• A Swiss love for totems
    Motivating teams
    on four continents

    When the HR department of one division wants to outdo the others in the search for excellence, motivation is essential. This being Novartis, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world, such a goal requires far-reaching, coordinated efforts to get everybody on board. Although, obviously, not of all of it meets the eye, roll-up banners (which, Joël, the French-speaking Novartis coordinator, kept calling “totems” ) and posters are indispensable to convey the message.
    Roll-up displays for 7 production units on four continents
    Novartis Global BioPharmaceutical Operations (BPO) was keen to become the “Toyota of Pharma”, not an easy task when teams are located around the world—in Europe, North America, Singapore and Egypt.

    As part of an intensive program to motivate everybody in the division—workers in the production facilities as well as the office staff—a series of “totems” were the vehicles of choice.






    PowerPoint presentation
    for the annual BPO world conference
    Many PowerPoint presentations tend to be visually dull and set in 12 pt type that nobody can read, but which allows to fit all the content, and then some more. To spice up the whole thing, the overworked executive or PA in charge might then resort, in the worst case, to some ‘wacky’ animation effects. As a result, text blocks might fly around, and spectacularly annoying slide transitions of the ‘Vortex’ type be used without restraint.

    Once a year, BPO needs to address representatives from its global operations in a highly professional, clear and compelling way. Our 2007 presentation combined  unexpected visuals with a touch of humor to convey a strong, clear message.








    Template for the newsletter
    In order to unify every single aspect of the motivation campaign, we have designed a specific newsletter template. Its visual impact exemplifies the benefits of ‘less is more’.











    Localized posters for the production units
    Obviously, in many countries, communicating in English with employees in non-executive positions and with factory workers does not go very far.

    To make sure the LEAN manufacturing message will reach the teams in Singapore and Egypt, localized versions of the posters are a must.


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