Christian Madsbjerg
Director, USA
Christian is a social scientist and has been leading projects for a series of large global clients during most of his active work life. He is the author of books on social theory, discourse analysis and political science. Prior to ReD he was managing director of the design firm Kontrapunkt and partner in the Consultancy Wetware, to later form e-Types. Christian holds a MRes in Cultural Studies and a BSc in political science.
Keywords: front line sales models, customer intimacy, innovation strategy
Keywords: front line sales models, customer intimacy, innovation strategy
On terroir
With wine you can have Australian and Californian. They don't taste of anywhere, but rather taste of technology. Then you can have a German wine. The same goes with businesses. There are businesses which lack authenticity and businesses that have body. I think everybody should have a terroir. Local knowledge, will and skill inserted into the company. If someone really cares about what they do, as opposed to caring only about process, then their products will be healthy and profitable. Wine is the perfect example.
On corporate cancer
"Politic" is when you start thinking about how people will react to what you say instead of just saying what you mean. When you start spinning your argument to make as few people unhappy about what you want to say. When you spend more time on what the "right people" want to hear, rather than the actual content of what you want to express.
In most corporations politicts is one of the main activities. Sentences like: "I just want to make sure, that all the right stakeholders are involved" and "Are you sure, this is the right way to present what we have found?" are not uncommon. This appears to be getting worse with every passing year. People willing to talk directly and boldly about how reality and fact should form decisions are becoming an endangered species.
You can choose to accept this process - to accept that facts and truth about markets, people, needs and competitiveness is less relevant than playing the corporate game - or start fighting it. At ReD we believe in a bold and honest relationship to truth. We believe in dealing with the consequences of facts as directly and brutally as any situation requires. We pledge to fight corporate cancer, with facts, science and boldness.
With wine you can have Australian and Californian. They don't taste of anywhere, but rather taste of technology. Then you can have a German wine. The same goes with businesses. There are businesses which lack authenticity and businesses that have body. I think everybody should have a terroir. Local knowledge, will and skill inserted into the company. If someone really cares about what they do, as opposed to caring only about process, then their products will be healthy and profitable. Wine is the perfect example.
On corporate cancer
"Politic" is when you start thinking about how people will react to what you say instead of just saying what you mean. When you start spinning your argument to make as few people unhappy about what you want to say. When you spend more time on what the "right people" want to hear, rather than the actual content of what you want to express.
In most corporations politicts is one of the main activities. Sentences like: "I just want to make sure, that all the right stakeholders are involved" and "Are you sure, this is the right way to present what we have found?" are not uncommon. This appears to be getting worse with every passing year. People willing to talk directly and boldly about how reality and fact should form decisions are becoming an endangered species.
You can choose to accept this process - to accept that facts and truth about markets, people, needs and competitiveness is less relevant than playing the corporate game - or start fighting it. At ReD we believe in a bold and honest relationship to truth. We believe in dealing with the consequences of facts as directly and brutally as any situation requires. We pledge to fight corporate cancer, with facts, science and boldness.
