Case Studies
Real-world deployment of cutting-edge innovation practices
Biopharma Leadership for a Changing World
Merle Kummer, Principal, Kummer Consulting LLC
As the distance between colleagues increases, the need for leadership skill skyrockets. As it becomes clearer that every aspect of the R&D enterprise is interconnected, people at all levels of the organization are being forced to think more cross-functionally, more globally, and more collaboratively.
Learning from Leading through Upheaval
Merle Kummer, Principal, Kummer Consulting LLC
On June 23, 2020, a group of biopharma leaders met for a virtual knowledge exchange on how to emerge from this tumultuous time stronger, smarter, and more resilient. Read stories from the front lines and critical lessons for the future.
Stuck at home? Watch your brain at work
Merle Kummer, Principal, Kummer Consulting LLC
Observing your own thoughts, staying open to alternate explanations, and loosening your attachment to your own ideas make you a better problem-solver – and less stressed to boot.
A New Leadership Model for Biopharma Teams
Merle Kummer, Principal, Kummer Consulting and Liz Bloss, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, The Bracken Group
Collaborative teamwork is critical for R&D success, especially for teams pushing the limits of biopharma innovation. Using dialogue from a real project, this case study takes you backstage to see the reflective leadership skills that drive high performance.
Knowledge-Focused Decision-Making
Merle Kummer, Principal Kummer Consulting LLC
Understanding how the brain naturally comes to conclusions helps you guide R&D groups through contentious decisions. Knowing that you don’t see the whole picture keeps you from unproductive conflict. Arraying all the options opens up the team’s thinking. Homing in on the key information saves time and money. Using the combined knowledge in the team leads you all to better decisions.
Break Down Organizational Silos
Merle Kummer, Principal Kummer Consulting LLC
When one group thinks that another doesn’t get it, the other group invariably thinks the same of them. To break the cycle, leaders can practice a new mindset. They reframe others from “they don’t get it” to “they see it differently.” They seek to learn, not just to convince.
From Phase-Driven to Hypothesis-Driven R&D
Merle Kummer, Principal, Kummer Consulting LLC
The traditional mindset of drug development – advancing candidates from phase to phase – often prevents companies from investing resources wisely. Scientists, managers and investors focus their energy on meeting milestones, distracting them from the real question: have we advanced knowledge on how to deliver value to patients?
Mechanisms of Innovation
Merle Kummer, Principal, Kummer Consulting LLC
To bring novel treatments to market, organizations must integrate knowledge from domains as distant as molecular biology is from clinical trial design. Synthesizing knowledge across disciplines is the central mechanism of innovation delivery, but few organizations are designed to do it.