Interview with: Marcelo Fumasoni, Vice President & Head of Human Resources, Latin America & Canada, Novartis Pharmaceuticals

1. Interview with: Marcelo Fumasoni,
Vice President & Head of Human
Resources, Latin America & Canada,
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
“To build a sustainable culture, the
entire organization has to be involved
towards that purpose,” recommends
Marcelo Fumasoni, Vice President &
Head of Human Resources, Latin
America & Canada, Novartis Pharmaceu-
ticals. Top leaders have to be a living
example of the organization’s values
and behaviors, he believes.
Fumasoni is a speaker at the marcus
evans Latin HR Summit 2017, taking
place in Panama City, Panama, May
25-26.
How can HR build the “right cul-
ture” that is sustainable? What do
HR leaders find most challenging?
Shaping the organizational culture is not
only an HR mandate. To build a sustain-
able culture, the entire organization has
to be involved towards that purpose.
The top leaders should be the main
sponsors of the culture change.
The most challenging part is keeping
everyone in the organization engaged
and aligned on what the “right culture”
means to them. My best advice is that
top leaders must sponsor and role
model the behaviors expected in the
new or proposed cultural framework.
What strategies or methodology
would help create a high perform-
ance team?
In our case at Novartis, we defined that
one of the key business strategies for
our sustainability and growth would be
to build “High Performance Teams”.
All top teams in the organization have
gone through or started their HPT
journey to become a High Performance
Team.
This a pillar in our cultural journey too,
as the HPT journey usually takes 12-18
months where teams define their
purpose, team dynamics, how to be
more efficient in their interactions and
improve their relationships. During the
journey they meet face-to-face for two
days at least three times.
How can HR ensure employee
behaviors are aligned with the goals
and purpose of the organization?
Role modeling is the key phrase.
Although this is sponsored by HR, top
leaders will be a living example of an
organization’s values and behaviors. In
our specific case, we refreshed our
values and behaviors recently, and
associates from across the world had a
voice in defining that identity for our
organization.
What protocols do teams need to
establish, and how?
In the HPT methodology we apply, we
work on five key elements of HPTs –
Team Purpose, Objectives, Roles &
Members, Team Protocols and Team
interfaces. When we work with Team
Protocols, it is very important to first
tackle the way teams communicate,
ensure interactions are good.
Lack of clarity in how teams communi-
cate can create conflict in the early
stages.
How can HR motivate and engage
employees? What are employees
looking for?
Of course working for a company with a
good reputation in the market, a
successful business and purpose
(Employee Value Proposition) is very
important for engaging future and
current associates. Elements such as
corporate social responsibility, ethics
and compliance are also very valued, as
well as the opportunity to innovate and
create. More than ever, candidates and
employees today are looking for a good
Work-Life balance and this applies
across generations the same way.
Any final words of advice?
Working on our own inspirational
leadership abilities will be crucial to
engage all relevant audiences along the
organization in this time of permanent
change and evolution of business
operating models. For that purpose,
mastering organizational development
practices will be key, as well as leading
change all along the different cycles of
the organization.
Role
modeling
is the key
phrase
Developing the “Right Culture”
in Your Organization

2. T h e H R N e t w o r k –
marcus evans Summits group
delivers peer-to-peer information
on strategic matters, professional
t r e n d s a n d b r e a k t h r o u g h
innovations.
Please note that the Summit is a
closed business event and the
number of participants strictly
limited.
About the Latin HR Summit 2017
The Latin HR Summit is the premium forum bringing elite sellers and senior HR
executives together. The Summit offers solution providers and HR executives from
across Latin America an intimate environment for a focused discussion of key new
drivers shaping the future of HR. Taking place at the Trump Ocean Club, Panama
City, Panama, the Summit includes presentations on the economic trends for the
Latin American labor market, leadership models, HR best practices and business
innovation through technological tools.
http://latinhr.marcusevans-summits.com
Contact
Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division
Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com
For more information please send an email to press@marcusevanscy.com
All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced. Kindly
inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com
About marcus evans Summits
marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss
strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to
individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, case studies, roundtables and one-on-one business meetings.
For more information, please visit: www.marcusevans.com
Upcoming Events
Corporate Learning & Talent Development Summit (North America) - www.cltdsummit.com
HR Summit (Australia) - www.hranzsummit.com
HR Strategy & Innovation Summit - www.hrsummit.com
To view the web version of this interview, please click here:
http://events.marcusevans-events.com/latinhr2017-marcelo-fumasoni