Meet Yiwei
Can you walk us through a typical day in your role at the Michael Allen Company? What are some of the key tasks you focus on?
In general, my activities fall into several categories: Information gathering and sharing, providing recommendations and problem-solving, decision-making, and guiding (sometimes nudging) the team. The balance of these tasks varies day by day. Ultimately, my responsibility is to ensure clients are heard and their needs are met, the team is motivated and well-supported, collaboration flows smoothly, and—most importantly—high-quality outputs are delivered on time. Some activities during a typical day in my work life include:
- Check fielding feasibility with our survey partners for a global study. While waiting for the answers, I prepare a slide summarizing recommendations for screening questions specific to the OUS markets and walk clients though it later in the day.
- Leverage data from previous projects to create a user-friendly Excel-based tool, helping clients address urgent market share questions under different hypothetical scenarios.
- Review a draft topline report from the analytical team, providing edits and comments.
- Set aside time to focus on writing a section of a market structure study questionnaire.
- Participate in kick-off meetings to review key study design elements with clients, gather their feedback, and ensure alignment throughout the process.
- Throughout the day, team members reach out for guidance or clarification as needed. For example, today I received a call from a team member asking about the hypotheses I have and the best analytical approach for an ongoing project.
What do you enjoy most about working at Michael Allen Company?
One of the things I enjoy most about working at Michael Allen Company is the diversity of projects and therapeutic areas I get to explore. It’s always interesting to identify the common themes and unique questions / challenges across different projects. Each project feels like piecing together a puzzle; it’s intellectually stimulating to translate data into actionable business insights and recommendations. Completing this process is fulfilling and rewarding each time, as it directly helps our clients make informed decisions.
How does your team collaborate to achieve success in your projects? Can you describe the work culture and how it supports teamwork?
Our work can be demanding, especially when it comes to meeting tight deadlines and solving complex strategic challenges. However, we’ve cultivated a culture based on mutual trust and respect, where team members are always willing to share their knowledge and expertise and step in to help when challenges arise.
As a manager, I can’t express enough my appreciation for how reliable and supportive my colleagues are. This strong sense of teamwork and willingness to collaborate is what drives our success, even in high-pressure situations. The work culture here really fosters this spirit, ensuring that we can rely on each other and meet our goals effectively.
What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in pharmaceutical market research?
Based on my experience, individuals who thrive in a career in pharmaceutical market research typically possess the following traits. While these qualities are valuable in many roles, they are particularly crucial in this field, so my advice is to cultivate these attributes.
- Intellectual curiosity and self-learning: Always seek to understand the ‘why’ and the ‘so what’ behind business questions; and support the clients to see the ‘now what’ from the data and analysis.
- Ability to synthesize and critical thinking: Working with various data sources requires an understanding of their limitations and the ability to connect the dots effectively.
- Attention to detail: Precision is essential in analysis. Errors can undermine the credibility of your work, so developing good habits and staying well-organized and documented is key.
- Multitasking skills: Handling multiple projects and tasks simultaneously is common, so you’ll need to become adept at time management and prioritization.
- Dedication and support: Being a reliable team member and providing support when needed goes a long way.
What's one fun or surprising fact about your job that people might not expect?
One fun fact about my job is how diverse clients’ preferences can be for data visualization. I’ve found that the most effective way to present results can vary widely from one team to another. A chart that is clear and resonates with one client might not have the same impact on another. This means to communicate results effectively, part of the job is to know each client’s unique preferences and avoid the assumption that what works for me or what I personally like is the best approach for everyone.