GloCal approach wins worldwide: a collaborative approach for Commercial Learning & Development programs

Ipsen’s approach to Commercial Learning & Development both reflects and aims to respond to the fast pace of life and business in the modern world. Teams mobilized cross-functionally, at both global and local level, strive for excellence and deliver in the field, not only individually, but as a team. This approach guarantees that programs are executed with precision and support both individual and business goals.

End-to-end collaboration for certification at a local level

Ipsen’s certification program was crafted by the company’s global team,with contributions from over 15 local Commercial Learning & Development leaders. The UK’s Oncology Brand Manager, Emily Birch, was part of the collaboration between global and local teams that worked together closely, all the way from development to implementation.

“The UK Decapeptyl Team have really embraced the notion that repetition results in mastery, and we have discussed how annual certification links to our everyday interactions,” she says.  

The Ipsen certification program ensures that the company’s field force engages meaningfully with healthcare professionals to foster trust and strengthen its position in the healthcare community.

“We have fortnightly calls where we discuss data, local guidelines, competitors and clinical papers,” explains Emily Birch. “Key Account Managers are using this to build confidence, drawing on a greater variety of data to support conversations with healthcare providers and sharing their experiences within the team. We are committed to improving our knowledge throughout the year and are excited to see it reflected in next year’s certification.”

Attention to detail spells success in microlearning

The Ipsen microlearning project is the epitome of a GloCal collaboration, developed through a partnership of local and global peers from the outset. The initiative unites experts from various regions to share knowledge and best practices, leveraging both global expertise and local insights to create high-impact learning experiences.

The Germany team’s Training Manager, Kerstin Schoenherr, recalls some initial reticence. “At first, my teams were not sure they really needed a microlearning platform,” she explains. “However, when it became clear that it was gamified learning and not an evaluation or performance measurement, it was welcomed, and participation is really high – between 89 and 94%.” Part of that excellent uptake can be attributed to the customization of the program to local needs and norms. “During the translation process, we adapt the microlearning program by picking the questions that work best in German,” adds Kerstin Schoenherr.

Onboarding to unite global and local needs

This strategy of taking a global product and adapting it to local needs is carried over into the company’s onboarding program. Local versions maintain the core framework of the global Learning & Development onboarding blueprint with adjustments made to address specific gaps identified through individual assessments and exercises. This ensures that a program meets local needs without compromising its core essence.

Based in France, Ipsen’s Training Talent Management Director, Maxime Chesnais, is delighted to witness global and local teams working together to become more than the sum of their parts. “It’s great to have a global Learning & Development team so dedicated to building field force knowledge and skills through onboarding,” he says. “In France, we invest significantly in onboarding, which is structured from beginning to end. It is important for newcomers to have everything formalized to develop a better connection with their managers, and to develop core skills and knowledge.”

Making an impact at every level

Everyone at Ipsen is cognizant of the substantial advantages of a collaborative approach. As a result, all the company’s future learning and development initiatives are set to be developed with both global and local input.

Our teams worldwide will therefore continue to reap the benefits of better implementation thanks to stronger, trust-based relationships among international colleagues. Co-creation is definitely the name of the game for Ipsen’s Commercial Learning & Development programs—now and for the foreseeable future.