Importance of Cultural Sensitivity in Transforming R&D in an International Company

In this webinar, Dr. Frank Douglas discusses three examples of the importance of cultural sensitivity in transforming Research and Development during the formation of Aventis SA (presently Sanofi SA) and one of its predecessor companies. These examples will focus on the challenges of Leadership in the face of opposition above and below the leader, creating a new R&D portfolio by selecting the most promising projects from the companies being merged and introducing a new approach to doing drug discovery when the approach creates tension with the existing managerial structure.
These examples will also demonstrate the importance of working on significant problems, being transparent, and using pre-set criteria and time to drive decisions. They illustrate the importance of cultural sensitivity in implementing the slogan: think globally, act locally in a global top five pharmaceutical company.
About Dr. Douglas
Dr. Frank Douglas is an award-winning industry veteran with more than three decades of experience in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and entrepreneurship. Dr. Douglas has held leadership roles in both large and small biopharmaceutical companies. Prominent among these was his role as Executive Vice President and member of the Board of Management of Aventis AG (now Sanofi), where he was responsible for global research, development, regulatory affairs, and marketing support.
Dr. Douglas is the recipient of the 2007 Black History Makers Award and has been honored twice as the Global Pharmaceutical R&D Director of the Year in recognition of his leadership and success in improving innovation and productivity in pharmaceutical companies.