Finalist
MSL Acceleration: Driving Team Excellence in Field Medical
Summary of work
MSL Acceleration was created to address a critical pre-launch moment for Novartis’ expanding renal portfolio, where confidence in applying behavioural science frameworks and generating actionable insights trailed expectations. The MSL team needed to build further confidence, knowledge and real-world execution capabilities. With colleagues geographically dispersed and impacted by restructures, Novartis looked beyond a traditional training programme to a unifying, internal experience capable of driving lasting behavioural change.
The programme delivered this through an innovative, emotionally resonant F1-inspired theme, brought to life with creative elements including a personalised message from F1 driver, Romain Grosjean, a high-energy hot-start film and immersive, hands-on workshops. By combining behavioural science with realistic scenarios and cross-market collaboration, the initiative created a shared, globally relevant way of working while strengthening confidence, connection and strategic clarity across 18 countries.
The results were exceptional. The programme achieved improvements of up to 59% in knowledge and application of Novartis’ engagement model, and up to 43% in insight-generation capabilities. With clear evidence of long-term behaviour change, the programme is regarded as the “gold standard” for Field Medical capability building, with further rollout planned.
MSL Acceleration stands out for its strategic relevance, creative execution, measurable impact and scalable global value.
Judges’ comments
‘MSL Acceleration’ had a benchmark example of effective capability-building, using pre-programme data to precisely define the capability gap. Objectives were ambitious and measurable, with exceptional and sustained results. The pre-programme survey data was specific and detailed identifying the gaps to fill. Objectives were properly challenging with tiered targets, and the three-month follow-up data is great.
