SPEAKERS: KJELL NORDSTROM & JONAS RIDDESTRALE

Kjell A. Nordstrom

Amid the madness and hyperbole surrounding the new economy, Dr. Kjell A. Nordström is a guru of the new world of business.

The 2001 Thinkers 50, the world's first ranking of management thinkers, ranked Nordström and his partner Dr. Jonas Ridderstråle at number 17 (one place below Nicholas Negroponte and one ahead of Stephen Covey).

His dynamic style makes him a highly appreciated speaker throughout the world. He has served as an advisor/consultant to several large multinationals.

Kjell holds an Economic Licentiate degree and a doctoral degree from the Stockholm School of Economics. He is presently an Assistant Professor at the Institute of International Business (IIB) at the Stockholm School of Economics.

His research and consulting focus is on the areas of corporate strategy, multinational corporations and globalization. Kjell has published a book and numerous articles on the internationalization process of firms.

Already 5 years ago he was recognized as Sweden's outstanding young academic of the year.

Kjell has been responsible for the International Business course at the Stockholm School of Economics and is one of the founders of the schools most prestigious management programs, "The Advanced Management Program - AMP". AMP is a five week top-management program that attracts the elite of Scandinavian executives.

He is also on the board of directors of several companies.

His latest book Funky Business - Talent makes capital dance (co-author Dr. Jonas Ridderstråle) is a manifesto of what our time requires from business firms and their leaders. The book has been featured on CNN and CNBC, and appeared in Fortune, Fast Company, Time Magazine, Financial Times, Paris Match, etc. and is an international best-seller.

So far, it has been translated into more than 25 languages. In 2000, both Amazon.co.uk and Management General rated Funky Business as one of the five best business books of that year.

Gurus and consultants abound. But, in a technicolour world, why do we expect men in grey suits to have all the answers? Kjell A. Nordstrom and Jonas Ridderstrale aren't your average business gurus. They don't wear suits and their ideas come in full colour. Stalking the stage, dressed in black, the two Swedes have entertained, challenged, and from time to time, frightened audiences throughout Europe and North America. Their blend of forceful logic, academic rigor and charismatic delivery have made them two of the most sought after speakers in Europe.

Dr. Jonas Ridderstråle

Dr. Jonas Ridderstråle is at the forefront of the new generation of European-based business gurus. The 2001 Thinkers 50, the world's first ranking of management thinkers, ranked Ridderstråle and his partner Dr. Kjell A. Nordström at number 17 (one place below Nicholas Negroponte and one ahead of Stephen Covey).

Jonas' uncompromising, imaginative and decidedly funky take on contemporary business life has made him one of today's most sought after speakers. Jonas practices what he so persuasively preaches. He is an advisor, lecturer and consultant to a number of international corporations and is also on the board of several companies.

Jonas Ridderstråle's day job is as an assistant professor at the Centre for Advanced Studies in Leadership at the Stockholm School of Economics. Jonas has a doctorate and an MBA from the same school. His research focuses on new organizational models and leadership styles in the information age and has been published in leading academic journals, magazines and newspapers. He has also run the School's Advanced Management Program, a five-week top-management program that attracts the elite of Scandinavian business leaders. Jonas was recently recognized as Sweden's outstanding young academic of the year.

His latest book, Funky Business: Talent makes capital dance (co-authored with Kjell A. Nordström) is a manifesto for the new world of business. The book is already an international bestseller and has been featured on CNN and CNBC. It has also appeared in Fortune, Fast Company, Time Magazine, Financial Times, Paris Match, etc. So far, it has been translated into more than 25 languages. In 2000. Amazon.co.uk and Management General rated Funky Business as one of the five best business books of that year.