Navigating today’s world of work through relationships
Mark Smithyes offers advice on adjusting to new ways of working (1,238 words, 6 min)
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The current skill set for work in Pharma, said Mark Smithyes, President of Life Sciences Consulting, includes “some old stuff, some new stuff, and some stuff that’s coming just around the corner.”
Speaking at the National Pharmaceutical Congress Summer Webinar, Smithyes (photo below) detailed key considerations for adapting to the current workplace.
According to Smithyes, the one thing that hasn’t changed is the need for human-centric leadership—it may be more critical than ever. “Relationships are fundamental,” he said, “and that hasn’t changed. They’re founded on trust, and trust is founded on two things: that you do what you say you will, and that you provide value on every interaction.”
He described how relationships are now mediated by “new tools, [such as] Zoom, social media, [and] YouTube.” Particularly in Pharma, he said, “most companies out there [now] have some form of digital virtual sales force.”
Smithyes cited a recent survey that found a majority of physicians now prefer virtual interactions with industry and do not expect to return to pre-pandemic communication habits. “Of course, what healthcare practitioners prefer and what has impact can be two separate things,” he said. “Face-to-face is still better, [because] you can build relationships—build trust—more easily and more effectively.”
“We’re going to have to figure out how to build those relationships and trust more effectively,” Smithyes said, as virtual interactions become an increased part of doing business.
The other big factor changing the world of work, according to Smithyes, is the talent shortage. “We knew this was coming, and [it’s] not temporary,” he said, citing a 2018 report by Korn Ferry that predicted a global shortage of skilled labour that would leave 85 million roles unfilled by 2030.
The shortage “means great opportunities for people early in their careers, as well as people interested in moving up the corporate ladder,” Smithyes said, “[but] an alarm bell for employers.” It is creating “an absolute need to attract employees, [and] it’s going to require [employers] to do the right thing,” he said.
“For the last decade or so, we’ve been talking about a social license to operate,” Smithyes said, which includes not only corporate social responsibility but also adherence to ESG [Environment, Social, and Governance] and DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion] principles. It’s also an essential part of company culture, which Smithyes emphasized is core to companies’ success.
“Most companies are behind in the attraction and retention building blocks, but that’s going to need to change,” he said. He recommends “the concept of servant leadership,” which aligns closely with human-centric leadership.
“Relationships and trust,” Smithyes said, “never go out of style.”
THIS WEEK 09/26/22
Health Canada has granted a Notice of Compliance to Takeda Canada’s Livtencity (maribavir) for the treatment of adult patients with post-transplant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection/disease who are resistant to one or more prior antiviral treatments.
Novartis Canada and the pan Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) concluded negotiations for Luxturna (voretigene neparvovec), a one-time prescription gene therapy therapy for the treatment of inherited vision loss due to retinal dystrophy caused by confirmed biallelic RPE65 mutations.
Bausch Health and Glenmark Specialty S.A. reported that Health Canada approved Ryaltris (olopatadine hydrochloride and mometasone furoate nasal spray). This therapy is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis and associated ocular symptoms in patients six years of age or older.
Fennec Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company based in Durham, N.C., announced that the U.S. FDA has approved Pedmark (sodium thiosulfate injection) for pediatric patients one month of age and older with localized, non-metastatic solid tumours. Pedmark lowers the risk of ototoxicity associated with cisplatin therapy.
LISTEN NOW
In season seven of the NPC Podcast, Michael Stone, General Manager for Canada of Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, talks about taking on a leadership role during the pandemic, attracting younger, tech-savvy talent and the relevance of an education degree in pharma. Hear him in conversation with podcast hosts Mitch Shannon, Jim Shea and Mark McElwain.
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 represent a cross-section of the qualities that make our business unique and fulfilling. NPC Healthbiz Weekly will acknowledge one past Hall of Fame Honoree each week.
2003 Inductee
Paul Lucas
Toronto
Editor’s note: Paul Lucas is now retired.
From his first day as a drug rep in the early ‘70s, Paul Lucas seemed destined for a long and illustrious career in healthcare. Asked what his greatest challenge has been over 30 years in the business, he says, without missing a beat, “that 30 years in healthcare.” He’s been involved with “a lot of other things” but if there’s one he is most proud of, it’s his determination and ability to rise through the ranks of Glaxo Canada to become prexy and CEO of GlaxoSmithKline.
That’s not to say that creating two merged companies and overseeing countless launches were less challenging, he notes. It’s been during his tenure, after all, that GlaxoSmithKline has become, “one of the top 20 investors in Canadian research and development, and one of the top 10 corporate charitable donors in Canada,” according to his company bio.
These days, when he's not tending to his presidential responsibilities for GSK’s Canadian operations, Lucas is lending his well-honed corporate and communications skills to industry-related organizations and helping to nurture a positive environment for the research industry. His list of government and industry affiliations is extensive. There’s the Toronto Biotechnology Commercialization Centre, an organization with a mandate to create biotech incubators and promote biotechnology in Toronto; the Ontario BioCouncil, a panel designed to advise the provincial government on how to augment the biotech sector; and the Ontario Science and Innovation Council, a committee organized to help government move forward with their innovation agenda.
So how much time is left for a round of golf? Not much, says Lucas, who maintains that the role of the CEO has changed dramatically over the years. Like many top pharma execs, he has lots on his mind, particularly government intervention in the industry, which is raising serious issues surrounding reimbursement, patent protection, and pricing.
With his golf game on the back burner, Lucas is focused on the future of the pharma industry with the hopes that medicines may one day be recognized as key components of the healthcare system, products that not only improve care but also help save money for the system. “Also I'd like to make sure we maintain an industry that is viable and thriving and where our sales reps can continue to do the kinds of things they do. I think there are a number of threats to that these days. I think some of our marketing practices are such that we risk coming under significant criticism, questioning our credibility, and perhaps leading to regulation of what they can and can’t do. I’d like to make sure when I leave the industry it is in a good, strong position.”
Register now for the 16th Annual National Pharmaceutical Congress on Wednesday, November 2
As Canada’s most important stage for leaders in the pharmaceutical industry, the Congress is an opportunity to learn, reflect, and network with the industry’s most prominent thought leaders and visionaries.
Join us at the Mississauga Convention Centre on November 2 for five panels featuring reflections, ideas, and innovations from luminaries in the Life Sciences industry:
The Future of Rare Disease & Oncology
Omni-Channel Marketing
Updated Perspectives for the New Normal
Evolving Roles in Commercial & Medical
Pharma’s New Role in the LifeSci Ecosystem
NEXT WEEK
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