Breaking down work silos begins with aligning all teams around clear, unified goals. It’s essential that everyone understands the broader objectives of PIM implementation and how it benefits the entire organisation. Developing cross-functional KPIs that involve multiple departments—such as marketing, sales, IT, and product management—can foster shared accountability for the success of the PIM system. By ensuring that each team has a stake in the project, collaboration becomes more natural, and the impact of PIM is seen as a collective achievement, not just the responsibility of one department.

To further promote collaboration, communication between departments must be prioritized. Regular cross-functional meetings, where representatives from different teams can share updates, discuss challenges, and align on priorities, are key. Additionally, creating shared communication channels, such as collaboration tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams ensures that teams remain engaged and informed. This transparency allows teams to raise issues early and enables them to work together in real time, creating a more cohesive approach to PIM.

Finally, it’s critical to establish centralized ownership and governance over the PIM system. Appointing a PIM owner or steering committee helps ensure that all departments are aligned and that there is a consistent approach to managing product data. Clear roles and responsibilities for data management should be defined across teams, creating a sense of accountability and reducing overlap or confusion. By fostering a collaborative culture, integrating tools and processes across departments, and celebrating shared successes, organizations can break down silos and create a unified approach to PIM.

Jonathan Wear, Senior Manager of Digital Assets, Flowers Bakeries, LLC shared that at the start of their PIM journey, it became very apparent that people are solving similar problems but are continuing to work in silos. Breaking these down and reducing repeated work through effective automation drives greater accuracy and efficiency.