Automation, AI and Machine Learning are just some of the terms that are driving old-timers in B2B sales and marketing out of board rooms and corporate suites. Learn from some Cambridge MBA alumni on how technology is changing sales, marketing and customer success in B2B.

B2B Sales - automation and AI

Generative AI such as ChatGPT have captured the public's imagination with its text outputs that alternates between genuinely useful, to the downright boring, to what Microsoft calls "usefully wrong". People are predicting that this use of AI will mean the end of everything from Google's domination of search to the mass retrenchment of copywriters.
How will these predictions come to pass? Professor Michael Barrett will talk about how technologies like AI get adopted and propagated. Kellyann Ripnar, COO and co-founder of Fincrime Dynamics, will share how AI is already being used in less public, but no less groundbreaking settings.

Working with AI - The Balance Sheet

CJBS Marketing and Decision Sciences Faculty Vincent Mak will talk about the theory of marketing applied to product launches. And we will use a live case study to see how well the 4 Ps or Roger's 5 Factors explain Apple's decisions related to the VisionPro headset.

Join us to learn about product marketing and discuss answers to these questions : whether US$3499 is too high a price for a mixed reality headset; what were the words missing from Apple's product launch? Why did Apple emphasise certain use cases? And many more.

Launching A Product - Apple's new Vision Pro headset

The prominence of shareholder activism and M&A are topics regularly discussed in Boardrooms. Boards and Chief Executives often look to external advisers for support in these situations, and Dhruv Sarda (MBA2003) will be joining us to share his experiences from working in the City of London for over 20 years. As an investment banker, management consultant and restructuring adviser, Dhruv has seen several situations unfold up close.

Dhruv Sarda is a Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal and one of the early founding members of the firm’s European Corporate Transformation practice. He brings over 23 years of experience advising corporate boards and management teams on M&A, turnarounds and performance improvement topics in both corporate and private equity environments. Mr. Sarda has led a number of corporate transformation cases: for example, serving as interim Chief Transformation Officer at a Fortune 20 business, and has worked on 80+ M&A transactions with values of up to USD14bn, primarily focused on carve-outs and post-merger integrations. Prior to joining Alvarez & Marsal, Mr. Sarda was a Partner at Accenture, and an investment banker at ABN Amro.

Leadership In Companies On The Brink

As the demands on businesses increase, corporate boards have to develop skills in new areas to scrutinise and challenge the executive leadership. What are these new skills? How should boards build constructive relationships with the CEO and senior leadership team? Should you consider joining a board as a Non-Executive Director?

Faculty Simon Learmount will bring his many years of experience studying and working with corporate boards across different geographies to answer these questions.

The role of corporate boards

How do you drive new sustainability practices in a company that spans the globe and has millions of customers every day, and which has suppliers across the world? 
Nira Johri, Chief Sustainability Officer for KFC, will talk about the company works with suppliers and across its global footprint to reach its sustainability goals. 

Join us to learn if sustainability leads to compromises in taste and price. How does a global organisation share best practices. What is the work of a chief sustainability officer look like and how do you start on that career?

Sustainability in large companies - a KFC story

Much has been written about how centers of academic excellence (think Cambridge, Stanford) have given rise to vibrant startup ecosystems. 

Gerard Grech is the Managing Director of the newly launched Founders at the University of Cambridge initiative which will supercharge the spin out and scaling process for Cambridge. Dive into the world where academic brilliance and entrepreneurial spirit collide to address some of humanity's biggest challenges. 

🌟 **About This Livestream:**
Learn and discuss how the University of Cambridge's rich legacy of scientific innovation (DNA, IVF, jet engines, AI) can be harnessed for new venture creation to tackle issues from climate change to healthcare.
- **The Role of Academia in Startup Ecosystems:** Unpack the synergy between academia and startups, and how Cambridge, Europe's science unicorn capital, is paving the way for future innovations.
- **Gerard Grech's own Journey:** Gain insights from Gerard's extensive experience in nurturing startups at Tech Nation and how he wants to empower entrepreneurs with expertise, capital, and community support for global impact
- **Advice for Aspiring Founders:** What should startup founders be aware of.

🔥 **Why Tune In?**
- Understand the intricacies of converting scientific breakthroughs into successful business ventures.
- Get inspired by stories of innovation and determination from one of the world's top three innovation ecosystems

🚀 **Who Should Watch?**
This livestream is a must-watch for aspiring entrepreneurs, academic researchers, startup enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the intersection of technology, innovation, and business.

https://founders.cam.ac.uk/

Spinning out and scaling up - Early stage start ups

Do you see 2024 as a year of uncertainty or opportunity? We already know that some events from 2023 will continue to have an impact while there are other events that are scheduled to happen. How will the following play out in 2024?

Elections and Economics: With the US and UK gearing up for their elections, what impact will they have on the global economic landscape?
 
Geopolitical Tensions and Global Business Impact: What will the economic impact be from the ongoing war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, and will tensions between China and the US flare up during the US elections? How do these conflicts affect global supply chains, energy markets, and international trade relations? 

Macro-Economic Factors: From inflation trends to employment rates, understand the macro-economic indicators that will shape business strategies in 2024. 

Big Tech and Anti-Trust Action: Regulators have big tech in their cross-hairs. What is the impact of anti-trust actions? 

AI Adoption and Business Strategy: How will AI adoption transform business models in 2024?

Join CJBS faculty Michael Kitson and Hamza Mudassir as they present their predictions for 2024.

2024 Predictions - what does the year ahead hold for us all?

Are you navigating the complexities of mental health in your teams? 

Listen to this Balance Sheet podcast where our guests discuss how managers can help employees with their Mental Health challenges. 

We'll explore innovative strategies and practical tips to support your team's well-being in today's changing work environment. 

Prof Thomas Roulet is Professor of Organisational Sociology and Leadership at CJBS. He is also co-director of the King's Entrepreneurship Lab at King's College, Cambridge. Thomas has done extensive research on how individuals and organisations can lead social change, and well-being in the workplace. 

Dr Kiran Bhatti is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist currently working at Wolfson College Cambridge as a private therapist. She has many years of experience providing therapeutic support to a range of individuals and groups across the NHS, third-sector, and education settings.
In addition to her clinical practice, Kiran writes and researches on employee wellbeing, workplace stress and mental health. She has written articles on the concept of Wellbeing Intelligence (WBQ), and is also the co-author of a forthcoming book on the topic.

Mental Health in the workplace

Prof Jennifer Howard-Grenville will do a deep dive into "The Future of Work". 
Join us to discover the ways to navigate through generational crises, embrace collective leadership, and leverage technological advancements for organizational success. Whether you're a leader, professional, or part of the workforce aiming to future-proof your career, this discussion will equip you with the insights needed for the changing landscape of work.

You'll leave with actionable insights, forward-thinking strategies, and a deeper understanding of how to position yourself and your organization for success.

The Future Of Work

Dive into the heart of finance with David Pitt-Watson, a pioneering figure in responsible investment and a passionate advocate for the finance sector's societal role. As a co-founder of Hermes Focus Funds, David brings a wealth of experience and insight into how finance can serve a greater good. David is also a Visiting Fellow at CJBS and teaches the award-winning course Purpose of Finance. 
 
 **Why Should You Tune In?** 
**Experience and Expertise**: Gain insights from David's extensive career, including his leadership in creating the UN Principles for Responsible Investment and his advocacy for finance as a force for positive societal impact. 
**Unlock the True Potential of Finance**: Explore David's vision for a finance industry that fulfills its true purpose, supporting sustainable development and contributing to a better world. 
**Challenges and Opportunities**: Learn from David's unique perspective on the current state of the finance sector, its impact, and the transformative path forward.

Purpose Of Finance

In many companies, there are several layers between developing strategy and the customer. The best plans and presentations crumble on the first contact with customers and the best companies can rapidly collect, clean and learn from customer data. 
 
Whether you are grappling with customer churn, or figuring out what's going on between strategy and execution, our guest Vignesh Chandran has more than 10 years of experience working with top companies on precisely these problems. 
 
Learn how you can develop better strategies that can be better executed based on good data.

Driving Strategic Change  Starting With The Customer

Ready to dive into the fascinating world of music, AI, and gender equity? Join Mira Howard, executive at record label Snafu Records , for a livestream that pulls back the curtain on the music industry! 

Discover the inner workings of record labels and artist revenue streams. Learn why Taylor Swift re-recorded her music and how AI is revolutionizing artist discovery at Snafu. We'll also tackle the crucial topic of gender inequity in the music business and explore the impact of streaming and financialisation on the industry.

Gain insights on:
- The roles of record labels vs. record companies
- How artists earn through streaming, touring, and sales
- The use of AI in music
- Addressing gender gaps and empowering female talent
- The relationship between record companies, artistes and platforms like TikTok and YouTube Music

Don't miss this chance to understand the dynamics that shape the music we love!

What’s your take on AI's role in the future of music? Join the conversation and share your thoughts!

AI and gender equity in the music industry

Ready to explore the future of agribusiness in Africa? Africa is not one homogenous market so join us to learn more about the nuances. Join this livestream with Micheline Ntiru, a powerhouse in sustainable ventures! 🚀

Discover:
1. Cutting-edge investments transforming African agribusiness.
2. How farmers are adapting and thriving.
3. Insights into entrepreneurship, eMobility, VC funding, and women in business.

Be part of the conversation shaping an exciting continent's future.

Agribusiness in Africa

Diving Deep into the Future of E-Commerce 🚀 
📦 How are innovative models like Temu reshaping shopping globally?

Join us for an enlightening live session with Somesh Dwivedi, Global e-Commerce Director at Essity, as we explore new e-commerce strategies and what they mean for businesses and consumers alike. In this episode, you’ll gain insights into:

1. Innovative Business Models: Understand the mechanics behind models like Temu.
2. Marketing and Customer Experience: How are e-commerce platforms optimizing marketing spend. How do e-commerce companies handle the ballooning costs of returns?
3. Competitive Dynamics: A deep dive into the strategic differences between Shopify and Amazon, and the broader implications for global e-commerce players.
4. Role of AI in e-commerce

Whether you’re a business owner, a marketer, or simply curious about the future of shopping, this discussion will arm you with the knowledge to navigate the evolving landscape of e-commerce.

What is happening with E-Commerce?

Join Us for a Deep Dive with Nobel Laureate Venki Ramakrishnan! 🧬** 
 
Are you ready to learn about the current science on ageing? 🌟 We're thrilled to announce our upcoming livestream with Prof. Venki Ramakrishnan, Nobel Prize-winning biologist and author of "Why We Die." 
 
🔍 **What You'll Learn:** 
- The science behind aging and the pivotal role of proteins in our biology. 
- Insights into groundbreaking research in gerontology and its future impact. 
- How public health advancements have changed life expectancy and what challenges remain. 
- The intersection of Silicon Valley innovation and the quest to extend human lifespan. Can we trust Silicon Valley tech bros with the keys to longevity? 
 
🏢 **Business of Longevity:** 
- How will companies and societies adapt to an aging workforce? 
- Strategies for employing people beyond traditional retirement age. 
- Tips for individuals to manage their careers if we’re going to live until 90 or 100. 
 
🌐 **Don't Miss Out!** Whether you’re a business leader, a policy maker, or just curious about the future of ageing, this livestream will provide valuable insights and practical takeaways. 
 
👥 **Engage with Us:** 
What do you think about the future of ageing? Do you think the person who will live to 150 is already alive today? How do you think businesses should prepare for an older workforce?

The Science of Ageing - what happens if we all live longer

🚀 Dive into AI implementation, ethics and regulation! 🚀

Curious about how enterprises are navigating the complex world of AI implementation? Join us for an eye-opening livestream featuring Imogen Palmer and Faisal Sultan two people at the coal face of enterprise AI implementation and regulation.

🔍 Key Takeaways:
1. **LLMs vs SLMs**: Understand the differences and make informed decisions.
2. **Ethics and Regulation**: Navigate the major frameworks and ethical considerations in AI.
3. **Supplier Questions**: What to ask when bringing in off-the-shelf AI models.

👥 We'll also explore the roles of Chief AI Officers and AI ethicists, and discuss how companies can address anxieties around AI adoption.

Join us to learn, ask questions, and share your experiences in how your company is handling AI implementation.

AI Implementation and Ethics

Discover the Challenges and Opportunities:
We'll explore the potential of green hydrogen to decarbonize industries, from steel production to aviation. Learn about the technological and economic hurdles that need to be overcome for widespread adoption. Ujjwal Pandey has co-written a case on green hydrogen and we'll discuss key factors that will determine its success, including cost reduction, policy support, and technological advancements.

Unlocking the Potential of Green Hydrogen: Can We Make It a Reality?

What drives the UK economy and what are its future prospects? Professor Simon Deakin is the Director for the Centre for Business Research at CJBS and he will share his thoughts especially on the crucial aspects of productivity and investments shaping the UK's economic landscape. 
 

1. Explore the Role of Services: Understand why services are the backbone of the UK economy. 
2. Deep Dive into Productivity: Discover the causes of low productivity growth, its implications, and potential solutions to this critical issue. 
3. Investment Insights: Examine current investment figures. 
4. New Policy Strategies: Learn about the state of public finances and the growth levers within a tight budget. 
 
Are you optimistic about the UK economy’s growth prospects in the next 5 years?

Prospects For The UK Economy

Startups focus a lot on product, marketing and growth functions but as they mature, there is an increased focus on the finance function. This is not just to control costs but also to put money where the best growth opportunities are. There is also a need to look at the longer-term in addition to short-term.    Akshay Sarma is a CFO at axio, one of India's fast growing startups. He has had extensive experience in finance working for large multinationals and also in the startup world. Akshay will tell us his views on how the finance function adds value to a startup, how the CFO should work with others and the skills one needs to be a great CFO. 

The CFO in high growth startups

We all want to work on teams that just click. But you have also worked in dysfunctional ones. Prof Robin Dunbar has devoted his career to studying why teams work and he is the father of the Dunbar number, which observes that humans can only make meaningful connections with 150 other people. He also found that team dynamics change when you go from team sizes of 5 to 15 to 50 to 150. 

I don't know if Jeff Bezos had the Dunbar number in mind when he said that teams in Amazon had grown too large when they could not be fed with just one pizza. 

Join us to learn how you can create and lead better teams. 

The Social Brain when leading Organisations

Building a fintech is very difficult. Launching a fintech startup serving the travel business a few months before covid brought travel to a halt is crazy difficult. Raman Korneu, an MBA alumnus from Cambridge Judge Business School and his team, had to make tough decisions quickly if they were to save their start up. 
 
Raman talks about his entrepreneurial journey, and how myTU - an online digital banking platform - was born and how digital-first fintechs have a huge advantage over legacy providers.

Building a fintech startup

 Private Credit: A Game-Changer in Corporate Finance? 
 Private credit is rapidly transforming the landscape of corporate finance, particularly in the US and Europe—but what are the corporate governance issues that this might create? 
  Narine Lalafaryan will unpack: 
- Why private credit has skyrocketed in recent years . 
- Key differences between private credit, traditional lending, and equity investing. 
- How private credit funds exert influence in the boardroom and the risks of crossing into shadow directorship. 
- The impact on companies: How do businesses feel when private credit steps in, and what’s the balance between senior and junior creditors? 
 Key takeaway: Private credit is more than just an alternative to bank loans—it's influencing corporate control and decision-making. 

Private Credit: A Game-Changer in Corporate Finance?

Unlock Elite Performance for Managers. 
 
Are you ready to redefine your career and leadership potential? Talbot Stark combines his extraordinary experience in international finance, the US military, and Silicon Valley to teach managers how to become *elite performers* in today’s competitive world. He is also the author of "Elite Performance for Managers. 
 
- Discover the *Elite Performance Pillars™* framework to transform your approach to leadership. 
- Learn why accountability is critical, and why results alone won’t cut it anymore. 
- Gain actionable strategies to strengthen your team’s productivity and manage upward like never before. 
 
 What’s your biggest challenge in achieving elite performance as a manager?

Unlock Elite Performance for Managers

The Business of Polling with Sir John Curtice

Polling shapes political strategy, fuels media headlines, and influences public perception—but how does it actually work? And how did polls do during 2024, the so-called Super Year of elections.

You've seen him on the BBC during UK General elections. Now you can join a session with Sir John Curtice, the UK’s most trusted polling expert, as we dive deep into:

🔹 What makes a high-quality poll vs. one you shouldn’t trust
🔹 How polls balance speed and accuracy—especially in high-stakes elections
🔹 Do polls predict elections, or actually influence them?
🔹 The biggest mistakes journalists make when reporting poll data
🔹 How AI could transform the future of polling

The Business of Polling with Sir John Curtice

Conrad heads to the Facebook London office to chat to Louise Chow (2010) about her journey from the Cambridge MBA to her current role.

MBA Journeys (Ep. 6): How the Cambridge MBA can be used to leverage a career in Market Research.

Dr. Ritika Dave talks about her career in medicine, via the Cambridge MBA(2012), through to the 'business' of science with such giant pharmaceuticals as Astra Zeneca; as well as covering her years of experience in the consultancy world, with consultants L.E.K. Consulting. Ritika covers her career changes and the lessons she has learnt on the way, from analytics to asking the right questions.

The business of science - consultancy to global portfolio management

Cambridge MBA Executive Director gives a range of advice for conducting interviews remotely, either in the new virtual world under Covid-19 conditions in 2020 or indeed when the recruiter is half way across the globe. Putting your best self forward in every scenario.

Your best self in remote interviews - our new virtual world

Cambridge MBA Andreas Kitzing talks about the company Sponsoo, that he founded soon after completing his Cambridge MBA in 2013/14. Sponsoo is Europe's largest digital marketplace for sports sponsorship. From entrepreneurship to brand and marketing to fundraising, Andreas describes his start up journey, alongside his Cambridge MBA year.

The story of Europe's largest digital marketplace for sport sponsorship - with Andreas Kitzing

Dr Joshua Oppenheimer, a leading medical professional and founder of medical tech start up, Transformative, talks about his career transformation and changing careers. 
His career journey after his Cambridge MBA(MBA 2014)moves from an emergency medical doctor to the CEO of a private AI and software enterprise in the healthcare sector. 
Still working directly with hospital patients, Joshua manages to juggle two roles while still growing the business and managing the company growth - during a challenging time for the health sector with Covid-19.

Transforming the healthcare sector with AI & ML software - a tech start up story

Conrad's podcast brings you a series of interviews with students, alumni and industry professionals from the wider Cambridge Judge Business School network to give you an insight on how the Cambridge MBA can influence your career path.

The Executive Director of the Cambridge MBA

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