Imonic Approach:

Stakeholders repeatedly tell us in surveys, research and round tables, how fed up they are ‘filling in the gaps’ for different colleagues from the same company. They often express this as “the left hand doesn’t tell the right hand what is going on” – in other words there is no ‘joined-up’ approach.

This is no easy challenge to overcome, very different functions, typically commercial, medical, market access functions, as an example, need to work together from the start and build a joint plan – one that contributes to, and complements their functional plans.

Medical compliance issues have to be respected but this does not prevent matrix working, it just means certain constraints need to be observed and respected.

Fundamental though, is that there is greater power and speed in a team, all working cohesively, ‘in-sync’, following a shared and agreed plan, in sequence.

So, to set about improving both the level of cross-functional working, coordination between functions and speed of achieving shared objectives, there are a few key steps we can take.

• Set the collaboration model that best fits our situation and ambition, from this we can determine the roles and responsibilities and ways of working, eg who co-ordinates the team activities, frequency & type of team activities required.
• Ensure Account Teams establish ‘shared objectives’ as a part of their Account Planning Process, alongside smart tactics, with specific accountabilities for each member of the account team. This gives the Account Team a common currency to work with.
• Train the Account Team members in matrix working and the enhanced value it yields for stakeholders, patients and the business.
• Set a governance process, with methods for team evaluation and dispute resolution.

If you’d like to know more about establishing or progressing your field-force Account Teams, click here…