China’s herd of unicorns
About 200 Chinese startups have valuations of $1 billion or more, and many are preparing to go global.
Issue 97, Winter 2019
Cover story
In this issue
GMOIndia’s new unicorns
The world’s largest democracy is becoming a seedbed for billion-dollar startups.Best Business Books 2019, with slideshow
In the 19th edition of strategy+business's Best Business Books section, our writers identify the three most compelling reads in seven genres.- GMO
Transforming TV by going back to the future
For virtually its entire existence, the vast global television industry has survived and thrived amid a series of transformations. Here’s how it can surf the next wave.
Leading Ideas
- Tech & innovation
Why your customers should be central to your innovation efforts
Ditching the “science fair” mentality toward innovation will help transform ideas into commercial reality. - s+b BlogsStrategy
How to manage mavericks
The best soccer coaches are able to produce elite performances from hard-to-manage players. Businesses should take note. - Energy
How cities can stay cool on a warming Earth
As the demand for air conditioning grows worldwide, a more energy-efficient approach, already in use in the Gulf countries, offers a potential solution. - Tech & innovation
The catalytic co-investor: How Siemens US keeps R&D alive
Barbara Humpton, US CEO of one of the largest and oldest engineering firms in the world, talks about continuous innovation, the future of AI, and the societal aspects of technology. - s+b BlogsTech & innovation
Why CEOs should watch the classic movie The Man in the White Suit
The 1951 film, about to debut as a play, has much to teach us about the hazards of innovation.
Essays
- Leadership
The wisdom of Charles Handy
In his new book, the renowned business thinker and philosopher passes on his experiences of life, work, and how not to fall into the management trap. - Consumer & retail
How to stand out in a crowded marketplace
To differentiate your brand, let a customer focus guide your strategy and operations. - Manufacturing
Jabil’s manufacturing leap
How one of the biggest companies you’ve never heard of may create the future of manufacturing.
Best Business Books 2019, with slideshow
Narratives
Trains, automobiles, and the plain impact of transportation.Talent & leadership
Creating safe spaces for all.Economics
Make economics germane again.Strategy
Strategy matters.Management
Get real, be heard, grease the skids.Technology & innovation
Speaking of code.Marketing
Thriving in a complex and expanding ecosystem.Best Business Books 2019: s+b’s Top Shelf
Our picks for the best business books of 2019 in seven categories. See also the slideshow “Top shelf picks: Best Business Books 2019."
The Thought Leader Interview
Why aren’t successful people happier?
Yale psychologist Laurie Santos delves into the social sciences to understand how people can overcome the internal obstacles and biases that prevent them from living their best life — and how leaders can set an example.
Recent Research
- s+b Blogs
How subsidiaries can emerge as “centers of excellence”
A case study shows how a small business arm can deliver real value and innovation to a multinational.
Trending articles
- 1.Off the clock: How our perception of time can affect productivity
Watching the clock drags performance down, and optimism about the future does the opposite. Managers who understand this can help boost engagement.
- 2.Using neuroscience to make feedback work and feel betterResearch shows that using feedback is how organisms — and organizations — stay alive. Here’s how leaders can make the most of the anxiety-producing process.
- 3.Skills-first hiring in the era of AI
In this first episode of our audio series Voices in Tech, we hear about the talent management startup Retrain.ai from its cofounder Shay David, and PwC’s Bhushan Sethi weighs in on the impact skills-first hiring and technologies like generative AI will have on the workforce.
- 4.10 principles of organization designThese fundamental guidelines, drawn from experience, can help you reshape your organization to fit your business strategy. See also “A guide to organization design.”
- 5.Reimagining consumer insights at PepsiCo
Stephan Gans, PepsiCo’s Chief Consumer Insights and Analytics Officer, wants to bake real-time, data-rich insights into the food-and-beverage giant’s commercial decision-making processes.
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