Clean winners: Sustainability strategy that puts customers first
Summary
Despite massive investments, sustainable business still isn't very profitable for most companies. Here's a fresh approach for resetting sustainability for customer value—and profitability. Store aisles packed with products labelled "environmentall...
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©2026
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External Copyright
Available Languages
English
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The art of thinking in a digital world: Be logical, be creative, be critical
Summary
The Art of Thinking in a Digital World – a synthesis of a career spent teaching leaders to think with greater rigor, creativity, and courage - Luc de Brabandere
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AI Gender Pay Gap - Emerging Tech
Summary
As AI investment grows, unequal access to emerging tech skills is widening the AI gender pay gap. New research shows how organisations can reverse it.
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In it for the long run? Here’s what the world of sport can teach executives
Summary
Discover how elite sports principles can help leaders achieve longevity in their careers, balancing well-being and high performance for decades.
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The Qualios transaction: Engineering a partnered buy-in
Summary
The Qualios case tracks the search, negotiations and ultimate acquisition of an industrial, family-owned SME in Southern Germany. Using a variety of materials, including sophisticated composites, the company produces customized, high-quality braided sleeves primarily for technical applications. The fourth-generation owners were led to sell due to a lack of succession and health issues. A reputable niche business serving automotive, packaging, construction and industrial clients across Germany and internationally, Qualios generated €12 million in revenue and healthy EBITDA and employed around 50 staff. The company faced several issues, such as rising raw material and production costs, difficulty attracting skilled workers to the region and growing demands from customers for sustainability certifications. The potential buyer, Konrad, believed he had a joker up his sleeve with Georg, an experienced operating manager, family confidant and potential co-investor. Negotiations proved complex until the duo was able to bypass the broker and establish direct links to the seller. A deal was ultimately closed, involving not only a significant earnout element from the seller but also 90% leverage offered by local banks, with strenuous covenants. Nonetheless, fundamental questions remained after the deal: Had the buyer paid the right price and established the proper structure to ensure long-term success? Closing was only the first battle: Could Qualios grow fast enough to service the debt, repay the vendor loan and justify the price tag – all while honoring the company legacy that mattered so deeply to the seller?
Reference
IMD-2745
Copyright
©2026
Copyright owner
IMD Copyright
Organization
Qualios (Disguised)
Industry
Manufacturing, Textile;Materials, Construction Materials
Available Languages
English
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The hidden rules of green innovation - Leadership
Summary
Environmental policy drives green innovation in emerging economies but delivers limited gains in advanced markets due to institutional strengths and informal networks.
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Are you reaping the rewards of radical collaboration?
Summary
Workplace silos are a huge productivity inhibitor. Casper Herzberg, CEO of industrial software company AVEVA, tells Michael Wade how radical collaboration can create value.
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Are you reaping the rewards of radical collaboration?
Summary
Workplace silos are a huge productivity inhibitor. Casper Herzberg, CEO of industrial software company AVEVA, tells Michael Wade how radical collaboration can create value.
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How AI can coach us to improve how we communicate
Summary
AI-powered coaching tools can sharpen executive leadership by delivering framework-based feedback, revealing blind spots, and complementing human expertise.
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AI, culture and well-being: New Spotify CHRO unveils her top priorities
Summary
Spotify CHRO Anna Lundström focuses on AI readiness, culture, and personalized well-being to empower employees and shape Spotify’s future success.
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