15 Do’s and Don’ts of Becoming a Successful Commercial Leader in the Life Sciences
July 25, 2023
Adapted from the SAMPS webinar “What does it take to become the next head of Sales and Marketing at your company” (June 2023)
- Do…. develop a thorough understanding of your industry. Understand the drivers and blockers that are creating the current trends.
- Do…. develop a clear vision for where your organization should be heading, as well as providing the resources and tools your team will require to succeed in achieving it.
- Do…. build a customer-centric culture; one that inserts “the customer” at the center of all decision-making.
- Don’t…. fail to execute. Don’t develop great plans only for them to remain on a shelf or in a file. Say what you are going to do and then do it!
- Do…. execute with a high degree of intensity and bring your team along with you.
- Do…. communicate often and with transparency – across to peers, down to your team, and up to senior management.
- Don’t…. just communicate but communicate with passion and in a manner that always keeps everyone interested, involved, and inspired..
- Don’t…. just manage a team; manage and develop each individual on the team to be stronger players on it.
- Do…. hire great people to do great things. Understand your own “gaps” in ability and hire to fill them and strengthen the overall organization.
- Don’t…. advance your career by chasing titles. Make meaningful career moves that add new experiences and skills to your resume, as well as continually pushing yourself outside of your immediate comfort zone.
- Do…. consider lateral moves to expand your experiences.
- Do…. network and learn from others – former colleagues and friends, including individuals outside of your immediate contacts and industry. Develop a “safe zone”, where you have open and honest conversations about the challenges and opportunities that you are facing.
- Don’t…. forget the “soft skills”. Remember to invest in and develop your communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
- Do…. everything with authenticity. Show people the “real” you.
- Do…. stay healthy. Be sure to sleep well, eat well, and stay fit, for you and your organization.
To learn more you can watch the entire webinar here: What does it take to become the next head of Sales and Marketing at your company”