The Spotlight Editorial Team began an interview series featuring information on each of the Top 5 Priorities. For this issue, the editors met with CEO Mark Thierer and SVP, CHRO Maureen MacInnis to discuss One Global Team.

Why are the Top 5 Priorities important for Dentsply Sirona and how would you describe One Global Team in a few words? What does it mean to you?

Mark Thierer: Given the amount of work that every individual has on his/her plate, the Top 5 Priorities are critically important for the Company because we are aiming to clarify the most important things to focus on over the next year and simplify to enable the business to really take off. These priorities form the foundational work for this to happen.

One Global Team is meant to help break down silos and bring us all together. It is listed first because I believe that everything else is founded upon this priority. I am personally driving this one and have teamed up with Maureen to outline a set of activities that will support its success.

As Chief Human Resources Officer, what characterizes one global team in your opinion and how far has Dentsply Sirona come?

Maureen MacInnis: The essence of One Global Team is our ability to work collaboratively to better serve our customers. It is a process of building trust in one another as well. There is already a tremendous amount of respect in each other’s technical abilities but there is still an opportunity to learn more about each other’s businesses. This is certainly a training opportunity.

How do you see Dentsply Sirona changing in two years, and what can One Global Team contribute to create that change?

Mark Thierer: I believe that in two years we can genuinely transform ourselves from a really strong product company into a cohesive leader redefining the dental industry on a global scale. Achieving this transformation will be done by embracing and executing on the concept of One Global Team operating together as an entire enterprise. This means that the new products that we launch and our entire sales force will reflect a different look and feel from today.

Talking about daily business, which processes are you planning to improve related to One Global Team?

M.M.: The number one process to improve is our talent development. This is about creating more opportunities and greater visibility for our employees in regard to training to be more effective in their jobs, as well as career development and promotions across SBUs and RCOs. Employee engagement is another area that we are planning to work on.

You mentioned that One Global Team is the foundation of everything. Where do you see the biggest potential for Dentsply Sirona and how can employees as well as leaders contribute?

M.T.: The areas that I see with the most potential are in communication and engagement. It’s important that we ask, ‘does every employee understand how their work is connected to the overall goals of the Company?’ We want a highly engaged workforce who is satisfied with their jobs and successful. Employee engagement is a key to the success of One Global Team.

We are planning an employee engagement survey for the first quarter of 2018 and I would like every employee in the Company to participate and speak their conscience regarding what works, what’s good, and more importantly, what can we improve across the whole range of areas that touch our employees. It’s important that we keep asking these questions and improve over time.

How do you inspire and motivate employees to work as One Global Team?

M.M.: I hope that I act as a role model for the way that we would like everyone to be toward one another and that I act collaboratively in the way we would like everyone to work together. Secondly, I will continue to promote and advocate for our people to be more successful in their careers. Our people are passionate and committed to what they do and my job is to help them be the best they can be. That’s a really rewarding job to have.

What challenges will the company have to face in the upcoming years to create One Global Team?

M.T.: The greatest challenge is in creating a new mindset toward becoming more efficient with what we already have. In other words, better business management. That said, as we become more efficient, we will take our savings and invest them back into the business in the form of better processes and better technology to improve the way we work and manufacture. This is a virtuous circle.