Why communities win: How culture and connection fuel productivity
What this session was about
Ray showed how Eli Lilly uses Viva Engage communities to create meaningful connection across teams, functions, and geographies, and why that connection directly improves innovation and productivity.
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Key Messages
Broadcast doesn’t build culture — communities do. One-way updates don’t inspire action; shared spaces do.
Real engagement happens where people connect around shared purpose. Communities give people ways to ask, learn, collaborate and co-create.
Storytelling drives belonging. Employees sharing real work, experiences and wins builds cultural glue.
Innovation increases when barriers disappear. Cross-functional communities reduce silos and surface ideas leaders would otherwise miss.
Connection fuels productivity. When people feel part of something bigger, they engage, collaborate and solve problems faster.
Community momentum is intentional. Eli Lilly nurtures active groups, supports community owners and protects the spaces employees rely on.
Viva Engage is becoming their “people platform”. Not a channel. Not a bulletin board. A living network of shared human connection.
What you can take from this
Broadcast comms can’t build the culture you want — communities can.
Real stories from real people spark collaboration more than announcements ever will.
Cross-functional communities are where innovation hides.
Connection directly improves productivity — it’s not a “soft” metric.
Purpose-driven communities outlast campaigns.
Meet the speaker:
Ray Gonzales
Lead, Tech@Lilly, Business Capabilities
