Case-Study - Creating a Unified Talent & Culture Team | Collective Next
CASE STUDY

Creating a Unified Talent & Culture Team

A global financial services leader used a team effectiveness facilitated session to help merge its DEI team with talent management, creating a "Talent and Culture" group—defining their shared priorities and determining how to embed inclusion across core talent practices—strengthening their ability to drive performance, cohesion, and culture at scale.

At a Glance

The Client Situation

Recognizing that a connected and inclusive culture is imperative to achieving their commercial objectives and delivering performance for clients, but also facing shifting legal and political demands, a global financial leader needed to evolve their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. The client was interested in maintaining a connected and inclusive work environment where everyone feels seen, heard, valued, and respected and ensure that the Talent & Culture team was supporting the firm’s long-term 2030+ goals. They also wanted to address consistency of roles and ways of working across regions.

Objectives

OUR APPROACH

Our approach to planning and delivering a facilitated workshop is grounded in a phased methodology that combines strategic insight, collaborative design, and change enablement. We began by conducting a robust kickoff with leadership to clarify goals, uncover pain points, and establish the broader strategic context.

We then conducted a 2-day workshop. To deepen insight, we facilitated reflection exercises—such as identifying internal “headwinds” and “tailwinds”—and used tools like CliftonStrengths to map team capabilities and spot opportunities for more effective collaboration. We used a Team Alignment Framework to co-author the newly combined team’s values, behaviors, and priorities.

Next, we explored how inclusion can be embedded into key talent areas, including employee networks and executive development.

Finally, we worked in small teams to determine how to create action and accountability for the new priorities and inclusion decisions. The teams synthesized their outputs into clear communication plans and reinforced new ways of working through practices like gratitude reflection, peer coaching, and storytelling—ensuring that shifts in mindset are sustained beyond the workshop.

RESULTS & IMPACT

Strategic

  • Achieved alignment around a global Talent & Culture vision that directly supports the firm’s long-term strategy.
  • Elevated the team’s positioning as strategic partners within the business.​

Operational

  • Defined actionable priorities with clear ownership and timelines across multiple workstreams.
  • Established a shared language and repeatable team rituals to support collaboration.

People & Culture

  • Strengthened cross-regional trust and cohesion, unlocking better collaboration and agility.
  • Integrated inclusion more meaningfully into the design and delivery of key talent programs.

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.