TOMORROW'S CHALLENGES
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LATEST IMD RESEARCH
By Stéphane Garelli , , - 5/14/2012
IMD | Country Development - After a golden age of ultra-globalization, the new buzzword is reindustrialization. IMD Professor Stéphane Garelli says the ability to manufacture locally will be crucial to a country’s competitiveness in this new era.
By Karsten Jonsen , , - 5/10/2012
IMD - Humor at Work - Humor is a part of every work environment. Used effectively, it can help in many situations but can also be a double-edged sword, IMD Research Fellow Dr. Karsten Jonsen explains.
By Howard Yu , , - 5/10/2012
Growth in China - IMD - After a decade of export-based growth, China’s leaders are aware that future growth must be driven by domestic consumption. Howard Yu explains that for shrewd companies, there’s a gold rush ahead.
By Ralf W. Seifert ,Joana M. Comas , - 5/3/2012
Eco Labels- IMD - We’ve all seen at least a few of the more than 431 ecolabels now in existence.  A study from IMD and EPFL explores their effectiveness.
By Dominique Turpin , , - 5/3/2012
IMD – Pricing Strategies - Slashing prices isn't the same as having a marketing strategy. IMD President Dominique Turpin says that when you cut your price, there’s often no way back.
By Francisco Szekely ,Heidi Strebel , - 4/27/2012
IMD - Sustainability - Building a sustainable society is perhaps the biggest challenge for the 21st century. IMD Professor Francisco Szekely and IMD Research Associate Heidi Strebel outline a new approach to sustainability based on three principles.
By Shlomo Ben-Hur , , - 4/20/2012
IMD - Development Program - At least 75% of organizations do nothing to assess the true effects of their development programs – IMD Professor Shlomo Ben-Hur says it’s time to change.
By Arturo Bris ,Salvatore Cantale , - 4/20/2012
IMD - Cross-listing - IMD research demonstrates that voluntarily adopting better governance is actually good for your bottom line. Finance Professors Arturo Bris and Salvatore Cantale explain…
By Jean-Pierre Lehmann , , - 4/13/2012
Professor Jean-Pierre Lehmann takes a look at the Chinese socio-economic situation in light of the recent scandal and exposed tensions within the ruling party.
By Jean-Pierre Lehmann , , - 4/5/2012
Capitalism and the global market economy will survive only with radical reforms in institutions, policies, culture and mindsets. IMD Professor Jean-Pierre Lehmann offers some thoughts on where things went wrong and how to make them right.
By Suzanne C. de Janasz ,Joachim Schwass , - 3/30/2012
IMD - Family Business - Book advice on negotiation may work in typical settings between boss and subordinate, and vendor and buyer. However, when members of a family business negotiate, the rules of the game are different.
By Stéphane Garelli , , - 3/29/2012
IMD’s World Competitiveness Center is preparing its 2012 country rankings amid unprecedented levels of global economic uncertainty. IMD Professor Stéphane Garelli identifies four trends that will influence this year’s competitiveness scores.
By Donald Marchand , , - 3/23/2012
Since the financial crisis erupted, the painful consequences of information mismanagement have become clear. IMD Professor Donald A. Marchand argues that CIOs must take a much more active ethical role in their companies.
By Aileen Ionescu-Somers , , - 3/23/2012
IMD - Sustainability Strategy - What’s stopping your sustainability schemes? You are, argues Dr Aileen Ionescu-Somers. The biggest barriers facing companies that are trying to roll out sustainability strategies come not from outside, but from within their own business.
By Jean-Pierre Lehmann , , - 3/16/2012
While French election rhetoric focuses on introspective domestic debates, the rest of the world speeds by at full throttle, argues Professor Jean-Pierre Lehmann
By Karsten Jonsen , , - 3/16/2012
IMD - Steve Jobs Biography - You’ve seen it. Maybe even have read it. The 630 page biography about Steve Jobs seems almost as popular as Apple’s gadgets. Here’s one more thing… about Steve Jobs.
By Marco Mancesti , , - 3/9/2012
Why do around 70% of major corporate change initiatives fail? IMD R&D Director Marco Mancesti says it’s because too many companies get bogged down in the details.
By Jean-Pierre Lehmann , , - 3/7/2012
Robert Zoellick’s term as World Bank President is closing. Professor Jean-Pierre Lehmann explains how emerging economies might capture the traditionally-American position and why it would be better for us all.
By Howard Yu ,Ben Lin , - 3/2/2012
IMD - Technology Incubator - With its state-owned enterprises operating in industries that the government deems strategic, China appears to be an archetypical example of what state capitalism entails.
By Salvatore Cantale , , - 3/1/2012
IMD - Financial Models - IMD Professor Salvatore Cantale explains why the world still needs financial models – as long as they are handled with care.
By Georges Haour , , - 2/24/2012
Swiss Innovation - IMD - Switzerland is more innovative and business-oriented than many people think. But IMD Professor Georges Haour says there is still much to be done.
By Preston C. Bottger ,Jean-Louis Barsoux , - 2/23/2012
IMD - Job Interviews - Hiring decisions present business leaders with some of their trickiest challenges.
The leader must try to devise questions that get at the essence of the person.
By Paul Strebel , , - 2/17/2012
IMD - Corporate Governance - IMD Professor Paul Strebel explores the disconnect between CEOs and board directors and the real world of customers, suppliers, employees, and society at large.
By Didier Cossin , , - 2/17/2012
IMD - Corporate Boards - The euro celebrates its 10th anniversary this month under a dark cloud of crisis. However, Didier Cossin argues a discerning risk analysis could provide those investing in Europe with great opportunities.
By Howard Yu , , - 2/10/2012
IMD - Chinese Brands - China’s economy will be the world’s largest before too long, but what sort of global impact will Chinese brands have? IMD Professor Howard Yu outlines two different scenarios.
By Arturo Bris ,Salvatore Cantale , - 2/9/2012
IMD - Facebook IPO - But we do know that Zuckerberg and his team are selling us tickets worth about $5bn. But, isn’t the fact that we are invited a clear sign that the party is not as fun as we thought it was?
By Jean-Pierre Lehmann , , - 1/31/2012
IMD - China Power - As The Economist launches a special weekly section on China, IMD Professor Jean-Pierre Lehmann reflects on the country’s rising global power.
By Marc Laperrouza , , - 1/31/2012
IMD - Economic Challenges - Property bubble, overcapacity in manufacturing, inflation and rising labor costs. After 30 years of steady growth, is China's economic dream turning into a nightmare?
By Maury Peiperl , , - 1/27/2012
IMD - Solar Energy - Ten, twenty years ago, solar power was considered a distant dream. Today, the dream is fast becoming reality.
By Jim Pulcrano , , - 1/25/2012
IMD - Networking - How do you define success for your start-up? And what are your networking objectives? IMD Executive Director Jim Pulcrano has some observations and warnings for Swiss entrepreneurs.
By Suzanne C. de Janasz ,Amy L. Kenworthy , - 1/19/2012
IMD - Layoffs - Can being laid off actually improve overall health and well-being? Does it irrevocably damage their self-esteem? IMD Professor Suzanne de Janasz sheds light on a business landscape dark in unemployment. 
By Paul Strebel , , - 1/19/2012
IMD - Occupy Wall Street - To protect their personal reputations and the brand value of their companies, board directors have to ensure that they are not associated with, nor get labelled as corporate insiders who enrich themselves at the expense of society.
By Didier Cossin , , - 1/13/2012
IMD - Euro Collapse - The euro celebrates its 10th anniversary this month under a dark cloud of crisis. However, Didier Cossin argues a discerning risk analysis could provide those investing in Europe with great opportunities.
By Willem Smit , , - 1/12/2012
IMD - Corporate Citizenship - With recession and hard economic times, some of the world’s biggest brands are stepping up their role in corporate citizenship.
By Bill Fischer , , - 1/6/2012
Bill Fisher - Facebook IPO
By Bill Fischer , , - 1/6/2012
IMD - Effective Leadership - Just over 100 years ago, Roald Amundsen conquered the South Pole.  As IMD Professor Bill Fischer explains, his success is a lesson in leadership.
By John Walsh , , - 1/6/2012
IMD - Brand Management - Companies have often grappled with the “ownership” of their brands.  Ultimately, the brand is simply what it represents in the minds of consumers.
By Nuno Fernandes , , - 12/12/2011
IMD - Euro crisis - Standard & Poor’s warned of a possible mass ratings downgrade for 15 euro zone countries. This would have been unthinkable one year ago.
By Howard Yu , , - 12/12/2011
IMD - Commoditization - Look at almost any industry and you will see companies struggling to differentiate what they have to offer from everything else in the marketplace.“My product is becoming commoditized. Is there a way out?”
By Winter Nie , , - 12/9/2011
IMD - Chinese competition - According to the current business mantra, any company that wants to be global has to do business with China.
By Albrecht Enders , , - 12/8/2011
IMD - Management Characteristics - What words might best be used to describe seminal business figures such as Thomas Middelhoff or Jean-Marie Messier? Quite a few, you might think – and not all of them necessarily complimentary.
By Jean-Pierre Lehmann , , - 12/1/2011
IMD - Business School Curriculum - Business schools overall
have been too complacent in respect to the fragilities and the threats.
By Martha Maznevski , , - 12/1/2011
IMD - MBA Development - If you were the MBA Program Director, what would you never change? Every time I meet a group of MBA alumni I ask them that question.  Their answers always focus on the same three themes.
By Suzanne Rosselet-McCauley , , - 11/18/2011
IMD - Sustainable Competitiveness - From the financial crisis of 2008 to today’s “Occupy Wall Street,” we have testament that many societies have been suffering from short-termism.
By Preston C. Bottger ,Jean-Louis Barsoux , - 11/17/2011
IMD - High Potential - It’s great to make the high-potential list, but HiPos can also fall from grace. Here are four traps to look out for.
By Ralf W. Seifert ,Heidi Strebel ,Joseph Godsey - 11/11/2011
IMD - Eco-labels - Companies are increasingly coming under attack for the negative environmental and social impacts of their business activities.
By Michael Yaziji , , - 11/11/2011
IMD -Corporate Social Reponsiblity - There’s money to be made in socially responsible investing. IMD Professor Michael Yaziji explores how asset managers need to better assess a company’s deeper ecological impact.   
By Dominique Turpin , , - 11/4/2011
IMD – Segmentation - What sort of business worries keep senior global executives awake at night?
In my conversations with business leaders, I am hearing that more and more marketing-related issues are taking up senior management time.
By Jean-Pierre Lehmann ,Maury Peiperl , - 11/1/2011
IMD - 2011 G20 - With just a few days to go before the G20 summit in Cannes (France), it is no exaggeration to say that the world is in an unholy mess.
By Stuart Read , , - 10/28/2011
IMD - The role of entrepreneurship in aiding economic growth has earned increasing appreciation of late, not least in the wake of the global financial crisis.