Category: Networking

What is networking?

Dictionary.com defines the noun as: a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest 
and the verb as: to cultivate people who can be helpful to one professionally, especially in finding employment or moving to a higher position.

I take it a step further by merging the two definitions in the forming of FOCM Networking. This is a site (system) for sharing information and services among individuals who have a diverse range of interests for the purpose of helping each other more than just professionally, but also socially and financially.

Common words used incorrectly

I liked this blog by Jeff Haden entitled: 40 Incorrectly Used Words That Can Make You Look Dumb. You can read the full article at:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20141203134446-20017018-40-incorrectly-used-words-that-can-make-you-look-dumb?trk=object-title

A few examples are:

Adverse and averse

Adverse means harmful or unfavorable: “Adverse market conditions caused the IPO to be poorly subscribed.” Averse refers to feelings of dislike or opposition: “I was averse to paying $18 a share for a company that generates no revenue.”

Affect and effect

Verbs first. Affect means to influence: “Impatient investors affected our roll-out date.” Effect means to accomplish something: “The board effected a sweeping policy change.”

How you use effect or affect can be tricky. For example, a board can affect changes by influencing them and can effect changes by directly implementing them. Bottom line, use effect if you’re making it happen, and affect if you’re having an impact on something that someone else is trying to make happen.

Compliment and complement

Compliment means to say something nice. Complement means to add to, enhance, improve, complete, or bring close to perfection.

I can compliment your staff and their service, but if you have no current openings you have a full complement of staff. Or your new app may complement your website.

Discreet and discrete

Discreet means careful, cautious, showing good judgment: “We made discreet inquiries to determine whether the founder was interested in selling her company.”

Discrete means individual, separate, or distinct: “We analyzed data from a number of discrete market segments to determine overall pricing levels.” And if you get confused, remember you don’t use “discretion” to work through sensitive issues; you exercise discretion.

 

Business Development Job Opportunity

 

WCCT Global is looking to hire a Director, Business Development for the Boston area.  The job description and required qualifications are shown below along with the link to the job on LinkedIn.  You can submit you resume via that link or you can email me at: chris@focmnetworking.com

https://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/27976906?trk=vsrp_jobs_res_name&trkInfo=VSRPsearchId%3A38197791416522761549%2CVSRPtargetId%3A27976906%2CVSRPcmpt%3Aprimary

Summary:

Serve as the primary point of contact with clients / accounts assigned to Director. Actively identifies, qualifies and continually promotes WCCT services in order to achieve annual sales objectives. Seeks out new business and new clients within assigned territory, therapeutic area, or Trial Phase. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Achieve annual sales targets
  • Achieve number of expected client interactions
  • Maintain proper updating of all accounts, leads, contacts, and opportunities in the sales database (salesforce.com)
  • Develop sales territory and gain new clients
  • Present & promote the company’s services appropriately and professionally with clients and at conferences, meetings and tradeshows
  • Present RFPs to the Contracts and Operations teams, supporting proposal development throughout the process
  • Assist and/or prepare quotes and/or contracts, as needed
  • Lead the bid defense preparation process
  • Lead presentations for client TCs, WebEx, and face-to-face meetings
  • Assist and/or prepare White Papers and other targeted promotional and/or educational material for clients
  • Follow up on outstanding action items from client meetings, pulling together info and input from various departments and WCCT team members
  • Conduct thorough and smooth handover of awarded studies from BD to the Operations teams, staying involved as needed
  • Lead the contracting process (with support from the Contracts team) for awarded studies, ensuring timely contracting of trials prior to study start
  • Analyze the market, present sales forecasts for his/her territory; present the clinical research market situation in terms of services, costs, delays
  • Prepare & present action plans for all clients within territory 
  • Other duties and responsibilities as defined by supervisor
  • Assist in training and supporting new BD hires

Desired Skills and Experience

Qualifications:

  • CRO Business Development experience preferred but other sales/marketing or pharmaceutical industry related experience wil be consideredExperience in business development, sales, and marketing, 5 years minimum
  • Travel required (up to 50% time)
  • Committed to ensuring customer service along with working independently and successfully managing multiple priorities simultaneously
  • Computer Programs, proficient in:
    • Microsoft Outlook
    • Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
    • SharePoint
    • Salesforce.com
    • Demonstrate exceptional skills including, but not limited to:
      • Interpersonal, leadership and professional skills
      • Strong verbal and written communication skills
      • Excellent organizational skills, sense of urgency, commitment to deadlines and follow-through

FOCM Card Ceremonies Chicago

In late May/early June, while attending the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) convention in Chicago several people received their FOCM cards in 3 separate and unique ceremonies.

Susan Ruane, after years of evading the initiation proceedings finally relented and the joy on her face is quite clear.  She regrets not having signed up and paid the $20 membership dues earlier.  Well, actually she had to be threatened with extortion in order to get her to pay, but she did and as a paying member of FOCM, has the right to request certain pictures be deleted.  That request was honored in this case, as she felt her arm looked fat in one of the photos.

Ed Moore was the second recipient and as you can see, he is in awe of finally, actually having the membership card in his hands.

Andrea Perrone, Ted Gastineau and Shawn Keen, received their cards while we were out at dinner at some fantastic restaurant in Chicago.

Ed Moore
Ed Moore
Andrea Perrone, Ted Gastineau, Shawn Keen
Andrea Perrone, Ted Gastineau, Shawn Keen
Susan Ruane
Susan Ruane

GCP Auditors Needed

New FOCM Member Steve Bliss (sponsored by FOCM member Claudia Kunzler) is looking to hire QA Auditors with GVP/GCP experience; see information below:

ADAMAS Consulting is a leading Quality Assurance Consultancy with offices in the UK, India and USA. We provide a range of independent QA services to the pharmaceutical industry.

We are currently looking for a GVP / GCP Consultant with the following attributes:

•           BSc or equivalent in a life science, PharmD, or PhD preferred

•           A minimum of five years QA experience in GVP and GCP

•           Accreditations or certifications preferred (e.g., RQAP-GCP)

•           Experience at conducting Investigator Site Audits

•           Good knowledge of international regulatory requirements and industry guidelines governing GVP (EMA Modules) and GCP (ICH, EMA, FDA)

We are also currently looking for a GCP Consultant with the following attributes:

•           BSc or equivalent in a life science

•           Candidates with employment history with a National Health Authority (FDA, Health Canada, etc) are preferred

•           A minimum of five years QA experience in GCP

•           Experience at conducting Investigator Site Audits required

•           Registrations, accreditations or certifications preferred (e.g., RQAP-GCP)

•           Good knowledge of international regulatory requirements and industry guidelines governing GCP (ICH, EMA, FDA) and other GxPs

•           Candidates with supplementary expertise in GLP or GMP are preferred

For more information these opportunities and ADAMAS Consulting, please visit: http://adamasconsulting.com/opportunities.asp

or email your resume to: chris@focmnetworking.com

 

Maximize Influence, Persuasion and Negotiation

 

Saw this link on LinkedIn and think it contains great advice on getting ahead in life and ways to maximize your influence, persuasion and negotiation.

http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/05/the-last-damn-thing-youll-ever-need-to-read-a-8759/?utm_content=buffer36364&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Now Hiring Clinical Study Manager

Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals is looking for a Clinical Study Manager to work in their Washington, DC area office.

If you’re interested, send your resume to me at: chris@focmnetworking.com and I’ll get it in the right hands or you can search for it on LinkedIn and apply via the directions there.  The job description is below:

Job description

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Incumbent will serve as a clinical representative for assigned projects. In association with his/her immediate supervisor, manage the development and implementation process of Sigma-Tau’s services involving the Clinical Affairs department or cross-functional teams focused on the delivery of new or existing projects.  The Incumbent will monitor projects from concept through completion. (S)he will organize and coordinate the interdepartmental and outside vendor activities ensuring completion of the projects on schedule and within budget constraints to ensure success of the projects at all stages in the clinical process. The incumbent will also ensure compliance with applicable Sigma-Tau Standard Operating procedures and guidelines. 

DAILY RESPONSIBILITIES:
For assigned projects:

  • In collaboration with department leads, manage the progress of clinical studies
  • Assure clinical study conduct is in compliance with Sigma-Tau SOPs, Good Clinical Practice Guidelines and federal regulations governing the conduct of clinical studies
  • Works with department leads to maintain projects within intended timelines and projected budgets
  • Identifies issues affecting study conduct and work with department leads on satisfactory resolution
  • Develops requests for proposal (RFP) and coordinates the selection of CROs and outside vendors
    • Manages outside vendors and contractors
    • Tracks  key project metrics and action items
  • Tracks progress of all clinical study activities, including regulatory compliance, site selection, enrollment, site monitoring, drug supply, adverse events/serious adverse events, data management, biostatistics, and medical writing
    • Assist with the development of study protocols
    • Assist with the development of study timelines and budgets
  • Track vendor and site payments Develops and/or coordinates the development of documents in support of clinical studies (CRFs, ICFs, manuals, etc)
  • Work with internal departments and external vendors to establish appropriate study processes to ensure compliance with guidance’s and regulations.
    • Reports progress of clinical projects to management Participate in the development, review and approval of vendor agreements and budgets
  • Assesses training needs for Clinical Affairs project staff; conducts and documents training of team members
  • Oversee study activities by Sigma-Tau staff, vendors, and contractors
  • Supports site management and monitoring efforts as needed
    • Monitoring of select sites to assure protocol & GCP compliance
    • Participate in the development, review and maintenance of Clinical  Affairs SOPs
    • Other duties as assigned 

SPECIFIC JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:

    • RN or Bachelor’s degree within a health/biomedical sciences field, or related field and equivalent experience.
    • 4+ yrs experience in clinical research with the monitoring and/or management of clinical studies in the pharmaceutical industry or at a CRO with experience in managing multi-center study set-up and execution.
  • Knowledge of GCP, ICH guidelines and US FDA regulatory requirements for the conduct of clinical trials.
  • Strong critical thinking skills.
  • Strong ability to prioritize and organize workflow activities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Proficient in basic computer programs such as MS Office Suite and MS Project.
  • Excellent communication skills; ability to tactfully communicate sensitive information.
  • Ability to work independently and in a cross-functional team environment.
    • Must demonstrate excellent planning and organizational skills and an ability to generate creative solutions for complex problems.
  • Basic understanding of clinical development, regulatory and QA, CMC, clinical trials operations and project management methodology.
  • Ability to travel at least 20% of the time.

Job Opportunity Global Head of Consumer and Professional Marketing

ZetrOZ Inc, a consumer wellness and healthcare company based in Trumbull, CT, is seeking an experienced consumer and professional healthcare marketing professional to deliver savvy marketing strategies and tactics to help drive product revenues and grow the organization.  Looking for someone with 12-20 years experience, who understands and thrives in startup lifestyle; fast-paced, strategic and tactical, eager to roll up the sleeves and get to work.

They are a fun, innovative, team playing group. Job description is in the link below.  You can have resumes sent to me (chris@focmnetworking.com) and I will forward them or you can reply directly to co-founder George Lewis (george@zetroz.com) and mention you saw it on FOCM Networking.  (They’re a startup – so we’re relying on networking, no recruiters.)

ZetrOZ is revolutionizing the medical therapeutic industry with its proprietary technology, including the recently introduced sam®, sustained acoustic medicine, (www.samrecover.com) and UltrOZ® (www.ultroz.com), miniature wearable ultrasound devices for accelerated recovery and pain management. 

FOCM_Consumer & Professional Healthcare Marketing for ZetrOZ Oct 9 2014