The right mindset and work environment can turn even the toughest challenges into opportunities
Alaa Shlash, Senior Product Specialist, Oncology/Specialty Medicine Line in Syria shares his journey becoming part of a small yet mighty team at Bayer and growing into his role.
My story begins with a change of plans. As I graduated from the International University for Science and Technology in Syria in 2010, I was dead set on leaving the country and delving into a marketing career abroad. At the time, I believed that pharmacists had very few choices after graduating either working in a local pharmacy or continuing in academia to attain a PhD. Another option that presented itself was to work in the marketing department of a pharmaceutical company, a sector I had passion for. So, when I heard that Bayer had an opening in Syria, I put all other thoughts to rest and applied straight away!
In January 2011, I was hired as a Medical Representative responsible for the Specialty Medicine and Contrast Media line. The decision to remain in Syria instead of travelling was a turning point in my life, making my dream come true to continue working in marketing (the field I truly love) at a prominent company like Bayer. My admiration for Bayer’s culture is strong enough that I have stayed on board for over 12 years now!
With the right approach, threats can be turned into opportunities
In March 2011, the unfortunate war in Syria flipped market conditions completely upside down. Due to security concerns, there were travel bans in place which left me, as the new entrant to the field, on my own to cover the whole country. Bayer’s management made employee safety the utmost priority, and our team still worked tirelessly under these circumstances to continue our mission to deliver essential healthcare products to hospitals and doctors and carry on with our educational and awareness activities.
As tensions grew, our team members had to sometimes travel to neighboring countries to meet our key HCPs (Health Care Practitioners) as it often proved impossible to meet them in Syria, due to the safety risk of traveling within this period. And yet, our team received incredible support internally, proving how dedicated everyone truly is to our company’s LIFE values.
During the 10 years of war in Syria, operating in an exceedingly difficult and ever-changing market, and as a very small team of only three employees for the country, we were still able to maintain our old business, launch new products, and expand our market, while remaining attuned to current trends. The key to this was supporting each other as a tight, well-connected team, as well as always having alternate action plans and the agility to adapt.
Always leap at every possible chance to grow
In 2014, I was appointed as the product specialist responsible for the SM/cardiology line and took charge of a new launch in the country with quite a small team. Regardless, I remain very proud of the fact that we were able to launch the product successfully in 2015.
One of my dreams since receiving my bachelor’s degree and starting my career at Bayer was to receive an MBA. I am glad to say that I gradually found my way to it! In 2018, I started a 2-year MBA program, and, with the support of my Bayer family, I graduated from the Higher Institute for Business Administration with my long-awaited MBA certificate.
In January 2022, I began a new mission taking ownership of the Oncology line in Syria. I start each day with anticipation to explore the ins and outs of this challenge and take on everything that comes within the scope of this responsibility. I am constantly motivated by new challenges, and this has encouraged my managers to put me on new and exciting projects and work opportunities regularly. I am very proud of the successes that have come out of each one.
Everything is possible with family support and a commitment to self-improvement
I am surrounded by a very supportive family, comprised of my mom, dad, sister, and fiancée. I thrive on their unwavering support and care, especially from my mother. Her dedication and prayer for me is what I believe has pushed me to every success I have had in my life.
I am also very committed to self-improvement. An achievement I pride myself on is naturally losing close to 42 kilograms of my weight in 3 months. Self-improvement to me also includes an appetite for learning and willingness to explore new topics and fields. I do think that you can do anything you truly put your mind to, and my personal and work-related achievements are all a testament to that.
“God will make the way, even when there seems to be no way.”
