NEW JERSEY, April 29, 2002: So you're always thinking about your pharmaceutical brand's promotional strategy. But when was the last time you considered the promotional strategy for you -- and your next promotion? May we suggest employing the same strategic focus you put on marketing pharmaceutical brands to your own career...

Creating a strategy for your next promotion.

It's true that promotions are indeed earned. But they don't just happen. You can increase your chances of earning a promotion if you create a strategy for your next advancement by answering the following questions:

1. What is the next career mountain you want to climb?

2. How are you going to get there?

In step one, you have to look at the objective: maybe your next promotion is pending, or you may have just had one. Still, it's a good idea to know what your own "next level" is in your department or division. Then assess "is this the level I want? Is this the company I want to be with at that next level?" You can even conceive of a level that doesn't exist yet. What ever the objective is, be clear about it, and write it down. Read it at least once a week. Staying focused with your "eyes on the prize" is a great motivator. "My goal is to earn the title of senior brand manager."

In step two, you have to walk the walk -- and start to demonstrate that you have what it takes to take it to the next level/. People don't get promoted because they might have what it takes -- they have already been showing they have what it takes -- on a daily basis -- for at least 6 months.

Aim for being valuable.

"In order to succeed, don't aim for success -- aim for being valuable." We didn't say that -- Einstein did. And he was right. In this economy, in this industry, it's all about value. What are you doing for your company that adds value -- things that you do that make the company better, things that no-one asked you to do -- things that make you hard to replace? Doing the extra work -- taking on internal company tasks -- intranet development or in-house training programs for example -- these tasks require leaders and doers. People who take on the extra work rise faster.

Are you plugged into industry associations, are you an advocate for your company? Getting your name out there -- industry publications and conventions, for example -- goes a long way toward adding value to to your name and the company for which you work.

Being a conduit of information is another way to add value to your office and brand team. Visiting RxME every day -- for example -- let's you see the top news stories, that you can then forward to members of your team. We've had terrific feedback from client and agency personnel who do this every day -- and have earned advancements in the process.

These are just some of the ways to achieve your next promotion. Because when it comes to your ownbrand identity, in pharmaceutical marketing, you never want to be lumped in with the "me too's" and the "generics."

Plan where you want to be, then look at the needs in your company to find ways of how to get where you want to be. Remember-- it's all about adding value. If that is part of your objective, it will truly help guide your success.

PositionInk is a weekly column that addresses issues relevant to pharmaceutical marketing. If youwant to contribute an article, or suggest one, please call 908-507-7379. Or email to info@rxme.com

Pharmaceutical marketing executives use RxME: THE HIGH-POTENCY RxPORTAL: RxME is the pharmaceutical marketing executive homepage, and the premier online information resource for healthcare marketing professionals. Specializing in decision-support information for pharmaceutical marketing personnel around the globe, RxME is designed for pharmaceutical marketers of every type, inlcuding product directors, sales managers, sales representatives, advertising executives, writers, art directors, market research analysts, and all personnel involved in the marketing of ethical pharmaceutical products. The only Rx portal designed for pharmaceutical marketers by pharmaceutical marketers, RxME is dedicated to helping men and women in the Rx industry to build their brands, their businesses, and their careers. Edited by veteran pharmaceutical marketing professionals, RxME delivers relevant, potent content...unlike other sites featuring automatic content delivery, RxME selects only the news stories that are pertinent to Rx marketing. There's no need to dig though reams of news stories or layers of navigation to find the information you need. If you haven't already told your colleagues about RxME, we invite you to do so today. But we understand if you don't. After all, there can ony be one "smartest person in the meeeting." Thank you for visiting RxME. Just be sure and visit QD -- because the most important brand you're building is You.®