Base plan reps, describe your typical day

I was with a. Guy yesterday with three months left in the FY he's at 5.5 million in sales at Patterson.

 

You've obviously never ran a business. When you OWN and run your own business accounts- customers- can and are taken away all the time it's called competition and uncertainty. So if you think running a business means you have customers given to you by some force in nature and then you never loose them, you obviously live in a fantasy work. Doesn't work that way. Business is ever changing fluid, unpredictable.

 

That's great. What's your point?

 

The guy you were with yesterday that's posted $5.5m w/ 3 mos. left in FY14, is in the top 5% at Patterson. There are several folks like this around; probably 60 or so out of nearly 1,200 TRs. So yes, it can be done. As has been stated countless times elsewhere on this site, that level of success is dependent more on when you got in (likely before the advent of internet shopping and crazy retail competition), how many accounts you've been able to score along the way and less on how hard you work or what type b2b sales acumen you have.

Understand and know the opportunity you're being offered before coming to work here. Newer Branch Managers will feed you the same story their Regionals feed them when it comes to taking a scratch territory to a sustainable living. Like I said, it can be done. But its tough sledding for a long time and requires a fair amount of luck and cooperation from the BM. Good luck.

 

Um, I wasn't talking about competition. I was talking about the BRANCH MANAGER, YOUR BOSS, taking accounts from you because he feels like it.

It can't be your own business if you aren't the boss. GET IT????

 

You do have a TR mentality. The analogy I made to your point was that both - having a branch manager who takes away or gives you accounts and having competition when you own a business are both examples of the uncontrolled variable that exists in any business. Yes a brand manager can cause issues that you can't control. Yes a customer can issues that you can't control that is the comparison. CEO of your business or TR at PDCO there are things you can't control. Get it now?

 

Sorry buddy, but that analogy sucks. Because your BM taking an account from you isn't the same as losing an account to a competitor since that account is still buying from your company. Since it is your company, in your stupid theory, then it wouldn't be a negative. But it obviously is a negative for a rep to lose an account at Patterson because the BM took it away.

The fact you are competing against your own colleagues at Patterson for your own account is why the Patterson model is HORRIBLE for the TM.

 

Yes a horrible $3.5 billion a year failure. The point the guy was trying to make is that regardless of your position when you are competing in the business world you are always up against obstacles. Some are fair some are not. Your weak argument that having an account taken away from you by a BM is not the same as loosing an account to a competitor like Schein shows your inexperience. In business events occur that you have no control over- you,can't control a BM taking an account an unfair event maybe. You also at any company, can't control a competitor taking your account so he thinking is you have to get over it and do the best you can.

 

So what does $70k a year buy you guys these days?

 

It buys me about 80% more than the average American yearly income of $47,000 a year. Add my stock options, benefits, flexible hours, and my husbands pay and we do OK.
The mot important thing is I don't work for a douche bag manager or company.

 

sounds terribe. benefits are a given with any company, stock is minimal in the big picture, and relying on 2 incomes means you only do ok because you need 2 incomes to maintain your lifestyle. I hope you have trust worthy babysitters to raise your children.

one of you should get a job that actually pays enough to live on one income. Probably better off with your husband finding tht gig sisnce you work at patterson and make next to nothing.

 

My advice would be to work for a manufacturer. All you need is an in. Even a horrible manufacturing gig will do. Put in a year and do well. This part is key. Bust your ass for the top dealer reps and then a year in, look for a gig with a good manufacturer. Ask the big name reps who like you for help. If the number one dealer rep in your state calls the company and gives them your name, you are golden. You will have a more enjoyable time on the manufacturer side than the dealer side.

As mentioned, unless you're getting a territory from a relative or you are 20 and have room mates, you will struggle and probably fail. That's the harsh reality. Patterson will teach you their way of selling and it's a good way. But you can be the best rep in the world and it won't matter when you go up against reps that have taken care of that doc for so long that they vacation together.

This advice is not just for Patterson but for all dealers. Get in with a manufacturer and go from there. If you want to jump to a dealer afterwards, you can and the switch is easy because you're already on a first name level with the branch managers.

 

"As mentioned, unless you're getting a territory from a relative or you are 20 and have room mates, you will struggle and probably fail. "

Correct.

Case closed.. Nothing to see here.

Move On.

 

What is pay and quality of life like for branch managers? Is that a good position?

 

Most honest and truthful post ever. I took this job when biotech took a downturn and it was a bad move financially. On the positive it expanded my resume and now with my previous pharma/biotech experience I'm attractive to medical device companies since I have true B2B experience and previous medical knowledge.

As far as making a career at Patterson or any other dental dealer company, not for me personally but YMMV.

 

Awesome position. All the control in the world. Nothing better than my way or the highway