…By the Way, So Does Pharmaceutical Sales! As someone who spends a lot of time providing medical sales training, I’m all too familiar with pharmaceutical sales reps who use the detailing sales model to sell (I use the word sell with hesitation). What’s sad are the number of medical device sales representatives using the same approach. […]
As a medical sales professional, you offer technologies to support clinical approaches that improve patient outcomes. That’s something to be excited about. Why aren’t customers as excited as you? Healthcare is about preserving health and improving health. It’s also about managing risk. When a health care provider is satisfied with the status quo, the […]
A sure sign of an ineffective, rookie medical sales rep is one who infuses the sales conversation with statements such as: “This is the best on the market.” “This will be great for your practice.” “Your patients will get better results.” “My product has numerous advantages over what you’re currently using.” …and any statement that […]
People are often hired as medical and pharmaceutical salespeople because of their good looks. Most hiring authorities will deny this, but I’ve worked in these industries long enough to know better. Multiple times I’ve walked into rooms to deliver a sales program to a healthcare sales force, thinking I was on the set of a […]
“The materials manager called. She said I need to lower my price by 5% or she’s going to have to change vendors. Price is the only thing she cares about. She just doesn’t get it.” Medical sales reps say that price is one of the biggest issues they face on an ongoing basis. No surprise […]
How frequently should you call on a customer when you sell in healthcare? If you call on someone too often, you might anger them (at least this is what many reps tell themselves). And if you don’t call on them often enough, you’re losing opportunities to make a sale (which is true). I always ask […]
I get calls every week from people who are trying to land a medical sales job and want some advice. The calls often sound something like this… “Hi, I just graduated from college and I would like to get into medical sales. I’m looking for a six-figure sales job and was wondering if you can […]
Risk is part of healthcare and sales professionals who sell to healthcare providers and institutions have risks that they need to manage. Notice that I used the word “manage”—not “eliminate” or “avoid.” The definition of risk is to expose to danger, harm or loss. Healthcare providers manage risk to the patient, risk to the institutions […]
I am frequently asked, “What is the secret to success in medical sales?” The question is posed as if it’s one thing, just like Curly in the movie City Slickers with Billy Crystal talked about finding the “one thing” that will change one’s life. When I ask attendees during programs what the key is, the […]
Yes, you’ve heard me say it before…the biggest challenge that six figure medical sales rep wannabes tell me they have is getting in to see the doctor. Or the department head. Or anyone. Is getting past the gatekeeper a challenge for you? Why is this? It’s likely because you act like a salesperson—a stereotypical just-like-every-other-rep-who-walks-through-the-door […]