Blog

Boardroom Geopolitics

Boardroom Geopolitics is a specialist blog for business leaders, decision-makers, and executives who want not only to understand geopolitical developments but also to translate them into strategic business action. It is aimed at those who seek to understand how geopolitical trends impact their business models, supply chains, investment decisions, and risk management.

Global crises, geopolitical tensions, economic disruptions: the world has become more complex, unpredictable, and risky for corporate leaders. In these transformative times, those in positions of responsibility need more than traditional strategy—they need geopolitical judgment and communicative competence. Today, geopolitical leadership and communication are core skills for top management.

The blog helps decision-makers strategically interpret geopolitical risks, address them effectively in their business, and communicate clearly with stakeholders. It is practical, solution-oriented, and intellectually rigorous. No think-tank clichés—only real relevance.

This blog is published every Thursday, even available under https://boardroomgeopolitics.de/

Disclaimer

The blog posts published on this platform are authored partially by external contributors.

The opinions, views, and assessments expressed therein reflect solely the personal perspective of the respective authors and do not represent the position or opinion of LMBG GmbH.

All content is published on our platform with the authors’ consent.

LMBG GmbH assumes no responsibility for the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the published posts and shall not be liable for any damages arising from the use of, or reliance on, the provided content.

The responsibility for the content of each contribution lies solely with the respective authors.

September 04, 2025 5:00am

Could the defense industry serve as a stabilizing anchor for German industry?

With the special fund of €500 billion through 2036, enormous resources are being directed into infrastructure and defense. Many companies are sensing opportunities—especially as traditional sectors such as automotive and machinery are struggling. There are indeed synergies: from transitioning to serial production to dual-use technologies like drones. However, entering the defense sector is not a given. Lengthy security clearances, established industry networks, and the politically and socially sensitive nature of the field are hurdles that especially mid-sized companies find difficult to overcome. Conclusion: Not a quick lifeline, but a long-term playing field. Companies venturing into defense need patience, substance, and a certain “military DNA.” This is the conclusion Boris van Thiel draws in his contribution today to our joint specialist blog “Boardroom Geopolitics”, following the 58th Security Policy Information Conference of the Clausewitz Society last week in Hamburg.

August 21, 2025 5:00am

What should a company do if its trading partner fails due to geopolitical disruptions?

Switzerland is currently facing a critical situation: since August 7, 2025, the United States has imposed punitive tariffs of 39 percent on Swiss exports. A shock for the pharmaceutical, machinery, and watchmaking industries. While politicians and associations are still debating, companies have no time to waste. In our specialist blog ‘Boardroom Geopolitics,’ Boris van Thiel shows today that resilience is not a theory—it is mandatory. Companies that want to be prepared need scenarios, action plans, and clear responsibilities across procurement, production, and sales. For German companies, this means new competition in the domestic market, more Swiss investments in the EU, and possibly even in the U.S. Waiting is not an option. The ‘homo resiliens’ is replacing the ‘homo oeconomicus’: prioritizing preparedness over pure profit maximization.

August 28, 2025 5:00am

Why should HR executives, in particular, pay attention to geopolitics right now?

The emerging era of geopolitics also brings a new role for HR leaders and their departments: they are no longer just responsible for implementing relocation plans or providing psychological support. They must now enable executives to incorporate geopolitical dynamics into their decision-making. Geopolitical competence is becoming a leadership resource—comparable to financial or technological expertise. HR is evolving into a hub for Geopolitical Training and Development. In this era of change, the personnel department plays a crucial role in making companies more resilient, decisive, and future-ready. Read more in my latest post on Boardroom Geopolitics, the specialist blog on corporate-focused geopolitics: https://lnkd.in/eshgta2s

September 11, 2025 5:00pm

Why do Russian disposable agents pose a threat to German companies?

Espionage has existed as long as humans have traded and states have wielded power. But in the era of new geopolitics, the logic has changed. Russia increasingly relies on so-called disposable agents: short-term, easily replaceable actors deployed to achieve maximum impact quickly—whether by stealing technology, circumventing sanctions, or fueling internal conflicts. German companies are particularly attractive targets: technologically advanced, reliable in their supply chains, and characterized by a globally respected Mittelstand. The risk is growing that such agents will infiltrate sensitive areas via social media, internships, or supply chains—even reaching security-relevant sectors like energy, defense, or IT infrastructure.

September 18, 2025 5:00am

Are companies without resilience doomed to fail?

The days when efficiency was the ultimate goal are over. In a multipolar world marked by trade wars, sanctions, and disruptive crises, process optimization alone is no longer enough. Companies must systematically build resilience—from their supply chains to their workforce. A particularly critical focus is on human resources: when crises lead to sudden staff shortages and the baby boomer generation retires, labor becomes the most vital resource of all. The conclusion is clear: efficiency matters, but without resilience, any business model is at risk in the long term.

October 02, 2025 11:45am

Are the USA a total failure?

The geopolitical stability of the United States has long been a guarantor of prosperity, security, and open markets. That stability is now being seriously shaken. For Europe, this means that dependencies in technology, security, and markets are becoming a strategic challenge. Supply chains, investments, and partnerships need to be reassessed.

September 25, 2025 5:00am

Why can geopolitical naivety pose serious risks for businesses?

Geopolitics is no longer a niche topic. It’s not just about borders, sanctions, or trade flows. It’s about narratives. Those who understand them can shape outcomes. Those who ignore them are used. That is geopolitical naivety. A careless offhand remark in an interview can suddenly turn a company into a “plaything of an autocrat.” Reputation, built over years, can vanish in seconds. The problem: many boards still fail to see narratives for what they are—unseen battlegrounds of influence and interpretation. Executive teams must learn to read geopolitical narratives like a second language. This is not optional; it is mandatory. Anything less is dangerous. Geopolitically dangerous.

October 09, 2025 12:21pm

Why is cooperation one of the most important principles of resilience?

Timo Gerrit, CEO of the Agora Strategy Group, put it aptly on LinkedIn this week: “Cooperation becomes a principle of resilience. No one can defend themselves alone—neither states nor companies.” In an era of hybrid warfare, in which we are already living, the ability to cooperate may well become the most important principle of corporate resilience.

October 16, 2025 10:41am

How to become resilient?

Resilience is not a checklist. It is an attitude. Boris van Thiel emphasizes this in today’s post on our joint specialist blog, “Boardroom Geopolitics.” Resilience is on everyone’s lips these days, whether we are talking about supply chain resilience, IT resilience, or corporate resilience. Yet hardly anyone addresses the crucial question: how does an organization actually become resilient? Boris van Thiel makes it clear that resilience does not come from regulations, directives, or ISO certifications. It arises from attitude, practice, and vigilance—the ability to recognize risks early, before they escalate into a crisis. Yet resilience often fails due to fear of making decisions, lack of prioritization, and insufficient information in critical moments. Resilient organizations are not those that avoid every crisis, but those that weather them more effectively.

October 23, 2025 6:28am

What is geopolitical communication triage?

In geopolitical crises, every second and every word count. Communication triage is the strategic principle that makes it possible to manage communicative overload in highly dynamic situations. Communication triage transfers the medical logic of triage — the prioritization of actions according to urgency and chances of survival — to corporate communication. Red communication is vital and must occur immediately. Yellow communication stabilizes the situation. Green communication can wait or is deliberately left unsaid. When markets collapse, disinformation spreads, or political narratives exert pressure on companies, this principle determines who remains capable of action and who does not. Communication triage is not a theoretical concept but a survival principle in a world where time, attention, and credibility have become the scarcest resources.

}