The Proven Journey Behind Success in Medical Sales
In this episode of the Medical Sales Podcast, Samuel Adeyinka sits down with Greg Olson to break down the world of cardiac rhythm management and what it really takes to succeed as a clinical specialist or sales rep in CRM. Greg explains how pacemakers, defibrillators, and heart failure devices are supported in the field, why patient focus matters more than chasing money, and how clinical specialists and sales reps work together to support procedures, educate customers, and grow business. He also shares the lifestyle realities of CRM, from unpredictable schedules and long procedure days to the importance of technical expertise, teamwork, relationship building, and being fully committed to the patient on the table.
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Transcription:
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Hello and welcome to the Medical Sales Podcast. I’m your host, Samuel Adeyinka, founder of the Medical Sales Career Builder.
In this podcast, I interview top medical sales reps and leading medical sales executives from around the world. No matter what part of medical sales you want to break into, you will learn how to get in, become a top performer, and build a career you are proud of.
Today’s episode is called.
The Proven Journey Behind Success in Medical Sales.
And I’m sitting down with Greg Olson.
Greg, welcome to the Medical Sales Podcast.
Greg Olson (Guest):
Samuel, thanks for having me. I’m excited to be here.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
For the people listening right now, tell them who you are and what you do.
Greg Olson (Guest):
My name is Greg Olson. I work in cardiac rhythm management, CRM.
I support devices like pacemakers, defibrillators, and heart failure therapies. I’ve worked as a clinical specialist, and I’ve partnered closely with sales reps in the field.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Let’s start at the beginning.
A lot of people hear CRM and they immediately think, high money, high pressure, high intensity.
But they don’t really understand what the job actually looks like.
Break down CRM for us.
What are these devices, and what does the work look like in the field.
Greg Olson (Guest):
CRM is one of those spaces where the product is deeply technical and the environment is high stakes.
You’re supporting devices that literally help keep people alive.
Pacemakers help manage rhythm problems.
Defibrillators can treat dangerous arrhythmias.
And heart failure devices support patients who need more advanced therapy.
In the field, a big part of the job is being present during procedures, making sure everything works, making sure the device is programmed correctly, and making sure the physician and staff have what they need.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
So when someone becomes a clinical specialist in CRM, what are they actually responsible for.
Greg Olson (Guest):
You are responsible for being the technical expert in the room.
You are supporting implants.
You are supporting follow ups.
You are educating staff.
You are troubleshooting.
You are making sure the patient gets the best outcome possible with that technology.
And you have to be sharp because when you are in a procedure, it is not the time to guess.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Now let’s talk about the dynamic.
How do clinical specialists and sales reps work together in CRM.
Because that partnership seems like everything.
Greg Olson (Guest):
It is everything.
The clinical specialist is focused on the patient, the procedure, and the technical details.
The sales rep is focused on the relationship, the account, the business, and the long term growth.
But the best teams work together like one unit.
Because in CRM, the relationship is built on trust.
And trust is built when you show up, when you know your stuff, and when the customer sees that you are fully committed to the patient on the table.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
That is a key point.
Patient focus.
Because I want to address something right now.
A lot of people want to get into CRM because they think it is a money lane.
What would you tell them.
Greg Olson (Guest):
If your primary motivation is money, this is going to expose you fast.
Because the job will demand too much from you.
You will have long days.
You will have unpredictable schedules.
You will be on call.
You will deal with difficult moments.
And if you are not grounded in the mission, helping the patient, supporting the physician, protecting the outcome, you will burn out.
The people who last and the people who win are the ones who care about the patient first.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Let’s talk lifestyle.
Paint the picture.
What does a normal week look like in CRM.
Greg Olson (Guest):
You have to be comfortable with unpredictability.
Some days you think you are done, and a case gets added.
Some days a procedure runs long.
Some days you are in back to back implants.
Some days you have a follow up schedule that is stacked.
CRM can have very long procedure days, and you have to be prepared for that mentally and physically.
It is not always a clean 9 to 5.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
So what separates the people who struggle from the people who become elite in this space.
Greg Olson (Guest):
Technical expertise.
Preparation.
And consistency.
You have to know the therapy.
You have to understand what you are looking at.
You have to speak confidently with clinicians.
You have to be calm under pressure.
And you have to show up the same way every time.
Because in CRM, people remember who handles a tough moment well.
And they also remember who disappears when things get hard.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
That is real.
Now for the people listening who want to become a clinical specialist or a sales rep in CRM, what are a few things they must commit to if they want to succeed.
Greg Olson (Guest):
First, commit to the patient.
Second, commit to learning. This is technical. You cannot fake it.
Third, commit to the team. You will not win alone.
Fourth, commit to relationships. Because relationships in CRM are built over time, through reliability.
And fifth, commit to the lifestyle. Not complaining about it. Preparing for it.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Greg, this has been powerful.
You gave people the real picture of CRM.
Not just the title, not just the comp, but the reality.
And if you are listening right now, let this be the takeaway.
In CRM, success comes from technical excellence, teamwork, relationship building, and being fully committed to the patient on the table.
Greg, thank you for being on the Medical Sales Podcast.
Greg Olson (Guest):
Thanks, Samuel. I appreciate it.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Connect with Greg Olson on LinkedIn.
Connect with me on LinkedIn.
And if you love the show, subscribe, rate, review, and share.
Thanks for listening to the Medical Sales Podcast.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Hello and welcome to the Medical Sales Podcast. I’m your host, Samuel Adeyinka, founder of the Medical Sales Career Builder.
In this podcast, I interview top medical sales reps and leading medical sales executives from around the world. No matter what part of medical sales you want to break into, you will learn how to get in, become a top performer, and build a career you are proud of.
Today’s episode is called.
The Proven Journey Behind Success in Medical Sales.
And I’m sitting down with Greg Olson.
Greg, welcome to the Medical Sales Podcast.
Greg Olson (Guest):
Samuel, thanks for having me. I’m excited to be here.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
For the people listening right now, tell them who you are and what you do.
Greg Olson (Guest):
My name is Greg Olson. I work in cardiac rhythm management, CRM.
I support devices like pacemakers, defibrillators, and heart failure therapies. I’ve worked as a clinical specialist, and I’ve partnered closely with sales reps in the field.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Let’s start at the beginning.
A lot of people hear CRM and they immediately think, high money, high pressure, high intensity.
But they don’t really understand what the job actually looks like.
Break down CRM for us.
What are these devices, and what does the work look like in the field.
Greg Olson (Guest):
CRM is one of those spaces where the product is deeply technical and the environment is high stakes.
You’re supporting devices that literally help keep people alive.
Pacemakers help manage rhythm problems.
Defibrillators can treat dangerous arrhythmias.
And heart failure devices support patients who need more advanced therapy.
In the field, a big part of the job is being present during procedures, making sure everything works, making sure the device is programmed correctly, and making sure the physician and staff have what they need.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
So when someone becomes a clinical specialist in CRM, what are they actually responsible for.
Greg Olson (Guest):
You are responsible for being the technical expert in the room.
You are supporting implants.
You are supporting follow ups.
You are educating staff.
You are troubleshooting.
You are making sure the patient gets the best outcome possible with that technology.
And you have to be sharp because when you are in a procedure, it is not the time to guess.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Now let’s talk about the dynamic.
How do clinical specialists and sales reps work together in CRM.
Because that partnership seems like everything.
Greg Olson (Guest):
It is everything.
The clinical specialist is focused on the patient, the procedure, and the technical details.
The sales rep is focused on the relationship, the account, the business, and the long term growth.
But the best teams work together like one unit.
Because in CRM, the relationship is built on trust.
And trust is built when you show up, when you know your stuff, and when the customer sees that you are fully committed to the patient on the table.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
That is a key point.
Patient focus.
Because I want to address something right now.
A lot of people want to get into CRM because they think it is a money lane.
What would you tell them.
Greg Olson (Guest):
If your primary motivation is money, this is going to expose you fast.
Because the job will demand too much from you.
You will have long days.
You will have unpredictable schedules.
You will be on call.
You will deal with difficult moments.
And if you are not grounded in the mission, helping the patient, supporting the physician, protecting the outcome, you will burn out.
The people who last and the people who win are the ones who care about the patient first.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Let’s talk lifestyle.
Paint the picture.
What does a normal week look like in CRM.
Greg Olson (Guest):
You have to be comfortable with unpredictability.
Some days you think you are done, and a case gets added.
Some days a procedure runs long.
Some days you are in back to back implants.
Some days you have a follow up schedule that is stacked.
CRM can have very long procedure days, and you have to be prepared for that mentally and physically.
It is not always a clean 9 to 5.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
So what separates the people who struggle from the people who become elite in this space.
Greg Olson (Guest):
Technical expertise.
Preparation.
And consistency.
You have to know the therapy.
You have to understand what you are looking at.
You have to speak confidently with clinicians.
You have to be calm under pressure.
And you have to show up the same way every time.
Because in CRM, people remember who handles a tough moment well.
And they also remember who disappears when things get hard.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
That is real.
Now for the people listening who want to become a clinical specialist or a sales rep in CRM, what are a few things they must commit to if they want to succeed.
Greg Olson (Guest):
First, commit to the patient.
Second, commit to learning. This is technical. You cannot fake it.
Third, commit to the team. You will not win alone.
Fourth, commit to relationships. Because relationships in CRM are built over time, through reliability.
And fifth, commit to the lifestyle. Not complaining about it. Preparing for it.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Greg, this has been powerful.
You gave people the real picture of CRM.
Not just the title, not just the comp, but the reality.
And if you are listening right now, let this be the takeaway.
In CRM, success comes from technical excellence, teamwork, relationship building, and being fully committed to the patient on the table.
Greg, thank you for being on the Medical Sales Podcast.
Greg Olson (Guest):
Thanks, Samuel. I appreciate it.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Connect with Greg Olson on LinkedIn.
Connect with me on LinkedIn.
And if you love the show, subscribe, rate, review, and share.
Thanks for listening to the Medical Sales Podcast.