I've tried. I've tried my damndest to be positive, and to accept all the SHIT this company has thrown at me. But today, I had a breakdown. The TSR expectations agreement pushed me right over the edge, but it was really just the icing on the cake of ALL the things I see you guys talking about here. I had my breakdown in a customers office - walked in planning to talk about TM, tried my best to smile and act normal. He said, "what's wrong?" and I verbally spewed liquid shit all over him. He let me unload. Back orders. Pay cuts. Lies. Promises. Performance plan letter. Pressure. Environment of fear and dread. Misery. Arrogance. Spin doctors. I'm not sure I made much sense but I got it all out. I was embarrassed. I don't usually break that way, and not in front of a customer. My chin quivered. I mean, you guys, I really, really broke. My surgeon/friend/customer walked around his desk, gave me a quick "it's going to be okay" look and pat on the shoulder, shut his door, sat down again, and then, he spoke. He gets it. He knows the market, knows from his colleagues (or maybe from here?) what's been going on, and he said (paraphrased and abbreviated): "Hey, I know. And I'm so, so sorry. Zimmer (he was a Zimmer guy well before the merger) isn't what it used to be. I've watched you change over the last year, and I wasn't sure if it was the job or something else. Thank you for finally sharing with me that you're struggling- I get it. I see it. I'm sorry" And then he said: "PaulAshleyChrisJenniferJoshLeslieJimMelissa (see what I did there, he emphasized my name) - Zimmer Biomet has been circling the drain for 3 years. I don't know why, but that merger killed your company. It killed some people I really care about (his former reps/specialists/managers who had been promoted or changed territories). It's killing you. No one (meaning, his colleagues) can figure out why, or what happened, but you need to leave. You need to find a new job, and I know that's scary, but it's time. I'll help you in any way I can." And I left his office. I had to sneak out the back door so his staff wouldn't see the shape I was in. I was shaking. I got in my car, and sobbed - big, scary, snotty, open mouth can't catch my breath sobs, all the way home. Circling the drain. Circling the drain. Circling the drain. I can't get that phrase out of my head. He just texted me - asked if I was okay and invited me to bible study next week. I'm going. I can't do it any more. I swear I tried. I'm broken. Pray for me.
You are going to be ok. We all are. Yes, I agree about the TSR expectations and everything else that you said. This job has become an entry level sales job. The company is trying to clean house, or at least it appears that way to me. I, for one, will never be ok with the salary cut. I worked for every penny I made. My suggestion? Bible study, therapy, whatever it takes to keep yourself healthy. Then get out. It's just an awful depressing degrading atmosphere. There is something better out there for you and everyone else who is tired of being shat on.
Wow, first of all I'm sorry. I wish I knew who this was because I feel like we need to talk.I had a breakdown in front of an entire office a couple months ago, it was minutes after receiving the salary cut communication. I read the message and then read it again, sitting in my car in a parking lot. Staff members saw me out the window and were waving and acting silly, so I tried to pull it together and I walked in. I got my usual hugs, good to see you what's up how's it going where have you been this week greetings. I realized I wasn't okay and I asked if I could borrow their conference room for a few minutes, which was not an unusual request because I've occasionally needdd to take a call there or whatnot. I sat at the table by myself in the dark,read a few "can you believe this shit" texts from my teammates and tried to take some cleansing breaths and compose myself, but through the lwindow in the door someone noticed the lights were out and walked in, thinking there was an issue with the power in the room or a breaker was out. I had a very similar conversation to yours with the office manager.I couldn't NOT tell her something was wrong now that entire office knows I lost $15k via an email. The doctor walked in about that time and saw our little huddle and I told him too. I was embarrassed too, and I still am, and having told them definitely didn't help me there. Don't get me wrong, they are good people who are also my friends, but I can tell that things have changed. I think I'll probably end up losing their business to BioH (their #2 system) because they don't have any faith in ZB anymore. It was probably coming but sharing my story just deepened their distrust and concern regarding future business with us. Now I really wasn't trying to pull a sympathy poor me buy more shit card that day but if I was it backfired. Every day I wake up miserable. I loved this job and my customers are genuinely my friends, and I do manage to find some joy when I manage to talk myself out of the house, but so many days I just wake up full of hatred, real hatred towards certain people and dread with regards to the future. This isn't me. I don't want to leave but I have to I just can't take it any longer. Sorry to unload,I started this to show support of the original poster in this thread. Now I feel like I need to ask for therapy and prayers too.And the noncompete makes it even harder. I don't know what I'm going to do but it's not this. I really do love most of you guys, maybe one day we'll all be back together again and we can laugh about this but it's not now. It just hurts right now.
These posts are heartbreaking. Thank you for having the courage to express yourselves. Although I am not happy that you are suffering, it calms me a bit to know that others feel exactly as I do. Getting out would be so wonderful. But for those of us who are over 40 (and thanks to the non compete) it will not be the easiest road. I wish us all luck in leaving this degrading place. And for the poster who feels that expressing his/her feelings to their customer lost them business: don't do that to yourself. Many customers know that all is not well here and are leaving with or without knowing what our company did to the people who actually bring the money in.
I feel all of this. I've read these posts for the last few months, as my anger continued to build. Now, I'm just numb and sad. I have a WONDERFUL manager. As far as I'm concerned the best manager at ZB. My manager is pretty frank with me, but I feel like lately, this person is telling me to go ahead and leave. My manager has outright told me that what is happening isn't right. This person even shared with me the tone in the room when Deaver announced the plans for the performance plan letters at the NSM. Managers HATE him (or at least the certain group of managers I know, do). But, I digress. Numb, and sad. It's making it hard for me to be "normal" with customers too. I've never been depressed in my life (except that one time my spouse and I broke up when we were still in college, pre-marriage), but my spouse says I'm depressed. I'm sure my kids see it too. Thanks to those above for being so honest. I can't even hate Deaver anymore, I just find him (and Raddman) pathetic (FYI the TSR expectations came from Raddman). You can't treat people this way and expect your company to thrive. We are the face of the company. I really think something is wrong with both of them - some weird inferiority complex/chip on the shoulder thing that makes them act this way. Nothing else makes sense to me. I digressed again. My brain can't stay on track lately. I have constant headaches and I, too, have trouble being "normal" sometimes. I'm really sorry for those who are suffering like me and I'm honestly and earnestly praying for us all.
Guys, suck it up and throw your resume out there. There's no loyalty within ZB. However, here's a news flash, the next place you go probably has no loyalty either. Granted, it would be better than this place, but the grass, at best, will be a slightly darker shade of green. Get a new job, and jump like everyone else. Because if you stay too long, you'll eventually be pooped on. The days of "a career" with a company is over. Now, it's a career within the job description. As for Deaver and the Rad-man, they got lucky. Let's face it, that's the truth. They found a home that allows them to hire and burn, and it's accepted. What pisses me off are the Field Training Managers willing to sleep with the devil(s) in hope of getting a managerial gig. FTM's, here's an exercise. Over the last decade, divide the number of FTM's were there and how many were promoted. I guarantee that the percentage is less than 15%, and that's being highly optimistic. You guys are nothing but puppets. Yes, I know most of you are good people, with big hearts willing to train others to begin their journey. Much respect, but you are puppets, I'm sorry. Try landing a managerial job outside of ZB flaunting yourself as a FTM, and the hiring manager is going to think you want their job. Better yet, try applying for a Managerial Position (enter sarcasm). All managerial positions request 5 years of management experience. Seriously, look for an ad that says "willing to look at FTM w/no experience handling budget, hiring, firing, reports, P/L, etc..." Good luck ( more sarcasm). Maybe you can get a gig as an associate marketing manager, but so can any kid coming out of college with a 4yr degree, or if you're related to a RM (no sarcasm, ohhh, maybe just a tiny bit). Go onto MedReps.com, you will see that those with 1-3 years of sales within 'light medical,(after all, that's what dental implants sales are), is in demand. You stay past 3 years, then blame yourself, and quit your bitching on cafepharma. Trust me, Deaver and Rad-man couldn't care less.
I don't disagree with any of this, but sometimes it's cathartic to share these feelings with kindred spirits. I posted above, I feel better today and it's time to move ahead with that job search. I hear there are ways around the non-compete. I might actually just do something so egregious I get fired, and then take the gamble I can land on my feet quickly. From what I understand, if ZB separates you, and you get an offer within the terms of the non-compete, Zimmer either has to pay you out or let you take the offer. Any truth to this?
Another prior z friend here offering some solice. I was a legacy z rep for over 10 years until recently. I felt all the same feelings being shared on this post. Despair, dread, hand-tied, apathy on and on... I know it is hard but life is truly short and the job market is good. The company is changed and it will not change back. I loved my job and couldnt understand why they would destroy such a good thing. I am out and i feel better than ever. Free from all the bs. The other side is scary and maybe not perfect but do yourself a favor and leave.
Make the change, your body, mind and family will thank you. You will look back and think , why did I wait so long?
