I by IMD

Could an ecosystem-led approach to disparate industrial information technology systems build more resilient and efficient global supply chains? Caspar Herzberg, CEO of industrial software company AVEVA, argues that breaking down data silos across companies and sectors could benefit all stakeholders through what he calls “radical collaboration.”Herzberg details the increasing complexity of the industrial world, where thousands of systems across supply chains have locked-in value because they don’t communicate. He argues that to decomplexify and unlock this value, industries need radical collaboration—overcoming the fear of sharing data to realize a significantly bigger collective prize.Ultimately, Herzberg says that he is a pragmatist regarding AI’s societal impact, noting that the augmentation of the worker will be hugely productivity-enhancing. But he cautions that we must collectively establish boundaries on its use, as AI serves humankind.

In this episode, IMD Professor Zhike Lei speaks with Marcus Schindler, the former head of Novo Nordisk’s R&D operation, about driving innovation through transformation. Schindler reveals his journey is defined by “exploration” and details how he balances the need for immediate delivery with long-term discovery, stressing that success requires doing both.Novo Nordisk’s strong, patient-focused purpose attracts global talent, and Schindler explains the strategy behind establishing R&D hubs in places like Boston to leverage external innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. R&D teams, he says, need to prepare for the age of AI by becoming “bi-lingual” in both science and digital skills, and concludes that trust and a compelling value story are the currency for leading a transformative organization.

In this episode, IMD Professor Zhike Lei speaks with Marcus Schindler, the former head of Novo Nordisk's R&D operation, about driving innovation through transformation. Marcus reveals his journey is defined by "exploration" and details how he balances the need for immediate delivery with long-term discovery, stressing that success requires doing both.Novo Nordisk’s strong, patient-focused purpose attracts global talent, and Marcus explains the strategy behind establishing R&D hubs in places like Boston to leverage external innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. R&D teams, he says, need to prepare for the age of AI by becoming "bi-lingual" in both science and digital skills, and concludes that trust and a compelling value story are the currency for leading a transformative organization.

In the second episode of IMD’s sustainability series, Julia Binder and Knut Haanaes welcome Kunal Chandra, the Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer at RWE. Chandra, an IMD alumnus, oversees one of Europe's largest clean energy investment programs and offers a unique perspective from his career across Shell, Siemens, and now RWE, on the accelerating energy transition. Chandra’s career began with a desire to travel, and evolved into a deep understanding of energy's fundamental role in human civilization. The discussion centers on the speed of the transition, the bottlenecks it creates, and the strategic choices executives must make in an increasingly electrified and contested energy world.

AI has leapt from obscurity to ubiquity, reshaping work and society. But its flaws run deep, forcing leaders to balance its promise with its dangerous limitations.   From the frosty skepticism of AI’s early winters to the blazing hype of today’s workplace revolution, artificial intelligence has undergone a dramatic transformation. In this episode, IMD’s Didier Bonnet and Oxford University’s Michael Wooldridge take us behind the scenes of AI’s evolution, revealing how neural networks rose from the dead, why conversational AI dazzles but deceives, and what leaders must understand about the paradox at its core: a powerful tool that’s useful, but not always correct.As AI reshapes industries, boosts productivity, and quietly erodes certain roles, Wooldridge urges us to rethink how we work, learn, and lead. Whether you’re a CEO, educator, or everyday user, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and offer a grounded view of what AI can and can’t do. Tune in to explore the real story behind the headlines and discover how to navigate the new normal with clarity and caution. 

Christophe Fouquet, CEO of ASML, tells Jean-François Manzoni how the world’s only EUV lithography machine maker became Europe’s most indispensable company – and what comes next.Few companies can claim to sit at the center of modern technological progress. ASML is one of them. The Dutch multinational is the only company in the world capable of producing extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines – the technology behind the smallest, fastest, and most powerful semiconductor chips.Without ASML, the world’s most advanced computing systems, from AI data centers to smartphones, simply would not exist. Tune in to find out more.

Oliver Zeidler is an Olympian who has successfully reinvented himself. After missing out on the Rio 2016 games as a swimmer, he switched sports to become a World Champion rower just three years later.In conversation with IMD’s Susan Goldsworthy, Zeidler discusses growing up in a family legacy of Olympic success, which "normalized peak performance," and the critical role of his grandfather as a "secure base" who inspired him to pursue both a competitive sports career and a business career, at Deloitte.Zeidler explains how combining an intellectual, office-based role with the physical demands of rowing has provided balance in his life. He talks about the key to his sustainable success and details a unique perspective on managing setbacks and embracing the "beginner's mindset". This powerful characteristic has allowed him to continuously explore and master new challenges, from switching sports at 20 to entering a demanding MBA program at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne.

This week we feature a recent episode of IMD's sister podcast, Leaders Unplugged. IMD President David Bach sits down with Henrik Andersen, CEO of Vestas, for a raw conversation on Europe’s energy transition and the courage leaders need to navigate it.Andersen delivers a stark warning on Europe’s complacency: “Europe is 50% dependent on import of energy day in and day out. The truth is we import more LNG gas from Russia than we did in 2022.” He explains how China is building up its alternative energy capacities faster than any other nation – and dismantles hype around unproven solutions, such as hydrogen: “It is a little bit of a dream that is beyond a dream”.His purpose for being an outspoken leader is clear: “Our kids will say, ‘we will never forgive you because why did you keep talking about something that doesn’t happen?’” And he delivers a strong lesson to his peers: speak out, take blows, and act boldly in a volatile world.

This week, we bring you a powerful conversation from OWP Singapore, IMD’s flagship five-day program focused on orchestrating winning performance. In this fireside chat, Professor Omar Toulan sits down with Dan Luo, IMD MBA alumna (Class of ’99) and a trailblazing leader whose career spans global giants like Heinz, Lego, and Fonterra.Luo shares her remarkable journey from Wuhan to the world stage, navigating the Asian financial crisis, pivoting industries, and building a dynamic board portfolio. With deep experience in both B2B and B2C, she reflects on the leadership lessons that shaped her path: the power of democratic decision-making, handling conflict with clarity, and the importance of assembling and inspiring high-performing teams.From career inflection points to personal milestones, Luo’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and impact. What does it really take to lead with purpose across borders and industries? Tune in to find out.

In conversation with IMD's Jean-François Manzoni, Novonesis CEO Ester Baiget discusses how the Danish biosolutions powerhouse uses advanced tech and its ‘library of strengths’ to transform food production and laundry processes.Novonesis is rapidly becoming the world leader in the field of biosolutions. By leveraging the power of microbiology with science, it is increasingly transforming the way the world produces, consumes, and lives.  Born from the 2024 merger of enzyme and cultures specialists, Novonesis has integrated complex technologies and navigated regulatory roadblocks. But blending two corporate cultures requires more than science alone. For CEO Ester Baiget, the key is leadership rooted in humility, transparency, and a relentless focus on sustainable growth.