As the winter holiday season approaches, we at KTH Executive School are delighted to share a curated selection of thought-provoking reads for your reflection and learning.

This year, we are proud to have concluded the first round of the new Operations & Supply Chain Management Program, alongside the continued success of the highly acclaimed Executive Program with its transformative agenda. Our alumni network continues to grow, enriched by engaging activities and meaningful connections.

We are excited to share this journey with you and look forward to an inspiring new year ahead.

Recommended books

Supremacy
Authored by Parmy Olson, this book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the race to dominate artificial intelligence, focusing on the ambitions and pressures faced by entrepreneurs in this transformative field.
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Growth: A Reckoning
Daniel Susskind offers a comprehensive analysis of economic growth, challenging traditional perspectives and proposing new frameworks for understanding and fostering growth in the modern economy.
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The Corporation in the Twenty-First Century
John Kay examines the evolution of corporations, critiquing outdated business theories and advocating for a redefinition of corporate purpose in today’s knowledge economy.
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The Longevity Imperative
Andrew Scott explores the societal and economic implications of increased longevity, offering insights into building a better society for healthier, longer lives.
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Tribal
Michael Morris delves into the cultural instincts that divide and unite us, providing a nuanced understanding of human behavior that is essential for effective leadership and collaboration.
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Material World
Ed Conway explores the six raw materials — sand, salt, iron, copper, oil, and lithium — that shape modern civilization, offering insights into their role in global supply chains, geopolitics, and sustainability.
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What a remarkable learning journey it has been since the launch in May! We are deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in us as we have navigated this path together.

In a world marked by new geopolitical realities, rapid technological advancements, and pressing sustainability challenges, the program has explored ways of thinking and working to optimize the entire end-to-end flow from suppliers to customers.

A warm thank you to each of you for sharing your unique perspectives and experiences, and for your commitment to learning and transforming the practices within your spheres of influence. Continue to question, tackle challenges, and uncover untapped potentials! And most importantly, take care of yourselves and those around you.

We eagerly anticipate the positive impacts you will make as leaders in your fields and warmly welcome you to the KTH Executive alumni family!

We would like to say thank you to all our participants for sharing their unique perspectives throughout our amazing learning journey as well as for their deep commitment to making long-term change happen!

Keep on daring to go further and expand your horizons, share your experience and knowledge with your colleagues generously and last but not least, take care of yourself and those around you. We look forward to seeing all the positive impact you will make as leaders in your fields. Welcome to the KTH Executive alumni family!

A heartfelt thank you  to Anna Olshäll, Richard Meurke, Erika Wirde, Fredrik Knopp Anjou, Fabio Castello , Jens Arleroth, Emil Emil Persson, Simon Algesten, Christer Strömgren, Igor Sakota, Johnny Hultenius and Anna-Karin Gau at Scania for the collaborative and enriching deep dive into the complexities of global supply chains. Our program at KTH Executive School has truly been enhanced by your dedication and expertise.

Our participants explored the intricate journey at Scania in Södertälje from sourcing and manufacturing to delivery. This exploration was paired with cutting-edge research into how supply chains can be differentiated to better match products with the dynamic demands of today’s business landscape.

Discussions delved into the balance between global and local supply chain strategies, considering factors such as market proximity, risk management, and environmental considerations that increasingly favor localization.

The commitment to excellence and continuous improvement displayed by all Scania left us both inspired and grateful. We are proud to learn alongside such dedicated professionals and look forward to further collaboration.

Photos: Scania

We congratulate all our participants on successfully completing the latest round of KTH Executive Program in Industrial Management.

It has been an amazing journey – thank you all for your unique perspectives and deep commitment to develop skills for making long-term change together!

Keep on daring to go further and expand your horizons, share your experience and knowledge with your colleagues generously and last but not least, take care of yourself and those around you. We look forward to seeing all the positive impact you will make as leaders in your fields. Welcome to the KTH Executive alumni family!

In today’s fast-paced industrial landscape, managers in operations, supply chain, and procurement face a myriad of escalating challenges. As these domains become increasingly connected with digital technology and global complexities, the need for strategic agility and robust risk management is more crucial than ever.

Technological Integration – Adopting and integrating advanced digital solutions, including AI, remains a big challenge. The journey from outdated systems to cutting-edge technology requires not only significant investment but also a cultural shift towards embracing new operational efficiencies. How do we seamlessly integrate vast amounts of data across platforms to truly enhance decision-making and operational visibility?

Supply Chain Resilience – Another pressing concern is enhancing the resilience of supply chains against a backdrop of unpredictable geopolitical tensions and market demands. The ability to foresee and mitigate risks—from supplier disruptions to trade uncertainties—demands a proactive approach to supply chain governance and a solid framework for managing unforeseen complications.

Quality and Growth – As organizations transform and/or expand, maintaining product quality and operational excellence is key. The challenge of transforming or scaling operations while preserving the integrity of output cannot be understated. This includes fostering a skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of tomorrow and ensuring that growth does not compromise the quality that clients expect and deserve.

Strategic Leadership and Collaboration – Finally, the role of leadership in fostering a collaborative and innovative environment is vital. Leaders must not only navigate day-to-day operations but also drive transformative changes that align with long-term strategic goals. This involves harmonizing sourcing strategies, optimizing end-to-end processes, and ensuring that all organizational layers work cohesively.

We are at a critical juncture where the decisions we make today will shape the operational capabilities of the future. Sharing insights and strategies is more than a necessity—it’s our responsibility to pave the way for a more integrated, resilient, and efficient operational framework.

Let’s discuss! What strategies have you found effective in overcoming these challenges in your operations or supply chain roles?

In a data-driven world, we face the constant challenge of ensuring that our information reflects reality. Many managers experience a gap between the data in their systems and their own perception of reality. This is not only due to technical shortcomings but also to the need for high data quality, and to our ability to accurately interpret information.

To reduce this gap, we need to fully embrace the importance of data quality. Moreover, we need to improve our understanding of the human factor in the interpretation process.

The consequences of the gap between data and reality are significant. They range from incorrect decisions based on misleading information to a reduced trust in data-driven processes. This can hinder our ability to adapt and innovate, leading to inefficient use of resources and a deteriorated customer experience.

We can only avoid these pitfalls if we actively work towards bridging the gap between data and reality, and KTH Executive contributes by providing education on the better use and understanding of data to help you make well-founded decisions, thereby creating a more data-driven future.

And looking forward to continuing our learning journey with you in 2024! We hope that you will find moments for reflection in the holiday season and our selection of thought-provoking podcasts and reads may further expand your horizons.

Podcasts

(1) Business Breakdowns
Gain unparalleled insights into the workings of prominent businesses, a tool for strategic thinking and decision-making

Stay informed on the latest in innovation and tech, a beacon for those leading through change

Engage with the narratives of corporate strategy and market influence, a resource for executives seeking to broaden their strategic horizons

(1) “Right Kind of Wrong” by Amy Edmondson
Learn the value of embracing failures as stepping stones to innovation and resilience, a must-read for fostering a culture of intelligent risk-taking

(2) “The Coming Wave” by Mustafa Suleyman with Michael Bhaskar
Navigate the complexities of AI’s role in our future, an essential guide for leaders at the helm of technological integration