Working Life: Amanda Paxon
pharmafile | August 9, 2012 | Feature | Business Services, Manufacturing and Production, Medical Communications, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing |Â Â Amanda Paxon, Boehringer Ingelheim, Working LifeÂ
How did you find your way into your current role?
Through a combination of good luck and hard work! I started work with Knoll Pharmaceuticals in 1991 as a medical representative. When I moved out of London in 1996 I joined Boehringer Ingelheim, where I have been ever since.
I have had a number of positions in BI, most of which have been in the sales force or related functions. I’ve been based in Bracknell since 2009, first as director of sales for the UK and Ireland and currently seconded into the new role of implementation director, where I am responsible for translating our strategic intent into operational plans across the prescription medicine business.
How is your field changing?
The NHS has had multiple reforms over the years but its current radical overhaul means that the rate and pace of that change has increased exponentially.
Our customers are changing; customers with roles in strategy and finance are increasing in influence. Consequently our stakeholders are changing and this has led to new and additional roles in the payer environment.
With the move to more account management working we have seen the demise of the traditional sales force model; in recent years the number of medical representatives across the industry has reduced significantly.
Our customers are also looking for added value beyond ‘selling pills’ and this is likely to become even more accentuated with the formation of CCGs in England. The skills and competencies that we all need to use to reach our customers are areas which need constant review.
What are the most enjoyable things about your role?
Improving patients lives. Making a real difference to patients, carers and their families is incredibly rewarding, it makes coming to work meaningful and worthwhile.
The people I work with make the role enjoyable and we are really blessed at Boehringer Ingelheim as we truly have fantastic people to work with. Our unique culture is recognised as being second to none in the pharmaceutical industry – for the last five years we have won the Pf Employer of Choice award.
And the least enjoyable?
Admin! Whilst I know that administrative tasks are necessary for the smooth running of the organisation, I don’t know anyone who relishes the thought of a full inbox of emails!
What are the most common misconceptions about your field and the people in it?
There do seem to be many people who have the opinion that people who work in the pharmaceutical industry capitalise on ill health and that profits are all that matter.
Often when people first join the industry they are surprised to find that it is full of people who care passionately about patients receiving the best care and that improving patients lives is a huge motivator for people who are employed in the industry.
Is there someone who has inspired you or from whom you have learnt a lot?
Some of the most inspirational people that I have met are those who believe passionately in their work – their enthusiasm is often contagious.
A good manager can be incredibly inspiring. The best people that I have had as managers have stretched me and supported me in equal measure. Often it is as simple as having someone who will listen to you and ‘coach’ you through your perceived blocks to help you find your own solutions.
Similarly, is there someone outside your field who has been a source of inspiration for you?
Debra Veal, whom I first met at a launch conference. She set off with her husband on a 3,000 mile rowing challenge across the Atlantic only to discover on the first night that her husband had an uncontrollable fear of the ocean. When he bowed out of the race she decided that she wanted to see how far she could go on her own – and completed the challenge solo.
Of course, her journey was tough on occasions, and at these times her mantra was ‘Choose your Attitude’, which resonated with me. There is so much that you can’t choose and you can’t change but you can always choose your attitude, and you can choose how you respond to circumstances around you.
What is the secret to a happy working life?
I am not sure that there is any secret recipe – If you are lucky enough to find a career which is interesting, stimulating and you genuinely enjoy doing then you will surely be happy at work.
There are many families now where both parents have demanding and busy jobs, if you can maintain a healthy balance between working and home life then that can help with a happy life!
If you had advice for anyone starting out in your field now, what would it be?
The pharmaceutical industry is a terrific place to work and is full of opportunities. Choose the company that you work for wisely, one with a strong pipeline and a culture which values people, demonstrates trust and takes pride in what they do.
Be prepared to be agile and flexible as the world that we live in is ambiguous and uncertain. Focus on what matters and choose your attitude!
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