A Day in the Life of a Virtual, Inc. Managing Director

The Virtual Life : Article

Q&A with Massachusetts based Managing Director, John Lessard.

What do you do as a Managing Director of Client Services?

JL: My role as a Managing Director is similar to the role I played as a small business owner for nearly 20 years. With any business there are a core set of functional areas that keep the business moving forward and on a growth trajectory; areas like Marketing, Finance, Accounting, and IT – just to name a few.

As an owner of any business, or in the case of being a Managing Director, you need to have a Big Picture view of where you want your company/client to go. Once you have that vision, you need to assemble the pieces, build the team with the right players, and chart the course to continually drive toward excellence and moving the needle. If we’ve learned anything over the past few years, it’s that you need to be able to call an audible, be flexible, and chart an alternate course if you come up against any obstacles along the way.

One of the things that’s great about being a Managing Director is that you get to do all of this for multiple clients, not just one. On any given day, you’re running multiple businesses/clients with different areas of focus and sets of goals. If you’re a multi-tasker and looking for exciting challenges, you will feel right at home.

What has been your favorite project to work on in the former Client Services now Client Experience Department and why?

JL: It’s hard to pick just one but if I had to, I would say the launch of the Health System Owned Specialty Pharmacy Alliance (HOSP) as it reminded me a lot of when I launched my own business. HOSP had been an idea that had been taxiing down the runway for a while but never reached takeoff. I was fortunate to have been given the opportunity to collaborate with a talented team at Virtual along with Tanya Menchi at Shields Health Solutions and together we figured out how to finally get the organization off the ground. With that said, we did experience some unexpected turbulence as HOSP launched during COVID-19. Being hit with such an unforeseen event forced us to adjust our altitude and in turn channel all our efforts on-line; from board meetings to webinars to discussions with prospective members and partners, we were still able to follow our course and once things settled, find smooth air, and continue to follow our flight plan.

Favorite movie, book, food, music/band/song:

JL: My favorite movie is without a doubt, JAWS. Memorable lines and memorable characters. My favorite band is Chicago. Impressive array of instruments. My favorite song is May We All, by Florida Georgia Line. Simple way of living.

What company value most resonates with you? What’s an example of that value playing out on a day-to-day basis?

JL: Respect. I think it’s a value that’s somewhat absent in a lot of work places these days, and throughout society quite honestly. I really love the fact that you’re respected within Virtual for who you are, what you do, and what skill set you bring to the table. Whether it’s in conversations you have with team members or in the very work you’re doing, there’s never a lack of respect – you never feel as if you’re being overlooked, undervalued, or under appreciated.

What advice would you give someone hoping to pursue a career at Virtual?

JL: Look no further because it’s all here. If you’re looking for an opportunity to be in an environment where you’re going to grow as an individual both professionally and personally, then jump on board because this is a fantastic place to work. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better environment to work in and be rewarded in the many unique ways Virtual rewards its employees. They say the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but I can tell you, here at Virtual, it is!


 

Connect with John on LinkedIn.

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