We launched the first Art of Smart report five years ago, in 2019, to provide analysis and insights to help our clients in their everyday decision-making processes. We sought to do this by examining organizational activities and their performance related to attitudes and actions around the diversity agenda, approach to growth, appetite for boldness, and – finally – how and where they demonstrated innovation.
Innovation, boldness, growth and diversity have been widely acknowledged for some time as significant contributors to making smarter decisions. These four success factors are, therefore, the pillars on which Art of Smart content is founded. The range of data-driven content – including textual, visual and audio – will inform leaders about business-critical topics.
We continue to develop our editorial approach to meet the needs of the times. The Art of Smart program has evolved to be a sustained campaign that continues to monitor business challenges, provide perspective, and introduce relevant discussion points throughout the year.
Society and organizations have faced severe and unprecedented challenges in recent years. As a result, boldness and innovation have become business critical, not for growth, but in many cases for survival. To find the most interesting and pioneering solutions, the Art of Smart continues to look further afield, broadening the sectors covered – healthcare, manufacturing, real estate, financial services, non-profit, and tourism and leisure – as well as the types of organizations, to include public, private and non-profits. Ultimately, this content informs readers so that they are better prepared for the future and can make smarter decisions.
Since 2020, the Art of Smart research team has examined over 600 organizations, operating in various industries and different regions around the world, to discover which of them is leading the way in the four pillars of smart decision-making: boldness, innovation, diversity and growth.
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In an era of increased scrutiny, building and maintaining stakeholder trust is crucial. Organizations must ensure leaders have the right competencies, integrity, and transparency. How can companies foster a culture of trust and psychological safety? What steps can leaders take to demonstrate ethical decision-making and care for employee well-being?
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As workplace models evolve post-pandemic, organizations must rethink engagement, skill development, work-life balance, and performance management. How can leaders create a motivating environment that attracts and retains talent? What policies and systems are needed to evaluate and develop talent effectively?
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Effective leadership now requires strong communication, empathy, feedback, and problem-solving skills. How can leaders promote diversity, inclusion, and understanding? What programs are needed to identify and develop future leaders from within?
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Sustainability now encompasses social responsibility, economic viability, and transparency. How can organizations balance profitability with long-term sustainability initiatives? How can companies respond to the demands of environmentally conscious stakeholders?
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Organizations face expanding risks, from cyberattacks to supply chain vulnerabilities. How can companies ensure agile defenses and comprehensively mitigate risks? How can scenario planning enhance preparedness for potential crises?
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Explore the four success factors in smart decision-making and today's business-critical challenges
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