think ahead

The digital marketing landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with AI, automation, and data-driven strategies redefining how brands connect with consumers. How can businesses adapt and stay ahead in this rapidly changing environment? Host, and Professor of Economics, Dean of London Business School, Sergei Guriev is joined by Xu Zhang, Assistant Professor of Marketing, and Alex Schultz, CMO & VP of Analytics at Meta, to explore the next evolution of digital marketing. Together, they break down the key strategies businesses need to embrace to become AI-ready, from leveraging predictive analytics to overcoming data fragmentation. In this episode, our guests share best practices, discuss the challenges of AI adoption, and highlight the ethical considerations of automation in marketing. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how AI-driven search, hyper personalisation, and advanced marketing measurement are reshaping the industry. Plus, we explore what the future holds—new skills, inclusive marketing, and the evolving role of AI in customer engagement. Whether you're a marketing leader, business strategist, or just curious about the next big shift in digital marketing, this episode offers a practical roadmap for navigating the AI revolution. For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit ⁠london.edu/think⁠.  Sign up to receive a curated selection of articles, podcasts and films direct to your inbox twice a month at ⁠london.edu/think/subscribe⁠.  Follow us on social media:  ⁠X.com/LBS⁠  ⁠linkedin.com/school/london-business-school⁠  ⁠facebook.com/LondonBusinessSchool⁠ 

Societal polarisation is on the rise, with political divides, environmental concerns, generational shifts, and controversial public figures shaping today’s workplace dynamics. Issues such as climate change, corporate sustainability, and healthcare innovation are becoming increasingly contentious, adding to the challenges business leaders face. How can they foster cohesion while navigating these growing tensions? Host, and Professor of Economics, Dean of London Business School, Sergei Guriev is joined by Donal Crilly, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, and Lorenza Brescia, Business Leader at Fagron, to explore the complexities of leading through polarisation. Together, they examine how key issues such as climate change, DEI, and generational divides are reshaping workplace culture. They also discuss the balance between shareholder expectations and social responsibility, the influence of polarising leaders on business strategy, and how shifting healthcare and sustainability priorities impact organisational decision making. In this episode, our guests share actionable strategies for managing polarisation without alienating key stakeholders. Listeners will gain insights into fostering inclusive workplace cultures, making informed leadership decisions, and navigating the trade-offs required to maintain both cohesion and competitiveness in an increasingly divided world. For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit london.edu/think.  Sign up to receive a curated selection of articles, podcasts and films direct to your inbox twice a month at london.edu/think/subscribe.  Follow us on social media:  X.com/LBS  linkedin.com/school/london-business-school  facebook.com/LondonBusinessSchool 

Randall Peterson is a Professor of Organisational Behaviour and director at London Business School, while Helen Beurier is the Chief People Officer at Newton. Together, they explore the key elements of building purposeful teams, emphasizing motivation, strong relationships, and achieving results. They discuss practical tools for fostering team dynamics, the importance of cultural alignment, and ways to motivate beyond financial incentives. The conversation also touches on generational differences in the workplace and the vital role of honest communication in leadership.

What does it mean to be an ethical leader in today’s interconnected and diverse world? This episode explores the fundamental principles of ethical leadership, highlighting how leaders can cultivate trust, accountability, and inclusivity to create resilient, thriving organisations.Hosted by Sergei Guriev, Dean of London Business School and Professor of Economics, this episode features Elinor Flynn, Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour, alongside Oliver Morley CBE, an alumnus and the CEO of The Money and Pensions Service. The discussion delves into the real-world challenges leaders face and offers actionable strategies for navigating ethical dilemmas with transparency and authenticity.Listeners will discover how to establish clear ethical standards, implement effective feedback mechanisms, eliminate misaligned incentives, and embed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into their leadership approach. Whether your goal is to build trust, lead with integrity, or make DEI a cornerstone of your organisational culture, this episode provides a practical roadmap for mastering ethical leadership in today’s complex global landscape.

In this episode of the think ahead podcast series, Professor Costas Markides, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, sits down with John Fallon, former CEO of Pearson, one of the UK’s largest educational organisations, to explore how companies can navigate the challenges of digital disruption and transformation. Together, they discuss the pivotal strategies Pearson employed to shift from traditional publishing to a digital-first education company. The conversation delves into the role of leadership in fostering resilience, the critical importance of purpose in driving organisational change, and how middle management plays a key role in translating long-term visions into actionable daily steps. They share personal insights on endurance and leadership and provide valuable teachings on how to navigate large-scale transformation, maintain financial stability, and sustain hope and purpose in the face of uncertainty.  For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit london.edu/think. Sign up to receive a curated selection of articles, podcasts and films direct to your inbox twice a month at london.edu/think/subscribe. Follow us on social media: X.com/LBS linkedin.com/school/london-business-school facebook.com/LondonBusinessSchool 

With the continual rise of digital risks from cyberattacks to misinformation, this episode of the think ahead podcast series explores the current challenges and threats to organisations as the volume and scale of disruptions continues to rise.  Professor S. Alex Yang, Professor of Management Science and Operations at London Business School, host of the podcast, is joined by Gal Sadeh, Principal AI researcher at Silverforte, a computer and network security company. The two discuss the evolving landscape of cybersecurity.  They explore the impact of AI on cybersecurity, the role of human error in security breaches and the steps organisations can take to ensure that they are prepared and maintain digital trust for all stakeholders. For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit london.edu/think.Sign up to receive a curated selection of articles, podcasts and films direct to your inbox twice a month at london.edu/think/subscribe.Follow us on social media:twitter.com/LBSlinkedin.com/school/london-business-schoolfacebook.com/LondonBusinessSchool

Eco-innovation is reshaping industries by embedding environmental goals directly into business models that not only reduce harm but actively restore resources.This edition of the think ahead podcast series is hosted by Professor Yiannis Ioannou and explores real-world cases of eco-innovation in action. Sean Millard from The Royal Mint shares insights on transforming electronic waste into high-value metals through advanced recovery techniques, while Mark Stringer of SKOOT Eco reveals how tech-enabled carbon solutions empower individuals and companies to take climate-positive actions.Together, they consider the path from concept to scalable impact, the economics of sustainability-focused business models, and the essential role of technological innovation in making sustainability profitable.For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit london.edu/think.Sign up to receive a curated selection of articles, podcasts and films direct to your inbox twice a month at london.edu/think/subscribe.Follow us on social media:twitter.com/LBSlinkedin.com/school/london-business-schoolfacebook.com/LondonBusinessSchool 

In this second episode of a two-part special edition of the think ahead podcast series focusing on sustainability, Alex Edmans, Professor of Finance at London Business School talks with Tom Gosling, Executive Fellow of Finance at London Business School about universal ownership and its role in tackling climate change.Universal ownership is the concept that institutional investors hold such large, diversified portfolios that they represent a slice of the entire market or economy making them hold a stake in global economic health. As a result, they have an interest in reducing systemic risks to the economy, including climate change.Through the lens of Tom’s expertise in responsible business, he examines the notion that universal owners can significantly impact climate change through financial self-interest. Universal owners face the daunting task of balancing environmental and social goals with their remit to maximize returns. If climate change is bad for the economy, it will be bad for the investor’s portfolio, but climate and portfolio goals will not always be aligned.Tom highlights the difficulty of universal owners imposing losses on one company to benefit others, the limited impact of investor tools like divestment and engagement as well as government policy.Listen to hear how the scales can be balanced for investment to be a force for good in tackling climate change.For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit london.edu/think.Sign up to receive a curated selection of articles, podcasts and films direct to your inbox twice a month at london.edu/think/subscribe.Follow us on social media:twitter.com/LBSlinkedin.com/school/london-business-schoolfacebook.com/LondonBusinessSchool 

In this first episode of a two-part special edition of the think ahead podcast series focusing on sustainability, Tom Gosling, Executive Fellow of Finance at London Business School, talks with Alex Edmans, Professor of Finance at London Business School. They delve into a radical new perspective that explores retiring the term ESG in favour of ‘Rational Sustainability.’ Taking us through a trilogy of research papers from “The End of ESG”, “Applying Economics – Not Gut Feel – To ESG” and focusing on “Rational Sustainability,” Alex explains how rigorous academic research can impact business, creating long-term value through evidence-based, rational decision-making. Listen now to hear how a fundamental shift in approach and thinking can benefit organisations and promote value-driven practices. For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit london.edu/think. Sign up to receive a curated selection of articles, podcasts and films direct to your inbox twice a month at london.edu/think/subscribe.  Follow us on social media: x.com/LBS linkedin.com/school/london-business-school facebook.com/LondonBusinessSchool 

“When different minds connect, ideas grow into something even bigger”  Besides academic research and intergroup relations, what are the practical applications organisations can implement to drive forward belonging? From the business case for diversity to the case for fairness, we look at the factors that leaders need to address in order to build representative teams and create a culture of belonging.  This edition of the think ahead podcast series delves into the research on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) by Aneeta Rattan, Associate Professor of Organisational Behavior, London Business School. Joining Aneeta to discuss DEI challenges in the workplace is Aaron So, Head of Group Strategy at Marks & Spencer. Listen here for insights on how leaders and organisations can overcome bias and action positive change. For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit london.edu/think. Sign up to receive a curated selection of articles, podcasts and films direct to your inbox twice a month at london.edu/think/subscribe.  Follow us on social media: x.com/LBS linkedin.com/school/london-business-school facebook.com/LondonBusinessSchool