Wolfgang Grulke
Wolfgang is an author and futurist, and Chairman Emeritus of FutureWorld International Limited, the global business and technology think tank. He is widely recognised as one of the world’s top futurists and as a powerful speaker on the future context for business and the impact that technologies are fundamentally changing the way we will live, work and compete. He has addressed audiences in more than 20 countries, in person, on radio and on television.
Wolfgang is a Fellow of the Centre for Management Development at the London Business School and teaches regularly on the School’s flagship Senior Executive Programme. He also works with Duke CE and Oxford University’s Said Business School.
Area of Specialisation
Wolfgang has had significant personal experience with inspiring and executing radical business change and global competitiveness. His books document some of that work. In FutureWorld he has developed an extensive global network of ‘gurus’ and associates who continue to work on addressing client needs in this field.
As he says in one of his books: “It is no longer enough to learn from experience – in this warp-speed world, it has become essential to learn from the future!”
Career Background
A former IBM executive, he worked internationally with IBM for more than 25 years and was awarded the prestigious IBM Outstanding Innovation Award. Wolfgang has worked in all aspects of business from strategic development, education and brand management to marketing, sales and executive management.
He has a special interest in marine biology and palaeontology which has developed into an active research and professional role and regularly takes him to some of the world’s most remote locations.
Client Organisations
He has personally worked with more than 100 global corporations and start-up companies, advising and helping to position themselves for the new world economy. A current list of these companies can be found at www.FutureWorld.org.
Publications and Achievements
His best-selling books “Ten Lessons from the Future” and “Lessons in Radical Innovation: Out-of-the-box straight to the bottom line” are published by Financial Times/Prentice Hall world-wide and are also available in Chinese, Arabic and Spanish.
His article ‘In Search of Simplicity’ won the NACCA award for the best business article of the year. Additionally, ‘From Value Chain to Marketspace’ was awarded the AFSM International Writing Award for Professional Writers and Consultants in Boston.
Here is what some of his clients say:
“Practical and inspirational. Highly relevant if you don’t want someone else eating your cheese”.
Wall Street Journal.com
“The cutting edge of what’s coming in the future”.
Kate Bulkley, media journalist
“Wolfgang is one of the few thinkers able to shake up the intellectual trajectories of the world’s leading executives. He expands the range of thought by challenging you to imagine and consider the possible. His insights are a ‘must’ for those responsible for creating vision.”
JoEllyn Prouty McLaren: Director, Executive Education, London Business School
“I haven’t seen the challenges and opportunities of future business, communities and people so powerfully presented before. Wolfgang’s life cycles reminded me exactly of what went right and wrong in our business.”
The late Dame Anita Roddick, Founder of The Body Shop
“One of the best speakers I have ever heard – gave one of the most thought-provoking and exciting presentations I have ever experienced.”
Ajay Choudhury, IDG Ventures Europe at GSM Congress at Cannes
“This was the most powerful presentation I have ever seen. You have absolutely shaken us out of complacency. We must ‘think future’ everyday. There is no yesterday, only tomorrow.”
Kitty Choi , Head, Efficiency Unit, Hong Kong Government
“Wolfgang has given some of the most memorable and highly-rated presentations in YPO history.”
Young Presidents’ Organization – USA, Asia and Europe
“Fantastic and insightful; extremely relevant in our context.”
Peter Sands, Group CEO, Standard Chartered Bank
