“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” —Duke Ellington
When I was a pharma rep I was promoted to a Sales Trainer position after my sixth year. I was excited to help new hires learn the ropes of becoming a successful pharma rep. What I didn’t sign up for were all the problems I might face in this new position.
My District manager sent me a young lady that he hired, and I was to train her for 6 weeks in the field. This meant I would pick her up from her hotel each morning and take her around my territory all day and she would, at first, watch what I do and then during the last week, she would take over and present our products to the doctors.
I made it a practice to take each trainee to meet my wife (especially if I was training a female) so that there were no questions regarding my marital status. So, I took Sara (not her real name) to my home and then out to dinner with my wife. Right off the bat, Sara patted me on the shoulder and began to tell my wife how “nice” I was, and my wife’s claws began to come out. My wife was all upset at miss touchy/feely and didn’t want me to train her for a full 6 weeks. It was no help that she was a very attractive lady to boot!
So, I called my boss and told him about my dilemma, and he told me I had to figure it out on my own. That night, I prayed and prayed for an answer. Then, on the first day, I noticed when I introduced her to one of my doctors; she got a bit touchy/feely with the doctor. Unknown to her, the office manager was the doctor’s wife, and it dawned on me that if the wife saw this, she would be in big trouble.
I sat her down and explained to her that I noticed she had a habit of touching others in a warm way and in most cases with friends/family this is an admirable attribute, but in a business setting it is not appropriate. If she behaves like this in her territory, nurses/wives of doctors who often work in the same office would be upset and may not let her back into their offices. I also explained that this can happen when meeting colleague’s wives and family members. She got the message, THANK GOD!
It has been my experience since then, that praying about a problem has led me to a good solution instead of trying to figure it out all on my own. I have had so many situations where I’ve come to my wits end only to have the solution pop up once I took it to my Creator.
Matthew 7:7-8 & Philippians 4:13
TSK
When I was a pharma rep I was promoted to a Sales Trainer position after my sixth year. I was excited to help new hires learn the ropes of becoming a successful pharma rep. What I didn’t sign up for were all the problems I might face in this new position.
My District manager sent me a young lady that he hired, and I was to train her for 6 weeks in the field. This meant I would pick her up from her hotel each morning and take her around my territory all day and she would, at first, watch what I do and then during the last week, she would take over and present our products to the doctors.
I made it a practice to take each trainee to meet my wife (especially if I was training a female) so that there were no questions regarding my marital status. So, I took Sara (not her real name) to my home and then out to dinner with my wife. Right off the bat, Sara patted me on the shoulder and began to tell my wife how “nice” I was, and my wife’s claws began to come out. My wife was all upset at miss touchy/feely and didn’t want me to train her for a full 6 weeks. It was no help that she was a very attractive lady to boot!
So, I called my boss and told him about my dilemma, and he told me I had to figure it out on my own. That night, I prayed and prayed for an answer. Then, on the first day, I noticed when I introduced her to one of my doctors; she got a bit touchy/feely with the doctor. Unknown to her, the office manager was the doctor’s wife, and it dawned on me that if the wife saw this, she would be in big trouble.
I sat her down and explained to her that I noticed she had a habit of touching others in a warm way and in most cases with friends/family this is an admirable attribute, but in a business setting it is not appropriate. If she behaves like this in her territory, nurses/wives of doctors who often work in the same office would be upset and may not let her back into their offices. I also explained that this can happen when meeting colleague’s wives and family members. She got the message, THANK GOD!
It has been my experience since then, that praying about a problem has led me to a good solution instead of trying to figure it out all on my own. I have had so many situations where I’ve come to my wits end only to have the solution pop up once I took it to my Creator.
Matthew 7:7-8 & Philippians 4:13
TSK
