compensation


Anonymous

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I've recently been given an option to interview with Synthes. I don't want to waste anyones time, so before I proceed, can some please break down the comp plans for both spine and trauma. The previous remarks on salary are outdated and inconsistent.

Thanks!
 




I also should of mentioned, I'm not interested in opinion, just facts. No matter what industry you work in, there were will always exist a faction of people who perennially complain about their job. I've noticed that the higher you move up the medical sales ladder, the less unprofessional people become. I've never posted on cafe pharma, primarily because I anticipated receiving opinion and irrelevant responses. But I was hoping, since Synthes is formidable and well paying device company, I'd receive honest and mature responses. I hope I'm proven wrong.
 


sales consultant 12.5% commission only
sales intern......65k to 75k base with expenses (4 to 6 month position then to SC)
asc......40k to 50k with expenses and 1% of sales consultant annual commision

sales consultant has the option to have a salary which is around 55k and 4% monthly commission

This is all just a ballpark figures
 




The individual is absolutely correct in his breakdown of the pay scale. Now, listen carefully to some additions that were left out that need to be taken into consideration:
1. Moving from Salary + 4% Commission to 12.5% straight commission occurs whenever your territory will net you more. This usually occurs when your territory reaches the $900,000-$1 million mark.
2. When moving to straight commission there is no option to return to salary + 4% commission.
3. However, Synthes has the option to rezone your territory as much and as many times as they wish....and they will.
This is a Dangerous company my friend. My advice is RUN!
 




Well, lets just say you have to be "lucky" to be kept on after 1 year as an ASC. you see too many senior reps use and abuse the ASC and also the RM will cut you off also if the TM is not making quota.
Synthes has to be the worst for ASC firing, remember "employ at will" contract for 1st year probation. You can do nothing wrong and still get canned, this has happened to alot of guys.
This is not merely a disgruntled rep talking it is fact.
 


Well, lets just say you have to be "lucky" to be kept on after 1 year as an ASC. you see too many senior reps use and abuse the ASC and also the RM will cut you off also if the TM is not making quota.
Synthes has to be the worst for ASC firing, remember "employ at will" contract for 1st year probation. You can do nothing wrong and still get canned, this has happened to alot of guys.
This is not merely a disgruntled rep talking it is fact.

In regards to this quote...its beyond truth. I am a current Intern, which is a step above ASC, and my 1 year contract ran out over a month ago and I have NOTHING to show for it. I am terrified that I will simply be let go bc there is no where to put me. Promises of a territory within 8 months were given back when i signed on from another device company, and my RM basically ignores me at this point or blows smoke up my a$$. Unless youre a kid out of college who really wants to get into devices, or you have ZERO medical experience and are into S&M, avoid this company. Its a very saturated company with very greedy people who will spin things in so many directions to cover their finances and prevent you from getting ahead. There is no BIG picture at Synthes.
 


I'd say you're in the hole. Not only do you have nothing to show for it, if you leave OR Synthes decides to let you go, the 1-yr noncompete will prevent you from utilizing your skills and knowledge with a competitor elsewhere during that time period. Funny how many times I hear newbies saying they want the training this place delivers, yet don't consider the exit barriers.
 


Expanding on Dangerous: If you do make it to become an SC, the danger still remains.
For example: you diligently work to grow a $650,000 territory to $900,000. Based on the math, it is now more profitable to move from Salary/bonus to Straight commission (12.5%). So, you do and your life improves financially. Perhaps you buy a new car, put your family in a bigger house...essentially alter your life to match your new, earned financial position.
Then, one day, out of the blue, your RM calls and lets you know that the territories are going to be "re-arranged" and/or the "team" is going to take on a new member. Suddenly, your territory is back at $750,000 and you there's no going back to Salary/Bonus. You could actually be making less than you were when you first started. Thats "Dangerous"!!
Not only did this happen to me, but I've seen it happen to 4 other reps. BTW, all hit quota that year.
 


What i would tell you is ... get off your ass and grow the business!!!!! Loser. Everyone started at sometime or another at $650k. Its your job to go out and make it an grow. You were not put in a position to sit at, just above, or just below $650k! Stop crying and go sell something! Go blow it out of the water man. Guess what...if you wont, you wont be here long anyway.
 


This is absolutely true and has been their M.O. for years and years. I was there for 7 years and finally left in 02 after going through this same realignment twice. I left when they told me my territory was being realigned for the 3rd time... some "reward" for working your tail off and growing the business. The magic number for that territory split is generally around 1-1.5million - grow it to that point and expect it to be slashed so you can "focus" more on fewer accounts. "Thanks!" I watched many good friends and great reps leave this company over my time there and have watched it continue to happen in my territory with the reps that followed me who i still see in my accounts - until they too jet for a more stable situation. Great training but, horrible lifestyle if you have a family (on call 24/7/365 - literally!). Great gig for a while, but it's not for everyone for the long-term unless you work your way into management. If you want your marriage to survive you'll put in your time and then move on to a spine or total joint position with a more standard surgery schedule.
 


To the individual who posted at 9:05: Are you stupid or illiterate? Did you not read or can you not understand the part that mentioned "GROWING the territory to $900,000". I, and many of my co-workers "worked our ass off" to grow our territories in very turmultuous conditions including competing against: competitive-anti-rotational hip screws that did not "cut out", locking plates w/ poly-axial-locking holes that sold for a fraction of the Synthes plate and micro-managing RMs that didn't know shit from shinola, especially talented sales reps that proved their worth by year after year growing territories consistently by 12-20%.
FYI, I'm actually "blowing it outta the water" in another industry, because I no longer work for Synthes. My purpose for visiting and commenting on this site is to save the honest, hard-working family man/woman who thinks that this company is "Great".
Bottom line, this company deserves to fail, and if I can save one, quality individual from investing in this nasty company than I consider my job done!
 


There was a time when Synthes cared about its sales people or at least gave the appearance of caring. Those days are long gone and it's now about makng money pure and simple. The company is out for all it can get and the typical rep the same. There is no desire to attract, develop and retain talent. What Orsinger and other elitests running Synthes fail to appreciate is the relationships belong to the reps and in some cases engaged managers. This oversight will be its undoing. You can sense the anger and frustration in the posts of digruntled present and former employees. The slowdown in sales has brought the pain to the surface and many have given up while others have shut down without even realizing it. The reign of Synthes is a hell of a story and not sustainable over the long turn but what the leaders are doing now is expediting the decline. They are playing right into the hands of Stryker and others who are out to commoditize what they cannot dominate. Wake up HJW, we are vearing toward a cliff. There is no return once react with absurd discounts and agreements to buy back hospital owned inventory that took 2 to 3 decades to accumulate. When we agree to do this the person hurt the most is the rep - the one willing to come in in the middle of the night while Orsinger and has gang are sound asleep. How can he sleep when the organization is crumbling around him? Sadly he is so out of touch and arrogant he doesn't realize the impact of his actions and in-actions.
 


I have been here for 12 years so I have seen the changes. Look, You can still make a GREAT living here. as bad as this sounds...You just have to worry about yourself. You know what the company is looking for as far as growth is concerned! Grow it or lose it...bottom line. Tired of seeing the whining about this. I've seen these types in our region. They can't hack it so they complain, complain, complain until they are a virus to our region. Just do your damn job....
 


I have been here for 12 years so I have seen the changes. Look, You can still make a GREAT living here. as bad as this sounds...You just have to worry about yourself. You know what the company is looking for as far as growth is concerned! Grow it or lose it...bottom line. Tired of seeing the whining about this. I've seen these types in our region. They can't hack it so they complain, complain, complain until they are a virus to our region. Just do your damn job....

By the time the newbies get their territories some jackass like you has already stuffed their hospitals with a 5 years worth of inventory and more sets than they'll ever need. That's the main reason they can't grow and whine. I was there once and I know the game.
 


So exhausted about hearing from the "fortunate" ones who say "just work and grow". Are you not reading these posts? How many times do you have to hear from reps talk about working and growing their territories only to have management rip it away from you and re-align/re-distribute it to either an undeserving individual or a new hire.
STOP defending these people.
 


Money can be very good, but have EXTREME caution when your asked to relocate. I know of at least three individuals who were forced out within 60 days of not-relocating. You are walking on thin ice working at Synthes. They make it sound as though you are doing well, and then they will pull the carpet out from underneath you. Read the stories about Florida and most recently Wisconsin. One story that isn't told is the one in Indiana.

I would question the manager on why the position is open and if you can talk to the prior individual who was in the position. Then you will know the truth.
 


Gee wiz I would like a little clarification from training about the play-do, DBM combo that everyone is required to learn about through training and is with out a doubt "off-lable". Didn't get that to clear on the video, but clear as a bell audio. Can someone be more specific so HHS can investigate more properly? The wink-wink doesn't work anymore! You are under a CORPORATE INTEGRITY AGREEMENT! Jeff Miller, you better be on top of this, or I'll have your ass!
 



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