In connection with ALK's strategy launch in December 2017, a new direction was set for ALK, aiming to become the world leader in allergy, making ALK – the allergy company.
CEO Carsten Hellmann explained the idea behind the Lighthouse: "I like the idea of a lighthouse because it sets a direction. You can see where you are going from far away, without having to know every little step of the way. For me, becoming the world leader in allergy, broadening our presence in allergy to help many more people with allergy to a better health, is very motivating."
An important first step towards transforming ALK's company culture into one that supports the ambition of being relevant to more people with allergy has been to organise Spirit days, introducing the new lighthouse to all employees around the world.
Need for a cultural change
Pernille Tang Raschke, SVP HR & Internal Communications: "The new strategy is not only a new business direction for ALK, it is also a cultural change for all of us. A new set of cultural beliefs that describe important ways of working together, thinking and creating results across functions will be introduced at the town hall meetings. These cultural beliefs were created on the basis of a workshop across functions and countries where it was discussed what needs to stay, change and be left behind in our culture if we are to execute the new strategy successfully.”
In January 2018, more than 20 local town hall meetings will take place on 14 different sites globally.
Sometimes a new plan is necessary
On one of the first Spirit days in Hørsholm, Denmark, the new Lighthouse was well received by chemist Sofie Ulrich-Lynge:
"I am excited about ALK guiding allergic patients from an early point through digital platforms, for me this is the essence of the lighthouse idea."
She added: "Ten persons building a lighthouse together during the Spirit day was more challenging than expected. My take home message was that sometimes it is necessary to stop the flow and make a new plan in order to succeed."
