How can we shed light into the black box we call the future?
Colleagues regularly ask me one question: “How can we best plan for the future?” And my response is always: “By asking the right questions at the right time.” This applies to the way that you plan your...
View ArticleWhy global connectedness matters
When I visit our multinational customers or interact with our 470,000 employees worldwide, I observe regularly the benefits of global connectedness both in economic and human terms. I believe it’s one...
View ArticleI believe in the future of Europe
When people talk about Europe today, the discussion is frequently consumed by the sovereign debt crisis and the heavy price it is extracting from southern member states of the EU. This is unfortunate,...
View ArticleBeyond economic gains: Why a EU – U.S. free trade deal is vitally important
For businesses on both sides of the Atlantic, President Obama’s State of the Union address contained a highly welcome message: The Administration will “launch talks on a comprehensive Transatlantic...
View ArticleWorking together for climate protection
Better climate protection means departing from established ways to make room for new ideas. Individual companies can – and do – make a big contribution. But when business and policymakers work...
View ArticleUSA – the past and future of DHL
There’s no doubt about it: When we hear the words “dynamic” and “growth,” we tend to think of Asia. And we might forget that the United States is still the world’s largest economy. The United States...
View ArticleConnectivity and trade to drive growth in Asia Pacific
Business leaders from around the world met in Bali last week at the APEC CEO Summit 2013. I was delighted to be a part of this event as I still see significant business potential in Asia Pacific. The...
View ArticleMore prosperity through more networking
Excerpts from a column about the agreement that Frank Appel wrote for the German business newspaper Handelsblatt on December 18, 2013: December 7, 2013, was a good day for the world economy. After...
View ArticleSupply chain disruption: Short-term solutions are short-sighted
Disruptions, man-made or stemming from natural catastrophes, have become more common in our globalized economy and their effect has also increased. This was a topic I discussed with others at the...
View ArticleThinking with a global perspective and investing in education
But we can enjoy such benefits only if we also invest in education. Even as technology races forward, we have to keep one point clearly in mind: Our economic systems cannot function without...
View ArticleGrowing even closer together is a must
In the first instance, such a concept is frightening, often triggering an irrational defense reflex against all things global. This can currently be witnessed first-hand in light of the highly...
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