Set a North star with customers and patients at the center
Strategic Roadmap
Talent
Charles River believed that providing a great experience for clients should also extend to employees, and so the company aimed to create an outstanding environment for digital, scientific, and business talent. The organization prioritized exceptional experience by hosting lively and enjoyable agile meetings, exploring innovative ways to collaborate virtually, and celebrating successes.
Charles River found inspiration in other companies' transformations, using them as a North Star. Leveraging insights from diverse industries like banking and high tech, they set goals, developed a rapid roadmap, and kept customers' (and their patients’) needs at the center to become a valuable partner, gaining a competitive edge.
LESSONS LEARNED
Creating an unrivaled experience for their digital talent
Working with McKinsey
—Pam Walker, Corporate Vice President & Global Head of Operations, Charles River Laboratories
Part of our success has been about ruthlessly prioritizing, so we are spending time on the right things, and not trying to do everything all at once.”
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Build a digital-first mindset
Agile Operating Model
To embrace a digital-first mindset, Charles River established a new digital organization with a product-centric
agile model. A transformation office supported the shift to agile practices, while a "digital talent win room” facilitated recruitment of new expertise. The company also engaged their best business talent, adapting roles and establishing external partnerships
where needed.
