Those dreaded ride-alongs

Discussion in 'Otsuka' started by anonymous, Oct 11, 2019 at 12:41 PM.

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  1. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    Is anyone getting any inspiration, value or encouragement out of ride-alongs?? I have my DM in my car for 2 days every month. There is no way to grow sales or have any benefit from him since all visits are the same...He just annoys offices with his presence. He talks and talks and talks. I had several offices ask me: “Why is he here?” I then have to explain to the provider that I get evaluated and apologize for his presence!!!.. It is annoying and a waste of time apologizing to these offices while explaining that I have to take my DM somewhere. Some offices have a “No DM” policy now and I will be running out of places to take him to for 2 days in the future with the limited access I have. These ride-alongs are so stressful, especially with nothing new to talk about. Sometimes he contradicts himself when he “ coaches” me, so now I am totally confused what to do. He also critics my presentation and closing skills. Tough to do any of that when he controls the conversation and talks endlessly. I have to coordinate field contact days with my partner and sometimes go in his route just so I have enough to do when my DM is with me. The field contact report is very subjective and depends on whether or not I was lucky to see enough doctors. Just don’t know how much longer I want to deal with this bullshit!! Any comments are welcome. How do you deal with this situation??
     

  2. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    Dude (or Dudette), if you don’t know how to manage your manager, you should not be a drug rep!!

    Here are some tips for you:
    1.) Tell your manager that you have to meet him later in the morning. Good excuses are: You need an oil change, the engine light is on. Here is one you may not have thought of: Your partner’s LCD projector is not working and he needs to borrow yours for an important group presentation during lunch. So you have to meet him before picking up your DM.

    2.) Slow your DM down... I am sure you have to make some phone calls during the day to your partner, offices...whatever.

    3.) Car trouble: While your DM uses the restroom, deflate one of your tires! Get a piece of solid gauge 10 wire, unscrew the cap of the air valve on one of your tires, use the 10 gauge wire and press on the valve stem in the center of the valve. Your tire will be flat within a minute. Getting that fixed will easily kill an hour or two, depending where you are...

    4.) Make sure you get stuck in traffic as often as possible.

    5.) Get lost in a city...Blame your DM for that because he has been talking to much and you were not paying attention.

    6.) Take the wrong exit...get on some hwy were the next exit is 3-4 miles away. Again, blame the DM for the same reason. (5+6 will not work in a rural area)

    7.)Tell your DM you feel a HUGE dump coming. Then disappear in the restroom for 30-40 minutes. When you come back out, tell your DM he was 18.4 inches long, black as tar, he will never bother you again and there was no toilet paper in the restroom. So you had to be creative.

    Hope that helps. Unfortunately, I had to use all of these at one time or another in my career. But they sure saved the day! And, I am still around after 33 years as a rep. So I must have been doing something right. Learn from me!

    Good luck and I will see you at the top!
     
  3. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    Find another gig where you dont have to deal with this stupidity.
     
  4. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    Agreed- so yourself a favor and get the hell out! It is better elsewhere! Thank God!
     
  5. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

     
  6. anonymous

    anonymous Guest


    What really love are the flat out lies in the coaching report. There were conversations that I was never privy to during the day.
     
  7. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    You just have to learn to play the game. Take him on a milk run and everyone is happy.
     
  8. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    DON'T SIGN THE FIELD CONTACT REPORT!! It's like supplying the rope to hang yourself!!
     
  9. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    There is no where to sign now that everything is under the “lack of success factors”.
     
  10. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    pillow
     
  11. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    The worst are in Florida in CB and AB!!!!!!!!
     
  12. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

     
  13. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    Yes, now we get blamed for uncontrollable factors, while management "is doing its job"... Either become a manager, or get out of this shithole...You really have no other choice unless you want to get screwed!!
     
  14. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    Agreed. Once the script gets written we are then at risk
     
  15. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    That's not managing a manager, that is being a work-avoiding douche who doesnt deserve their paycheck. Sorry you can't perform when someone is watching you. I'll bet you hit all sorts of home runs when you're solo, right?
     
  16. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    Yes Mr. (or Ms) manager. If you would be my boss, I would deal with you too!! No problem at all. And yes I am still around after all those years.:D:D:D:p:p:p
     
  17. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    Unfortunately, Otsuka Managers are not promoted for their abilities, but often because of their relationships with RD‘s or they live in the geography and RD’s cannot find a DM willing to relocate. My advice is to pre-call with your DM and ask them to role play prior to every call. After the call ask for feedback - if your DM takes over the call provide that feedback after the call. Document it and put it in the notes section of your FTCR - push back and continually ask them to show you what great looks like and how do others in your district win with a specific challenge. Most DM’s at Otsuka are worthless - the Washington DC Blue and Red managers have combined to be Team Purple and developed the Rexulti sandwich - Wow - what an embarrassment to sit their combined meetings and be treated like pre-schoolers! The meetings are a Dog & Pony show for Mike Lee - no leadership, no analysis of the market and no strategy, but they both know what Mike Lee likes. I hope I am proven wrong in 2020 and something changes but until them demand accountability from your DM and don’t back down! I would also recommend starting your job search and pursue employment at a respected company, which is my goal in 2020 since I am vested!
     
  18. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    Bravo!
     
  19. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    OP here...thank you my friend...I have arrived at a point where I am physically still here, but have checked out mentally, like so many of my colleagues. Going through the motions, collecting a paycheck but feeling numb inside. I am vested too. Looking at other opportunities outside pharma, the job market is good right now and my numbers not bad. This whole job has become a dog & pony show, no matter where you are. As an individual we don’t matter anymore. All that matters are your sales numbers. I have strongly considered moving to Alaska or Canada, renting out 10-12 cabins at a river or lake for fishermen. I have the money. No boss, no 401k, no metrics, no car, no samples, no bullshit, no lunches, no POAs, no salary....
     
  20. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    Yes and this is just another reason the Pharma Career is dead. Middle Management failing to acknowledge that a manager in the field in each territory that much is actually a detriment to medical office and the relationship building process.

    Throw in a DM that insists that "they" have to "coach" and it's nothing but a recipe for disaster. Why do these
    "morons" have such a need to coach? Every time they open their mouths it literally jeopardizes office relationships if you actually did what they said.