If you were in my shoes, what would have you done?
Soon after my graduation, I joined a newly launched company that served its clientele with a varied range of Protein products. My job as a Medical Representative was to meet Physicians, Gynecologists, and Pediatricians as they were the primary and main prescribers of Protein related health products.
Your first job is always precious and dear to you. I was highly enthusiastic, proactive, curious, and always on toes for any work allotted to me. I wanted to give my best as it was the very start of my career as a medical representative.
The first three months quickly went by as I was a fresher learning the trade of medical industry, exploring while making relations with fellow Doctors and Retailers. My understanding and knowledge about the field started to get better with time. Nine months in the field and I was exposed to onward typical sales analysis which included Target, Achievement, Doctor Call Average, Doctor Coverage, Missing Doctor List, amongst other parameters designed for the Medical Representatives.
I vividly remember, one of those initial months was the toughest for me, my mid-month sales trend was too low. The struggle was real as the deadline was near. I had only 2 days to achieve my target. I went to one of the interiors to get POB and to complete the area coverage.
The village had two hospitals each having one Gynecologist. My first meeting with the Government Hospital went okayish. I persuaded him to support as the deadline was taking its toll on me, so he promised me to give Rx. as he already had patients whom he can recommend.
Later on, to check the stock availability and to confirm my prescription, I went to visit the nearby medical store. I was engrossed in talk with the chemist when a petite pregnant woman along with her two children, in ragged and disheveled clothes entered. She looked malnourished for her condition. She extended her prescription to the chemist and I saw it included some antibiotics for her little ones and my company’s Protein Powder. The cost for 200g Protein Powder was somewhere around Rs.100 whereas her other medications were priced around the same number. Her eyes saddened upon hearing the total price of Rs.200, as she had 150 bucks only.
The chemist knew my plight and the goal I had to meet as I had briefed him earlier. He somehow emphasized on convincing her to buy the protein powder and only half the dose of the prescribed antibiotics with the amount she had at hand. Later on, she can come and buy the remaining dosage. The chemist wanted to help me so he persuaded her stating how much protein powder is necessary for her. She was in dire need provided her health and I could see her weighing the options as completing the antibiotic course was also mandatory for her.
I had a moment to decide whether to go with humanity or to sell my product. Immediately, I intervened and offered a solution to the chemist. I asked him to provide her the complete antibiotic course and as far as Protein Powder was concerned I would provide a free sample. Her happiness was visible in those weak and dull eyes.
That day I realized the power of money and what importance does it hold in the lives of people who struggle to fulfill their basic and medical needs. You get chances where you’ll be given options to choose between what’s important and what should be done. Maybe, the former can give you fruitful results but the latter I can assure will always give you peace. It also made me realize that some temporary decisions can give you lifelong happiness and solace. 21 Years and still counting!
Learning’s:
Empathy wins, not today, not tomorrow but always. Do something for those who won’t be ever able to repay you. It’s in those moments you’ll learn the biggest trait of all – Humility.