug. Calling on specialists takes more time and requires more detail. The metrics don't even align with the spin.

Wow! I am thankful that at least my manager gets it. 14 calls is crazy to ask if they also want quality. Your manager is the exception. My manger is still thankfully focusing on quality calls and not chasing signatures. The pressure is coming from home office. My manager has been a good filter and has not put any of that pressure back to the team. He trusts that he hired the right people.

[Anonymous]

Counting calls counting signatures. No need to count scripts. There won't be any.

i havent sold anything except my pride and 15 years of solid sales for signature getting.
Shame.

[Anonymous]

I only made 7 calls today with only 4 signatures but had the best Duexis sales days since launch. Think I will be fired for actually selling today? Tomorrow I will chase signatures, I promise!

[Anonymous]

Stock hits new low @ $3.70

[Anonymous]

Only the slacker reps are being asked to get more signatures. My ABM told me I was fine with what I was doing and to keep it up. Said not the case with others. Said some reps were a month into launch and had barely made any calls with samples or were only making one lunch call a day. With the bonus money they are throwing at us, unreal.

[Anonymous]

all reps in my district are being asked to get more signatures. i was told to make up or hit more calls later in the week to make up for the six signatures i got although i had a great selling day and a lunch with an office. glad some districts have it easy! the rest of us are hurting feeling like our jobs are on the line if we don't avg over 10 a day. no time to detail and sell the staff on the product. . . thanks horizon

[Anonymous]

so glad I passed on this job! I hate that chasing sig all day!

[Anonymous]

Only the slacker reps are being asked to get more signatures. My ABM told me I was fine with what I was doing and to keep it up. Said not the case with others. Said some reps were a month into launch and had barely made any calls with samples or were only making one lunch call a day. With the bonus money they are throwing at us, unreal.

Our entire region was told at a minimum we must have 8 signatures a day. Sorry to tell you, it's not just a few reps. It's across the board for everyone. If you only get 7 you have to explain the reason why you were selling and not just dropping off samples.

[Anonymous]

Only the slacker reps are being asked to get more signatures. My ABM told me I was fine with what I was doing and to keep it up. Said not the case with others. Said some reps were a month into launch and had barely made any calls with samples or were only making one lunch call a day. With the bonus money they are throwing at us, unreal.

Spoken like a true big pharma robot. Have you ever worked for a small company and had to launch a product with zero resources? Doing so makes you realize how much money is wasted and invested on samples. Some offices are truly sample sensitive, others could care less either way. A talented rep can tell the difference and a progressive company would allow their reps the freedom to do so. Especially with all the bonus money they are throwing at us. Signature and sample drop mandates? Unreal. Daily call mandates, I can understand.

[Anonymous]

Spoken like a true big pharma robot. Have you ever worked for a small company and had to launch a product with zero resources? Doing so makes you realize how much money is wasted and invested on samples. Some offices are truly sample sensitive, others could care less either way. A talented rep can tell the difference and a progressive company would allow their reps the freedom to do so. Especially with all the bonus money they are throwing at us. Signature and sample drop mandates? Unreal. Daily call mandates, I can understand.

Amen! Your post is right on. By forcing the amount of signatures and the amount of EEP kits it really takes away from the true intent of our sales calls. Today I had to beg a doctor to sign off stating I was in his office even though he told me he did not need any more samples. I felt like a slimy used car sales man.

[Anonymous]

by virtue of you being on this website, then you have more time to get signatures. Stop whining and go sell for once. Bunch of babies.

[Anonymous]

Quitting as soon as I get another offer. 2 interviews next week still jobs to be had u don't have to take this bs

[Anonymous]

Don't let the door hit you in the ass. Make sure you have those calls in Veeva. Your manager will be looking.

[Anonymous]

by virtue of you being on this website, then you have more time to get signatures. Stop whining and go sell for once. Bunch of babies.

Wow, you are ancient. There is something called Smartphones and waiting rooms. Thank goodness otherwise we would never get the million forced success stories over email that you people keep sending. Same 'ole big pharma BS. At least big pharma was up front about it.

[Anonymous]

by virtue of you being on this website, then you have more time to get signatures. Stop whining and go sell for once. Bunch of babies.

Obviously everyone hired has sold more than once which is why they are here. Let the reps do what you hired them to do.

[Anonymous]

If you're not actively seeking employment elsewhere, you're not paying attention.

[Anonymous]

I never quit my last job and have been double dipping since. I knew from the get go this drug would be a dog product and I knew it would be just a matter if time before management figured it out to and started to micro manage the sales force. Just wait until the numbers come out. They are already stressing out about the early data and it's not looking good. Just get your signatures, get some interviews and sit back and watch the fireworks.

[Anonymous]

This is not a bad gig. You just have to change your mindset. Be what Horizon wants you to be. A signature gatherer. Signatures for pharmacy petition, signatures for samples, signatures for the kit, email boss success story and soon we will gather signatures for the savings coupons.

[Anonymous]

I am so glad that I didn't take a DM job with this company....not because the company have ineffective strategy, but because everybody I see here is a winer. If you can't get signatures and sell a product then the problem is you. Be lucky that you have a job and that somebody hired you. I'm not impressed with anybody's complaint.

[Anonymous]

I am happy that I passed on the interview for this company. I would rather stay with big pharma. Good luck to those of you who took the job. The market is not as bad as you think you will land somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

This job is like any other job. If the manager is good the reps are good. From what I hear, there a couple of really good managers here that have motivated their teams, provided resources and have been supportive even with the pressure of corporate. And there are a couple of poor managers that have attempted to use scare tactics and threats. If you have a good manager, just work your butt off and ride it out. If you have one of the poor managers, work your butt off and looked to get out. It will only get worse for you and life is just too short to hate your job. I am fortunate enough to have a good manager. They are the only reason I am even sticking this out. I have been in contact with a recruiter though, just in case things don't turn around.

[Anonymous]

I never quit my last job and have been double dipping since. I knew from the get go this drug would be a dog product and I knew it would be just a matter if time before management figured it out to and started to micro manage the sales force. Just wait until the numbers come out. They are already stressing out about the early data and it's not looking good. Just get your signatures, get some interviews and sit back and watch the fireworks.

Ken, Ken, Ken. When will you learn?

[Anonymous]

If you're not actively seeking employment elsewhere, you're not paying attention.

Agree and it has nothing to do with the new signature mandates. The company's future is not bright any idiot can see that.

[Anonymous]

3 weeks into launch the company started flipping out about the metrics. Ask yourself why? My guess is they started to realize this drug was not going to sell as easily as they promised the investors. Scripts are getting kicked back left and right. That was not expected. Some states have it better than others and the rest of the states will be spinning their wheels trying to figure out what is going on. Nothing new about this with a new launch and new company. The only interesting thing will be how the company handles it. Seems like right now the process is blame the sames force. Good luck with that kind of leadership. Turning on your own won't get the sales force lining up to fight these battles with you.

[Anonymous]

I like the pressure. I don't mind the metrics. What I can't stand, however, is my managers bs comments like "your peers got 2 more signatures then you today" like I give a shit. Then follows up with "can you explain this?" yes I can but it would start with kiss and end with my ass. I can't stand micro managers. Even home office is trying to micro manage from home office. Just give us the script and plan our routes for us already. Why are they fighting it? It's clear that is where they are headed. Jeanie's email made me laugh. She says People always say they want to be empowered and entrusted…but are they worthy of it when they are given it?

To that I say people say they want to trust and empower their employees but as soon as the pressure is on, they forget the meaning of the word trust and start to show they are not capable of it.

[Anonymous]

"To that I say people say they want to trust and empower their employees but as soon as the pressure is on, they forget the meaning of the word trust and start to show they are not capable of it."

Well said. Trust is alot like faith. Everyone says they have it until the crap hits the fan and everyone starts to panic. Those that have faith/trust will remain calm.

[Anonymous]

oh oh i'm home for the day i hit my metrics. . .thats all my region is concerned with. and yes i hit my 4 pharmacies

[Anonymous]

Doc wants to talk. Fine but I have to go get more signatures so make it quick guy.

[Anonymous]

Did Ken Baker talk to a customer?

[Anonymous]

Did Ken Baker talk to a customer?

For Horizon or his other company?

[Anonymous]

Did Ken Baker talk to a customer?

Did he bring his booster seat to make him look like a big boy?

[Anonymous]

"Tiny but mighty" HA! More like "poorly managed and soon to be bankrupt!"

[Anonymous]

Maybe if they backed the f off and let us sell Duexis would actually turn a profit.

[Anonymous]

They sabotaged themselves and there is no way to turn it @ now, too much damage has been done. The upcoming "Launch" meeting is a joke.

[Anonymous]

Threats and intimidation only force people to work just hard enough not to get fired while they find another job.

[Anonymous]

Threats and intimidation only force people to work just hard enough not to get fired while they find another job.

I already found one. I thought about giving notice, but since my manager likes to threaten and intimidate, I am going to just suck this out for awhile. I don't start for another 3 weeks. So I am going to enjoy the free vacation to Vegas.It's going to be hard to hear the metric BS at the meeting.

[Anonymous]

I am jealous!

[Anonymous]

Bring a picture of something you care about: I'll be bringing a picture of my ass, it's important to me, so it's my motivation to find another job, and our management team can kiss it!

Lies, metrics, etc. for 30 days - and now were supposed to be one big happy family! HA! You people are crazy!

Horizon Management, get a life. I'll be getting another job!

[Anonymous]

So sick of this company and the BS. The drug sucks, the stock sucks and the scripts are just not moving. I have 35 scripts (approx) and have no work life balance. I spend all day and early evenings in offices then pharmacies. Dr's have tried it and are saying it is just not worth the price, hassle of PA's and call backs. Dusting off my resume this weekend. Sad that I left a great gig for this micro managed BS.

[Anonymous]

So sick of this company and the BS. The drug sucks, the stock sucks and the scripts are just not moving. I have 35 scripts (approx) and have no work life balance. I spend all day and early evenings in offices then pharmacies. Dr's have tried it and are saying it is just not worth the price, hassle of PA's and call backs. Dusting off my resume this weekend. Sad that I left a great gig for this micro managed BS.

What PA's and callbacks? KB and his managed care barrel of monkeys has that product covered for you!

[Anonymous]

So sick of this company and the BS. The drug sucks, the stock sucks and the scripts are just not moving. I have 35 scripts (approx) and have no work life balance. I spend all day and early evenings in offices then pharmacies. Dr's have tried it and are saying it is just not worth the price, hassle of PA's and call backs. Dusting off my resume this weekend. Sad that I left a great gig for this micro managed BS.

Agreed. I wish I had never taken this job and am kicking myself for believing the LIES!

[Anonymous]

lawsuits will be filed if anyone else is fired for bs reasons "managing territory"
time is needed to generate scripts. running getting the most signatures is a really bad expectation and looks bad on the dm asking for it. let us sell dont box me in on my days etc. human resources needs to look at dms before firing the reps who are trying to do what is asked of them.

[Anonymous]

The ONLY way I could feel more micromanaged is if my ABM moved into my house and road with me every day.

[Anonymous]

The ONLY way I could feel more micromanaged is if my ABM moved into my house and road with me every day.

LOL. Don't give your DM any ideas. True story, my ABM just told me that he should have hired someone with more relationships than I have. I wanted to tell him to F*OFF. I have good relationships and they are all saying the drug is a hassle. Chasing Signatures won't change that and is so PDI contract sales force anyways. They should have just gone that route. It would have been cheaper for them and those reps are trained on hiding samples in the closet in order to get more signatures. I personally can not hide anymore of them. I am afraid an office will call me out on it.

[Anonymous]

LOL. Don't give your DM any ideas. True story, my ABM just told me that he should have hired someone with more relationships than I have. I wanted to tell him to F*OFF. I have good relationships and they are all saying the drug is a hassle. Chasing Signatures won't change that and is so PDI contract sales force anyways. They should have just gone that route. It would have been cheaper for them and those reps are trained on hiding samples in the closet in order to get more signatures. I personally can not hide anymore of them. I am afraid an office will call me out on it.

It is illegal for the company to force you to get a doctor's signature for samples that he is not requesting. It is also illegal for you to hide samples in the doctor's office. Look it up and report your DM if they are forcing you to do this in order to keep your job. They can not legally mandate that you have so many sample calls in order to get paid or keep your job. If you are working everyday and the doctor is refusing to accept samples, you have done your job. Hire a attorney. They can force you to get a signature, but not force you to have them sign for samples.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, we are selling a "bow wow" product. Docs just smile and say goodbye. What a mistake coming to this company!!!!