• Home
  • About Steve Woodruff
  • Contact
  • Let’s Talk!
  • About Impactiviti

Impactiviti blog

Best Practices in Vendor and Project Management

Feeds:
Posts
Comments
« Awesome Leukemia News
Does Pharma Really Have Anything to Offer on Social Media? »

Surviving and Thriving in Difficult Times (part 1)

August 12, 2011 by Steve Woodruff

I am thrilled to welcome an (anonymous) guest blogger from the Life Sciences training industry who has offered to give us some insider perspectives. The first blog post is about surviving and thriving in difficult times for the industry and economy:

—–

Are you part of a pharmaceutical learning function and facing a merger, buyout, or downsize?  This could be triggered by lackluster product sales performance, or safety concerns uncovered during phase 3 trials for that promising new compound in development. In the case of a merger, there may be redundant sales teams and support functions. While instability may be the new norm in pharma, it doesn’t get any easier to experience it. If you haven’t yet been affected by these types of events, you more than likely know people who have lost their job, lost their responsibilities, or simply ‘lost their mind’ due to living in fear of the unexpected!

I have been through ‘all of the above’ situations during my pharma career:  survived three downsizes, two mergers/buyouts, and lost my job once. It doesn’t mean I don’t cringe, sigh in disbelief or sometimes panic when the company du jour announces workforce reductions, because it’s more than just the job that’s at stake. How will I tell my spouse that I lost my job? Tell the kids? How will we pay the mortgage? Do we have enough money saved? When would we have to switch our benefits to my spouse’s employer (which, by the way, is not nearly as comprehensive as what we have now)? What will happen to that major training initiative I was overseeing? And, how will I ever find another job that I love when it seems like no one is hiring?

After this last free-association rant you might think I’m crazy, or maybe you can identify completely. In either case, I have learned how to not just survive, but thrive when uncertainty is the norm. It’s a very freeing experience when you realize you can still be in control of your career, instead of being controlled by uncertainty about the future. While there’s no such thing as job security, I’ve found myself giving the following advice when people ask for my advice during uncertain times:

1. Get in the gutter, then get out.  When news hits about impending negative change, people flock together to talk about it. It’s simply human nature. Speculation abounds as to who and what will be impacted (and, of course, they can’t cut us because ‘what we do is sooooo important!’). Many folks in leadership positions will say ‘don’t commiserate’, but we all need to vent. As a past and current leader, you have to give your people the opportunity to share their feelings. There’s nothing wrong with a little speculation and commiseration; the trick is to not go to the extreme and spread poison around the office. Certainly don’t share anything confidential if you are privy. Be choosy about who you vent to, do it, then cease. Moving on is paramount- nobody likes listening to poison all the time (eventually it will kill your attitude). Get in the gutter, then get out.

2. Focus on what you can control.  You’ve probably heard this one before, but take it to heart. While it may not feel like you have any control, you can positively impact your attitude, behavior, and performance in your current role. Even when performance may have nothing to do to with a job loss, delivering above-average work helps to secure your next job. When I found myself in a job loss situation, my boss and his boss had been very happy with my work. I consistently delivered results, instead of sitting back waiting to see what was going to happen when rumors of downsizing surfaced. Both provided glowing recommendations and tapped into their networks to help me get that next role at another company. I doubt they would have gone the extra mile to help me if they were not happy with my contributions. ‘Focus on what you can control’ is a great mantra to share with others who show signs of freaking out during difficult times, especially if they are your direct reports.

3. Grow and nurture your network.  Building contacts outside of my current company has been one of the most important investments I have made over the years. When times are great, your network is a valuable sounding board for problem solving, idea exchange, and finding a great solution provider for a specific need. When times aren’t so great, such as when facing a job loss, your network can surface opportunities you might not have ever known about. Ongoing communication is key – if you only tap in to your contacts when times are bad, it can appear one-sided. Make it a ‘win-win’ for everyone and give as well as take from the relationships.

4. Build a portfolio.  Rolled out a major initiative that demonstrated a positive impact on the business? Overhauled a process to streamline efficiencies? Created an effective certification form for a new product launch? Don’t wait to build your portfolio of work! As time goes by, we tend to forget about our successes as we rush on to the next fire drill. By taking this next step beyond your résumé, you have further documentation and examples of your work to show to new leadership or a prospective employer. Keep a copy of those valuable contributions you built that you are proud of!

5. Continue to learn.  Just as your network needs nurturing, so does your competency.  Attend conferences, take on stretch assignments, acquire a certification or MBA, and keep up on industry happenings. Why? It doesn’t matter if you have 20 years experience if you’re using yesterday’s techniques. Today’s fast paced environment demands out of the box thinking, and making the investment in yourself gives your brain the ability to identify the right solution for the right need. It also keeps you more marketable compared to other candidates should you need to compete for a new position.

While uncertain times can be unsettling, it doesn’t mean you have to put your career and life on hold. Adopting a positive, yet realistic attitude while staying busy with a focus on investing in yourself is empowering. I am most thankful for making the conscious decision to not put my life on hold for fear of what might have happened. Job loss did happen to me, and not only did I survive, I learned to thrive. Had I let the fear of the unknown take over my world, I probably would have put off starting a family. And when I look not only at my job, but at my amazing kids, it certainly puts everything in perspective.

_________

Impactiviti is the Pharmaceutical Connection Agency. As the eHarmony of sales/training/marketing, we help our pharma/biotech clients find optimal outsource vendors for training, eMarketing, social media, and more.

Learn more about our free services here

_________

Sign up for the Impactiviti Connection weekly e-newsletter (see sample), chock full of news and resources for pharmaceutical professional

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Posted in Pharma, Pharmaceutical, Sales training | 2 Comments

2 Responses

  1. on August 15, 2011 at 9:55 am Daily Leadership Thought #195 – Take Responsibility For Your Own Success « Ed Robinson's Blog

    […] Surviving and Thriving in Difficult Times (part 1) (impactiviti.wordpress.com) […]


  2. on August 19, 2011 at 6:05 am Surviving and Thriving in Difficult Times (part 2) « Impactiviti blog

    […] who has offered to give us some insider perspectives. It’s a continuation of the theme of the first blog post, about surviving and thriving in difficult times for the industry and […]



Comments are closed.

  • Welcome!


    Steve Woodruff
    sw
    President, Impactiviti
  • Testimonials


    “Steve Woodruff is one of the most “networked” people I’ve found in pharmaceutical training. His communications are always smart and targeted, and I value his professional partnership.” -Jennifer Zinn, Director, Worldwide Marketing, Clinical Laboratory, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics

    Read More Testimonials
  • Subscribe to our e-newsletter

    Sign up for the Impactiviti Connection!
  • Subscribe to the blog!

    Subscribe in a reader
  • Subscribe via e-mail

    Subscribe to Impactiviti blog by Email
  • Recent Posts

    • Try Out the Random Vendor Generator!
    • Clocks, Toddlers, and Project Management
    • What are you delivering (via LMS)?
    • Today’s Pharma News 8/18/2017
    • Today’s Pharma News 8/16/17
    • Today’s Pharma News 8/15/17
    • Today’s Pharma News (8/14/17)
    • Lighting “afar” in Nashville – LTEN 2017 re-cap
    • Let’s Stop Committing Training Malpractice!
    • Getting Ready for Nashville 1-2-3-4!
  • Archives

    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • August 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • June 2016
    • April 2016
    • March 2016
    • February 2016
    • January 2016
    • December 2015
    • November 2015
    • October 2015
    • September 2015
    • August 2015
    • July 2015
    • June 2015
    • May 2015
    • April 2015
    • March 2015
    • February 2015
    • January 2015
    • December 2014
    • October 2014
    • September 2014
    • August 2014
    • July 2014
    • June 2014
    • May 2014
    • April 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • November 2013
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
    • July 2013
    • June 2013
    • May 2013
    • April 2013
    • March 2013
    • February 2013
    • January 2013
    • December 2012
    • November 2012
    • October 2012
    • September 2012
    • July 2012
    • June 2012
    • May 2012
    • April 2012
    • March 2012
    • February 2012
    • January 2012
    • December 2011
    • November 2011
    • October 2011
    • September 2011
    • August 2011
    • July 2011
    • June 2011
    • May 2011
    • April 2011
    • March 2011
    • February 2011
    • January 2011
    • December 2010
    • November 2010
    • October 2010
    • September 2010
    • August 2010
    • July 2010
    • June 2010
    • May 2010
    • April 2010
    • March 2010
    • February 2010
    • January 2010
    • December 2009
    • November 2009
    • October 2009
    • September 2009
    • August 2009
    • July 2009
    • June 2009
    • May 2009
    • April 2009
    • March 2009
    • February 2009
    • January 2009
    • December 2008
    • November 2008
    • October 2008
    • September 2008
    • August 2008
    • July 2008
    • June 2008
    • May 2008
    • April 2008
    • March 2008
    • February 2008
    • January 2008
    • December 2007
    • November 2007
    • October 2007
    • September 2007
    • August 2007
    • July 2007
    • June 2007
    • May 2007
    • April 2007
    • March 2007
    • February 2007
    • January 2007
    • December 2006
    • November 2006
    • October 2006
    • September 2006
    • August 2006
    • July 2006

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

WPThemes.


  • Follow Following
    • Impactiviti blog
    • Join 30 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Impactiviti blog
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Copy shortlink
    • Report this content
    • View post in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
%d bloggers like this: