I by IMD guidelines for contributors
I by IMD is committed to publishing the most impactful ideas in business management. Our guiding editorial philosophy is to challenge what is and inspire what could be. Our goal is to equip executives and organizations with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in complex environments, across industries and geographies. If you have something meaningful and fresh to share with our audience, please read on to find out how to submit an article proposal.Â
We welcome all voices and perspectives on our platform, once they are backed up by credible research or real-world practice and meet our editorial requirements. We are particularly interested in hearing from academics, business leaders, and eclectic thinkers who offer robust, meaningful, and translatable insights across the spectrum of management topics. Â
We are open-minded when it comes to the themes and trends that will shape the future of business and management, but the following topics tend to play well with our audience (in no particular order): geopolitics; boards and governance; progression and talent; strategy, innovation, and growth; AI and digital transformation; sustainability transformation; execution and supply chains; and finance.
We believe an industry-specific lens can often be helpful and would be happy to receive proposals that focus on sectors such as energy, industrials, mobility, consumer goods, financial services, life sciences, technology, and family business.Â
Each quarterly edition of I by IMD magazine is divided between a spotlight topic and general management content. Recent spotlights have included: geopolitics, trust, human potential, the energy transition, AI, and the intersection art and business.Â
Before contacting us, please consider whether your article idea ticks the above boxes. Take some time to look at the content we have already published in your field. The next step is to send us a submission proposal:Â
– This should be no more than 500–750 words
– Summarize your argument/point and the evidence/examples you plan to include to support it
– Clearly set out the flow of the proposed article
– Please seek to answer the following questions:
– Please submit your proposal via our online submissions portal or email it to [email protected]
Once we have received and reviewed your proposal, one of our team will be in touch. Please be patient – we will acknowledge receipt and endeavor to respond fully to each proposal in a timely manner. If the answer is “no” this time, we will be clear why and encourage you to either resubmit the proposal or to share future ideas. If the answer is “yes”, we will likely have feedback and suggestions before moving forward. We find it best to discuss these on a phone or video call, or otherwise can do so via email.
When both sides are satisfied with the proposed direction and outline, we will ask you to work on a first draft of your article. I by IMD articles range in length between 1,200 and 5,000 words, but we do not place arbitrary limits; we prefer to negotiate the most appropriate length with authors depending on the circumstances. In practice, however, content for the digital platform usually falls between 1,000 and 1,800 words, while the magazine tends to feature articles ranging from 1,500 to 5,000 words in length.Â
All articles undergo several editing rounds before publication. This is a two-way process: we will work with you to make sure each step is clearly communicated. We kindly ask that you share any proposed graphics and other illustrations with your first draft, and according to the technical guidelines below. Â
While we are happy to collaborate on ideas for headlines and images, our editors retain the right to make a final call on these important elements, based on metrics and experience. We will never seek to misrepresent your ideas and will always explain any changes.
We expect you to declare any financial or other interests related to your article. If such interests exist, this does not necessarily mean we will not publish you, but we will always need to be explicit about those interests if we do.
Please do not use AI for generating article ideas, nor for the task of writing your article. We favor original human expertise and unique human voices. If you have used AI beyond basic desk research or other basic editorial support, please tell us how you have used it. We may need to flag this at the bottom of the article or make a decision
Please provide a hi-res image of each author or contributor, your social links, and a short bio (no more than 50-80 words). Please be ready to share these once we have agreed to publish your content. Please also complete our author permissions form (see QR code below).
We will keep you updated on the publication process for your article and will expect you to share the content with your own networks and across the appropriate channels. Along with our efforts, we hope this will create the greatest impact for everyone’s efforts.
If you have any questions about the submission process, please do not hesitate to reach out at: [email protected] We will be happy to discuss any questions or ideas.
– All graphics must be delivered as open, fully editable files – no PDFs or screenshots.
– Accepted formats:
– All text must be editable – no embedded text within images.
– Screenshots, JPEGs, or final (closed) PDFs are not acceptable.
– Resolution for embedded images: minimum 300 dpi
– Color mode: CMYK preferred, RGB is acceptable at first and will be converted internally if needed
– Clear and structured file naming, e.g.: graphic_topic_source_version.ai
– All fonts must be embedded or included as separate files
– Always include the source or creator of the graphic, e.g. “Source: Statista” or “Illustration: Max Sample”
– This applies also to modified or recreated versions of original visuals
– Please make sure that all copyright and usage rights are cleared before submission. → IMD assumes that with submission, permission is granted for further processing and reproduction (print & online).
– Print-ready resolution: 300 dpi at original image size
– Color mode: CMYK preferred, RGB is acceptable
– Accepted file formats:
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– For portraits: always provide two variations (e.g., tight and neutral crop)
– No extreme cropping, no cut-off heads
– Please avoid filters or unnatural color casts – natural, clean image aesthetics preferred
– Please make sure the portrait you send is both recent and one you personally like. → We want to represent you in the best and most authentic way possible.
– Always include the name of the photographer or source, e.g.: “Photo: Max Sample” or “Source: Unsplash / XY”
– Copyright and usage rights must be fully cleared before delivery. → IMD relies on having the legal right to use all submitted images across print and digital platforms.
– Use clear, structured file names, e.g.: portrait_firstname_lastname_photographer.jpg
– Screenshots, WhatsApp images or downloads from social media
– Any images with unclear or unlicensed origin
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