3M India: in India For India
3M India: in India For India
3M is a research oriented company operating in more than 70 countries and selling its
products in 200 countries. Since its inception 110 years ago it has strived to be an innovative and
risk taking organization. It has adopted innovative management philosophy of “William McKnight
Management Principles”. It has focused on fostering innovation, recruiting and retaining talent,
giving employees independence in perusing projects, knowledge sharing and rewarding innovation
etc. Currently it has 35 business units divided in to six businesses. It has adopted a strategy to
innovate for local market in their respective countries. The subsidiaries act fairly independently to
operate in their country and all possible support is given to them by the parent company.
In 3M India the first pillar for the innovation was the organizational structure. It was a
metrix structure with technical functions cutting across the organization with business divisions
being focused on its specific market. It offered dual ladder for growth with parallel technical and
managerial carrier paths. The structure was without dual reporting so complexities would not arise.
The process was employee centric with opportunity for collaboration and mentorship programs.
Time was allotted to work on personal pet projects. People that were hired were all carefully
chosen. It was made sure that they were suitable to the culture of the environment.
But the 3M India faces is that culturally India is largely a risk averse country. The failure
is not encouraged. Looking for people who are enterprising and rick taking has been a challenge.