Kevinbacon profile picture
Kevinbacon profile picture

Kevinbacon

Sales Manager

Opinionated
Catalyst
Valued Contributor
+4

New “road warrior” Tips?

Just accepted an Account Manager role with a leading med device company and will be covering all existing accounts across a 2 state footprint (a ton of hospitals).  

I'm pumped because this is excellent money and a lot of freedom + company car etc.  I'll be on the road like 80% of the time but never more than 3-4 hours away from home since I live in the center of my territory, which is important because I have 2 kids.  

I've managed larger territories in the past but was doing business development and alot of my calls were zoom meetings etc.  I had to fly occasionally.  

Any tips for a new road warrior?  What is the best way to plan/route/manage time.  How do you handle driving that much? How do you balance work/life?  Anything else I should look out for?


🧠 Advice
🎯 Career Development
💉 Medical
15

22 comments

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CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
Make a little kit to keep in your car. I went to the dollar store and purchased a small plastic pencil box with latches. I filled it with the following:

Travel sewing kit
Clorox pen
Purell hand wipe packets
Advil
Band aids
Lint roller - Tide scent b/c why not

I found it so helpful I still practice this for personal use.
Feds_Watchin
Politicker
2
AE
Make sure you got a change of clothes in your carry on. Shit happens.
LordOfWar
Tycoon
2
Blow it up
1. Plan your trips, including drives, hotels stays, restaurants, meetings, laundry, gas stations, and yes, include some sightseeing to break up the monotony.

2. Call your wife and kids every night, even if you are tired, stressed, whatever, it makes it easier on everyone.

3. Download the app Libby, by Overdrive and get some sales audiobooks for free from your local library. No card is required.

4. Download local maps on your device (google maps or Apple) for areas where you don't have service.

5. Don't discount drop-ins. If you pass a clinic or hospital, go in if you have time. If you get shut down do a card drop with reception and a call follow-up. This might be the difference between a meeting next time and another door shut in your face.

6. Hand your dress shirts in the bathroom while you shower to get some wrinkles out.

7. If you're a gamer, look into Stadia by Google to game on the road and save some sanity.

8. Keep detailed mileage notes for expensing or tax filing, including fillups, repairs and general maintenance.

9. Don't underestimate the benefit of a local hotel stay the night before a big meeting, especially since you have young kids. It will give you the time to prep, rest and get in the zone.

10. Ask everyone what their favourite local eatery is. Next time you're in town offer to take them to it.

11. Hang your suit jacket/blazer on a rack in the backseat or on the headrest.

12. Look into the local chains/online booking companies to compare rewards. Some of the perks can add up like free or upgraded rooms, discounted food/drinks, late checkout, etc. I personally book everything through hotels.com so after 10 stays I get a free stay, its a nice and free way to take the family on a weekend vacation.

13. Whenever possible book cancelable rooms, car rentals, etc. You never know when a prospect will bail, especially now.
Kevinbacon
Opinionated
1
Sales Manager
Wow I copied all of this directly to my notes on my phone. Lots of great suggestions here! Thanks for taking the time to type that all up brother
LordOfWar
Tycoon
0
Blow it up
Happy to help, good luck on your trip!
softwaresails
Politicker
2
Sales Manager
Post covid... Bring a mask. 

Doesn't matter what your view is on the current COVID situation you will need one to get in to certain places / offices depending on your territory. 
User1234567
Politicker
1
User1234567
Planning is always key keep a detailed schedule
InQ5WeTrust
Arsonist
1
No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL
Find a good podcast series. 
uncorpse
Politicker
1
Sales Development
x2!

InQ5WeTrust
Arsonist
0
No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL
Honestly the dead time is a big killer. 

Either use it to re-listen to calls or to podcasts etc, but having it as dead will kill yah unless you enjoy driving. 

In my opinion anyway.
Incognito
WR Officer
0
Master of Disaster
I loved listening to “the moth” when I was commuting 2-4 hrs a day
Stratifyz
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Hope it’s not Stryker 😬
Kevinbacon
Opinionated
0
Sales Manager
It is not, but I’ve always heard they were a good company. I take it that’s not the case? Lol
GDO
Politicker
0
BDM
Why not? I have a first conversation with them in 2weeks
SADNES5
Politicker
1
down voters are marketing spies
Hello!

Kids here too. 
What you need are clear expectations with your family. Don't work on your days off, or try and do it before the kids are up or after they're asleep. 

Get a hotel brand loyalty number and stick with it.

You'll be amazed at how fast 75 nights goes. I am biased towards Marriott BonVoy (upgrades, so many upgrades and free nights). But have Hilton status as well. 

For planning. Set up meetings, early and often. 

My go to move for people I NEED to connect with is the 11am meeting. This way if things are going well I invite them to lunch mid way through the meeting. If not going well, you have a "lunch meeting" excuse with their comp to wrap it up. 

Podcasts - I like "it could happen here"

Lastly: don't work for free. I know you're a savage and need to close those numbers. 4 hours drive to territory edge, plus 3-4 meetings. Either leave the day before and get a hotel, or spend the night. It's not safe to be ripping home after/before stress filled meets. If you don't believe me, do an experiment, see where you getter better closes. Well rested. Tired.

Welcome to the club. 
Kevinbacon
Opinionated
1
Sales Manager
Excellent advice man thank you and Great call on the loyalty / rewards for hotels. Never would have crossed my mind.
Beans
Big Shot
1
Enterprise Account Executive
Be vigilant of random COVID policies. 
DrunkenArt
Politicker
1
Sales Representative
Stop at good hotels when you have to go to the bathroom, especially #2. The guest bathrooms in the main area of the hotel are usually nice and if you time it well, you can usually get a free cup of coffee or some snacks if they still have it out from the continental breakfast. 
Kevinbacon
Opinionated
0
Sales Manager
This is some real insider info my guy. Good looking out
Hudsonsmom
Opinionated
1
Area Sales Manager
-find some good podcasts or audio books -map out rest areas/bathrooms (if you have a small bladder especially) -try to stock the car with some snacks that won’t go bad in car/bring something with you everyday. Living on the road is hard to eat clean so the more you prepare, the better off you’ll be. -I try to research lunch spots ahead of time so I can try a nice salad place or something that won’t make me feel gross the rest of the day -always keep an umbrella in the car -driving shoes (something comfy - especially if you wear heels) -if you plan on coming home most nights….start at your furthest point for the day and work your way back home so you have the shortest distance to drive at the end of the day
GDO
Politicker
0
BDM
Planning is crucial. Use a lot of good apps like Waze, dictaphone,…

prep a lot of backup clothes and other stuff in your car. 
Lucy710
Politicker
0
Channel Account Manager
Get an excellent/large cooler and line your trunk or backseat with something washable. If you’re hosting a lunch and learn or bringing food, you will thank me. Also, if your company still uses paper collateral- a file box to put that stuff in and some sort of plastic organizer thing for any pens/pop sockets, etc. At best, they’ll give it to you in a cardboard box which will get crushed. Also, if doing lunch and learns- don’t underestimate fruit. Med offices always get pizza, donuts, candy. :)

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