Finding the balance between remote and in-person work
Janine Pajot, Bayer’s VP of HR, sees opportunity in flexible work (320 words, 2 min)
The rapid adoption of remote work during the pandemic has led to many positive changes in Pharma regarding how individuals work, lead, and thrive while maintaining high productivity, said Janine Pajot, VP of human resources at Bayer.
As a result of these changes, managers should expect that employees will want continued flexibility around working arrangements that will help them meet personal commitments, said Pajot (photo below).
“Our employees demonstrated the greatest flexibility when our business models needed it most, managing on a personal level without the usual support systems in place due to restrictions.”
While remote work is valuable, the strengths of in-person collaboration should not be discarded, Pajot added, suggesting that a balance needs to be found between these options. “As organizations return to [in-office work], their measurement of success should be based on outcomes, not where someone hangs their coat.”
“We also have the opportunity to create a more diverse workforce, and translating that into fresh and innovative ideas that will propel our organizations to higher performance,” she said.
Pajot stressed the importance of supporting existing talent in addition to new hires, advising leaders to “have regular check-ins with employees and get to know them.”
“Managers should continue to have robust career conversations with employees to bring out strengths and identify skill gaps, so that the company can provide support to build employee skills,” Pajot explained.
At the same time, she said there is a need to monitor for individuals working excessive hours and to recognize the signs of burnout, and “to keep the wellness and mental health of our employees top of mind.”
Pajot concluded that while the employment landscape is ever-changing, good leadership is universal. “The strongest ways as a leader to navigate into the future are to nurture connection with your talent, help them broaden their skill set, and lead with compassion and authenticity.”
THIS WEEK 03/15/22
Novavax announced the launch of its global unbranded 'We Do Vaccines' and 'Know Our Vax' programs, which are directed to help protect people in the fight against Covid-19 and other infectious diseases, such as influenza. The 'We Do Vaccines' program provides information about the common types of vaccines, how they work, how they are made and how they are tested. The 'Know Our Vax' program provides information about the Novavax vaccines.
Bruce Power has established a new Ontario-based medical isotope hub to help alleviate shortages of these isotopes experienced in the last several years. The new Ontario Isotope Innovation Hub will strengthen Ontario’s position as an international leader in the production of medical isotopes that are used in cancer therapies and other conditions, and in certain diagnostics.
Pfizer announced the completion of its acquisition of Arena Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage company developing potential therapies for the treatment of multiple immuno-inflammatory diseases. Arena Pharmaceuticals will bring to Pfizer a portfolio with several development-stage therapeutic candidates in gastroenterology, dermatology, and cardiology. This will include Etrasimod, an oral, selective sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator being developed to treat Crohn's disease, atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata, among other immuno-inflammatory conditions.
AbbVie announced that the Phase 3 PROGRESS trial evaluating the use of atogepant, an oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist (gepant), for the treatment of chronic migraine in adults, met its primary endpoint of significant symptom reduction compared to a placebo.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Season Six of the NPC Podcast has concluded, an ongoing exploration of Pharma’s purpose, process, and people with a diverse list of guests across eight episodes.
Podcast co-hosts Mitch Shannon, Jim Shea and Mark McElwain spoke with guests for various perspectives on career development, understanding cancer patient journeys, the impact of the pandemic on work in Pharma, and lessons from the vaccine rollout. Did you miss an episode? Catch up now!
CANADIAN HEALTHCARE MARKETING HALL OF FAME
The Canadian Healthcare Marketing Hall of Fame awards were established in 2002 to honour healthcare marketers who have contributed to our vocation and inspire others.
More than 100 honourees have been selected during the past 18 years. In the selection committee’s view, they stand for a representative cross-section of the qualities that make our business unique and fulfilling. Each week, NPC Healthbiz Weekly will acknowledge one past Hall of Fame Honouree.
2007 Inductee
Neil Hutton
Port Dover, Ont.
Like his father before him, sales seemed to come naturally to Neil Hutton, Industry Liaison Officer for the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society. In fact, over his 35-year career, Hutton has sold advertising for just about every specialty group, a number of provincial publications, and “quite a few” national publications.
Hutton’s first choice of careers wouldn’t be sales, however, but a job as media supervisor for the advertising agency, BBDO. Still, it wouldn’t be long before the self-professed “people person,” gave in to his true desire to be “on the other side of the desk,” launching his career in publishing in media sales with a farming publication.
Nevertheless, tractors and trucks weren’t nearly as appealing as a job offer from National Business Publications where he was hired as a sales representative for Canadian Doctor, one of only six national medical publications in Canada at the time.
But the high point of Hutton’s career would occur when the Canadian Medical Association made him director of sales and marketing. In those days, it wasn’t just about selling space, says Hutton, who observes, “You can’t sell somebody unless you know their product.” In fact, “I remember quite a few times telling clients their product wasn’t right for my journal and vice versa. The product manager would say ‘this is my creative’ and I would say “that’s not the kind of ad you may want to run in our journal.”
While at the CMA, Hutton would join a huge network of key industry movers and shakers. “I could walk into a room and know 90 per cent of the people,” he notes, adding “Most of the people I know I’ve known since they were product managers, and many have gone on to senior positions in the industry.”
Hutton’s sales savvy would eventually lead him to Keith Healthcare Communications where as vice president; he would stay for many years. He was a dedicated member of various committees including the PMCO. He served as treasurer for PAAB for 10 years and, in 1989, chaired a committee of doctors and representatives from HPB, advertising agencies, and pharmaceutical companies that produced the first PAAB Code revision.
An avid golfer, Hutton says he immediately volunteered to sit on the golf committee of the PMCO, where as legend has it, the “famous blue sports jacket” was born. “In those days every time we went to Quebec, past winners of the PMCQ golf tournament all wore red sports jackets. So we came up with this terrific idea to get these baby blue jackets for the winner here.” Alas, it only lasted a couple of years, “then nobody wanted to wear one,” he laughs.
Reflecting on the time spent in the “trenches” of medical publishing, Hutton savours the memories. These days, he’s creating new ones, as Industry Liaison Officer for the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society, a job he’s been doing for the past seven years. He also runs NK Healthcare Media, a small publisher’s representative business with three publications: the British Columbia Medical Journal, DoctorsNS, the official journal of doctors in Nova Scotia, and the Canadian Journal of Anesthesia.
With no plans to slow down, Hutton maintains the reason he stayed in this “fascinating” industry so long is that “there’s always something new to learn,” not to mention the interesting people he meets every day. Moreover, “I’ve always believed and still believe medical publications are an excellent way to reach the physician.
NEXT WEEK
In the 03/22 edition of the NPC Healthbiz Weekly, more from the powerhouse panels of the 15th Annual National Pharmaceutical Congress. It’s easy to get your no-charge subscription and have the issue sent to your phone or inbox each Tuesday at 6:00 a.m. sharp.
Stay safe, stay sure, and stay on your game. We’ll see you again next week.