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Mike Kuperus, Regional Manager

Mike actually wanted his own company, but now sees various opportunities as regional manager of Mediq’s CombiCare: “The size of Mediq allows many different ways to go.”

5 questions for ...

How did you end up with Mediq?

“I once started with Schmeink in Diemen, a medical specialty store. I managed the store and also worked at customer service on the telephone. Most hospitals in Amsterdam, the Utrecht vicinity and the Zaandam area, reported their ostomy- and incontinence patients with Schmeink. We also did a lot of business with nursing homes.” (smiles:) “Schmeink was a large competitor for CombiCare! When the owner wanted to quit, CombiCare took over Schmeink. Some Schmeink employees still work for CombiCare. I wanted to work in sales: a profession I learned with two producers. After four years I was offered the opportunity to work as a sales representative for CombiCare. And I did not let that opportunity pass me by.”

Can you explain a bit about what your positions entails?

“I am responsible for the Northeast region of the Netherlands. Hospitals, homecare institutions and rehabilitation centers in Flevoland, Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe and part of Overijssel are my responsibility. I make sure that new patients who need ostomy, wound or incontinence materials are referred to CombiCare by prescribers such as nurses and doctors. It is important that these prescribers are aware of the added value CombiCare delivers. I also facilitate communication between parties. Within my region I work together with nurses who are also employed by CombiCare. They also support patients and prescribers.”

What makes your work at Mediq interesting?

“I was cut out to be in sales. I love the freedom, the challenge and the responsabilities that come with it. The selling of CombiCare instead of any product is such a challenge. I always say, you must have something of a Labrador (dog): you must be able to smoothly work with so many different people! Also I enjoy assessing customer’s needs and working with those needs internally. Looking at the future OPG is a large organisation, which has many opportunities to offer high-quality, customized customer service. By stimulating cooperation between all Mediq’s companies - something which is also obviously encouraged among personnel - new initiatives and possibilities arise. Also for myself, Mediq’s size makes it possible to choose every possible direction you want to.”

How have you been able to develop your professional and personal skills at Mediq so far?

“I have been working in sales for CombiCare for eight years now. The first years I worked on building relationships with my customers. Most ostomy nurses know CombiCare as a reliable and innovative company. As far as incontinence I was able to make real progress in policlinics and nursing departments. Since two years, we have added Woundcare to out portfolio. Woundcare and negative pressure care - a treatment which makes wounds heal quicker - are two growth markets for us. Behind the scenes I also work with our digital ordersystem for prescribers. Through our extranet patients can be signed up and orders can be places immediately. We will continuously improve and adapt this internet orderingsystem to our customers’s wishes. I am part of a study group that translates those wishes to our program builders; which I enjoy very much. We offer a databaseprogram for patients of ostomy nurses. When questions or problems arise, I am the person they talk to and that also includes our own customer relationssystem.”

What is your personal career ambition?

“I would like to further grow in ICT. Not as much the programming side of it, but especially in communication through software between our customers and CombiCare. Furthermore, I would like to participate in innovations for our productgroups Ostomy, Wound and Incontinence. Ans since I have eight years of experience in sales for CombiCare, I would also like to support and coach new colleagues in sales. To these new colleagues I would like to say: ‘Be proud of Mediq because it is also proud of you.’”