Maximizing Comfort and Productivity on the Road: A Medical Sales Rep's Guide

In my role as a medical sales rep, I'll be going to the district's hospitals and clinics (Klinik Kesihatan) every month. Some of these places took me hours to reach. The thing that occupies my mind while I'm on the road is 'where to stay' and 'where to eat'.

 

I mean, I’m going to spend a few hours on the road so I need to fuel up, not just the car’s tank, but my body too. Well, my mind does need to take breaks too but I think I got that covers with the music and the sound of gushing wind very now and then.

 

But where to eat first…

 

The thing about eating while traveling is choosing the right stopover. If I use the highway, there are Relax and Refresh (R&R) centres where I can stop. If I use the trunk road, then it’s a different story.

 

So, to make the most out of my trips, I’ve started doing some homework on the areas I’ll be visiting. This helps me find the best places to eat and stay while I’m on the road. I’ve also started making reservations in advance, so I don’t have to waste time searching for a place when I arrive.

 

I’ve learned to pack some snacks and drinks too, just in case I need to have a quick bite between appointments. This also saves me time and money, as well as prevents me from getting hangry.

 

When it comes to staying overnight, I’ve found that booking a hotel near my appointments saves me time and energy. I’ve also started using hotel booking apps to compare prices and get the best deals. And, I always make sure to read the reviews and check for any nearby restaurants, shops, and amenities.

 

I’ve also learned the importance of staying organized while on the road. I make sure to bring my schedule, notes, and any other materials I might need for my appointments. I also carry a small notebook and pen to jot down any important information, like names and phone numbers, during my visits.

 

In short, with a bit of planning and preparation, I’ve been able to make my out-of-town medical sales trips more comfortable, productive, and enjoyable. And, most importantly, it helps me to better serve my customers and achieve my sales goals.

 

Here are details on three booking apps that I frequently use for my travels:

 

1. Agoda: I frequently use Agoda for my hotel bookings. The reason is simply because of their vast selection of hotels and the ability to easily compare prices and amenities. Agoda also has a rewards program, where I can earn points for each booking, which I can use for future stays.

 

2. Hotels.com: I also use Hotels.com for my hotel bookings. One reason I like using this app is because of their "Stay 10, Get 1 Free" program, where I get one night free for every 10 nights I book through their app. I also appreciate the detailed information they provide on hotels, including reviews and photos, which helps me make informed decisions.

 

3. OYO: I use OYO for budget-friendly hotel options. OYO offers a wide range of affordable hotels and guesthouses in various locations. I appreciate that they offer flexible cancellation policies and the ability to book rooms at the last minute. And, with the OYO app, I can easily manage my bookings and stay updated on any changes or upgrades to my reservations.

 

These are the booking apps that I use and the reasons why they work well for my needs. Each app offers unique benefits and features, and I choose the app that best fits my travel requirements at the time.

 

Food Delivery Service Takes Care of My 'Where to Eat?'

If the place I stay have GrabFood or Food Panda service, that would be a huge time saver. These services are something I look forward to because with Grab, I can earn point that I can use to get discount later. 

Plus, it eliminates the need for me to go out and search for food. With the busy schedule of visits and meetings, every minute counts. 

So having the option to order food to my hotel room or have it delivered to the health facility I'm visiting saves me time and energy. I can easily browse the menus of nearby restaurants and order the food I want with just a few taps on my phone. 

Plus, with the rewards program offered by Grab, I can earn points that I can use for future food orders or even transportation services. Having access to these food delivery services makes my trips much more convenient and enjoyable.

 

Food Panda is another great option for food delivery while on my trips. Like GrabFood, Food Panda allows me to easily order food from a variety of local restaurants and have it delivered directly to my hotel or location. The app has a user-friendly interface, making it easy for me to search for restaurants, view menus, and place an order. 

And, if I have any special requests or dietary restrictions, I can include those in my order to ensure that my food is prepared just the way I like it. Food Panda is a valuable tool that helps me save time and maintain my productivity during my working trips.

 

But...

I prefer GrabFood than Food Panda because of the rewards program offered by Grab. With GrabFood, I can earn GrabRewards points for each food order I place, which I can then redeem for discounts on future food orders, transportation services, and more. This makes ordering food through GrabFood not only convenient, but also a smart choice that benefits me in the long run. 

Additionally, GrabFood offers a wider selection of restaurants and cuisines, allowing me to choose from a greater variety of options for my meals. The app also provides real-time updates on the status of my food order, so I always know when to expect my food to arrive. These factors, combined with the rewards program, make GrabFood my preferred choice for food delivery when I'm on the road.

 

Having said all these, I didn't take up the Grab 'Buy Now, Pay Later' scheme because while the scheme offered by Grab may seem tempting, I prefer to stick with more traditional payment methods for my food orders. The reason for this is because I want to maintain control over my finances and keep my spending in check. With "Buy Now, Pay Later", I would be running the risk of accumulating debt, especially if I'm not diligent in tracking my expenses. 

Additionally, I want to avoid any potential credit problems that could arise from missed or late payments. For these reasons, I choose to pay for my food orders in full at the time of purchase, using methods such as credit cards or online payments, which give me more control and peace of mind when it comes to managing my finances.

Back to My Medical Sales Representative Role 

Now, selling to Government health facilities like the district hospitals or Klinik Kesihatan is different from selling to General Practitioners (GP) and retail pharmacies. Some of the differences include the purchasing process, the decision-making authority, and the budget allocation. 

When selling to government health facilities like district hospitals or Klinik Kesihatan, I typically have to navigate a more complex and bureaucratic purchasing process. This often involves multiple levels of approval and documentation, and can take longer to complete. 

On the other hand, the decision-making authority is typically centralized, which means that I only have to pitch my products to a limited number of individuals. This can make it easier to close a sale, but it also means that the competition for business can be intense.

 

In comparison, when selling to General Practitioners (GPs) or retail pharmacies, the purchasing process is typically more streamlined and efficient. 

The decision-making authority is often decentralized, which means that I have to pitch my products to multiple individuals, but it also means that I have more opportunities to win business. However, the budgets allocated for medical supplies and equipment may be limited in these types of facilities, which can affect the size of the sale I am able to close.

 

In both cases, it's important for me to have a deep understanding of the products I am selling, the needs and challenges of my customers, and the regulations and requirements that apply to the medical industry. This knowledge allows me to effectively communicate the benefits of my products, address any concerns or objections, and ultimately close more sales and build stronger relationships with my customers.

 

But that's the story of another day. Feel free to share with me your working trips arrangement and your experiences using them. Just comment in the box below. I appreciate you (and I'm sure others too). 

Until then...

And here is something I’d like to leave you with:

 

• The medical sales rep needs to make monthly trips to visit customers at district health facilities such as district hospitals and health clinics.
• Comfort and productivity are important factors during these trips, and the medical sales rep needs to consider things like accommodation and food options.
• Three popular booking apps for hotels and accommodations are Agoda, Hotel.com, and OYO.
• Food delivery services such as GrabFood and Food Panda can save time and provide a convenient option for meal times during trips.
• The medical sales rep may prefer GrabFood over Food Panda for reasons such as earning points and having a preferred payment method.
• Selling to government health facilities is different from selling to General Practitioners (GPs) and retail pharmacies, with differences in the purchasing process, decision-making authority, and budget allocation.
• To be successful in both types of sales, the medical sales rep needs to have a deep understanding of their products, the needs and challenges of their customers, and the regulations and requirements of the medical industry.