Genentech's Work Culture and Practices

According to analysts, Genentech's organizational culture had been a major source of competitive advantage for the company since its inception. When Swanson became the CEO of Genentech, he wanted to create an organization that the best scientists in the US would want to join.

He also realized that scientists and researchers liked to have a certain amount of freedom in their work. Therefore, he played an important role in fostering elements like freedom for employees, flexibility, and informality in Genentech's culture...

The recruitment procedure, especially for the scientists, was rigorous. Candidates usually had to visit the company several times and appear for more than ten interviews before they were selected. The idea was to identify the right person for a job. Recruits, who joined as scientists, were encouraged to make a career at the company, eventually even moving into the top management.

Candidates who were interested only in fancy titles, salary, and personal advancement were not encouraged. According to Genentech executives, every employee was treated equally, and emphasis was laid on the research undertaken to produce medicines that would become invaluable to patients...