Abstract
M.B.A.
Employees are young! 42% of the best company employees are under the age of 35 and only 5% are
over 55, while 39% have been on the job for less than 2 years (Sunday Times, 2001: 45).
Eli Lilly (Pty) (Ltd) is an international pharmaceutical company which has a strong Sales, Marketing
and Research & Development focus. Recently the South African Affiliate has undergone a dramatic
change to a performance-based culture, in order to stay on the competitive edge. It has recognised the
need to recruit talented individuals and to move them quickly through the organisational divisions and
into a position where they can be most productive (effective and efficient) to the company. Lilly's
stated objectives are to grow the skills of its employees by maximising their participation in
development programmes, to grow new products, to strengthen the company focus on customers and
to maximise the growth of its leading products. The Lilly values and its hiring, developing and
retaining the best people, will make this a reality.
The local Lilly affiliate underwent radical changes under the dynamic and aggressive leadership style
of Ralph Hofman. A young American graduate followed in his footsteps. Jack Bailey had a leadership
style that encouraged accountability, ownership and individual performance. Being the driver that he
was, he took the company to be rated the third top South African company to work for in 2000/1
(Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut, 2000: 87).
Jack Bailey, General Manager of the South African Affiliate (1998-2000), joined Lilly in 1993 as a
sales representative and then underwent a number of assignments until he arrived in South Africa in
November 1998 as General Manager. In December 2000 he left the affiliate for yet another
assignment. He is an example of fast-tracking of top talent in the organisation.