Business Guides on the Go – serie

By 2030, AI is expected to contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy. However, corporate boards are increasingly struggling to respond to this systemic change. As AI increasingly influences business strategies and operations, board members and executives must ensure that their organization is using AI responsibly and effectively to maximize value and mitigate risks. Building on research conducted on some of the leading Nordic multinational companies, this book presents the Boards 4AI Leadership Matrix, a practical framework designed to guide and oversee AI capabilities at the board level. A special focus is placed on AI's complexities, ethical best practices, and sustainable growth. By equipping leaders with the necessary tools and knowledge, this book gives board directors the tools to make informed decisions that align with corporate governance standards and societal expectations.

This book helps salespeople decode jargon and doublespeak commonly heard during the selling process and offers tips on how to move beyond ambiguous terminology and close the deal. Sorted into sales, marketing and management sections, Sales on the Go breaks each area down into five easy Q & A segments that highlight the most common and easily misunderstood phrases, comments, statements, and questions that salespeople hear every day. What to do when you encounter these phrases is spelled out in a simple to find, and easy to follow format which makes this book appealing to everyone with a sales job, whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience.

This book provides an integrated perspective of the automotive market for the next decade. It shows how customers and producers are shaping the market simultaneously and contends that the first steps of the mobility revolution have already been taken. It compels automotive companies to strike new paths to participate in this journey.The authors provide a comprehensive analysis of the automotive industry, including prevailing business models of OEMs and 'tier-n' automotive suppliers, the competitive environment they are embedded in as well as socio-economic changes affecting future market conditions. Subsequently, elements of the automotive disruption are presented; these enable the provision of novel urban mobility concepts and offer a new source for additional services accompanying the user. A comprehensive insight into consumer behavior, potential automotive business models which can be sustained by 2030, smart city models, transformation strategies, and diverse marketpenetration scenarios are also provided in the book. It also outlines the challenges and key actions that shape the automotive sector even beyond 2030 as well as knock-on effects across different industries arising from the technological and economic changes in the automotive market are projected.

This book provides an integrated perspective of the automotive market for the next decade. It shows how customers and producers are shaping the market simultaneously and contends that the first steps of the mobility revolution have already been taken. It compels automotive companies to strike new paths to participate in this journey.The authors provide a comprehensive analysis of the automotive industry, including prevailing business models of OEMs and 'tier-n' automotive suppliers, the competitive environment they are embedded in as well as socio-economic changes affecting future market conditions. Subsequently, elements of the automotive disruption are presented; these enable the provision of novel urban mobility concepts and offer a new source for additional services accompanying the user. A comprehensive insight into consumer behavior, potential automotive business models which can be sustained by 2030, smart city models, transformation strategies, and diverse marketpenetration scenarios are also provided in the book. It also outlines the challenges and key actions that shape the automotive sector even beyond 2030 as well as knock-on effects across different industries arising from the technological and economic changes in the automotive market are projected.

This book presents the current causes and effects of implementing sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) as well as green supply chain management (GSCM) strategies in the automotive industry. The reader is provided a detailed scientific review on SSCM and GSCM and presented the advantages of sustainable development concepts as well as factors causing the implementation of SSCM such as buyers’ behavior, governmental regulations, and competitiveness. The book then analyses the current situation of SSCM development, particularly in the automotive industry. It shows challenges, barriers, successes, and benefits that automotive companies obtain from implementing GSCM. Through case studies on leading German car manufacturers VW, BMW, and Daimler, the necessary activities of these companies to implement green development in the entire supply chain, including green supplier selection, green materials, green transportation, and reverse logistics, are defined. Moreover, a benchmark with companies from Asian markets such as Toyota from Japan and Geely from China is performed.

This book explains how startups and brands in general can achieve a high level of customer experience (CX) in today's dynamic and competitive times. A well-structured and easy to apply customer experience framework defines customer experience as the start and end point of all business activities. The framework steps and tools (such as NPS, Empathy Map, Customer Journey, Golden Circle, Design Thinking, A/B-Testing) are designed to have a maximum impact on successful company building and the customer experience, which is key to generate first and repeat buyers that become fans of the company. The tools originate from different disciplines, such as management, design, digitisation or psychology – as only an interdisciplinary approach enables superior insights for initiating the right customer activities in today's highly competitive times. With this book, it is possible to look at customer experience systematically and derive your own strategy towards success. The following are the main contributions of this book:·        Provides a clear step-by-step guide to create a customer experience-centric company ·        Introduces most impactful tools that managers can use to successfully complete every step of our framework·        Guides managers through the process of creating a start-up, which is less about magically coming up with innovative business ideas, but rather about applying proven principles in a new context

This book explains how startups and brands in general can achieve a high level of customer experience (CX) in today's dynamic and competitive times. A well-structured and easy to apply customer experience framework defines customer experience as the start and end point of all business activities. The framework steps and tools (such as NPS, Empathy Map, Customer Journey, Golden Circle, Design Thinking, A/B-Testing) are designed to have a maximum impact on successful company building and the customer experience, which is key to generate first and repeat buyers that become fans of the company. The tools originate from different disciplines, such as management, design, digitisation or psychology – as only an interdisciplinary approach enables superior insights for initiating the right customer activities in today's highly competitive times. With this book, it is possible to look at customer experience systematically and derive your own strategy towards success. The following are the main contributions of this book:·        Provides a clear step-by-step guide to create a customer experience-centric company ·        Introduces most impactful tools that managers can use to successfully complete every step of our framework·        Guides managers through the process of creating a start-up, which is less about magically coming up with innovative business ideas, but rather about applying proven principles in a new context

The authors of this book alert that professional services like law, accountancy, and consultancy firms are set to face major disruption. The most important driver and enabler are the new technologies that help and in part substitute the work done by professionals. The second important disruptor is the new generation of professionals – “NewGen” – who are less interested in building their careers in a hierarchical organization and more interested in entrepreneurial challenges in small teams, with more rapid returns. In the meanwhile, major service conglomerates – the “big four” accounting firms, the “big three” consulting firms to name a few examples – build their network using their brand and substantial resources. All along, the relentless pressure from clients to receive more services at lower cost continues. Medium-sized professional firms as well as one-person independents appear to suffer most from these disruptions and are most anxious to find new ways to conduct their business. But the leaders of large firms also feel that they are increasingly unable to support the innovative entrepreneurship of their most promising professionals while their organizations institutionalize and their overheads continue to grow.This book proposes a new orientation and model of a professional service firm as an answer to these challenges, by creating a Professional Service Community. It is a synergistic team of organizations that share a vision of their role in society and main lines of their mission as well as the quality of their deliverables and their key clients. At the same time, they are independent in designing their internal business models – like recruitment, training, knowledge management, and economics. The Professional Service Community provides a unique and highly attractive level of entrepreneurship, flexibility, and efficiency to the benefit of its clients, partners, staff, and other stakeholders. It is the way of the future.

This book presents the fundamentals and applications of solution-focused coaching both in individual coaching and in coaching entire teams. It provides central tools for consulting as well as an extensive collection of solution-focused coaching questions for practical use. In the second part of the book, methods and procedures for conducting team coaching workshops are presented. The book is aimed primarily at coaches and consultants who want to enrich their work with solution-focused coaching, as well as managers especially in the field of human resource management.

This book presents the fundamentals and applications of solution-focused coaching both in individual coaching and in coaching entire teams. It provides central tools for consulting as well as an extensive collection of solution-focused coaching questions for practical use. In the second part of the book, methods and procedures for conducting team coaching workshops are presented. The book is aimed primarily at coaches and consultants who want to enrich their work with solution-focused coaching, as well as managers especially in the field of human resource management.

This book provides an overview of the evolution of investment and risk, together with a synthesis of research on these developments. It explores how exposures can be modified by measuring and managing them and introduces readers to the latest strategies and trends in investment. Broad in scope, the book covers the most important aspects of investment risk management, including the time value of money, financial markets, equity markets, bond markets, and portfolio theory. Accordingly, it offers a valuable asset for advanced undergraduate and graduate finance students, investors and academics alike.

This book provides an overview of the evolution of investment and risk, together with a synthesis of research on these developments. It explores how exposures can be modified by measuring and managing them and introduces readers to the latest strategies and trends in investment. Broad in scope, the book covers the most important aspects of investment risk management, including the time value of money, financial markets, equity markets, bond markets, and portfolio theory. Accordingly, it offers a valuable asset for advanced undergraduate and graduate finance students, investors and academics alike.

This book provides an overview of legitimacy-related challenges at hybrid organizations and demonstrates legitimacy’s importance for the strategic development of organizations. In a reader-friendly way, it addresses the question of how hybrid organizations can gain legitimacy from the perspectives of key stakeholders.To do so, the book examines legitimacy management in the context of two real-world hybrid organizations – the Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine and the Swiss Center for Design and Health in Bern, Switzerland – from both theoretical and practical perspectives. It shows why the systematic combination of three types of legitimacy has the potential to optimize the level of legitimacy in emerging hybrids, contributing to their success. It also explains how organizational legitimacy can be operationalized using governance legitimacy, purpose-rational legitimacy, and value-rational legitimacy.This book equips managers and executives working at hybrid organizations with useful guidance and hands-on strategic tools to develop legitimacy management strategies. It also offers a source of inspiration for academic research and teaching in this field.

This book provides an overview of legitimacy-related challenges at hybrid organizations and demonstrates legitimacy’s importance for the strategic development of organizations. In a reader-friendly way, it addresses the question of how hybrid organizations can gain legitimacy from the perspectives of key stakeholders.To do so, the book examines legitimacy management in the context of two real-world hybrid organizations – the Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine and the Swiss Center for Design and Health in Bern, Switzerland – from both theoretical and practical perspectives. It shows why the systematic combination of three types of legitimacy has the potential to optimize the level of legitimacy in emerging hybrids, contributing to their success. It also explains how organizational legitimacy can be operationalized using governance legitimacy, purpose-rational legitimacy, and value-rational legitimacy.This book equips managers and executives working at hybrid organizations with useful guidance and hands-on strategic tools to develop legitimacy management strategies. It also offers a source of inspiration for academic research and teaching in this field.

This book demonstrates how hospitals can be transformed into dynamic, patient-centered, and cost-effective organizations. It describes systems for providing safe, high-quality medical services and outlines the importance of data for health outcomes. In this regard, the book underscores the importance of decision-making and delegation, as well as the effective use of administrative staff, new technologies, and evidence-based medicine to benefit patients and boost efficiency. At the same time, it emphasizes the importance of applying metrics to improve cost-effectiveness.Although primarily intended as a hands-on book for clinical leaders, it also considers hospitals from a broader societal perspective, making it of interest to leaders at all organizational levels in hospitals and to policymakers alike.

This book demonstrates how hospitals can be transformed into dynamic, patient-centered, and cost-effective organizations. It describes systems for providing safe, high-quality medical services and outlines the importance of data for health outcomes. In this regard, the book underscores the importance of decision-making and delegation, as well as the effective use of administrative staff, new technologies, and evidence-based medicine to benefit patients and boost efficiency. At the same time, it emphasizes the importance of applying metrics to improve cost-effectiveness.Although primarily intended as a hands-on book for clinical leaders, it also considers hospitals from a broader societal perspective, making it of interest to leaders at all organizational levels in hospitals and to policymakers alike.

Rapidly developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems hold tremendous potential to change various domains and exert considerable influence on societies and organizations alike. More than merely a technical discipline, AI requires interaction between various professions. Based on the results of fundamental literature and empirical research, this book addresses the management’s awareness of the ethical and moral aspects of AI.It seeks to fill a literature gap and offer the management guidance on tackling Trustworthy AI Implementation (TAII) while also considering ethical dependencies within the company. The TAII Framework introduced here pursues a holistic approach to identifying systemic ethical relationships within the company ecosystem and considers corporate values, business models, and common goods aspects like the Sustainable Development Goals and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Further, it provides guidance on the implementation of AI ethics in organisations without requiring a deeper background in philosophy and considers the social impacts outside of the software and data engineering setting. Depending on the respective legal context or area of application, the TAII Framework can be adapted and used with a range of regulations and ethical principles.This book can serve as a case study or self-review for c-level managers and students who are interested in this field. It also offers valuable guidelines and perspectives for policymakers looking to pursue an ethical approach to AI.

Rapidly developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems hold tremendous potential to change various domains and exert considerable influence on societies and organizations alike. More than merely a technical discipline, AI requires interaction between various professions. Based on the results of fundamental literature and empirical research, this book addresses the management’s awareness of the ethical and moral aspects of AI.It seeks to fill a literature gap and offer the management guidance on tackling Trustworthy AI Implementation (TAII) while also considering ethical dependencies within the company. The TAII Framework introduced here pursues a holistic approach to identifying systemic ethical relationships within the company ecosystem and considers corporate values, business models, and common goods aspects like the Sustainable Development Goals and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Further, it provides guidance on the implementation of AI ethics in organisations without requiring a deeper background in philosophy and considers the social impacts outside of the software and data engineering setting. Depending on the respective legal context or area of application, the TAII Framework can be adapted and used with a range of regulations and ethical principles.This book can serve as a case study or self-review for c-level managers and students who are interested in this field. It also offers valuable guidelines and perspectives for policymakers looking to pursue an ethical approach to AI.

Data has become an indispensable success factor for every company. However, the road towards a data-driven organization is paved with numerous challenges. This book presents a process model for the path to a data-driven company and provides recommendations for the design of all relevant fields of action: Which structures need to be created? Which systems and processes have proven beneficial? How can the quality of the data be ensured and what requirements exist for a data-driven organization in the areas of governance and communication? And last but not least: How can employees be brought along on the journey and what implications does the data-driven organization have for our corporate culture? The book presents an orientation and action framework for the strategic and operational design of a data-driven organization and is valuable for managers who are involved in data management in companies and organizations.

Data has become an indispensable success factor for every company. However, the road towards a data-driven organization is paved with numerous challenges. This book presents a process model for the path to a data-driven company and provides recommendations for the design of all relevant fields of action: Which structures need to be created? Which systems and processes have proven beneficial? How can the quality of the data be ensured and what requirements exist for a data-driven organization in the areas of governance and communication? And last but not least: How can employees be brought along on the journey and what implications does the data-driven organization have for our corporate culture? The book presents an orientation and action framework for the strategic and operational design of a data-driven organization and is valuable for managers who are involved in data management in companies and organizations.

Founding a startup is a challenging endeavor that works best in a well-balanced team. Different thinking styles are needed throughout the founding journey. Archetypes are deeply engrained templates in the collective unconscious and can be used to reveal the hidden aspects of social interactions within teams. This book employs an archetypical personality test to uncover the eight most significant team roles needed in a startup: the leader, the mentor, the artist, the friend, the hero, the femme fatale, the rebel and the manager. The artist, for example, always finds unconventional solutions, the femme fatale attracts support for the idea, and the hero is undaunted in the face of setbacks. Archetypical roles can manifest in individuals or at the group level, and they can and should change throughout the journey. With the included personality test, this book offers entrepreneurs, investors and mentors alike a tool to improve the interpersonal processes in startup teams.

Founding a startup is a challenging endeavor that works best in a well-balanced team. Different thinking styles are needed throughout the founding journey. Archetypes are deeply engrained templates in the collective unconscious and can be used to reveal the hidden aspects of social interactions within teams. This book employs an archetypical personality test to uncover the eight most significant team roles needed in a startup: the leader, the mentor, the artist, the friend, the hero, the femme fatale, the rebel and the manager. The artist, for example, always finds unconventional solutions, the femme fatale attracts support for the idea, and the hero is undaunted in the face of setbacks. Archetypical roles can manifest in individuals or at the group level, and they can and should change throughout the journey. With the included personality test, this book offers entrepreneurs, investors and mentors alike a tool to improve the interpersonal processes in startup teams.

Do you ask yourself what this ‘agility hype’ is actually about and in what cases agility really creates benefits? Would you like to know how to make processes more agile? Do you fancy the idea of using agile methods but don't know how to explain it to your ISO 9001 auditor?This is the book you’ve been waiting for!Written from a quality management professional’s point of view, it offers useful solutions and practical advice concerning the use of agile practices in ISO 9001-based quality management systems. Agility for organisations is defined and described in a structured way. It is shown in detail how agile practices can be integrated into a QM system while maintaining the ISO 9001 certification. You will find out what needs to be considered when systemically incorporating agile practices, and how to balance the benefits and limitations of agility in organisations. Based on a qualitative, intersectoral research initiative, this book provides unique, state-of-the-art information and valid arguments for focused organisational development. It is intended for professionals such as quality managers, innovation managers, auditors of ISO management standards, organisational developers and managers who lead ISO 9001-certified companies.

Do you ask yourself what this ‘agility hype’ is actually about and in what cases agility really creates benefits? Would you like to know how to make processes more agile? Do you fancy the idea of using agile methods but don't know how to explain it to your ISO 9001 auditor?This is the book you’ve been waiting for!Written from a quality management professional’s point of view, it offers useful solutions and practical advice concerning the use of agile practices in ISO 9001-based quality management systems. Agility for organisations is defined and described in a structured way. It is shown in detail how agile practices can be integrated into a QM system while maintaining the ISO 9001 certification. You will find out what needs to be considered when systemically incorporating agile practices, and how to balance the benefits and limitations of agility in organisations. Based on a qualitative, intersectoral research initiative, this book provides unique, state-of-the-art information and valid arguments for focused organisational development. It is intended for professionals such as quality managers, innovation managers, auditors of ISO management standards, organisational developers and managers who lead ISO 9001-certified companies.

From business models to unique selling propositions, from product offerings to sales, marketing and pricing strategies, this book reveals what sets Chinese electric car manufacturers apart from their Western counterparts.Chinese automakers are gradually establishing themselves as the new trendsetters in the automotive industry as they make technological advances in various fields, especially in electric vehicles. As more of them look overseas for opportunities, especially in the European market, it is time for the local players to better understand who they are up against and take steps to keep up with the rapid growth of their Far Eastern competitors. Based on Simon-Kucher’s project experience, this book shows what is going on behind the Great Wall, informs readers about the latest technological trends and advances in China, and offers suggestions on what Chinese newcomers should bring with them when they come to town. Sharing valuable insights for all readerswith an interest in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, this book will be particularly relevant for managers and decision-makers at Western OEMs, suppliers, and other relevant players in the automotive industry.

From business models to unique selling propositions, from product offerings to sales, marketing and pricing strategies, this book reveals what sets Chinese electric car manufacturers apart from their Western counterparts.Chinese automakers are gradually establishing themselves as the new trendsetters in the automotive industry as they make technological advances in various fields, especially in electric vehicles. As more of them look overseas for opportunities, especially in the European market, it is time for the local players to better understand who they are up against and take steps to keep up with the rapid growth of their Far Eastern competitors. Based on Simon-Kucher’s project experience, this book shows what is going on behind the Great Wall, informs readers about the latest technological trends and advances in China, and offers suggestions on what Chinese newcomers should bring with them when they come to town. Sharing valuable insights for all readerswith an interest in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, this book will be particularly relevant for managers and decision-makers at Western OEMs, suppliers, and other relevant players in the automotive industry.

The book shares a cutting-edge approach to innovation strategies and product innovation by showing how advances in management and science can now help explain and predict innovation response and market outcomes across industries (health, cosmetics, food, leisure, insurance, automotive). A comprehensive review of the latest breakthroughs - from behavioral science to sustainable practices - sheds a new light on product innovation management allowing brands and teams to develop daring yet low-risk innovation strategies, while increasing their positive impact on people and planet.Readers will particularly benefit from the self-paced online video-based learning modules provided with the innovative Book+Course format.

This book on change management is aimed at top and middle management, change managers, and change leaders - but also anyone who is managing a change project as part of a software implementation or introduction of a digital product. In this book, experts from industry and academia draw attention to pitfalls and best practices in change management from a business perspective, but also place an important focus on the human component. The book does not prioritize theoretical frameworks, but compels the reader towards a reality-check and gain a practical understanding of the topic. The authors also explore why - despite the broad knowledge available - there still is a gap when it comes to what is applied in real life.

This book presents a collection of latest case studies on augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), extended reality (XR) and metaverse applications in various industries. AR, VR, XR and Metaverse are changing the business landscape, providing opportunities for businesses to offer unique services and experiences to their customers. The case studies explore business uses of the technology across multiple industries such as healthcare, tourism, hospitality, events, fashion, entertainment, retail, education and video gaming. The volume includes solutions of different maturities as well as those from startups to large enterprises thereby providing a thorough view of how AR, VR, XR and Metaverse can be used in business.