Insights of a New Joiner at the Doctolib Sales Academy, Berlin.
As we continue to face challenges of remote life, we continually emphasize the need to promote professional growth from the get-go here at Doctolib.
We sat down with Zeynep Barakat, Sales Excellence Manager for Germany, based in Berlin. She shared her experience of being onboarded remotely and attending the Doctolib Sales Academy.
What is it that attracted you to Doctolib?
Like many people during the pandemic, the instability of the global market had me thinking: Where do I want to be if there is ever a second lockdown or even another pandemic. What do I want to be working towards?
As I was looking for my next career opportunity, I had used the Doctolib app in the past and I happened to come across their job ad to be part of their Sales Academy in Berlin.
I was first taken back by the opportunity to learn on the job, not to mention all the cool perks that came with it: reduced membership for Urban Sports Club, e-learning programs, continual education opportunities, mobility packages, and much more….
Besides that, Doctolib made sure that I am well equipped in my home office. In the first lockdown week I received a chair, screen, orthopedic seating cushion, and much more to have a healthy workplace at home.
We even got remote kits to help us navigate remote life by managing our schedule, creating routines, establishing guidelines and even setting up healthy habits to create a better work-life balance. This is very big at Doctolib!
What’s an initial difference you notice with Doctolib, compared to other previous experiences?
In my past experiences, I’ve had my fair share of sales jobs, from spa services to painting and wallpapering services. I’ve gone through a number of arguments and pitches and sold goods and services, but being with Doctolib is the first time I’ve been part of an actual academy while working!
The Sales Academy is built around our sales cycle, so each week you have one main component that you focus on:
Week 1: Hunting
Week 2: Closing
Week 3: Customer Onboarding
It’s basically a 3-week-training-program and a concept, I had never heard of. In my past experiences, I had to simply “learn to love” whatever I was selling. At Doctolib, we learn how our platform is actually transforming the healthcare industry!
How did the onboarding process go?
On my first day, I was welcomed by the onboarding team as part of the Doctolib Academy where you learn how the company operates and functions. We also got to e-meet Stan, our CEO who welcomed us as well! I got to catch up with my manager, my team, other teams based across Germany and our colleagues in France! The onboarding is actually ongoing for the first 4 months.
We get set up with all the necessities to work and focus on feeling as comfortable and at ease in a new environment. Not easy, when you get hit with a confinement order just days after you start…Once I was set up, the Doctolib Sales Academy started and I realised that concepts and sales techniques were aimed in helping me develop my professional skills while doing my job!
Although this time my job won’t have me on field sales, it is important to know how the sales process at Doctolib flows. As a Sales Excellence Manager and analyst I’ll be responsible for all the ongoing processes in Sales in the German market.
What is a defining feature for new joiners like yourself to the sales industry?
Definitely the Sales Academy! We learn about the unique selling points about our Doctolib services and products and I take pride in knowing that we aren’t trying to sell a commodity in healthcare — we are transforming it!
Healthcare professionals are often overwhelmed with sales pitches from all types of commercial efforts, but it’s important to highlight our unique selling proposition from the get-go.
Our sales cycles are longer than selling spa services for example, but we learn how sales is a number-driven career. We learn how important it is to keep your KPI’s at the forefront of your strategy, keeping you motivated to reduce that cycle, without losing your potential client!
In a nutshell, we learn to be efficient with our time & our clients’ time, we focus on the hunt and the sharp script we need to get through to our clients and learn how to manage objections. We are transforming the healthcare industry one practitioner at a time. It’s all about Intuitu in the end.
What is Intuitu?
I won’t be able to tell you in this article (but stay tuned for the next, if you’d like), but if you ever join the Doctolib Sales Academy, you’ll live by it!
Hint: it’s not only used in sales. An Intuitu can be used in so many life situations.
Doctolib wants you to succeed so they do everything they can to make sure you are comfortable with the tools we use (SalesForce), the scripts we personally write, the knowledge we have on all our products and solutions (we undergo monthly trainings) and most importantly, we get feedback and guidance from our managers on a weekly basis!
This is a game changer for me as it’s really important for me to know what I’m excelling in, and what I need to improve. I have 1:1s with my manager and we’ve created a transparent relationship on how I feel (especially during COVID), my objectives and how he can assist me in succeeding. And that goes for everyone at Doctolib!
Speaking of COVID, how have you been handling the second lockdown from Germany?
It’s been challenging, like for a lot of people. We have a Happiness Manager that organizes events and activities online for the holidays, while we await getting back to the office, which motivates engagement amongst the teams.
We also connect for digital coffees, daily “checkouts” to debrief about the day or just chat or play a game. All these things count when you spend the whole day on your own at home. It’s good to know I have colleagues in the same boat and are looking to stay connected virtually!
Any tips or recommendations for acing the sales interview with Doctolib for anyone looking to apply?
- Have the same mindset like you would have when talking to a customer. Close your interviewer! ;-)
- Be yourself.
- Have a positive mindset and attitude and talk about your sales experience and if you think you lack some, just talk about how you think you can succeed in the role! You never know!
- Always look over the edge of the plate and just have fun!
