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case study: Novartis

TechOps World
In an organization as large and geographically diverse as Novartis Global Technical Operations, clear and consistent communication is key to the success of ongoing initiatives. To address this communications challenge, Novartis turned to The SPI Group to communicate the news of Global Technical Operations to its audience of 9,000 associates in 26 countries worldwide.

Our communications efforts originally began as an electronic bimonthly newsletter, TechOps World, which shifted to ongoing news article distribution on TechOpsNet, the Intranet Web site for Global Technical Operations. Within TechOpsNet, TechOps World has become a monthly publication in digest format. TechOps World serves as a monthly "at-a-glance" view of all TechOps news and keeps associates informed around the world. The SPI Group's services include editorial planning, research/interviewing, copywriting, editing, design and layout.

Supply ChainLetter

To help Novartis Global Supply Chain Management foster communications and connect employees globally, The SPI Group created the Supply ChainLetter as a base to build a "global community." The newsletter debuted in Fall 2002 and serves as a forum for upper management to share news and give direction, while also sharing success and best practices. The SPI Group produces the newsletter from start to finish, including editorial planning, research/interviewing, copywriting, editing, design and layout. The Supply ChainLetter is published quarterly on the TechOpsNet and reaches an audience of more than 70,000 worldwide.

Branding Iconography

To increase the visibility and impact of Novartis Global TechOps communications efforts, The SPI Group created brand icons centered around the organizations four key strategy areas: People, Performance, Process and Technology. We developed universal icons for each strategy area, as well a brand image that includes all four in one. These icons are used every time news relating to specific objectives is communicated, creating an instant visual queue for employees.

In addition to appearing with print and electronic materials, the new brand icons have also been used in more innovative ways. We created branded decals for use on whiteboards in Novartis' manufacturing plants around the globe. These decals include the strategy icons, along with TechOpsNet and TechOps World headers, in a package that allow Novartis managers to create "communication/news boards" in their local plants. The decals extend the reach of TechOps World news to all Novartis associates, regardless of computer access or language, by allowing local sites to customize and brand existing whiteboards.

Our work for Novartis has been recognized by The Communicator Awards, two years in a row, as well by the Dalton Pen Award of Distinction.

Novartis Global Technical Operations is the production and manufacturing unit of Novartis Pharmaceuticals, a world leader in healthcare. Based in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis employs about 73,000 people and operates in more than 26 countries around the world.

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