DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: When I started in pharmaceutical sales it was because I thought it was a good use of my BS in biology and I have a desire to help make life better for people. Even my parents warned me I was being an idealist. I really don’t mind. I am good at what I do and am lucky to work for a company with a solid reputation and strong track record.
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There was a guy I used to run up against from another pharma company who we literally called “The Shark” because of how hard he sold his company’s product. That company currently has major legal issues and now this guy is one of my coworkers. Since he got here the vibe in sales has totally changed.
This guy is pushing into not only his old company’s territories, which he was obviously brought in to do, but is starting to poach existing clients from others of us in sales. What we sometimes hear coming out of his mouth is hard to believe. He will say or do anything to close even a small deal.
We know he’s impressing our VP, but the rest of us say at what cost to the company’s reputation and our commissions?
Doesn’t management see that the short-term gains could hurt our company in the long-run when some of his tactics backfire? --- A SHARK IN THE TANK
DEAR A SHARK IN THE TANK: Companies are in business to thrive, and it sounds like your new fellow salesperson is helping yours do just that, which makes it unlikely management will find fault with his tactics so long as he continues to help their bottom line.
I can imagine how discouraging his behavior is to you and the other members of the sales staff who continue to keep true to what you see as the mission and philosophy of the company.
The new guy may misstep at some point, but in the meantime, don’t feel you need to become more like him to be successful. At the end of the day, you should measure your success by your own standards, not those of others.