From Bits & Bytes to better care: learning, building, and growing

After years of working in the telecom and video streaming sector, where everything revolves around digital strategies and speed, I took a big leap: I transitioned to the pharmaceutical world. And honestly? It was a completely new experience. Now, 8 months later, I look back on a period of exploration, discovery, and learning. At times it was a bit of a search, but I now feel completely at home—thanks in large part to my amazing and understanding colleagues!

In my role, I have the privilege of supporting different companies in the group with my team. From parallel imports and clinical trials to helping expand into new markets and embracing sustainable growth in existing ones. What do all these projects have in common? We’re working on something big: improving the availability, affordability, and accessibility of healthcare products worldwide. That makes me proud and grateful to contribute to this mission.

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What I’ve learned over the past months

?? A different focus: marketing in the pharmaceutical sector is very different from what I was used to. It’s less about quick lead generation or large campaigns and more about informing and building trust. For example, addressing medicine shortages comes with a huge responsibility to communicate honestly and clearly.

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?? Diversity in approach: in my experience, offline marketing still plays an important role in this sector, and in many cases, it’s effective. At the same time, there are plenty of opportunities to enrich it with more innovative and digital approaches. It’s not about radically changing everything but finding the right balance. By smartly integrating innovation, we can strengthen what already works and seize new opportunities.

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?? Marketing as a value driver: one thing that really stood out to me is that marketing is sometimes seen as a cost in this industry. It’s already challenging enough to supply everyone in a market with shortages, so why invest more in marketing? But you know what? It’s so much more than that. In this sector, it’s all about trust and impact. Marketing is an opportunity to showcase the human side of the company and the people behind it. Building a strong brand is about creating a sense of connection and reliability—not just for customers but also for suppliers. Marketing isn’t a cost; it’s an enabler. It helps us build sustainable relationships and truly add value to every collaboration. Yes, it takes time and effort, but it also opens doors to partnerships based on trust and mutual respect.

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?? The bigger picture: This work goes beyond numbers or KPIs. It’s about the people who depend on the medicines and solutions we work on. And it ties into sustainability: how do we ensure that medicines aren’t just available today but will continue to be in the future? This means working smarter, being more mindful of resources, and taking steps that genuinely contribute to a more sustainable world. That’s what gives meaning to everything we do.

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Looking ahead to 2025

With 2024 behind me and 2025 on the horizon, I’m excited to take meaningful steps forward with the support of all my colleagues. While 2024 was about exploring and learning, the new year will be about focusing on measurable results. It’s also a chance to embrace new ideas and listen even more closely to our customers. Because when we truly understand where we can make a difference, the impact becomes so much greater.

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Have you stepped into a new sector or worked in a complex industry? How do you find the balance between tradition, innovation, and sustainability? I’d love to hear your story—let’s inspire each other!