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Nordic Business Forum

Nordic Business Forum 34 Episodes Oct 12, 2026

Nordic Business Forum is a podcast that empowers leaders to change the world. Each episode features insights from top business experts on topics such as leadership and innovation. The show covers a wide range of business-related subjects, providing valuable knowledge for professionals.

Episodes

Michael Beckley - The End of Easy Growth Oct 12, 2026 00:45:20 In this keynote presented at Nordic Business Forum 2026, professor Michael Beckely explains:- How to challenge the outdated growth assumptions, especially about China, that might be hiding massive risks in your current strategy.- How to build a winning strategy when you’re no longer competing with companies, but with the subsidized power of nations.- How to design a resilient, “shock-proof” supply

Paul Polman - The Courage to Collaborate Oct 5, 2026 00:46:23 In this Main Stage keynote, the former CEO of Unilever Paul Polman explains how to:- Build the right partnerships across your ecosystem — from suppliers and peers to competitors and communities — to unlock the kind of collective impact no company can achieve alone, and which sits at the heart of becoming truly Net Positive.- Build the radical trust and transparency required to lead transformative

Patty McCord - A Team, Not a Family Oct 2, 2026 00:42:56 Former Chief Talent Officer at Netflix, Patty McCord, shared how to build high-performing teams that deliver results at the Nordic Business Forum 2026. More specifically, she focused on:- How to implement ‘radical honesty’ as the foundation for a high-performance culture where trust isn’t just a poster on the wall, but a daily practice.- How to dismantle the traditional HR systems that kill motiva

Stop Optimizing Everything: The Real Path to High Performance May 19, 2026 00:47:45 From the crucial difference between performance and productivity to the spillover effect between your personal and professional life, this episode unpacks the deeper mechanics of human efficiency. Expect sharp insights on the reality of wearable tech and a step-by-step blueprint to optimize your energy from your morning arrival to your evening wind-down. Plus: how to conquer the post-lunch slump,

Is This the End of the Neutral CEO? Apr 28, 2026 01:04:02 In a world where silence is no longer safe, today’s CEOs face a new reality: take a stand or risk losing relevance. But what does it really mean to lead in an age of polarization?Host Heli sits down with Annika Arras (CEO, Miltton New Nordics) and Thomas Kolster (marketing advisor & author) to unpack the rise of corporate activism.From the tension between profit and purpose to the risks of “pe

How to Use AI Without Letting It Rot Your Brain Apr 8, 2026 00:57:41 AI can boost your thinking but it can also replace it completely. In this episode, we explore how to use AI in a way that strengthens your brain instead of weakening it. Host Olivia Ojala is joined by neuroscientist Mona Moisala and Pactum AI co-founder Kaspar Korjus to discuss what research says about AI’s impact on cognition, memory, and decision-making. When does AI enhance learning, and when d

Psychological Safety - Amy Edmondson Jun 16, 2022 00:26:38 In this session, you will learn: How does psychological safety lead to high performance? How does your leadership style affect your team? Why are bad ideas also an essential ingredient of success?

Strategic Work in a Turbulent Geopolitical Landscape - Kjell Nordström Apr 28, 2022 00:34:28 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused, above all dreadful loss, grief, anxiety, and fear. It has also drastically changed the geopolitical landscape we operate in as businesses. So, how can you navigate your business strategy now? We’ll try to find that out at our next live webinar as we sit down with the economist and author, Kjell A Nordström. In this session, you will learn: What are the em

3 Ways To Succeed In The Future of Work - Terence Mauri Apr 8, 2022 00:38:11 In the last two years, everything changed. People changed. Technology changed. The office changed. Priorities changed. And the way we work changed. The future of work is now. Are you prepared for opportunity, choice, and growth in the accelerated future of work? Terence Mauri is on a mission to help leaders harness the upside of disruption, leadership, and growth in the accelerated future of work.

Nilofer Merchant - The Importance of Connections on Your Way to Success Feb 4, 2022 00:36:32 Nilofer Merchant is often referred to as the Jane Bond of Innovation. In this keynote, she talks about change, success, and the importance of connections.

Ed Catmull - Culture of Creativity Dec 9, 2021 00:34:43 During this keynote, Ed explores his learnings at Disney–Pixar on how to remove the barriers that inhibit creativity in the workplace.

Morten Hansen - Do Less, Work Better, Achieve More Dec 2, 2021 00:14:31 Morten Hansen, an author and management theorist, talks about the importance of working smart in the 21st century. He also shares a few pieces of advice on how to do less, work better, and achieve more. The discussion is a recording from Nordic Business Forum Stockholm in 2019. Enjoy!

Simon Sinek - Great Leadership According to an Optimist Nov 18, 2021 00:14:59 During this interview, the world-renowned author and speaker Simon Sinek talks about issues such as the infinite game and great leadership. The discussion is a recording from Nordic Business Forum Stockholm in 2019.

Sahar Hashemi - 6 Steps to Be Entrepreneurial in a Large Company Nov 12, 2021 00:27:20 In this episode, the co-founder of Coffee Republic, Sahar Hashemi, shares her journey to entrepreneurship. Her keynote also provides 6 pieces of advice on how to be entrepreneurial in a large company. The session was recorded at Nordic Business Forum Stockholm in 2019

Donald Miller - How the Power of Story Can Grow Your Business Aug 27, 2021 00:43:12 "A clear story will win every time." During this keynote, Donald Miller, the CEO of StoryBrand, talks about the power of storytelling. He also shares 7 key characteristics of a story that you can use in marketing.

Seth Godin - Leadership vs. Management Jul 29, 2021 00:59:34 In this keynote, Seth Godin, a world-renowned marketing and leadership author, talks about the difference between leadership and management, the confusion surrounding them, and why the world needs more leaders.

Anssi Rantanen - Why Experimentation is the Future of Growth Jul 1, 2021 00:18:50 This time, Anssi Rantanen, the winner of our 2019 speaker contest explains why experimentation is the key to growth. With the help of a very practical example, he also demonstrates how technology allows us all to experiment much faster and easier.

Costas Markides - Innovation As a Springboard to Success Jun 17, 2021 00:26:58 In this episode, Costas Markides, a professor at London Business School speaks about what innovation is and why it is important. He also explains why and how an organization must identify the kind of innovation it needs before implementing.

James Hewitt - The Key to Sustainable High Performance Jun 3, 2021 00:18:46 In this episode, James Hewitt, a performance scientist, and author, shares research insights on what the keys are to sustainable high performance.

Simon Sinek - The Infinite Game May 20, 2021 00:32:03 In his keynote, "The Infinite Game", Simon Sinek talks about the idea that business is not about beating the competition - it’s about outlasting your competition. Additionally, he shares 5 things you need in order to play the infinite game.

Aswath Damodaran - Valuation, Investing, and Teaching Apr 23, 2021 00:11:58 During this discussion, Aswath Damodaran, a Professor of Finance at the Stern School of Business talks about valuation, investing, and teaching.

Des Traynor - Pitfalls, Successes, and Surprises of Establishing and Growing a Company Apr 15, 2021 00:12:46 In this episode, Des Traynor, the co-founder of Intercom talks about the pitfalls, successes, and surprises of establishing and growing a company.

Avinash Kaushik - How and When to Use Owned, Earned, and Paid Media in Your Marketing Apr 8, 2021 00:13:43 During this discussion, digital marketer and author, Avinash Kaushik, shares some great marketing insights. He, for example, explains how and when to use owned, earned, and paid media in your marketing. This interview is a recording from Nordic Business Forum Oslo in 2019.

Don Tapscott - The Blockchain, Privacy, and Transparency Apr 1, 2021 00:23:17 Don Tapscott is one of the world's leading authorities on the impact of technology on business and society. In this episode, Don shares his insights on the blockchain, privacy, and transparency, among a couple of other important issues. The interview was recorded at Nordic Business Forum Helsinki in 2018.

Sahar Hashemi - Starting a Company: The Importance of a Startup Mindset, and Exit Strategies Mar 25, 2021 00:14:09 This episode features Sahar Hashemi, the co-founder of the coffee chain Coffee Republic and confectionery brand Skinny Candy talking about starting a company, the importance of a startup mindset, and exit strategies.

Sheila Heen - The Art of Having Difficult Conversations Mar 18, 2021 00:13:01 In business and in life we all need to sometimes have uncomfortable and challenging discussions. But how should we approach them? During this session, Sheila Heen, bestselling author, and Harvard lecturer talks about the art of having difficult conversations.

Rachel Botsman - The Challenges and Benefits of Trust in the Modern World Mar 11, 2021 00:14:01 This episode features Rachel Botsman, a leading expert and author on trust, who explains the challenges, benefits, and interesting aspects of trust in the modern world.

Juliet Funt - How to Include Important Strategic Pauses Mar 4, 2021 00:13:09 How to avoid busy work and how to include important strategic pauses at work? These are some of the questions, Juliet Funt,  the CEO of WhiteSpace at Work provides insights to during this discussion. The discussion was recorded at Nordic Business Forum Helsinki in 2019.

Gary Hamel - What Companies Should Do to Embrace Entrepreneurial Mindset and Creativity Feb 26, 2021 00:13:23 "You have to have people who have been in power, but are willing to give it away." During this discussion, Gary Hamel, one of the world's most influential business thinkers, talks about innovation. Specifically, Hamel shares his insights on what companies should do in order to truly embrace entrepreneurial mindset and creativity. This interview was recorded at Nordic Business Forum Helsinki in 201

Seth Godin - Linchpins, Innovation, and Making a Difference Feb 24, 2021 00:16:11 During this discussion, Seth Godin, a marketing and leadership mastermind, talks about linchpins, innovation, and making a difference. The interview is a recording from Nordic Business Forum Stockholm in 2018.

Costas Markides - How to Successfully Innovate Feb 22, 2021 00:13:44 In this episode, Costas Markides, The professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School, talks about innovation; the different types of innovation, and what should companies do to successfully innovate. This discussion was recorded at Nordic Business Forum Helsinki in 2019.

Episode 6 - Steven Kotler & Maddy Savage at Nordic Business Forum Helsinki 2018 Feb 19, 2021 00:12:41 In this episode, Steven Kotler, author, journalist, and human performance expert, explains how models of performance are shifting. He also shares a couple of practical tips on how to achieve a flow state to optimize performance. The interview is a recording from Nordic Business Forum Helsinki in 2018.

Carla Harris - Going Public, Good Founder vs. Good CEO Feb 17, 2021 00:14:27 During this interview, Carla Harris, the Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, talks about what are the issues companies should take into account when planning to go public, and what are the traits of a good founder vs. a good CEO. The discussion was recorded at Nordic Business Forum Helsinki in 2019.

Alex Osterwalder - How to Give Innovation Power in Your Organization Feb 17, 2021 00:11:18 How to give innovation power in your organization? And what kind of a person makes a good Chief Entrepreneur? In this episode, you'll hear Alex Osterwalder, the Co-Founder of Strategyzer sharing a few pieces of valuable advice on those questions. The interview is a recording form Nordic Business Forum Helsinki in 2019.

Susan Cain - The False Perceptions of Introverts Feb 17, 2021 00:12:31 In this discussion, Susan Cain, author, speaker, and chief revolutionary at Quiet Revolution, talks about the false perceptions of introverts and the upsides of being an introvert. She also talks about leadership and working life from the perspective of introverted people. The interview is a recording from Nordic Business Forum Helsinki in 2018.

Donald Miller - The Power of Storytelling Feb 17, 2021 00:16:22 Donald Miller, author, speaker, and CEO of StoryBrand, explains the power of storytelling, shares a few tricks to clear communications, and talks about what makes a great brand. The interview was recorded at Nordic Business Forum Helsinki in 2019.

Marcus Buckingham - The People You Lead Are Unique Feb 17, 2021 00:15:31 "We can build an entire organization on human uniqueness." In this first episode, Marcus Buckingham talks about the need for leaders to understand that the people they lead are unique - and that it's a strength. He also briefly highlights some of the false assumptions we generally have about work and performance. The discussion was recorded at Nordic Business Forum Helsinki in 2018.

Nordic Business Forum

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