After 15 years of entrepreneurship, I wanted more: A stronger international network and top-shelf testing on strategic finance, deal structuring, and business strategy. For the past two years I have travelled to seven countries on four continents completing an EMBA at IMD in Lausanne Switzerland, the #1 Executive Education program globally according to the Financial Times. In the end Stefan Michel, Dean of the IMD EMBA summarized my work in simple, but rewarding terms: “Peter is truly a global business leader”.
The road to Silicon Valley
Tech & Venture Capital
I led an international team of six, successfully pitching a Swiss autonomous mobility start-up to Silicon Valley VC. This three-month process bridged many cultural gaps to align a profitable start-up with its future goals, articulate its USP, and to connect it with its first round of American Venture Capital funding.
Morning in Rio de Janiero, Brazil
Values
While studying the role of government in multi-national firms in Brazil, I and some of my colleagues mentored college-bound school children. It was profound to find that across all cultures, we answered the children’s question “What is most important in my career?” the same way: “Work hard, be honest, and above all, be true to yourself.”
Exploring what remains of old Shanghai
Engelberg, Switzerland
Cross-Cultural Leadership
I spent countless hours brainstorming, debating and evolving a global business perspective that has vastly broadened my intellectual horizons, while also reminding me of the importance in attention to detail. In any organization, no matter how big or small, your ability to communicate equals your ability to succeed
The Oxford University Press. Oxford, England
Culture
Between travels, I lived primarily in Oxford England, satiating my own curiosity with the local culture of knowledge and the ability to attend lectures, debates and panels on topics ranging from business to fake news to micro black holes. It is my belief that, professionally and personally, we are products of the environment we create for ourselves.
And the vast, endless development of new Shanghai
Transformation
A person cannot reasonably spend time in China without accepting that yes, everyone of us and all of our organizations are truly capable of profound growth and change. The evidence is all around, proving that if you are singularly focused, and willing to work hard enough. All things are truly possible.
Images from top Left: 1) Crafting strategy for a Swiss autonomous mobility start-up. 2) Finishing a mentoring session with college-bound Brazilian students. 3) Receiving my Executive MBA from IMD. 4) En route between Shanghai and Suzhou, China. 5) With colleagues post-graduation. 6) Enjoying a study break in Epesses, Switzerland. 7) Celebrating with two close colleagues who helped expand my knowledge of the Middle East. 8) After a successful Venture Capital meeting in Silicon Valley.