United States
Upon concluding my assignment in Brazil, I received an invitation to join the Radiology Informatics (RI) sector to provide support for a project in a critical condition. I was promoted to the role of Program Manager, overseeing multiple programs and projects, which expanded my knowledge of the business and strategic planning.
This opportunity enabled me to further develop my skills and contribute to the success of the organization in the field of Radiology Informatics.
Mission
My first assignment in RI commenced while I was in Brazil, as the unexpected departure of the project manager occurred approximately two months before the initial release, resulting in numerous unaddressed gaps and risks. During the ramp-up phase, I identified a key issue that caused delays, namely the toxic relationship between the cross-functional leads and teams. By pinpointing the critical leads impacting the teams and facilitating a trust-building exercise, I effectively guided the team towards a successful first release with minimal delay. Over time, the team transformed into a cohesive and organic unit, which proved instrumental in achieving the major release later that year.
Subsequently, the product transitioned to a newly acquired business group within the corporate, marking the beginning of my involvement with Illumeo. With a commendable track record of success and a significant amount of time spent on product development, I assumed responsibility for the program after multiple project managers had previously overseen it. Conducting a thorough Lessons Learned analysis, I identified a weak link—the program's structure—and presented my proposed vision to the management team. With the support of my manager, I obtained the green light to proceed with the envisioned paradigm shift. This transformative change yielded the desired outcomes, culminating in the successful solution release within a span of nine months, catering to selected customers' implementation needs.
Following the completion of this release, I was assigned to various other projects and programs.
I led the third-party ancillary program, which aimed to introduce third-party product releases within Philips for the first time. This involved collaborating with the product manager to develop a solid business case, ensuring executive support, tailoring procedures for regulatory compliance, and overseeing the release and tracking of initial deployments at customer sites.
Additionally, I assumed the role of facilitator for a high-visibility, non-R&D program related to a procurement initiative that encountered challenges and required guidance. Throughout this assignment, I provided constant and transparent reporting to the executive team, ultimately leading to their decision not to proceed with the initiative.
Furthermore, I oversaw the onboarding of an existing team that had been acquired by the corporate entity. My role as a program manager involved assisting them in adapting to Philips' procedures and processes, as well as coordinating the release and implementation of various initiatives using new tools. Moreover, I played a key role in implementing new tools across the organization, providing training to cross-functional teams and MT members, and offering ongoing support during the implementation and assimilation phases, all while ensuring compliance.
Lastly, I contributed to portfolio alignment with BMC and AOP planning, which served as valuable preparation for my subsequent assignment.
My Success Story
When I began my first assignment in the United States, I applied the same approach that had served me well in Brazil. I focused on building relationships, gaining a deep understanding of the product, and learning from both the team's challenges and successes. My goal, as an outsider, was to help them overcome their trust issues and foster a collaborative and high-performing environment.
This endeavor proved to be one of my greatest achievements during that time. It vividly illustrated the transformative power of a cohesive and trustworthy team and highlighted the significant role trust plays in achieving success.
Furthermore, I utilized data-driven insights to provide the executive team with the necessary information to facilitate informed decision-making in the realm of business, thereby resulting in significant cost savings for the organization.
Another critical aspect of my role involved facilitating the integration of a newly acquired product. I guided the team through the adoption of formal procedures and ensured adherence to Philips's established standards. This process aimed to seamlessly align the new product with the existing organizational framework, promoting smooth transitions and consistent operations.