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Choice with Responsibility: Scaling Activity-Based Working Globally

Empowering Novartis to embed flexibility and user-engagement across continents.

flagNovartis

location_onEast Hanover, New Jersey – Pharmaceuticals / Life Sciences

Roel Geenen

01 October, 2024

6,000

employees at East Hanover

2018 - present

partnership

5

business units engaged

1

global workplace framework

After a successful ABW implementation in Sydney, Novartis invited Veldhoen + Company to bring a consistent, scalable workplace approach to its global sites. In North America, the East Hanover campus became a model for connecting flexibility, engagement, and performance.

The Challenge

Novartis’ Real Estate and Facility Management (REFS) function sought to evolve its workplace model and strengthen user engagement while managing tight project timeframes. Midway, the pandemic accelerated change and introduced the global program “Choice with Responsibility.” The challenge was to adapt strategies quickly while maintaining alignment across diverse business units.

Approach / Process / Interventions

Veldhoen + Company supported Novartis through:
  • User-engagement sessions across five business units.
  • Stakeholder workshops to align REFS strategy and culture.
  • Integration of ABW principles into workplace design guidelines.
  • Agile adaptation to the new “Choice with Responsibility” model—shifting from manager-approved to manager-informed flexibility.

Results / Impact / Outcomes

  • A fully adopted workplace strategy across all business units.
  • Enhanced employee engagement and ownership of workplace experience.
  • East Hanover recognised as a flagship site for the new global model.
  • Framework now scaled worldwide across Novartis locations.

“Veldhoen + Company helped us connect strategy, design, and culture into one coherent global model.”

— REFS Leader, Novartis North America
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