Think Ahead

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 

As new technology continues to fuel innovation, how will this impact the rising growth of the fintech industry?In this edition of the think ahead series, Gary Dushnitsky, Associate Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship at London Business School and Paul Christensen, CEO & Co-founder of Previse explore advances in technology and the disruptors pushing forward the fintech sector.Listen to their conversation to learn more about the strategies that emerging start-ups use and how long-established companies maintain their place in this competitive marketplace. Learn about the crucial relationship between distribution channels and ground-breaking innovation, along with the forces of market disruption that shape the business landscape.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

As we live longer, face a myriad of new challenges, opportunities and increasingly question the role of work in our lives, there is a growing trend of revisiting the idea of a career for life. More and more of us are interested in exploring career opportunities outside the traditional box, to pursue different directions, realign our professional lives to our passions and create a work/life balance to suit our lifestyles.  This edition of the think ahead podcast series features Herminia Ibarra, Charles Handy Chair in Organisational Behaviour and Professor of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School.  Herminia is a leading thinker and advocate of mid-career change and offers practical tips and advice covering how you get from the light bulb moment about changing career through to successfully making the pivot from one career to another. Listen now to get the information you need to take the first steps towards career reinvention. 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 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a humble leadership style versus a dominant style of leadership? In this edition of the think ahead podcast series, two of our leading faculty make the case for opposing leadership styles in a lively discussion and exchange of ideas.Dan Cable and Niro Sivanathan, both Professors of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School, draw on their extensive research to explore whether the two different management styles are mutually exclusive. What should leaders be aware of before adopting a particular stance? What are the radical differences in the two different management styles? Do workers prefer a decisive and dominant leader who is firmly in control or the humble leader who gives power and control back to the people who do the work and have the ideas to get things done? What role does emotion play in the success of the differing styles?Listen now to hear the insightful discussion.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

This episode of the think ahead podcast series explores the issues that women continue to face in achieving success as entrepreneurs and looks at how these barriers can be overcome.Julian Birkinshaw, Olenka Kacperczyk and Rupal Patel discuss the obstacles facing female entrepreneurs as they strive to run successful business. How far do we have to go to achieve a fair representation of female entrepreneurs across the board? What needs to change to achieve more diversity and inclusion in the entrepreneurial ecosystem? What support is currently available? How can we leverage allies and networks to empower and enable female entrepreneurs to thrive?Julian Birkinshaw is Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Vice-Dean at London Business School, Olenka Kacpeczyk, Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School and has done extensive research into entrepreneurs and the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs. Rupal Patel is CEO of Entreprenora and author of From CIA to CEO, described as a “one-of-a-kind tradecraft toolkit for leaders and entrepreneurs”.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:TwitterLinkedinFacebook

In this episode of the think ahead podcast, we look at how AI can be part of the solution to the global environment crisis. Julian Birkinshaw and Jean Pauphilet discuss the ways in which AI has the potential to be a central component of the solutions to reduce our environmental footprint. The discussion explores how AI tools are being applied to cleaning up plastic from the oceans, weather forecasting, industrial processing, decreasing carbon emissions and using satellite data to find the answers and pathways to meet environmental challenges.  While AI may be a key to the solution, its large-scale adoption is not harmless to our environment and comes at a significant financial cost. What do we need to consider in using AI to find solutions to achieving environmental and sustainability goals?  Julian Birkinshaw is Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Vice-Dean at London Business School and Jean Pauphilet, Assistant Professor of Management Science and Operations at London Business School. 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/LBS linkedin.com/school/london-business-school facebook.com/LondonBusinessSchool 

In this episode of the think ahead podcast, Julian Birkinshaw and Ioannis Ioannu address key questions around ESG and sustainability. They discuss investing in ESG funds and the potential benefits and downfalls this entails as well as shareholder activism, investor motivation and how asset managers can impact change. They also discuss business accountability through the lens of people, planet and profit, navigating the tradeoffs by “doing the right thing” - including the role of business schools in driving change.Looking ahead to COP28 the conversation analyses the “implementation COP” and the global stock take. How far have we come? What can business do to support solutions? What is our generational legacy?  Julian Birkinshaw is Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, and Vice-Dean at London Business School and Ioannis Ioannou is Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School and a leading expert in sustainability leadership and corporate responsibility 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/LBS linkedin.com/school/london-business-school facebook.com/LondonBusinessSchool 

The podcast discusses generative AI and the phenomenon of ChatGPT, highlighting their impact on efficiency. The need for regulation and skills augmentation to avoid substitution is explored. The chapter on big tech's embrace of AI raises ethical concerns and the importance of human-centric jobs. The significance of creativity, intuition, and relationship management in the context of AI is emphasized, along with upcoming AI events in healthcare.