How can medical sales representatives up-skill when in lockdown?

For many of us it can feel like Covid-19 has put everything on hold while we wait for the world to reopen. But with an enormous upsurge in available online learning platforms, there has possibly never been a better time to build up your skillset and prepare yourself for what will likely be a very different world in the way we conduct business going forward. With that in mind, here’s how medical sales representatives can up-skill when in lockdown:

Improve your digital and tech skills

Experience using new technologies has quickly become important for sellers and medical sales reps must know how to take advantage of various sales tools, whether it’s a free productivity app, CRM, or your team’s sales enablement tool. These basic tech skills can help optimise your sales potential and build confidence within your client base:

Technical writing

Medical and technical terminology can be complex and confusing. Technical writing is the process of translating this complicated information into “layman’s terms” to make it more palatable for your client. There are many different courses you can take to brush up on this important skill. Being able to demonstrate what a product is and how it’s used in a clear and simple way will result in clients being much more receptive to sales pitches and thus result in better sales. It may even help you on a career path to becoming a medical writer!

Project management tools

Project management means juggling people, time, and costs, and it is key to ensure that things work as efficiently as possible by utilising the proper tech tools and software. Fortunately, there are a wide array of applications to help you be as efficient as possible;

• project planning software such as Microsoft Project, Basecamp, or Wrike
• project management tools such as Asana and Trello
• time management software such as Harvest

Social media

While much of your client communication will continue to take place over the phone, via email, and in time, person, it is important to understand the impact of social media, and the potential to make a “personal connection” that can result in sales contracts. There are many different courses available to work on these skills. A survey by LinkedIn found that within their respondent pool over 90% of decision makers routinely ignore cold calls. In this era of social media the only way to truly connect and build revenue outside of personal connections are platforms like LinkedIn, where you can focus on utilising your networks and targeting decision-makers via their selling tools.

Learn a new language

Learning a new language can be a boon to your skill set in both your work life and your personal, and there is no limit to where languages can take you. Even better, it is well documented that there are  many cognitive benefits of learning multiple languages. People who speak more than one language have improved memory and critical-thinking skills, as well as enhanced concentration, ability to multitask, and even better listening skills. Language skills can also be a significant competitive advantage that sets you apart from your monolingual peers. The demand for bilingual professionals is rising exponentially and employers are seeking professionals who can communicate seamlessly with customers in ever expanding overseas markets.

There are many different apps and programs designed to help you with learning a new language including Duolingo, Babbel and Rosetta Stone - all of which have proven methods to get you speaking like a native in no time at all.

Finetune your communication skills

Good interpersonal communication skills can make all the difference in becoming a truly great medical sales representative. Listening to the needs of your clients is key to establishing an ongoing relationship, gaining trust and establishing positive relationships with your clients. One way of fine tuning this skill could be participating in a Toastmasters course; these are workshops in which participants are taught to hone their speaking and leadership skills in a no-pressure atmosphere. And with lockdown they are now providing virtual online meetings for their members.

Take your next medical sales representative step with IQVIA

Taking advantage of this time to develop and improve your skills may be the best way to ensure success in your next job hunt. Investing in yourself now and in these difficult times shows employers that you are engaged, and that you want to grow and develop, which will prove invaluable to businesses going forward.

As a medical sales representative, you’ll serve as the critical link between medical and pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals. It’s a fantastic job with opportunities all over the world - and we want to help you make the most of them.

View our latest medical sales representative jobs and take your next career step.