Effective Strategy Alignment | Collective Next
 
CASE STUDY
CHALLENGE SOLUTION IMPACT
CHALLENGE

National Geographic had recently launched Planet or Plastic, an ambitious, multi-year effort to educate audiences and inspire action to reduce, reuse, and recycle single-use plastic. The goal of the effort is to impact the behaviors of consumers, companies, and institutions through content, tools, and partnerships. Planet or Plastic is the first full-fledged, cross-functional, long term effort across National Geographic Partners and The Society. It required tight alignment at both strategic and operational levels.

SOLUTION

Design and facilitate a collaborative workshop for 35 people from across National Geographic, including the CEO, with the objective of:

  • Ensuring a common vision across all stakeholders
  • Driving organizational alignment
  • Clarifying communication processes
  • Clarifying roles and responsibilities
  • Building trust and team identity

Activities to achieve these objectives included:

  • Co-creating a collective timeline to foreground the interrelated work currently underway, and to highlight challenges and opportunities ahead
  • Engaging in a game-based activity designed to underscore the value of team wins over individual wins
  • Completing design challenges based on future-state success scenarios
  • Co-designing real world solutions in cross-functional teams
IMPACT
  • National Geographic instituted a series of practices to improve governance around the initiative
  • Individuals from across the organization shaped the solutions, resulting in a stronger strategy and greater buy-in
  • Participants emerged energized and speaking a common language
  • Cross-functional teams demonstrated greater collaboration and clearer, more proactive communication

Capabilities Included:

Immersive Web Experiences / Alexion Culture Transformation Story

This external facing website is designed to showcase the culture transformation that Alexion underwent since 2017. The site utilizes an innovative scroll-based animation design, and also featured a cross-team effort that included creative, production, and digital teams.