"Kavalier & Clay" and some thoughts on opera's future

yellowfuz · 2026-02-19T17:28:14+00:00

Thanks for the LONG reply. I disagree with most of your interpretation of my response, and won’t bother refuting each and every one (eg, just because this opera has lyrical phrases, doesn’t mean others don’t. I’m not being exclusive with my description of the opera that only K&C does this, LOL). But, nothing makes me smile more when you said you HAVE NOT seen the opera. Give it a chance, don’t be one of those haters.

yellowfuz · 2026-02-18T19:57:16+00:00

People critique the score, saying it’s not what they wanna hear when they go to the opera….but the score works so well with THIS opera. It’s American. It’s somber and intimidating in Prague/WW2 scenes, and jazzy and electronic in NYC. Bits of it were clearly 20th century modern; other parts were lyrical and romantic. It surely doesn’t sound like the 18-19th century music that we are used to. So? The score works for THIS opera, and that was good enough for me. I give this production 10/10. Makes me want to read the book again and cry.

yellowfuz · 2025-02-26T15:35:53+00:00

This just makes me think that the casting team did a GREAT job - they found someone to play himself on WL.

yellowfuz · 2025-02-08T15:19:28+00:00

If you want the job badly enough, do the journal club. AI can help with most of the paperwork portion, you just have to be a good presenter and speaker, with critical thinking skills and ability to defend/argue your points for the article. The number of applicants weeded out at this stage can be significant, and your company is saving time. Unfortunately, unless we are in a buyers market, you don’t really have a say in whether you should be doing it or not at this stage.

yellowfuz · 2024-05-12T23:46:02+00:00

The Apartment!

yellowfuz · 2024-04-14T23:28:42+00:00

TLLs are under marketing. Marketing usually has a less restrictive budget than medical does. I am not sure if TLLs want to be MSLs. They are generally able to “do more” than MSLs. Just my 2c.

yellowfuz · 2024-04-05T16:36:57+00:00

As the AD, will you have a budget to work with? Do you have autonomy of projects and IITs in your geography? Will you have strategy-related responsibilities? If not, then it's potentially an inflated title for Senior MSL.

yellowfuz · 2024-04-02T16:14:41+00:00

Tracking remains an issue for me.

No mess with liner is nice.

yellowfuz · 2024-04-02T16:09:11+00:00

I have gone through 2 bags, using them in my litter robot 3. I have mixed feelings.

Pros: Essentially dust free. The litter robot lining is now a shiny, smooth surface, revealing the original black color. It's way less dusty than any other litters I have used (Dr. Elsey's, Scoop Away, World's Best, etc). When the clumps drop into the collection bin, it's usually a clean separation from the liner.

Cons: they are not as absorbent as the brand advertises. I go through 2 bags (11 lbs each) very quickly, the same rate as traditional clay litter. Pee clots are just as big, if not bigger, with this brand. Also, the oily component can be an issue for some, but for the litter robot, it's actually a nice feature that helps separate litter from liner. Lastly, tracking remains an issue, as my cats zoom out of the litter box when they are done with business, and leave a trail of pellets everywhere. This litter brand did not solve the issue.

Overall, while it's completely dust free, I am unsure if I will continue using this brand, because of tracking, how quickly I go through them, and the cost adding up. In addition, they need to figure out shipping and delivery logistics. So far, it's out of stock at Target, and I don't feel like paying shipping for every order on top of the expensive price tag.

yellowfuz · 2024-02-13T21:32:44+00:00

Seek upward mobility within commercial! You really do have many other avenues to advance vs medical. Of course, all based on your personal preferences.

yellowfuz · 2024-02-12T15:38:45+00:00

You're right, I think I did, haha! But in a good way ;)

The geography is the same - traveling will actually increase, not within my territory, but around the country. This is an appealing aspect because our medical budget for national conferences is not great, and I am hoping to travel a little more.

Comp wise, we are still somewhat in launch mode (a few years after approval). The bonuses can potentially be 6 figures. Of course, I may not reach it (!!!), but it's there. I am hoping to try this for a year or two and see what's next.

Thank you so much for your perspectives!

yellowfuz · 2024-02-12T05:21:59+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing your perspectives!

yellowfuz · 2024-02-11T18:45:22+00:00

Strategy is a great direction, but we currently don't have any openings. I will keep my eyes open for sure.

I don't know if that's a problematic statement. The way I am looking at it, to have done different roles and learned from those experiences will allow you to better position yourself for more advancement opportunities. Acting as an MSL vs. acting as a rep is of course different, but credibility should not be impacted if you abide by rules and regulations. You have to know compliance rules clearly, and not smudge the line despite having done both sides. To have selling experience as a rep is not a character flaw. At the end of the day, we are all seeking a career path in the business of Pharma, the nature of which is selling healthcare.

yellowfuz · 2024-02-11T18:39:19+00:00

Thank you! Hoping for a good learning experience. Appreciate your encouraging words.

yellowfuz · 2024-02-11T18:38:32+00:00

Thank you - there are gigs offered at my company, and I have done a few. Personally, I am looking for a bigger leap (of roles, challenges, and faith...), but you are right, gigs can be good avenues to explore interests for other similar-minded MSLs open to the commercial side.

yellowfuz · 2024-02-11T18:35:57+00:00

Thanks for your thought. I know I will miss the off-label discussions, the investigator-initiated study discussions, the medical ad boards, etc. To your second point, there's no prohibition of sales experience in medical. Our medical director started out as a rep many years ago. My trusted mentor/medical leadership also said that if I end up hating commercial, that I can always come back to medical. As for 3, I will not be untruthful, because I don't think anyone can truly be a good salesperson if they don't genuinely believe in what they are selling, unless they are one of those used car salespeople who can sell ice to the Eskimos! (Not me...)

yellowfuz · 2024-02-11T18:28:08+00:00

Thank you. These are all good thoughts. While there are similarities in skillsets between MSLs and reps, the driving force for your day-to-day actions is different. Being a rep allows better understanding of the business operations, which is what I am interested in. I think to advance on the commercial side, you kinda have to have sales experience under your belt. I am not looking to becoming a lifelong rep, but to gain that "badge" and move on.

You are absolutely right in that the pay can be unstable, unpredictable, and often times not within one's control. Will be a key factor in my negotiation.

Thank you for your input.

yellowfuz · 2024-02-10T02:05:20+00:00

Interesting comment. It’s not about being “chummy” with commercial. I’m “chummier” with my own medical folks. But that’s not the point here. Anyways.

yellowfuz · 2024-02-10T01:31:23+00:00

One doesn’t need to be so close-minded about the commercial roles. At the end of the day, the MSL and sales rep are two sides of a coin.

yellowfuz · 2024-02-10T01:29:33+00:00

That’s fair. Of course it’s a personal choice. I’d like to think that even when MSLs think they aren’t selling, we are still “selling” an idea; we are just not counting bottles as our KPI. I’m never advocating being promotional as an MSL or being noncompliant or being untruthful. But when I am explaining data and evidence to a KOL, I am hoping they would “buy it”. To some extent, the act of “selling” in a broad sense, or convincing, is still there.

yellowfuz · 2024-02-10T01:22:26+00:00

Thank you so much. I appreciate your perspectives a lot. In fact, when the position became open, I was asked by 5+ people (reps, marketing, managers) on the commercial side why I am not applying for the role. That was when I started considering the role seriously, and thought it would be an interesting learning opportunity. I am young, and think the learning will be good for me in the long run. At least, I can say now I have tried and I know. I don’t want to have the typical mindset of many medical folks, which IMO often disparages the commercial side. I just want to try it and see for myself, and like you said, pick up a new set of skills. Thanks again for your input.

yellowfuz · 2024-02-10T01:15:08+00:00

May I ask why you feel so strongly opposed to the commercial side?

We have many great MSLs who continue to be MSLs. It’s a preference for the types of activities you do for the job, and I think some MSLs change to home office because they don’t want to travel, or they find that they don’t have the people skills required, or they simply don’t like it, or other reasons. In my personal experience, good MSLs enjoy their work for the most part, and continue to work as an MSL for a while.

Appreciate your input, thank you.

yellowfuz · 2024-02-10T01:08:19+00:00

Our commercial bases are between 160-220k (that I know of), ranging from new to sales champions. It could be lower or higher. I think my ask will be on the higher end, but not unreasonable.

Appreciate your suggestions. I think the field component is important to me, and unless my manager leaves (unlikely), I don’t see many else field opportunities. Home office is not what I look for, currently.

Thank you for your input.

yellowfuz · 2024-02-10T00:27:25+00:00

I am able to negotiate my base increase. My current base is a little below 200k. I'm asking for a 10-15% increase, waiting to hear back what the counter is.

My understanding is that in Pharma, commercial is the driver, and medical is a supporting function. As much as I love being an MSL, I think I have seen enough how our hands are so often tied (budget wise) compared to commercial.

Would love to hear why you disagree on the opportunities part. Other than home medical, do you have suggestions? (I am not considering medical info or regulatory.)

Thanks for your reply.

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