THE MERCK WAY - Merck KGaA

TO MANY COMPANIES,
CULTURE IS A LUXURY.
TO US, IT IS THE FOUNDATION
FOR OUR ACTIONS.
Staying true to oneself: the Merck culture. At fi rst glance, products
are often what distinguish a company from its competitors. At Merck
too, pharmaceuticals and chemical products have paved the way
for the company’s success. However, the products and services that
a company offers are not the only thing that’s important. How a
company deals with internal and external challenges, how it achieves
competitive advantage, and how it makes decisions are just as
important. The culture of a company is only brought to life by the
people who live it.
The way we do things at Merck
has evolved from a history dating back nearly 350 years
is supported by the willingness of our employees to achieve
ambitious goals based on a clear strategy and an unmistakable
set of corporate values
is shaped by a family of owners, whose entrepreneurial creed begins
with the sentence “Entrepreneurial success starts with people.”
These principles have created a culture in which every individual can
make a difference. A culture that is based on both mutual respect and
a strong sense of identifi cation. We base decisions on transparent
facts and open dialogue so that those affected will readily support
and implement them. At the same time, everyone knows that seeking
a consensus cannot be allowed to become a hindrance. This combination
of personal scope and team membership is like the DNA
of our company – concealed deep inside and really visible only to
those who are part of it. This culture is both the foundation for our
sustained economic success and the driver of necessary changes.
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