AIMS. Is it for real?


Well, have it. Did I say that these few ortho companies did not exist? NO! But when you count all the device, supply, medical equipment, biopharm jobs, these few distributorships are but a small, very small portion of jobs available and they are extremely high risk.

I stand by what I said - it is NOT worth it in a declining economy and a person would be better off getting a tech or nursing degree and actually working inside the healthcare system. There will also be fewer and fewer people willing and able to have the resources to use 100% of their own money to get started while waiting sometimes 6 months to recoop anything. I personally know independent reps that have waited 6 months for any type of paycheck or reimbursement. Companies like yours buddy make billions and often treat their distributors like toilet paper. The only reps that truly do well are the ones that sell the most popular devices and at the best/lowest cost. I would bet many reps at this point are giving away the farm just to make a sale.

Frankly, the question was whether AIMS is a good investment and perhaps it is for that one in a million person who has the time and money to spare and can survive for a couple years before he/she starts to actually make an income. Of course, you better pray "your" products are the ones are new socialist government decides hospitals should use. LOL

Anyone out of work or looking to break into biopharm or device at this point should not consider it. If you need a job, retrain to do something technical. Each area in the U.S. has its own best job choices. Where I live it is still tool and die, machining, farming/ag, and nursing. In fact, there are probably 70 nursing positions open as I write this and very few candidates. On the other hand, there are NO distributorships available or needed here and a person would starve trying to sell expensive devices to my hospitals because they are cutting back and being asked to go with the cheapest stuff available just to get by.
 

Not a bad idea, but very expensive in my opinion. Plus, ortho is not the only type of device rep...Do they only train for ortho? If so, seems limited, although I am sure ortho is one of the bigger industries out there. But then again, there are diagnostic device companies and a myriad of other specialties, for instance cardiology, otolaryngology, opthalmology, oncology, etc. etc.

I am in device sales, sell to a particular specialty, and it isn't surgical related, so I don't have these problems of night shifts, on call, etc etc, and yet I probably make about the same as one of these "superstar" reps, possibly less. The flipside is, I leave at 9, home by 5 and spend most of my day cold calling or doing demos. I don't do lunches because i don't have to and I hate doing expense reports.

I sold copiers for a while before getting into my device sales job and it taught me the world about sales. THAT is in the trenches sales, you know, cold calling and getting escorted out of buildings by security guards/cops, hearing no over and over again, cold calling to find out the people are 3 years until their contract is up...etc. I think most med. sales reps. would do themselves a hell of a lot of good by selling copiers or other pain in the ass equipment.

I would be curious as to update in a year on how these profiled reps. are doing. I wish them the best as i hope their investment works out for them, and also for the company if they can make a living doing this, esp. in this economic and political climate.
 
Not sure why the guy / girl above is talking about "distributorships". Obviously, they are not in Ortho. I happen to work for a distributorship. I don't believe what AIMS is offering is an education for a "distributorship". In fact, in an above post they mentioned "buying the product" which years ago was referred to as a "stocking distributor". Not the case much anymore. I went to the website www.aimedsales and looked over the program. It appears that they train for the industry not as a distributor but as a rep. Rather the position is 1099 or W2, most companies offer a guarantee of income for the first year. They work with the top companies. As far as positions, go to medreps.com, moster.com or careerbuilder.com. Currently, there are thousands of available positions. In this ECONOMY!

I do enjoy for entertainment purposes to read the boards on Cafepharma. Typically it's a bunch of pissed off people. I love reading where people comment on things that they have NO idea about. Which in this case is obvious. Med Devices is the hardest industry to get into.

Best of luck to both candidates and AIMS!
 
Your a joke!

I have spent time at the facility in Memphis. First, get your facts straight. I have spent the last ten years as a director for a large Orthopaedic Device Company. What they are doing is exactly what the industry needs. I went through their selection process in detail. They might have 5000+ resumes but the actual number of people who apply is less than 10%. Why? Most Pharm reps or others won't do the work to get in. They charge the $35 to see who is serious. If you think they will get rich off of $15,000 in fees when they have 8,000 square feet, six-figure trainers and over 500K in operating equipment, your crazy!

Second, FYI most Orthopaedic Device Companies use distributorships.

Five largest Ortho companies:

1 - Zimmer
2 - Depuy
3 - Stryker
4 - Smith & Nephew
5- Biomet
6 - Wright Medical
7 - Exactech

Zimmer - Distributorships - see their website
Depuy - Distributorships - see their website
Stryker - Distributorships - " "
Smith & Nephew - Both Distributorships and Direct
Biomet - Distributorships
Wright - Distributorships
Exactech - Distributorships

Sorry folks, no laptops, no company cars JUST SALES -

The have a great concept and they have my business - Hats of to AIMS

You fucking liar, director? You can't even use a fucking calculator to multiply 5000 times 35 dollars

And how the hell do you know this? "they have 8,000 square feet, six-figure trainers and over 500K in operating equipment"

You also need to learn the diff between your and you're---moron liar director of your ass
 
You fucking liar, director? You can't even use a fucking calculator to multiply 5000 times 35 dollars

And how the hell do you know this? "they have 8,000 square feet, six-figure trainers and over 500K in operating equipment"

You also need to learn the diff between your and you're---moron liar director of your ass

Again, you are a JOKE!

I do not need a calculator to add! The point is that you can't read. They don't collect 5000 resumes at $35 each. Like I said, less then 10% actually apply. Therefore, take the <10% and multiply that number by $35. get it?

How do I know how much square feet? Again, maybe you should read. I was at the facility. I know the spine instructor from my days at Medtronic.

And finally, you did catch one of the many grammar errors. Sorry, it was a long day on Sunday. After I played 36 holes at my private country club, I had a few beers and drove home in the M6. Pulled into the 2 million dollar home and fired up the apple on the new 30" monitor. Post that I fucked one of your little hot pharm reps who now is my wife (although no need to work). Then had a call with my CPA to discuss taxes although I already paid more in taxes then your 140K that you mentioned in an earlier email. Although my tax money will help with your unemployment so you can continue sitting on your ass at home ripping any good idea just because you are either a recruiter out of business now because of AIMS or an applicant that didn't get accepted.

Get over it! These guys (AIMS) are doing what WE need. Not YOU of course because YOU are never going to get into medical sales. So keep typing away while your associates (won't call them anything else because I assume you don't have friends) move on and possibly land a job in the medical industry.

One last thought. Wouldn't you think that in the day of the internet, if anyone who associated with this group at AIMS (current or past students) had a problem you would hear about it? You don't hear any of the students complaining. Maybe that's because they are now selling in Medical. Hmmm................
 
Again, you are a JOKE!

I do not need a calculator to add! The point is that you can't read. They don't collect 5000 resumes at $35 each. Like I said, less then 10% actually apply. Therefore, take the <10% and multiply that number by $35. get it?

How do I know how much square feet? Again, maybe you should read. I was at the facility. I know the spine instructor from my days at Medtronic.

And finally, you did catch one of the many grammar errors. Sorry, it was a long day on Sunday. After I played 36 holes at my private country club, I had a few beers and drove home in the M6. Pulled into the 2 million dollar home and fired up the apple on the new 30" monitor. Post that I fucked one of your little hot pharm reps who now is my wife (although no need to work). Then had a call with my CPA to discuss taxes although I already paid more in taxes then your 140K that you mentioned in an earlier email. Although my tax money will help with your unemployment so you can continue sitting on your ass at home ripping any good idea just because you are either a recruiter out of business now because of AIMS or an applicant that didn't get accepted.

Get over it! These guys (AIMS) are doing what WE need. Not YOU of course because YOU are never going to get into medical sales. So keep typing away while your associates (won't call them anything else because I assume you don't have friends) move on and possibly land a job in the medical industry.

One last thought. Wouldn't you think that in the day of the internet, if anyone who associated with this group at AIMS (current or past students) had a problem you would hear about it? You don't hear any of the students complaining. Maybe that's because they are now selling in Medical. Hmmm................

Ahhh don't you love 'new money?'

You know it is funny, my best friend is very wealthy. His allowance in college alone was 10 grand a month not including tuition or boarding. Now he is in his late twenties, worth millions with property all over LA that has been in his family for 75 years, and he doesn't talk with the arrogance that you do...His response is 'yeah, i do okay.' He drives a shitty Honda. Maybe his finishing school, prep. school and good solid Jewish heritage gave him the class that you so desperately look for...

Food for thought...
 
Obviously you are not prep school educated or you would not even make the statement you did...and as for your one rich friend...old money would never give a kid a $10K monthly allowance..they know better...

As for the real subject....AIMS...these guys are are legitimate...and are offering education and training...8 weeks of intense training for $5K is a bargain. If you were to go back to college and take a few course it would cost more and take longer. These guys are not getting rich off people paying $5K for training....get real. They make their money from placement.

Why are people so resentful when someone comes up with a great idea? These guys are offering something that people want! Education, training and an opportunity. Tell me again why that is so wrong?

You don't have to like it...but don't knock something you know nothing about!

Go to memphis. Check out the facility. Find out where they have placed people.. talk to their former students... talk to their trainers and then form an educated opinion.

Until then....you are just annoying!
 
Obviously you are not prep school educated or you would not even make the statement you did...and as for your one rich friend...old money would never give a kid a $10K monthly allowance..they know better...

As for the real subject....AIMS...these guys are are legitimate...and are offering education and training...8 weeks of intense training for $5K is a bargain. If you were to go back to college and take a few course it would cost more and take longer. These guys are not getting rich off people paying $5K for training....get real. They make their money from placement.

Why are people so resentful when someone comes up with a great idea? These guys are offering something that people want! Education, training and an opportunity. Tell me again why that is so wrong?

You don't have to like it...but don't knock something you know nothing about!

Go to memphis. Check out the facility. Find out where they have placed people.. talk to their former students... talk to their trainers and then form an educated opinion.

Until then....you are just annoying!

ehh, whatever, the money was in a trust fund set up by his grandfather. His parents had nothing to do with it. And no, I am not prep school educated. I came from a working class background and had to earn everything myself. I am still paying off student loans as we speak. My background has put my life into perspective.

It isn't that this is a bad idea, it is just that I got into medical sales a while back and am doing just fine without this sort of training.

I think the problem comes in when the very impressionable view this as a panacea into medical sales. I have friends call me all of the time saying 'I'll do anything, how did you do it?" And then I think..."Umm...well, I have sold capital equipment, I did pharma, I interviewed well, and I am making very very good money now for myself and the company."

That being said, I think companies spend too much time on stressing stuff that is not as important as selling. For instance, too many times companies stress wayyyyyy too much of the clinical part, the disease states, etc as opposed to just getting back to basics on selling 101. If you have sold anything well, you know that all the clinical knowledge in the world is great and has to be used, but we aren't doctors, we are salespeople....The question is, can you sell? Either you know how to or you don't and this comes from years of experience and proper long term training. I am not great in clinical knowledge, I can admit that. That being said, I know how to move a sale along well and close it. I have never made a sale because I impressed a Doctor that I could speak at his level. I have made sales because the product met their needs and the price was right.

I wish these people luck, I appreciate small businesses taking a risk. I do think however, that when you put a website or youtube videos out there that are running informercials, like the Shamwow, you have to be open to criticism. Again, I would love an honest assessment by the candidates now as well as 6-12 months from now. I know at my last company, i ranted and raved about how great training was to my manager, but when I got in the field I knew how useless it is. Of course you wouldn't put an honest assessment of what they really think. Also, since they just dropped 5 grand on the training, I am not sure they would admit their folly.
 
I am a former student of the AIMS program. I am the only posting who may know what they are talking about because I completed the course. The other posts are speculating.

I will not give too many facts because I do not want AIMS to figure out who I am. I still need them to find me a job.

32 Students
5 already had jobs before they came to Memphis
7 more found jobs through AIMS
--------------------------------------------
20 students without jobs.

20 more graduating in April. 35 more graduating in May. Do the math. It is too bad because this could have been a great program.
 
Two previous postings are accurate. As a b2b rep I think the concept of AIMS is good - but the execution...well, not so good. Maybe they're overwhelmed now and maybe one day it will be a great feeder program to ortho companies.
I did the application & essay, the "interview questions" (more essays) and got a call the day before a class started.
The guy I spoke with was nice enough and seemed solid - but he could not give me straight answers to some simple questions about placement post-"graduation."
Incidentally, the web-site touts a 30-day placement guarantee; that was verbally changed to 90 days during my call.
Said that he'd make some calls to get some answers on jobs in my area and would get back to me - that was about 2 weeks ago and nada since then.
The next time I blow $35 I'll have way more fun...
To anyone applying: remember that YOU have the $5000 to potentially drop on this - you should be interviewing THEM as much they are interviewing you.
My 2 cents.
 
I just sent in my app with essay question and resume. I am very excited about this opportunity and now I am a bit scared. My passion is in med dev sales. I would be leaving a good, stable b2b job to go to AIMS. I was told they either place you in 90 days or you get your $4800 back. That seems like a pretty good guarantee to me????? Thoughts?
 
Poster #29....how long have you been out of class? Do you live in some remote territory and you are not willing to relocate or something like that? Please help me with this...this is a huge decision for me.
 
The website says 30 days. They must be channging the guarantee to 90 days because people are not getting jobs. With 8 weeks of training and 3 months post graduation are you willing to be unemployed for over 5 months to then find out you don't have a job?
Have the previous students who were not placed given a refund? Or told to be patient the jobs are coming? Ask the hard questions. Who has gone through this program and been placed? or be smart and start contacting the previous students. Try facebook, myspace or linkedin.

If they are so sure they can place you tell them you will pay part up front and the rest once you are placed. Put the financial incentive back on them. If they have 20 plus students a month they are pulling in 100 grand a month in tuition and that does not include application fees.
 
#32 - be careful. Leaving stability at a b2b job for AIMS is your call, BUT, their "guarantee" could be nothing more than a $48K offer w/ no car, no bennies, no expenses, etc. in a bad territory. I would hope that AIMS would not take the "Well we got you an offer - you're not getting your $ back, now good luck" stance but in the current job market who knows for sure. That's your risk. Keep in mind that 10:19 points out AIMS will be trying to place 75 other students before you. If you have stability now I would be patient and try to network your way in as an Assoc. or TA with a reputable company. Take your time and find the right opportunity for yourself w/o dropping $5K. Good luck.
 
Thanks 7:13....I just can't see a group of guys spending all this money to get this program off the floor to swindle people. It would be suicide within months of the first class. Seems silly? Anyway, you are right, its a risk. I am scared shitless! I make a decent living in a b2b biz now, been with company 5 years....but if this could get me in, I would be over the moon! I could tear it up in med dev. Shit....this has me pretty stressed. Thanks for your insight tho. :)
 
NEVER PAY MONEY TO FIND A JOB. Searching for a job is demoralizing and sucks a lot of the time but if you have the necessary skills you can work with a recruiter. If recruiters don't want to work with you, then think about what you need to do to become an asset to them. As another poster mentioned 2 months of "training" and 3 months of unemployment for a total of 5 months doesn't make sense.

As the other poster said if you have a job stick with it, and try and find another way in. Employers always want people that are working instead of people that are unemployed its like girlfriends, they always want guys that are taken.....

As for the last poster, it seems like you want to do this because it is the "easy" way to get the job that you want. Be wary of anything that seems to easy. Especially in this economy.

As for the AIM class mentioned previously, 35 in the class 20 without positions. The fact that they found only 5 positions themselves means that 1 in 7 found jobs. That means they make $35000 off one placement. Ridiculous, plus considering they double dip and the company they place the candidate in probably gives them a placement fee.

I am definitely speculating here and don't know about the policies of this operation but unless they offer 100% placement it is not worth it. Besides as another poster mentioned what is the "quality" of these postings. Use a recruiter, they are slimy but at least you know where they stand....

As for the "rich" guy who likes to brag about all his stuff.....I hope that makes you happy! Good for you! Why does everyone on this site have a small penis.....

As for the guy whose friend is rich and doesn't flaunt it, I can believe that, as I know people like that as well. Money is a tool that is all. People equate money with success and happiness. If that's the case why are there so many rich unhappy med sales and pharma reps in the industry?

some people like pharma sales, because even though the job sucks they enjoy the fact that they can have a life. Some people like med sales because the successful ones make tons of money and they don't feel like a degraded delivery boy.

Neither are right or wrong just different from the choices one wants to make with their life.

I for one agree that med sales is real selling whereas pharma is more marketing. I don't think the pharma sales job is a good job anymore, one that just pays a lot, and will soon be paying a lot less.

Companies have realized they can hire cheap labour for a year, use up all their positive energy and then throw them out once they are jaded like most people on this site.

I do like coming here to read all the comments though it is entertaining, and there are a lot of great points to be made.

But for the OP poster, if you have a job already I don't think this is the right service to use. If you don't have a job, you will probably need the $5000.00. If something seems to easy and too good to be true it probably is.

Lastly, with the proliferation of the internet there is more and more ways for someone to get parted from their hard earned cash. Be careful, and let us know what happens please
 
I wanted to add to this discussion because I too am an AIMS grad. Here are the actual numbers.

We had 13 students in class number 1. The students had backgrounds from pharm, realtors, auto sales, chiropractic, AT&T (I think 2), printing, computer chip sales, home health and more.

We graduated February 6th (60 days ago). When we came to class, nobody had previous medical experience and ZERO had a medical job. I was nervous but I had to do it. I knew this was my chance. In this last two weeks, I received my contract.

To my knowledge, all but three are currently employed. Of the three, I know for a fact one has had 6+ interviews (nice guy, just hasn't made it happen), another turned down a job with Orthofix to wait for a bigger company and the last one also had several interviews and has two more this week. Statistically, they are batting 10/13 which is pretty damn good when you consider many of us have tried for months to get in medical if not years. They can teach us, set us up for interviews, but ultimately, they can't interview for us. It is up to the students to land the job.

I feel bad that this group took all of the heat and risk to set this up when nobody else took the chance. Yea, I had risk doing this although I feel pretty damn good now. The way I look at it is that I spent 20 times the cost for college and 3 1/2 more years and not sure where that got me.

While I was there I saw several leading corporate executives come into the facility to see the program. I know that Styrker, Zimmer, Medtronic, Biomet, Smith & Nephew, Wright Medical, Exactech, Sytnhes, Integra to name a few have been to the Memphis facility. I also know that my process took 6 weeks from interview to contract. I assume that is why they changed the 30 day guarantee to 60 or 90 days.

I believe the second class just graduated last week. A few had already been placed and I would think most will be. As far as the numbers for the third class I am unsure of although I know they have split into spine and ortho and opened two new facilities. I don't think the number was anywhere close to 35 as stated above.

In closing, this is MY thoughts. I had worked with recruiters which told me that I was not qualified as I did not have medical device experience. I had a strong sales background but still wasted months trying to get in. Rather you support this or not, the fact is that they have relationships, interest (from companies) and plenty of people willing to make a go of it. It may or may not be for you. If you have seen their facilities or know the staff, you will see that they have hundreds of thousands invested in this idea. I don't believe this is fly-by-night, my guess, it is here to stay.

As for me, I am ready to kick ass. I feel very confident in my abilities to produce NOW. I know my territory, have learned the "ropes" and I am certain of my success in medical.

Best of luck to both the students and the staff of AIMS.
 
The only way I would do AIMS is if they placed me first prior to starting the program. Once I secured a job through AIMS, only then would I part with my $4,800. They have done this arrangement in the past. Why not wait to start their program until you get what you want? There's no need to hurry - honestly, it's in your best interest to wait. At least that way, you have peace of mind during your training knowing that you have a job waiting for you. Also, it gets really old creating dozens of business plans for "potential" territories based on possible interviews that never happen. I know people who left good jobs to do AIMS only to finish and not have a job or any interviews for that matter! DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT willingly leave your job for AIMS without making sure you have secured a job first! Remember, the only guarantees in life are death and taxes. Anyone can promise a money back satisfaction guarantee, but are there any strings attached?
 
I read a revious post from the guy who started this company. He came off as legitimate in trying to sell applicants on this program. Even suggested people call him. I wonder where that poster is today? If it was indeed him why is he not on here bragging about his placements? Lets see the true numbers? I don't think its right to pray on the emotions of good people making a legitimate commitment to go to this school and then not receive any results on the back in. That seems fair?
 


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