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[C860]Common Sense Investment Management

by Nezrul Hisyam Abdul Ghani, Nez

Some of them look intimidating with their Hi-Tech gadgets waiting in line to see the medical practitioner. But don't let the looks fool you because they are there just to promote medicine or ‘drugs' that cure diseases or relieve ailments.

That's all they do.

If you're familiar with names like Roche, Pfizer and Glaxo-Smith-Kline (GSK) then these are some of the big companies that employ people to sell their products which include pharmaceutical products.

They targeted specific medical area like Cardiovascular, Internal Medicine or Intensive Care. And for every area there is selected drug and people promoting it. Maybe for smaller pharmaceutical companies, fewer people sell more products and cover larger areas of specialties.

That is common. And many of these Sales Rep are driven by money: high salary, higher incentives and multiple perks, and that's why many of them, during their working life, jump from company to company going after the bigger and better Pay Master.

But reward is just simply the result of effort.

Many did not realize this. That's why they keep searching for the next best Pharma Company and the next best salary offer.

In ancient wisdom, it's like putting the cart before the horse. And that's against common sense.

I have been in and out of several companies myself during my 12 years of service (or ‘rapping' as they like to call it). Average years I've spent with one company is about 5 years, and that according to my humble judgment is long enough to learn specific ‘competencies'.

For example, I stayed with Roche Pharmaceuticals for 5 years. During these years I served mainly the Government and Private Hospitals sectors. I cover almost every main clinical specialty like Cardiovascular, Psychiatric and Geriatric. And then I make my move to Pfizer where there was an opening for General Practitioner and Retail Pharmacy sectors.

I spent another 5 years there.

But the best thing is, due to my competencies and attributes which I acquired previously, I was promoted to managerial level right after my first year service.

That would not have happened if I didn't gain anything from my previous employment with Roche selling pharmaceutical drug. Obviously that experience counts.

And that's common sense.

The result that I've produced speaks for itself. It's a proof that I'm capable. And I can proudly say that many of my top selling pharmaceutical products achievements happen without ‘hard-sell' tactics.

And again that's common sense too.

I know I need to hit my budget and please my often ‘pushy' bosses but it never crossed my minds putting my interest before my customers'.

If I do thing, always it is because of my customers' interest. I find that by doing this sincerely and with persistence, the result and the incentives follow. I just take care of the horses and the cart just moves along smoothly.

I am proving it again with a new company I joined early March last year, selling medical diagnostics products. And I'm happy to report that by the end of 2008, even though I joined the company a quarter later, I brought back 70% of the incentives allocated.

All by just sticking to the basic and what makes sense.

I strongly believe if you just stay with the basics and apply the common sense test every step of the way, you can climb the ladder to success in selling pharmaceutical products.

Most of us use our voices all day long but only a few people are aware of how to take care of your voice to guarantee optimum vocal health and vocal power. Common sense vocal rules can really help you to perform, present & speak well. These simple vocal care tips will help you to become more confident, keep your vocal cords in tip top shape & put your best voice forward.

KEEP YOUR VOCAL FOLDS HYDRATED
A moist vocal tract will give you the best sound with the least amount of vocal effort so it is wise to stay hydrated. Vocal health experts agree that you should drink a minimum of eight glasses of water per day. To keep your vocal cords functioning optimally, before and during an important presentation, anything you drink should be room temperature or close to body temperature. Ideally drinks should not be too hot or too cold because extreme temperatures can de-neutralize your sensitive vocal instrument.

If you travel frequently via airplane, drink lots of water while flying. Recycled air in planes is extremely dehydrating to the voice & skin. Speaking above the level of the constant often-unnoticed engine noise can put a great strain on your voice so talk as little as possible if you need to deliver a presentation on the same day that you fly.

The day before and the day of an important presentation try to avoid alcohol, smoking and second-hand smoke, caffeine, antihistamines and chocolate - note that penicillin and many prescription drugs also dry out vocal cords.

PREVENT EXCESS VOCAL MUCOUS
Many people find dairy products phlegm producing so if this is an issue for you avoid dairy. Also limit your sugar intake, including sugary drinks before giving a speech, presentation or public speaking. Stick with warm or room temperature water on the day of a presentation for optimum vocal performance.

If you need to entertain for work or like the occasional alcoholic drink with dinner, the night before and the day of your presentation avoid red wine, grain alcohol, vodka and beer because they can sometimes spark allergic reactions that decrease your vocal power. If you must drink for social reasons or simply cannot abstain before your presentation, choose white wine instead.

Women who are pregnant, lactating or menstruating will generally experience extra vocal mucous and vocal cord swelling. To manage this simply take more time to warm up than usual and drink extra fluids to ensure your vocal cords are moist and flexible.

VOCAL DON'TS
Speakers often clear their throats as a nervous habit. Try not to do this. Instead, cough gently or silently. Then build up saliva in your mouth, lower your chin to your chest, and swallow.

If you are feeling unwell or struggling vocally, don't speak with a forced whisper. The reason for this is that your tiny crycothyroid muscle at the back of your throat weakens and wears out much faster than if you just speak normally.

The best way to manage an ailing voice is to use your voice as little as possible or to give yourself complete vocal rest for 12 to 24 hours. If that isn't possible, make sure you warm up slowly and gently with a nasal focus to keep any strain off of your throat and voice. Only light and gentle vocal exercises should be performed if you are unwell.

For optimum vocal performance before or during an important presentation don't drink anything carbonated because it could cause you to burp.

Many peak performance trainers also suggest following basic food combining principles like not combining protein and starch in the same meal and eating fruit only on an empty stomach. The food combining rules aren't for everyone but if you do choose to follow them you will have access to significantly more energy because the body doesn't have to work as hard to digest the food in your stomach. Consequently more energy can be channeled into your presentation.

VOCAL DO'S
You can chew gum or suck on lozenges to keep your vocal folds moist. I have found lozenges with glycerin to be the most soothing to the voice. Also stay away from menthol flavors because they tend to irritate delicate vocal folds.

To comfort a fatigued voice, many vocal professionals choose to drink honey and lemon in warm water. Warm peppermint or chamomile tea with or without honey can also be very soothing to the voice. The natural peppermint will give you energy and the chamomile will calm you. You can also mix peppermint & chamomile together for variety.

Finally, ample sleep and complete vocal rest are the best solutions to heal an overly stressed voice. If you are leading up to an important presentation and are in any way nervous about it, following these simple vocal rules will really help you. In order to perform, present or speak well it is best to do everything you can to get out of our own way physically, vocally and psychologically. Again, these simple vocal care tips will help you to become more confident, keep your vocal cords in tip top shape and put your best voice forward.

Copyright 2006 Deborah Torres Patel

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Both Nezrul Hisyam Abdul Ghani & Deborah Torres Patel are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Nezrul Hisyam Abdul Ghani has sinced written about articles on various topics from Marketing, Computers and The Internet and Wine and Spirits. Nezrul had spent more than 12 years in Pharmaceutical Industry. After being cut ‘politely' from Pfizer in April 2007, he took one year off to follow his heart, and only available on the job street early March 2008. He had a lot to say (that explains. Nezrul Hisyam Abdul Ghani's top article generates over 1000 views. to your Favourites.

Deborah Torres Patel has sinced written about articles on various topics from Interview Questions, Family and How to Sell on Ebay. Deborah Torres Patel is an internationally acclaimed expert on self expression and the fine arts of voice & communication. To receive ongoing tips & subscribe for complimentary online voice, presentation & public speaking training sign up at. Deborah Torres Patel's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.