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| Chris Roberts and his son, Leo. |
In
a follow up from my first post, this is the Man whom I have looked up to
growing up, sometimes not by choice. Chris Robert's father Jay and my Dad
became very close friends while my Dad was attending the University of Iowa in
the early 80s. Chris, and his older sister Josie, grew up watching my Dad
and his twin brother, Lou, wrestle. But the family grew closer, Jay
welcomed my Dad and Uncle Lou into his home like they were family.
That
bond we share as a family is incredible, fun, and one tight as a family. When
Chris was growing up, my Dad and Uncle would play and rough house with Chris. When
I was growing up and going to get togethers, the most common was the NCAA
wrestling championships, I wrestled and played with Chris a lot. Since
Chris has had children of his own, I am now playing with his kids in all sorts
of ways. From tag to jet ski rides to sports, we do it all.
I
look up to Chris, I have since I first met him. When I was a freshman in
high school he was working for a pharmaceutical company called Eli Lilly. The
night I got on the phone with him after finding out about where medicine came
from, he placed answered all my questions like it common knowledge. He
did it so smoothly and with ease, he is a professional salesman.
Last
spring I received an assignment in Marty Hansen's personal selling class. I
had to write a paper over an interview with a sales person. I had no
trouble selecting Chris. I got an A on the paper, but that wasn't what I
was concerned about. I wanted to learn everything there was to know about
a pharmaceutical sales rep. The interview was great, the paper was easy,
but what I learned is priceless.
Chris
gave me all sorts of advice, like what they look for in the interviewing
process, what kind of company to work for, what he sees others doing,
interacting with gatekeepers, and keeping a great reputation that nurses,
doctors, and physicians all respect.
Everyday
Chris' goal is to have one appointment on the books with a doctor to explain a
medicine he represents. The current medicine that Chris represents is humalog infulin and tradjenta for
diabetes. From there he visits other offices and hospitals in his
territory to see if any doctors need samples or more of the products that he
has previously had prescribed by doctors at that location.
There
are many common challenges that Chris faces, one is not being able to do his
job. A doctor or physician may get caught up with a patient when Chris is
suppose to see the medical expert. That is tough and something he cannot
control. The next challenge is how his job is evolving. With new
health care laws in place, the way medicine is promoted may change. With
that Chris has a plan, he wants to be able to adapt to change at the drop of a
hat. He is ready for the future and whatever it may hold.
Chris
is motivated by many things, a sales job has its highs and lows. Chris
always makes the highs last a long time and the lows short. The best
moments of his job is when a nurse or doctor inform him that they took a chance
on his medicine for a patient, and it worked. It was the difference and
it changed a life for someone. He makes a difference in the health world,
it is small, but he does it every week. That is why I want to try my hand
at the field, I want to know what it feels like to make a meaningful difference
someday for a complete stranger.
Laughter
is always the best medicine you can never have too much of, laugh with
everyone, but never at someone. Until next time, have a good one.
Riley Banach
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