In an era of rising economic nationalism and intensifying geopolitical rivalries, leaders need to understand the forces reshaping the global environment and be able to interpret their implications for business. This program combines essential foundations in geopolitics with practical approaches for analyzing geopolitical developments and risk.
The program offers a structured and applied exploration of geopolitics for business, combining expert perspectives with current developments, discussion, and practical application.
Participants build their understanding over the course of the program, while having opportunities to examine geopolitical questions and risks through different economic, strategic, and industry perspectives.
Guided by leading experts in geopolitics, economics, and international affairs, including Prof. Lars-Hendrik Röller , former Chief Economic Advisor to Angela Merkel, the program brings together geopolitical analysis, case-based learning, and first-hand perspectives on leadership and decision-making in government and international affairs.
Programme Content
Module 1
Understanding Geopolitics and Why It Matters
Build your foundation in geopolitics and develop a clearer understanding of the forces shaping today's global environment. Explore how the balance of global power is evolving, what drives geopolitical competition, and why these developments matter for business.
You will:
Explore the foundations of geopolitics and their relevance today
Examine the changing global balance of power and and the emergence of competing forces
Understand key geopolitical drivers, including power, territory, resources, technology, and ideology
Connect geopolitical developments to their potential implications for business
Discuss current global events and what they reveal about the changing geopolitical landscape
Module 2
Economics and Geopolitics – A European Lens
Explore how economic policy has become an increasingly important instrument of geopolitical competition and what this means for Europe's position in the global economy. Examine Europe's dependencies, vulnerabilities, and sources of leverage, and consider the strategic choices and trade-offs it faces in strengthening its economic security and competitiveness.
You will:
Understand how trade, sanctions, tariffs, and other economic tools are used to pursue geopolitical goals
Explore Europe's economic diplomacy and its relationships with key global powers
Examine energy security and the energy transition through a geopolitical lens
Identify key European dependencies, vulnerabilities, and sources of leverage
Consider Europe's options for strengthening economic security and competitiveness, and the trade-offs involved
Module 3
Navigating Risk – Geopolitical Scenarios and Business Strategy
Move from analysis to application and learn how to approach geopolitical risk more systematically. Through scenario-based work, explore how geopolitical tensions can evolve, how they can affect different parts of a business, and how organizations can prepare for and respond to disruption.
You will:
Identify key geopolitical developments and conflicts that could create material risks
Use scenario thinking to explore how geopolitical tensions could evolve
Assess potential impacts across areas such as supply chains, production, sales, and finance
Examine sector-specific vulnerabilities and exposure
Develop and compare possible strategic responses to strengthen resilience and adaptability
Draw lessons from cases and industry experiences of navigating geopolitical disruption
Module 4
Industry Impacts and Future Opportunities
Bring geopolitical insight closer to business decision-making. Explore how companies are integrating geopolitical foresight into strategic planning, how geopolitical change is affecting different industries, and how you can apply insights from the program in your own organizational context.
You will:
Explore how companies are integrating geopolitical foresight into strategic planning
Examine geopolitical risks and opportunities through an industry lens
Identify signals to watch and approaches for monitoring geopolitical developments
Translate geopolitical awareness into concrete business priorities
Consider how to communicate geopolitical risks and opportunities across your organization
Reflect on how to apply geopolitical thinking in your own professional context
Programme Objective
Understanding Geopolitics and Why It Matters: global power dynamics, the forces shaping today's geopolitical landscape, and their relevance for business.
Economics and Geopolitics – A European Lens: geoeconomic competition, economic security, and Europe's position and strategic choices in a changing global economy.
Navigating Risk – Geopolitical Scenarios and Business Strategy: geopolitical risk, scenario thinking, potential business impacts, and strategic responses.
Industry Impacts and Future Opportunities: industry perspectives, geopolitical foresight, signals to watch, and translating geopolitical awareness into business priorities.
Programme Audience
You are a business leader or mid-to senior level manager seeking to better understand geopolitical change and its implications for your organization.
You are a corporate strategist or risk manager responsible for navigating international business environments.
You are an NGO manager or government professional engaged in global policy and international relations.
You are a journalist or media professional covering geopolitical and economic developments.
Programme Benefits
Sharpen your geopolitical radar by developing a stronger understanding of the forces shaping the global environment and recognizing developments that matter for your organization.
Make sense of geoeconomic competition and how trade, sanctions, regulation, energy, and economic dependencies are reshaping the environment in which businesses operate.
Assess geopolitical risk more systematically by exploring scenarios, identifying potential business impacts, and considering how risks could evolve.
Strengthen strategic thinking by connecting geopolitical developments to business priorities, vulnerabilities, and possible responses.
Learn from different perspectives through current cases, industry examples, peer exchange, and insights from experts with experience across geopolitics, business, and government.
Testimonials
"The program helped me translate global geopolitical developments into concrete strategic questions for our regional business community."
Christoph von Speßhardt
CEO, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Elbe-Weser
"Before the program, I saw geopolitics largely as a market intelligence or risk-monitoring function. Today, I believe it should be integrated into every business function."
Isabelle Martinez
Trade Director Latam to Europe, CMA CGM
"The course helped me better understand how to evaluate geopolitical risks and opportunities and derive actionable insights for business strategy."
