“Today’s geopolitical environment is nothing like what we’ve seen in the past. CEOs are beholden to the outputs of an increasingly complex geopolitical system that moves at an accelerated pace, with few guardrails,” claims KPMG and EurAsia Group in their report “CEO as Chief Geopolitical Officer”.

Is your business ready to cope with geopolitical changes? As a business leader in the 21st century, it is critical that you take regular stock of geopolitical risks in order to build business resilience and ensure market development.

1. Bring geopolitics to the boardroom

Geopolitics must become a top strategic priority for business leaders. Political events can be exploited by competitors if you are not prepared. Being adaptable and forward-thinking is crucial.

2. Learn the new rules of engagement 

Major geopolitical events can cause decades worth of economic disruption. Geopolitical crises can even be the cause of a company’s low performance. What your company stands for or who your company is aligned with, can make all the difference. The constant flow of social media may easily draw your company into the line of fire as political lines are drawn even wider.

3. Know the expectations put on you

Business leaders are de facto political players with global responsibilities, making them key actors in the global narrative. Major companies such as Samsung, Apple, etc. rank higher in value than some countries. When customers and consumers see corporate leaders engaging publicly on key issues, this becomes a crucial opportunity to gain more trust.

4. Be proactive rather than reactive

Business leaders have access to a wide range of tools to help them be prepared. Geopolitical forecasting and monitoring solutions have been developed in order to avoid being caught off guard. Developing an action plan allows a company to be ready to implement contingencies, resulting in effective risk management.

Join us from 20-21 November 2019 for our executive courses “Geopolitical Analytical Skills for Business Leaders”, led by Dr Jean-Marc Rickli, Head of Global and Emerging Risks at the GCSP.

Source: https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/campaigns/2018/03/the-ceo-as-chief-geopolitical-officer.html - KPMG, EurAsia Group

Disclaimer: The views, information and opinions expressed in the written publications are the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect those shared by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy or its employees. The GCSP is not responsible for and may not always verify the accuracy of the information contained in the written publications submitted by a writer.