Strengthening Collaboration Across Global Teams
32 employees
3 regions (Japan, EMEA, and North America)
of participants say they are better equipped to work across cultures.
As a global biopharmaceutical company grew through several strategic acquisitions and an expanding product portfolio, their leadership team recognized the need to strengthen cross-functional collaboration, align teams around shared values, and enhance communication across regions.
As the company expanded their global operations, differences in cultural norms and communication styles began creating misunderstandings among teams. Variations in debate etiquette, meeting practices, and decision-making expectations—particularly between Japanese and Western colleagues—led to frustration and feelings of exclusion. To foster a more inclusive environment, their leadership recognized the need to clarify roles, improve cross-cultural communication, and ensure all voices were heard in the decision-making process.
To bridge cultural gaps and strengthen collaboration, we launched a three-step cross-cultural training initiative. The program began with an online survey to gather candid feedback from Japanese and Western team members about their experiences working together. Insights from the survey informed two tailored training programs—“Working with Japan” and “Working with Westerners”—each designed to deepen mutual understanding of cultural values, communication styles, and business practices. The initiative concluded with joint team-building workshops, bringing all participants together to foster trust, clarify team norms, and build alignment across the global team.
Participants reported stronger cross-cultural understanding and improved collaboration across their regional teams. The program created greater trust, clearer communication, and a shared sense of purpose among all colleagues. Following the training program, 100% of participants agreed their team would work together more effectively and with greater mutual respect.
Working With Westerners participant“I thought I understood before, but this program helped me gain a deeper understanding of working across cultures.”