By: Kriss Barlow, RN, MBA | kbarlow@barlowmccarthy.com
The start of the school year brings back all sorts of memories for me, how about you? As a parent, there was the thrill of watching the boys grow up. At a personal level, I just attended a very fun MBA reunion. As I reflect on the days of education and getting the grades I am reminded that there’s a little bit of pain that often accompanies personal growth. With more pressures than ever for physician relations, are you pushing your talents to make the grade?
- New year- new approach: I think every kid likes the idea of new crayons or a new backpack or other back-to-school supplies. Last years’ tools are tired. Likewise, physician relations reps may need to find new ways to build field effectiveness. This could be a new message strategy, a new networking approach, a new series of clinical outcomes to be shared. Get some new crayons!
- You’ve advanced a grade: Just when we felt we sort of understood calculus, we are asked to learn differential equations. We like being competent. Do you ever find yourself resisting change because it pushes you out of your comfort zone? Take on the new challenge before you find someone else who is willing.
- The teacher you didn’t want. There is one in every school; the teacher that nobody wants to get. In a physician relations role, have you ever been asked to do the work you totally did not want! Perhaps it is a specific number of visits or doing more documentation than you had hoped. We know that kids who get “that teacher” come out of it OK and we will too. The challenge is to step back and look at the organization’s strategic needs, rather than the personal, emotional feelings you face. Can you find a way to make it a win for you?
- Achievement: Whether it was sports or academics where grades were the measure, in school there was a known order of who did well. In earning relationships with doctors, how are you making sure you are making the grade? It is no longer pass-fail as our leaders need us to bring them the results they are asking for. What does the organization need and how are you contributing?
- Transitions: You knew the old facility like the back of your hand. Now, it’s a new building. Many relations team are finding themselves working to create field plans in uncharted territories. The most important part of this is that you make a plan… and then you may need to revise again and again but don’t move forward without a plan. Get internal buy-in with the right focus, the right message and the right measure.
It is a fun, exciting time. Sometimes school starts before we really feel ready. But we all know that change may not wait for us to be ready. What challenges in your program and field work remind you of going back? And what is your plan to succeed?