It was pouring rain!
The umbrella I had wasn’t even helping, and I walked into the office looking like a drowned rat.
You see, I had arrived at my first office fresh faced, and ready to start the day. Then lo and behold… The exact moment I unlocked my trunk to get out the material I needed for the visit, the sky opened up and torrential rain began to pour out of the heavens.
I pride myself on being prepared so I quickly grab the umbrella I keep stashed in my car.
Here I am… Trying to hold an umbrella in the pouring rain, grab materials, and stay dry.
But… By this time, the wind is blowing my umbrella inside out, rain is pelting me, and I am drenched.
I had actually bothered to fix my hair that morning. Didn’t matter. Oh, and that fresh face I started the day with? More like melted crayon by this point…
I was embarrassed, deflated.
My first thought was to go home to clean up, redo my hair and make-up, and maybe or maybe not have a good cry about all my plans gone awry. (Even my treats were getting soggy at this point.)
I was a new rep, and I still had a lot to learn.
Lesson #1 that day:
Check the forecast.
But then something amazing happened… I don’t know who or what took over me, but I went into that office drenched and looking like a drowned rat.
That office I was so embarrassed to walk into… I don’t know if it was shock or sympathy… But they welcomed me in. They started taking care of me, drying me off, and hanging on every word I said like I was the prodigal daughter returned home.
They were thrilled that I even tried to bring treats. A little soggy did not stop them.
Apparently, a lot of reps must not work on rainy days??? (Or they’ve just been around long enough to learn to go to offices with parking garages.)
Lesson #2 that day:
Showing up in ways and places others aren’t willing to creates opportunity for those who do.
I leveraged the story the entire day at every single office I visited.
“Got caught in a downpour. Sorry I look like a drowned rat.”
Lesson #3 that day:
Always leverage a good story.
I’m not sure if it was the sympathy vote (I looked pretty awful), a great story, the fact that I was willing to show up, or some other twist of fate but I ended up having some amazing office visits that day.
Lesson #4 that day:
Make the most of the mess.
Work when others aren’t, lean into the chaos, and make the most of a messy situation.
What would I have missed out on if I had gone home and cried like I wanted to?
Oh, and Lesson #5 from that day:
If you’re a physician liaison or field sales rep, invest in a good raincoat.
An umbrella just won’t cut it during a deluge. ☂️
Ready to boost your Referral Network Relations???
Make the most of the opportunity.
- Call on doctors when your competitors aren’t.
- Don’t let a good story go to waste.
- Make the most of a messy situation. It just might surprise you!
It doesn’t have to be perfect. What matters most is that you care enough to show up. Even when it’s messy.
What’s your worst best messy story? Reach out and tell me all about it!! Misery loves company you know!!
