Preface

Welcome to the most disruptive period in human history. The next 20 years will bring more changes than the previous 300 years.

We live in a radically changing world, called the 4th Industrial Revolution, which fundamentally alters every aspect of our human experience, from our lives, work, business to the economy, the environment, and social interactions at a global level.

In its scale, scope, and complexity, the transformation will modify everything that we know beyond recognition across industries and borders, unlike anything humankind has experienced before.

Yet it remains poorly understood, and most do not know how we should respond.

This book holds the promise to have a deep impact on your life, your work, and your organization.

It is written for YOU, as a practical guide to help you

It will help you get started from where you stand, exploit what's available to you, and take action to meet the biggest challenges of our times.

That, my friends, is why this book exists.

The structure of the book is focused around YOU. To build a good understanding of what the changes are, how you can respond and benefit from it.

Latest insight on Industry 4.0

The book is written as a practical guide on what Industry 4.0 is, what this means for YOU, and how YOU as a leader, manager, expert, entrepreneur, or investor capitalize and put it into practice.

Great shifts that slip our attention

Today, the news cycle is filled with doomsday prophecies that paint a dark and hopeless future. The authors are eternal optimists and believe in humanity's ability to adopt to change and collaborate for a better future. For this reason, we dedicated chapter 4 on our great human accomplishment of the past 100 years to shine light on what we as humans can handle of the challenges ahead.

Handbook on strategy execution

You hold a complete handbook on strategy, part of an Executive MBA program. Designed as a guided step-by-step from a strategic position, strategic choices to strategy execution.

Designed for doers

In the words of Herman Hesse: "Theory is knowledge that does not work. Practice is when everything works and you do not know why." If you are a practical person, this book is designed for you with all the latest management practices, techniques, visual memory effects, and reusable templates that enable immediate hands-on use.

You will learn how to systematically guide and approach how to manage the present and create the future.

Checklist of what you can get out of this book

• Get fresh insight on the 4th Industrial Revolution from the originator.

• Learn how to spot trends and exploit disruption.
• Understand the how, where, and when to adopt to changes or disrupt.
• Uncover what strategy is and how to apply it.
• Become a strategy hero!
• Build a new business!!
• Exploit how to strategy in a step-by-step guide.
• Benefit from the latest management disciplines.
• Learn how to manage the present operations while creating the future.
• Profit from change.
• Evolve into game changers in your field.
• Find new ways to make a living.

Authors

Henrik von Scheel

The Godfather

Best known as the originator of the "4th Industrial Revolution" and the Global Digital themes of today.

Named the "leading authority on strategy" and recognized as "the most influential management thinker of our times."

His work has shaped the performance of the fastest-growing companies and is applied to 24 national economies.

A sought-after speaker, iconic futurist, and advisor, he has evolved the mainstream thinking and practices on the toughest and most important issues in business today.

Honored with the Knowledge Award viz. the Nobel laureates of knowledge sharing in 2019.

He is a Professor at the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business.

Henrik does not work for ?$? - he is compensated by his self-realization.

Ciprian Popa

Man of Magic

If you meet Ciprian, you enter a world of magic. He radiates positive energy and manifests endless impossibilities.

He is one of the most influential blockchain personalities in supply chain and a pioneer in financial engineering.

His thought is action in rehearsal that solves complex problems with a unique ability to create new insights to better meet demand.

His sweet spot is applying technology to digitalize assets.

Ciprian specializes in visual strategy positioning and strategic decision-making.

Ciprian delivers! A driven people person who is realistic about his own capabilities and insightful about others.

Joshua von Scheel

The Pilot

A creative problem solver who is obsessed with simplifying the complexity of strategy execution through visual thinking, business logic, and design.

Joshua designed the book based on his experience as a Business Architect and his natural gift to think strategically.

His trademark is strategic thinking - his unique ability is to rethink outdated business practices and evolve the mainstream practices of today.

Joshua has a natural talent for strategy + execution and asks the right questions.

He is a passionate commercial pilot and describes flying as "learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss."

Co-authors

John A. Zachman

Father of Business Architecture

John is the inventor of our modern Enterprise Architecture thinking of today.

He is the author of the famous Zachman Framework, which is a global Enterprise Architecture standard for integrative framework, an ontology for descriptive representations for Enterprises.

John is known for his ability to enable executives to link strategy with operational execution.

Dr. Douglas van den Berghe

The Problem Solver

One of the world's most influential and iconoclastic business thinkers on foreign direct investment and special economic zone. His official nickname is "FDI Guru."

He asserts that economic development models must continually reinvent themselves, and not just in times of crisis. He has worked with leading governments, companies, and investors across the globe, and is a dynamic and sought-after advisor and speaker.

Jamal Bin Huwaireb

The Historian

Jamal is the cultural advisor to the Government of Dubai and the CEO of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, and serves as a Board member of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning.

He is a passionate historian and prolific writer of Nabataean poetry, and has documented the cultural and creative movement of the Emirate of Dubai, the rest of Emirates of the country, and the Persian Gulf region. He has documented Arab and Islamic heritage, presented in the TV show "Al Rawi" during the month of Ramadan for more than 8 years.

Gabriel von Scheel

The Creative Brain

A big-scale thinker who loves the details just as much. Recognized for his business logic and design thinking that simplifies complexity and problem solving through visual thinking.

Gabriel is the creative designer that has triggered most of the concepts in the book.

Through his mix of unique visual, analytical strategic skills, and attention to detail, he is a rising star in the making and ONE TO WATCH.

Chandana Wagal Pai

The Powerhouse

There is no other way to describe Chandana than a Powerhouse, and a maestro Business Developer.

Chandana is a compelling storyteller who can captivate leaders with her passion, clarity of thought, and intelligence.

She puts people first and sees potential in every individual, which makes her a natural "Skill Builder." She is a pro at finding and harnessing opportunities for business growth.

Chandana makes a difference. She is a big thinker who loves the details.

Gert Jansson

The Bohemian Guru

Award-winning entrepreneur and innovator with deep experience helping businesses transform.

A trendsetter with big, bold ideas. Best known as the "Bee-Man" who masters the art of creating innovative solutions for a sustainable economy.

Gert is a smart worker, and an extremely social and networking junkie.

Driven by an elemental force spiced with an extreme curiosity, to learn to fail is to learn to grow.

Yige Dai

Master of Mindfulness

A big picture translator into operational execution.

Yige is known for his ability to help you change the way you look at things so that things you look...