A leading pharmaceutical firm was experiencing a malaise despite recent market successes. It was financially sound with a deep pipeline of R&D products, but according to the financial press, it was “sitting pretty”…and that was the problem….it was sitting.
Its financial comfort was afforded by the long term patent protection of its blockbuster drug which masked an unhealthy situation. Having experienced three CEOs in the past two years, staff morale was low (as evidenced by a recent climate survey). The new CEO was known for his brash management style; his team lacked cohesion and a shared approach to business issues and regulatory and market dynamics were forcing change on the industry.
The top fifty managers reviewed the company’s value/mission statement against the climate survey findings. They re-energized to “create an organization that is responsive to customers and that possess the flexibility and sense of urgency to deal effectively with a market and industry in transition.” Through a series on internal workshops, a comprehensive list of criteria was generated to address positive attitude change and fundamental ways of working. This extensive list was later refined around 5 benchmarks that became widely known as RATIO…
- Role Clarity
- Acceptance of Change
- Teamwork
- Innovation
- Output Orientation
A program of activities was undertaken to achieve these aims. Thinking Dimensions was tasked to improve the Role Clarity, Teamwork and Output Orientation benchmarks.
One year after implementation, an independent research conducted a comprehensive staff survey. It involved over 1500 respondents from across the organizational spectrum-sales, support staff, medico-pharma professionals and senior management. The results were impressive;
58% increase in Role Clarity
63% increase in Teamwork
43% increase in Output Orientation.
These findings were achieved within an organization that was already considered “top drawer.” The firm continues its dominance in financial strength, market position, new drug development, staff moral and industry leadership to this day.
