Working Successfully across Cultures in a Big Corporate Environment

Abstract

The paper addresses the challenges of working globally within a Big Corporate environment across multiple cultures, functions & geographies, primarily drawing on the author's experience of working in AstraZeneca and other large corporate organisations. A real life view of what a corporate culture consists of is described followed by the exploration of six key areas (strategy, stakeholders, change management, technology, leadership and communication) to be mastered for successful operation in such environments. The paper concludes with a case study that demonstrates the concepts and techniques in practice and how successful operation in the corporate `jungle' can be achieved. The case study relates to a team managed by the author for 18 months during which time it transformed from a disparate group with no sense of direction into a successful, high performing team that was highly valued by colleagues and stakeholders.