Why collaboration, not control, drives global strategy

In today’s globalized world, building a successful strategy isn’t just about setting rules from the top—it’s about bringing diverse voices together. When teams span multiple countries, each with its own client expectations, the challenge isn’t just alignment; it’s finding a way to create a shared vision without stifling local creativity.

Recently, teams from Poland, Ukraine, Turkey, Morocco, and France came together to define a premium client segment strategy. What happened in that room proved a simple truth: collaboration, not control, drives global strategy. By creating the right environment, listening to every perspective, and balancing global goals with local needs, this group showed how differences can become a strategic advantage rather than a barrier.

When defining the premium client segment strategy, the main challenge was clear: create a cohesive group-level strategy while leaving room for each country’s unique needs. Every market has distinct client expectations, so the goal wasn’t to impose a one-size-fits-all approach but to build a framework that could adapt locally. Balancing global consistency with local flexibility was the central task.

Teams from Poland, Ukraine, Turkey, Morocco, and France were already collaborating online on premium client initiatives—but most of that interaction happened virtually. This workshop offered a rare opportunity to bring everyone into the same room, strengthen relationships, and accelerate alignment. Face-to-face, trust and energy rose to a whole new level, enabling richer conversations and stronger collaboration.

To capture all perspectives, we used a combination of silent brainstorming and roundtable sharing. This approach ensured that even quieter voices had space to contribute, rather than letting discussions be dominated by the most outspoken participants.

Open questions were sprinkled throughout the session, such as:

• “What is important in your market?”
• “What risks do you see if we apply this approach broadly?”

This ensured that each country’s reality was considered, making the strategy both practical and inclusive.

1. Even though the group stayed focused and fluid, there were moments when discussions slowed down. Simple facilitation techniques helped keep energy and ideas flowing:

• Asking the last speaker to link their point to the previous comment.
  
  
• Posing a powerful question to reframe the debate.
  
  
• Using silence strategically to encourage reflection and contributions.
  

These techniques allowed the group to move forward without imposing a solution from the beginning.

One key insight from facilitating this process is that cross-country alignment doesn’t happen by pushing harder. It happens when the right environment is created—one where differences are welcomed as input before converging on shared priorities. This balance between structure and flexibility is what makes collaboration truly effective.

In industries like banking, collaboration across markets is essential. Clients are increasingly mobile, and online players innovate quickly. Banks must leverage their international networks, share insights across markets, and design offers that meet both global and local needs. Effective collaboration isn’t optional—it’s a competitive advantage.

• Trust your teams: Give them a clear framework, then let them adapt and be creative within it.
  
  
• Avoid top-down rigidity: Dictating every detail reduces engagement and commitment.
  
  
• Use neutral facilitation: A facilitator ensures balanced discussions, hears all voices, and helps overcome blocks.
  
  

When teams are empowered within clear boundaries, alignment happens faster—and the resulting strategy is stronger.

Cross-border alignment is not only possible—it’s powerful. By building trust, providing clarity, and allowing creativity, differences stop being obstacles and start becoming advantages. Collaboration, not control, is the real driver of global strategy.