Generation Veeva | Meet Abby: CDP: What I've Learned

This video provides an intimate look into the experience of a consultant, Abby, participating in the Research & Development (R&D) Consultant Development Program (CDP) at Veeva Systems. The primary purpose of the content is to showcase the internal culture, training philosophy, and community support within Veeva, particularly highlighting how consultants adapted to the challenges of the global pandemic and the shift to entirely virtual work. Abby emphasizes that the CDP structure, which focuses on communication and connection, proved invaluable in maintaining professional momentum and personal well-being during a time when traditional client travel ceased.

The core theme revolves around the structure and unique value proposition of the Veeva CDP. Abby describes the program as fostering strong peer connections, noting that the community aspect—including regular Friday meetings and workshops focused on both technical topics and soft skills—is crucial for success. These workshops are presented as collaborative forums where peers discuss topics that one of them chooses to present, ensuring continuous learning and skill development. A significant portion of the discussion is dedicated to the importance of work-life balance, which Abby actively manages by taking breaks for activities like walking, demonstrating a focus on consultant well-being within the program’s framework.

A key differentiator highlighted by Abby is the CDP’s philosophy of empowering consultants to "find your own path" or even "create your own path" within the organization. Unlike traditional development programs that might offer rigid career tracks, the Veeva CDP is portrayed as supportive of entrepreneurial initiative. If a current opportunity or established path does not exist, the program actively assists the consultant in creating one. This emphasis on self-direction and customized career growth is presented as the defining feature that sets the Veeva CDP apart from other industry programs, suggesting a highly flexible and talent-retention-focused approach to developing expertise in the regulated life sciences technology space.

The narrative progression moves from the immediate context of remote work and peer connection to the long-term impact of the program on career development. Abby stresses the importance of the initial connections made during the first job, suggesting that the relationships forged within the CDP—specifically mentioning her cohort of women who started in August 2019—are expected to be lifelong professional and personal connections. Ultimately, the video serves as a testimonial to the strength of Veeva’s internal community and its commitment to developing highly adaptable, well-rounded consultants capable of navigating the complex R&D and life sciences landscape.

Key Takeaways: • Veeva’s Consultant Development Program (CDP) Structure: The program utilizes regular, mandatory peer connection meetings (e.g., Friday sessions) to ensure continuous communication and community building, which proved critical for maintaining morale and productivity during the transition to fully remote work. • Focus on Soft Skills and Technical Topics: The CDP workshops are designed to cover a balanced curriculum, addressing both technical topics relevant to the R&D practice and essential soft skills, indicating a holistic approach to consultant readiness. • Importance of Peer-Led Learning: The workshops often involve peers presenting on topics they select, suggesting a decentralized, knowledge-sharing model that encourages ownership and deep dives into specific areas of interest within the Veeva ecosystem. • Emphasis on Work-Life Balance: The video explicitly highlights the program’s recognition of the importance of work-life balance, particularly in a virtual environment, suggesting that consultant well-being is integrated into the operational philosophy of the R&D practice. • Unique Career Pathing Philosophy: The Veeva CDP differentiates itself by encouraging consultants to define or even invent their own career trajectories, providing support to create opportunities where none currently exist, which fosters internal innovation and retention of high-potential talent. • Strength of Cohort Connections: The program is structured to build deep, lasting professional relationships among cohort members, recognizing that these initial connections are vital for long-term career support and networking within the specialized life sciences consulting field. • Adaptability in Regulated Consulting: The experience shared demonstrates the successful transition of complex, client-facing consulting work (typically requiring travel) to a fully virtual model, highlighting the adaptability of Veeva’s internal communication and project management processes. • Competitive Intelligence on Talent Development: Understanding how Veeva trains its R&D consultants provides valuable insight for competing consulting firms, revealing the high standard of communication, community, and self-directed growth expected from professionals entering the Veeva ecosystem.

Key Concepts:

• Veeva R&D CDP (Consultant Development Program): A structured internal program designed to train and integrate new consultants into Veeva’s Research & Development practice, focusing on both technical expertise and essential professional skills.
• Work-Life Balance in Consulting: The recognition and active management of the demands of a consulting career, particularly when working remotely, emphasizing the need for intentional breaks and personal connection.
• Customized Career Pathing: A development philosophy where the organization supports the individual consultant in defining or creating their own unique role and progression within the company, rather than adhering to rigid, pre-defined ladders.