Conclusion

3M has emerged as a global leader in providing practical solutions and is home to some of the world’s most recognisable brands.

Although a technologically-oriented company, 3M feels that its success stems from the quality of its people. 3M has a diverse global workforce of naturally inquisitive and highly-trained technical specialists that is supported throughout the entire corporation by a progressive and people-centred management philosophy. 3M delights both in reinforcing the principles laid down by some of its key early executives and also celebrating the ongoing success of its current staff. With a continual emphasis on innovation and product development 3M is committed to finding solutions for its diverse group of customers. Management is also committed to encouraging and supporting staff in their pursuit of excellence. The company attributes much of its success to the 15 percent rule which allows staff to search for proactive solutions for difficult problems. For a company whose core competency might be described as ‘making things stick’, 3M has developed an innovative entrepreneurial workplace culture that its stakeholders seem more than happy to be stuck with.