Breaking silos and building skills: a journey of cross-functional teamwork
Atos
Since 2019, IfM Engage has helped the multinational digital transformation company, Atos, nurture its future leaders through the Fostering Understanding of Excellence in Leadership (FUEL) for Emerging Leaders programme, drawing on management, policy and education research from the Institute for Manufacturing.
The IfM approach
Solving real problems that matter to the participants, in cross-company teams, is a key part of our programmes. These rich learning experiences challenge how people think, work with others and provide a real opportunity to learn and practice skills required for an evidence-based based approach to solving complex problems.
“IfM have enabled us to develop confident and energised talent, whilst at the same time make rapid progress on real business issues. These FUEL projects are embedded within our business now and are showcasing the quality and relevance of this world-class programme.”
Rik Robarts, Executive Intake Sponsor, Atos
The team starting point
In-company projects play a crucial role in the FUEL programme, providing participants with opportunities for growth and the ability to influence the company at a broader level. These projects also foster the development of internal global and cross-business networks. Atos carefully selects participants, who must propose projects addressing key business challenges, and those with high learning potential are prioritised.
A cross-functional team from across Europe came together with a customer-centric vision: Innovative Growth: How to embed a culture of client co-creation in Account Management, a project initially proposed by Chris who explains: “Client co-creation sessions help tech companies develop user-centric solutions, drive innovation, and strengthen relationships: they collaborate to ideate, design, and refine products using agile methods. However, typically Client Account Managers are not involved. Our team explored integrating these sessions into the account management process to enhance business outcomes.”
Members joined the team with previous knowledge of the project topic, but approached the problem from diverse perspectives, including communications, account management, project management, and delivery. This diversity allowed them to naturally assume roles and leverage each other’s strengths operating cross-silos.
The team embarked on the six-months project journey, working on their project between taught modules, supported by IfM tutors who guided them through their deliverables designed to build skills, gather and analyse data at every stage. Key milestones included project scoping, problem definition, solution evaluation, and a final presentation to a panel of decision-makers at Atos HQ in Paris.
About the programme
IfM Engage have co-designed and co-delivered the FUEL for Emerging Leaders programme with the Atos Global Talent Team since 2019. FUEL is a bespoke education programme designed to enable emerging talents to develop leader mindsets and skillsets in the context of the global Atos business. This practice-orientated programme builds strategic, problem solving, innovation and interpersonal capabilities drawing on research from the Institute for Manufacturing. The participants use these capabilities to address real in-company projects to develop their team-working, collaboration and complex problem-solving skills. With participants from around the globe, FUEL is a cross-cultural experience that allows participants to develop strong relationships and an internal network of future leaders
The project learning journey
Participants apply the program’s core methodology of complex problem-solving for their projects. The team had already conducted research and a series of internal interviews and surveys. However, they had a pivotal turning point during the face-to-face module in Cambridge, where they gained a clearer understanding of the problem thanks to a team session with Atos Executive Intake Sponsor, Rik Robarts. With this guidance, the team found their core problem focus which then shaped the course the project took.
By dismantling their familiar ways of working, they discovered new insights and a deeper appreciation for each team member’s strengths. Anssi reflects, “In my regular work, I regularly connect with different parts of the organisation, but we’re often doing so in silos. The key distinction in this project was seeing how diverse opinions come together and how different business functions view the problem and operate.”
Chris adds, “While everyone agrees that breaking silos is beneficial, it took some getting used to, and we definitely struggled at times to gain a shared understanding throughout the project.”
Another key moment occurred during the practice presentations in the final week. The team received significant feedback on the effectiveness of their pitch and realised that, although they had a clear vision for the project, they were not articulating it cohesively to an external audience.
Anssi remembers, “In Paris at the rehearsal presentation, we had a real wake-up moment: we needed to get our story straight.” Adelina reflects on how the team came together at this critical time to ensure their project’s success, “We really supported one another before and during the final presentation with rehearsals and the right mindset.”
The result was an effective and polished presentation that resonated with Atos senior leaders. The team developed essential communication skills and learnt the value of tailoring the message to the audience.
Meet the team
• Alexandre Beury
Head of Application Technical Management, France
• Adelina-Mariana Calin
Client Manager Operation Bridge, Romania
• Anssi Giss
Account Executive, IT Solutions and Services, Finland
• Charlotte Iddon-Jones
Head of Internal Communications & Engagement, UK
• Christopher Klockenbusch
Hybrid Cloud & Infrastructure Project Manager, Germany
The impact beyond FUEL
The team aims to take their project to the proof-of-concept phase by testing their framework with two existing clients in Finland. Feedback from the first account is positive with both client and Atos members being enriched by the co-creation workshop.
They agree their project team’s journey will have a lasting effect on the way they work and view the organisation, with key learning outcomes being:
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- A deeper understanding of organisational culture: Gaining insights into Atos’s global operations and internal culture, crucial for effective leadership.
- Expectation management: Developing skills to manage expectations effectively, enhancing communication and project outcomes.
- Customer-centric focus: Emphasising the importance of customer-centric thinking and long-term collaboration with clients.
Alexandre says, “The most important benefits I have taken from FUEL are a strong focus on clients, fostering a solid partnership between clients and Atos; and the importance to enhance Atos’s brand perception by positioning the company as an innovative leader rather than a traditional business. It was a great experience and, by sharing it with a diverse team, I have developed my internal network world-wide.”
How can we help you grow your talent?
Claudia Peverini
Programme Director and Client Project Tutor
Contact Claudia if you would like to receive further information about the FUEL Programme and other Bespoke Talent Development Programmes.
Dil Sidhu
Business Development & Programme Director
Contact Dil for an informal chat about all other services that our Executive and Professional Education Team can provide.