AstraZeneca turns “Cinderella” employees into stars: Training builds a coherent team out of 24 project managers

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how Oakridge Training and Consulting helped AstraZeneca to develop a training program in teamwork for its information‐services (IS) project managers.

Design/methodology/approach

Discusses a three‐day workshop that focused on developing individual learning skills, which was followed by a program focused on developing team spirit.

Findings

Reveals that the project managers were encouraged to think practically about responding as an individual as well as part of a team, to question and to practice what they had learned. Describes how attendance at training sessions increased from 55 percent at the start of the program to around 98 percent.

Practical implications

Advances the view that the project managers see the sessions as a good opportunity to share problems, learn with colleagues and support other team members.

Originality/value

Contends that the training has developed a sense of belonging, and that team members have begun to trust the group to help solve problems.

Citation

(2009), "AstraZeneca turns “Cinderella” employees into stars: Training builds a coherent team out of 24 project managers", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 17 No. 6, pp. 8-10. https://doi.org/10.1108/09670730910986078