“The DISRUPTR business game was a game-changer for us at Chiesi. RevelX’ team challenged our team members to step out of their familiar routines, think like disruptors, and envision our ‘nightmare competitor’ before they could become a real threat. This experience has been a powerful catalyst in our journey to innovate with confidence and stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry.”

Fabrizio Conicella

Vice President, Center of Open Innovation & Competence at Chiesi Group

Chiesi is a global, family-owned research-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients by developing innovative treatments. Founded in 1935 and headquartered in Parma, Italy, Chiesi specializes in respiratory diseases, neonatology, rare diseases, and specialty care, with a strong commitment to sustainability.

As a certified B Corp, Chiesi integrates scientific expertise with a patient-centered approach to address complex health challenges worldwide. Chiesi achieved a turnover of EUR 3 billion in 2023 and employs approximately 7.000 people worldwide. Chiesi operates though 31 affiliates and has a commercial presence in over 100 countries.

Chiesi is spearheading The IMPULSE platform, an internal innovation initiative aimed at fostering collaboration, creativity, and entrepreneurial thinking among employees. The program empowers teams to generate and implement innovative ideas that align with Chiesi’s mission of advancing patient care and sustainability.

A crucial element of this initiative is cultivating a robust innovation culture within the organization by enhancing knowledge, awareness, and competencies in innovation management across all levels. To support this goal, a fresh and creative approach is essential to ensure employees grasp the principles of disruption and innovation, beginning with a focused team of 60 professionals within the company.

To address Chiesi’s need for fostering an innovation culture shift among its leaders, RevelX implemented the DISRUPTR serious business game solution, a high-energy, fast-paced innovation experience designed to challenge traditional thinking and spark creativity. This workshop combines small group interventions, play-based exercises, and proven innovation tactics to help leaders think like disruptors and identify opportunities to future-proof their business.

Participants designed their own “nightmare competitor,” analyzed its potential impact, and devised actionable strategies to diminish its threat before it could materialize. The session empowered Chiesi’s leadership team with fresh perspectives, practical tactics, and a comprehensive plan to disrupt their industry before being disrupted themselves.

Over the course of a day, ten teams have delivered on the challenge of creating breakthrough and disruptive business ideas. Each of the ideas have been pitched to management and have been assessed against disruptive potential, creativity, defensibility, and feasibility. The ideas each embody elements of future value streams for Chiesi. More importantly, the group of 60 senior professionals have found a new language around disruptive innovation and the IMPULSE platform has been given an energy boost.