Scan Magazine | Business | Column/Calendar
Make soft power work for you Joseph S. Nye Junior is an expert on power. In his book, The Future of Power, he demonstrates how governments can no longer simply exercise hard power to achieve their aims, but need to combine this with soft power – the ability to “control the narrative that influences people” – to maintain and enhance their position in the world. It is not just politicians who need to understand the nature of power. Managers too must understand how a changing business environment requires them to adapt the way they wield power and exert influence. One training activity to teach this is to get groups of five or six people to choose a candidate for a job, while observers note and then give feedback on which group members were more or less successful in influencing the final decision and why. The next stage is where one representative from each group makes a pitch to all the participants as to which is the best candidate. Everyone then votes on who made the best pitch, followed by a debrief. I did this once with an assortment of 40
factory managers from across the globe: there were six presentations, all by nonnative speakers of English. I was really impressed by one of them in particular – a self-confident, high-octane sell from a Brazilian who had done an MBA in the States. And yet he did not get the most votes. The winner was a low-key, distinctly unflamboyant German who gave a structured and detailed set of reasons for his recommendation. Initially I was amazed, until I realised that this was the style embraced by the majority of the group, the one they trusted more. Consciously or unconsciously, the German had succeeded in influencing the outcome by having the right style of communication for that audience.
By Steve Flinders
Knowing about your style and its impact and understanding audience expectations are important aspects of how managers exercise power and influence effectively.
Steve Flinders is a freelance trainer, writer and coach, based in Malta, who helps people develop their communication and leadership skills for working internationally: steveflind@aol.com.
Business Calendar
By Sanne Wass
Scandinavian business events you do not want to miss this month Business Breakfast: Facebook in the Nordics Facebook’s expansion in the Nordic region is picking up pace. Leading the project is Martin Ingemansson, managing director for the Nordics at Facebook, who will speak at this breakfast briefing organised by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK and hosted by DNB Bank. Ingemansson is Facebook’s first employee in the Nordics and has been the driving force behind the mounting use of the platform among the region’s biggest brands. Date: 25 April 2019, 8-10am Venue: DNB Bank, The Walbrook Building, 25 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AF, UK www.scc.org.uk
Investing and Fintech Financial technology – or simply ‘fintech’ – is changing the way financial services are offered today, and the disruption only looks set to continue over the coming years. Organised by the Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce and Danske Bank, this event will give 108 | Issue 123 | April 2019
you all the latest concerning fintech and investing. A panel, which will include investors as well as fintech entrepreneurs, will discuss everything from raising capital to investor expectations and networking opportunities. Date: 2 May 2019, 6.30-9pm Venue: Womble Bond Dickinson, 4 More London Riverside, London SE1 2A, UK www.fbcc.co.uk
Discussion with Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet This evening event will give you a unique chance to meet Johan Lundgren, the CEO of easyJet. With more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry, Lundgren joined easyJet in December 2017, and has since implemented a series of initiatives to grow the airline’s customer base and revenue, including the investment in new technology such as AI. The discussion will be chaired by Nik Gowing, director of Think Unthink and former news anchor for BBC World News. Date: 7 May, 6.30-9pm
Venue: Aquavit, 1 Carlton St, St. James’s, London SW1Y 4QQ, UK www.scc.org.uk
DKUK Charity Golf Day The Danish-UK Association is hosting its first ever Charity Golf Day, taking place at the Burhill Golf Club in Surrey. Whether you are a seasoned or wannabe golfer, the event will offer a high-level networking opportunity for UK, Danish and Nordic business professionals. The programme includes golf followed by a dinner and charity auction supporting cancer research. Date: 9 May 2019, 11.30am-9.30pm Venue: Burhill Golf Club Burwood Road, Walton on Thames, Surrey, KT12 4BX, UK www.dkuk.org