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The war in Ukraine continues, the escalation in the Middle East threatens further energy disruption, and Europe is rapidly building a new industrial and security architecture centred on strategic autonomy. In such circumstances, business leaders are increasingly faced with a critical question: do we actually understand what is happening, or are we simply reacting when it is already too late?
That is precisely the topic to be addressed on 22 April at Mozaik Event Center in Zagreb, where Future Tense powered by Lürssen will host Prof. Simon J. Evenett, professor of geopolitics and strategy at IMD Business School and one of the leading analysts of the global business environment.
The events of recent years have shaped a world in which economic decisions are increasingly made along alliance lines, rather than solely on the basis of price, efficiency or quality. For companies, this means that traditional business models built on stable global supply chains no longer provide sufficient security.
Evenett argues that successful companies and governments no longer treat geopolitics as an occasional risk, but as a permanent management discipline, much like finance or sales. Building that capability requires time, refinement and a concrete commitment at the highest levels of leadership. Like a physical muscle, the geopolitical “muscle” is strengthened through consistent use: repeated cycles of assessment, decision-making and execution.
His work focuses on geopolitical rivalry, international trade policy, protectionism, industrial policy, trade negotiations and agreements, and the World Trade Organization (WTO), while analysing their impact on corporate strategy, business leaders and public policy. Evenett’s lecture will offer a practical framework for how managers can read political signals, assess their business consequences and make informed decisions in a fragmented global economy.
Alongside Prof. Simon J. Evenett, the conference stage will also feature futurist Rik Vera and Mikko Hyppönen, a global expert in cybersecurity.
Märtha Rehnberg will speak about sustainable practices and the transformation of traditional industries, while Dr Susanna Søberg will address the topic of longevity.
In addition to Lürssen, this year’s conference partners include Erste&Steiermärkische Bank, the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, Nestlé, Kaufland, Končar, Visa and Philip Morris International.
Future Tense powered by Lürssen brings together leading business figures and representatives of the academic and scientific communities, and through its collaboration with the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies (CIFS), IEDC Bled School of Management, the Association for the Promotion of Smart Industries and the European Forum, it supports the development of a new generation of leaders ready for future challenges.
More information is available on the Future Tense conference website.
