Distributors Explained

I got an e-mail recently from a sales person asking how to become a distributor for Linvatec.

The notion of distributor seems to cause a lot of confusion for people who are from outside the orthopedic realm. That's partly due to the fact that a distributor in different industries can mean very different things.

There are large medical distributors like McKesson, Physician Sales and Service (PSS), and Cardinal Health that carry thousands of products. They can outfit a physician's office with everything from Band-Aids to exam tables. They carry a whole catalogue of products from hundreds of manufacturers. These companies are pretty close to the traditional notion of a distributor that might exist in other industries, like an electrical distributor or a distributor of building materials.

This is not what a typical orthopedic distributor is like.

Orthopedic distributors are typically of two varieties, as far as I can tell:

1. Individual reps with experience and a base of customer contacts in the industry who decide to go into business one their own. They pick up different lines to represent on a 1099 basis; these lines may be from smaller or start-up companies who want to develop a base of business but aren't ready to launch a sales force. These individual distributors or independent contractors may hire on associates to work with them if they get busy enough and typically have a fairly focused territory they are responsible for.

Unfortunately, the distributor is susceptible to loosing the product if it is successful in the market and the company develops direct sales force. If this happens, the distributor goes looking for additional lines to replace the lost revenue, and the cycle starts again.

2. Regional distributors with strong ties to a major manufacturer. The distributor owners run larger organizations with multiple reps over a multi-state area and may warehouse inventory. Sometimes, but not always, the distributor owners may have once worked for the manufacturer itself and have earned the opportunity to become a distributor owner (as in business owner) through stellar performance. Although they may carry smaller, non-competing lines, the major manufacturer's line constitutes the bulk of their business. They typically have multi-year contracts to represent the line, and are expected to meet the performance expectations laid out by the manufacturer.

Linvatec's distributors, and those of many of our major competitors, are of this second variety.

212 Club

Due in part to some training I've been going through, I've been thinking a lot about this question, "What do top performers do differently from average performers?"

I am reminded of small things, small details that I've learned in interviews from people, both this week, but especially a moment in an interview a few years ago with someone who has now become a top performer. We always look for someone who goes the extra "mile", but perhaps it's those small details that are equally telling, equally important.

At Linvatec, instead of President's Club, we have what we call the 212 Club. If you have never seen the 212 movie, you need to watch it...

NOW

If this describes you, then you are definitely someone I would like to speak with.

We have so many great big opportunities around the country. If you are interested in learning more about any of them, please feel free to e-mail me at LMcCallister@Linvatec.com to let me know of your interest. I'd be happy to give you a call to chat.

Openings now in:
New York
Boston
Miami
Augusta
Little Rock
Central Illinois
Houson

Another Great Surgical Site

One of The Upside's readers suggested checking out this site to see videos of surgeries:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/surgeryvideos.html

Thanks for the tip!

Strong Second Quarter Results

Today ConMed announced second quarter results, posting a 13.9% sales growth compared to the second quarter of 2007. It continues to be a great year for the company.

Arthroscopy and Powered Instruments are the two categories which reflect the growth of the Linvatec division. As noted in the press release, "The Company's sports medicine Arthroscopy line grew 18.0% over second quarter 2007 on strong sales of single-use surgical devices and placements of integrated operating room systems."

Although it is not something that I've touched on extensively, the Linvatec sales force has an opportunity to be directly involved in selling and earning commissions from the installation of integrated operating rooms. These can be multi-million dollar sales which result in a tremendous amount of pull-through business in endoscopy systems and other products. Click here to learn more about ConMed Integrated Systems.

Arthroscopy+Endoscopy+Powered Instruments+Integrated Suites= One Giant Opportunity

Video Sale in the News

I came across this local newspaper article on a facility who recently purchased Linvatec products. The language used to describe the equipment is a little different that I would expect to hear than if it had been written by an industry expert.
All the same, I think it's an interesting story told from the customer's perspective about why the facility decided to make the investment.

2007 Rookie of the Year

The competition for the 2007 Rookie of the Year was stiff. Many of those nominated, including reps I've interviewed here previously, doubled the business in their territory.

For me, it's exciting to think back on my initial interview with these people. They were standouts, even then: in addition to have great sales skills, they also showed desire, drive, and a hunger for an opportunity to prove themselves.

The opportunity is what they focused on, and when they got it, they did not waste a moment. They threw themselves into it wholeheartedly and made the most of it.

Today I will be interviewing the rep who won Rookie of the Year.

Opening in Fort Myers Florida

If you live in sunny Ft. Myers Florida, we have an opening for an experience representative with superior selling skills. You'll have an opportunity to work closely with one of our key surgeons.

You must be a local candidate, and if you are, you know the tremendous grown potential in this area. Our product line has never been stronger.

This is a great opportunity to work directly for ConMed Linvatec. Full benefits- including a company paid pension. If local, qualified and interested- please send your resume to LMcCalllister@Linvatec.com (that's me!) Referrals also appreciated!