I by IMD

The outbreak of coronavirus, which to date has killed nearly 500 people and infected thousands more, has rattled global markets. What are the implications for Chinese businesses and the global economy? What next for global trade? What does the ongoing global health emergency tell us about the interconnectedness of nations and how they are set up to deal with uncertainty? How can companies better prepare for seismic events like these? IMD professors Arturo Bris, Howard Yu and Mark Greeven gathered in our studio to answer these questions, and more. 

With the Lunar New Year celebrations in progress - against the backdrop of the deadly coronavirus – IMD professors Howard Yu and Stephane Girod get together to discuss some of the key business trends likely to dominate the headlines in China this year. 

What is the significance of the trade deal signed between China and the US earlier this month, and what does it mean for your business? Who will win the battle for 5G supremacy? How should China-based companies respond to the country’s rapidly maturing economy? And will plant-based meat substitutes soon be flying off the shelves in grocery stores in the world’s second-largest economy? 

For answers to these questions, and more, tune in to this latest edition of the IMD Podcast. 

Based on years of original research by IMD Professor Shlomo Ben-Hur and Nik Kinley, this book controversially counters almost every existing leadership model and approach.

It shows how as leaders rise to senior levels, their roles become less about doing things that directly drive results and more about directing and supporting others to achieve objectives. Using case studies and research insights the authors reveal how leadership success is thus not so much about having the right core capabilities, but about creating the right environment.

Using the analogy of a smartphone operating system (OS), the book presents a new way of thinking about leadership. The authors provide a clear and practical framework to follow and show how your leadership OS becomes the impact you have, the imprint you make and the foundation of your legacy as a leader.

After reading it, you will learn:

·         How to diagnose the impact you have as a leader and understand the OS you create

·         How famous business and societal leaders have created effective – and sometimes ineffective – OSs

·         How to optimise your OS to produce the best results

·         How to get people working together effectively, and be a high-performing leader

Providing you with practical and easy to follow advice, this book will show you how leadership success is not about having the core capabilities, but about creating the right operating systems for your organisation.

Get your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-OS-Operating-System-Succeed/dp/3030272923/

Every business faces the existential threat of competitors producing cheaper copies. Even patent filings, market dominance and financial resources can’t shield them from copycats. So what can we do—and, what can we learn from companies that have endured and even prospered for centuries despite copycat competition?

In his book Leap, IMD professor of management and innovation Howard Yu shows that succeeding in today’s marketplace is no longer just a matter of mastering the old (copycat tactics); companies also need to continue the discovery process, harnessing new strategies and advancements in technology while leveraging shifts in the marketplace (leap strategy). Leap identifies five fundamental principles that allow companies to make a leap and stay successful in the face of such competition.

IMD Professor of Leadership Katharina Lange sits down with Alain Dehaze, CEO of The Adecco Group to discuss lifelong learning. They discuss the shift of responsibility for the long-term learning process from public sector to the individual. 

Individuals must maintain employability through life-long learning effort which is the “ability to learn faster than the competitor may be the only sustainable competitive advantage in the future".

Corporate learning changes: Employees are less loyal, investment in corporate learning decreases; at the same time need for upskilling to build competent workforce

Public sector, as “purveyor” of education: traditional responsibility to provide education typically ended with the provision of higher education/ university system. Today, new models to incentivize lifelong learning can be observed to keep the workforce employable.

The IMD World Talent Ranking evaluates the capability of 63 economies in developing, attracting and retaining talent - key factors for competitiveness. Professor Arturo Bris, Director of IMD's World Competitiveness Center discusses how to create the right environment to develop, attract and retain a skilled workforce in a rapidly changing world.

Careers with Purpose IMD Alumni Panelists: Pierre Morgon, NED, CEO, MRGN Advisors - Scott Poynton, Founding Principal, Stott Poynton Sarl - Gerard Bos, Director - Global Business and Biodiversity Programme, IUCN - Marie-Laure Schaufelberger, Group Stewardship Officer, Pictet Group - Jan van der Kaaij, Co-Founder, Finch & Beak

Where the Wild Things Were 

by IMD Affiliate Professor Susan Goldsworthy and Sydney Goldsworthy

Do we really want the acceleration of the extinction of all wild creatures to be our legacy to future generations?

That’s the question at the heart of a creative new book by IMD faculty member Susan Goldsworthy.

Informed by her work with senior executives who are being influenced by their children and grandchildren on the urgency of the planetary challenges we face, Susan has released an illustrated story book to generate dialogue and inspire action. 

Devised as a bedtime story of a grandmother telling her granddaughter about an alphabet of animals she played with when she was young, ‘Where the Wild Things Were’ aims to entertain and educate, as well as motivate all generations to act together before it’s too late. 

The book is co-authored and illustrated by artist Sydney Goldsworthy, Susan’s daughter, and is for adults as well as children.  

“At IMD, we challenge what is and inspire what could be to develop leaders who transform organizations and contribute to society. Leaders are in positions of power and privilege. And leaders are people and parents, too. Biodiversity is essential to maintaining the interdependent ecosystem that keeps this planet healthy. We are facing an unprecedented crisis in terms of biodiversity loss and therefore, we have a collective responsibility to protect as many species as we still can. If we take a conscious choice to act, and act quickly, we can have hope that we can make a positive difference to life in this magical, more-than-human world,” said Susan. 

Following publications such as WWF’s Living Planet Report, which states that in the last 50 years, there has been an overall decline of 60% in population sizes of vertebrate species, we now know the devastating impact our actions are having on wildlife – only 4% of mammals on earth are now wild. 

“We can no longer say we aren’t aware. So the question we must ask ourselves is ‘What did we do once we knew?’” says the co-author.