Attending your first industry advisory board (“ad board”) or round table in dermatology is an exciting opportunity to network and contribute valuable insights. An ad board in dermatology is a group of professionals who come together to provide industry partners with clinical and real-world advice, as well as insights and expertise on topics related to the specialty. This may include discussions around current trends, challenges and opportunities within the profession as well as potential strategies for addressing them. If the ad board relates to a new product launch, it will often have a focus of discussing the product’s current studies, patient benefits and access. The advisors can provide critical insights on gaps in any studies, communications or go-to-market plans. These meetings typically involve an exchange of ideas between the members of the board or table so that everyone can learn from each other’s perspectives.
The primary goal for dermatologists in attending an ad board or round table is to learn from other professionals within the field while also contributing their own expertise. As an industry partner, we find ad boards and round tables incredibly helpful. Our goal is to obtain clinical, real-world insight that can help us ensure we are providing you and your patients with the best products possible.
Want to make your participation in an ad board as rewarding as possible? Here are some tips from industry:
Respond Quickly
When invited to an advisory board or round table in dermatology, it’s important to respond quickly and send all requested documents right away. Companies greatly appreciate this type of responsiveness, which can increase the likelihood of getting asked back to similar events in the future.
Do Your Research
It’s important to read all materials sent beforehand as well as do research on any products that will be discussed during the exchange. Additionally, take time to look up information about the company hosting the meeting and learn more about any other people who will be attending. Doing so will help you come prepared with meaningful contributions.
Actively Participate
During the meeting, engage in conversation and ask thoughtful questions. Doing so helps create a productive dialogue that can lead to new insights and potential solutions. Be sure to acknowledge other products or services in the specialty that may compete with and be either superior or inferior to what is presented in the ad board. Additionally, draw from experiences you’ve had in the field as well as any relevant insights or strategies you can share with other attendees. Offering your own perspectives can help demonstrate your knowledge and experience so you stand out from other attendees. Finally, take time at the end of the meeting to summarize any takeaways from the exchange and make recommendations going forward.
Listen Well
It’s important to be mindful of not monopolizing or talking over others during an ad board or round table in dermatology. Taking time to listen and understand other people’s perspectives, experiences and insights can help foster productive conversations that are beneficial for everyone involved. Allowing a back-and-forth dialogue between participants will give everyone the opportunity to contribute their own knowledge while also learning from the collective expertise of all attendees.
Here are some other ad board dos and don’ts:
- Do not have your phone out unless you are expecting an emergency text or call.
- Do not agree to participate if you have conflicts, such as a talk or another ad board, that will cause an interruption to your time in the meeting.
- Do not cancel your participation because another industry opportunity came up. The specialty is small. If you make a commitment, stick to it.
- If one of the goals of the ad board is the publication of a paper, be sure to review any drafts submitted to you in a timely basis.
- Provide any feedback on meeting logistics and presenters to the ad board organizer within 24 hours of the meeting.
