At Stryker, we pride ourselves on being a truly global company. We have offices spanning Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin American and North America. This expansive reach allows us to foster a diverse and inclusive work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive across borders. Our expansive footprint and commitment to employee development creates a unique opportunity for members of our team, like Shoji M., a Senior Marketing Manager within our Endoscopy Division, to gain international experience and broaden their horizons.
In 2008, Shoji joined Stryker as a Sales Representative in Japan, on a mission to make a positive impact in the healthcare industry. Fast forward 16 years, and he’s now a Business Unit Leader within our Endoscopy Division, leading high-performing teams with dedication and passion. In 2023, Shoji embarked on a short-term global assignment, where he spent three months working from our office in San Jose, California. This experience provided him with invaluable insights and opportunities for growth.
After completing his assignment, Shoji shared his three biggest takeaways with us:
1. Stryker’s culture is universal
It’s no secret that our culture is one of the things that makes working at Stryker different. In fact, our culture of developing talent and encouraging employees is one of the reasons Shoji has stayed with Stryker for nearly 16 years. It can be hard to believe that an organization with over 50,000 employees spread across the world, can have a common culture – but at Stryker, we do. United by our mission to make healthcare better, our employees have a collaborative mindset built on respect.
Shoji shared that while on assignment, the support he received from his team in Japan, as well as the team in California reminded him that our culture of building meaningful relationships with colleagues is a universal norm for members of the Stryker team.
2. We are Stryker
As a global company with seven divisions and 22 business units, fostering a sense of unity among our teams is crucial. Shoji’s assignment in San Jose allowed him to connect with colleagues and leaders from across the company. This exposure offered Shoji deeper insight into the U.S. market as well as our global operations strategy. The connections Shoji made during his assignment, helped strengthen the relationship between teams in Japan and the United States, helping identify future collaborative opportunities. Throughout his assignment, Shoji saw the importance of being a cohesive team that works together toward common goals – regardless of location or division. Together, we make healthcare better.
3. Innovation is driven by diverse perspectives
Shoji’s time in San Jose was not just about learning; it was also about contributing. He brought valuable ideas and best practices from Japan, conducting a lunch-and-learn session to share his knowledge. Shoji actively participated in discussions and ideation sessions, contributing to the launch of a new product in the U.S. market. His unique perspective as a marketer in Japan enriched the team’s brainstorming sessions, underscoring the importance of sharing diverse ideas to drive innovation and growth.
Shoji’s experience highlights the incredible growth and learning opportunities available at Stryker through global assignments. By embracing new challenges and sharing his unique insights, Shoji not only advanced his own career but also contributed to the innovation and success of our global teams. His journey is a powerful reminder of the value of diverse perspectives and the strength of our shared mission to make healthcare better, no matter where we are in the world.
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