Geopolitics for Business
In an era of rising economic nationalism and intensifying geopolitical rivalries, leaders need to understand the forces reshaping the global environment and be able to interpret their implications for business. This program combines essential foundations in geopolitics with practical approaches for analyzing geopolitical developments and risk.
The program offers a structured and applied exploration of geopolitics for business, combining expert perspectives with current developments, discussion, and practical application.
Participants build their understanding over the course of the program, while having opportunities to examine geopolitical questions and risks through different economic, strategic, and industry perspectives.
Guided by leading experts in geopolitics, economics, and international affairs, including Prof. Lars-Hendrik Röller, former Chief Economic Advisor to Angela Merkel, the program brings together geopolitical analysis, case-based learning, and first-hand perspectives on leadership and decision-making in government and international affairs.
The course runs for 6 weeks, with a manageable time commitment of around 5 hours per week. Live, online sessions form the core of the learning experience, providing space for expert input, discussion, and exchange with peers. Focused pre-session materials, optional resources for deeper exploration, and individual work complement the live sessions and allow you to engage with the material at your own pace.
Key facts
Your profile
- You are a business leader or mid-to senior level manager seeking to better understand geopolitical change and its implications for your organization.
- You are a corporate strategist or risk manager responsible for navigating international business environments.
- You are an NGO manager or government professional engaged in global policy and international relations.
- You are a journalist or media professional covering geopolitical and economic developments.
Benefits
- Sharpen your geopolitical radar by developing a stronger understanding of the forces shaping the global environment and recognizing developments that matter for your organization.
- Make sense of geoeconomic competition and how trade, sanctions, regulation, energy, and economic dependencies are reshaping the environment in which businesses operate.
- Assess geopolitical risk more systematically by exploring scenarios, identifying potential business impacts, and considering how risks could evolve.
- Strengthen strategic thinking by connecting geopolitical developments to business priorities, vulnerabilities, and possible responses.
- Learn from different perspectives through current cases, industry examples, peer exchange, and insights from experts with experience across geopolitics, business, and government.
Topics
- Understanding Geopolitics and Why It Matters: global power dynamics, the forces shaping today's geopolitical landscape, and their relevance for business.
- Economics and Geopolitics – A European Lens: geoeconomic competition, economic security, and Europe's position and strategic choices in a changing global economy.
- Navigating Risk – Geopolitical Scenarios and Business Strategy: geopolitical risk, scenario thinking, potential business impacts, and strategic responses.
- Industry Impacts and Future Opportunities: industry perspectives, geopolitical foresight, signals to watch, and translating geopolitical awareness into business priorities.
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Geopolitics for Business
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Dr. Lars-Hendrik Röller
Former chief economic advisor to German Federal Chancellor Merkel and G7 and G20 Sherpa. In his research and teaching at ESMT, Lars-Hendrik Röller focuses on the interlinkages of economics, business, and society, with a special focus on geopolitical risks.
Dr. Merriden Varrall
A former UN diplomat in China, she is a recognised expert on geopolitics, East Asia, and China’s foreign policy, and previously served as Lead Partner for Geopolitics at KPMG Australia and Director of the Lowy Institute’s East Asia Program.
Dr. Timo Blenk
Senior Partner and CEO of Agora Strategy Group AG, a geopolitical strategy consultancy specializing in geopolitical risk analysis and business diplomacy.
Beth Sibly
Beth is responsible for flagship global leadership programs with a focus on leading in times of transformation. She joined ESMT with over 20 years of international experience in executive education and HR projects.
How you will learn
The program combines:
- Live online sessions with geopolitics experts and experienced practitioners
- Interactive discussions, scenarios, and case-based learning
- Focused readings and learning materials connected to the live sessions
- A personal workbook and final applied project to connect course insights to your own context
- Exchange and networking with an international peer group
- Optional deep-dive resources for further exploration
Program structure
Understanding Geopolitics and Why It Matters
Build your foundation in geopolitics and develop a clearer understanding of the forces shaping today's global environment. Explore how the balance of global power is evolving, what drives geopolitical competition, and why these developments matter for business.
You will:
- Explore the foundations of geopolitics and their relevance today
- Examine the changing global balance of power and the emergence of competing forces
- Understand key geopolitical drivers, including power, territory, resources, technology, and ideology
- Connect geopolitical developments to their potential implications for business
- Discuss current global events and what they reveal about the changing geopolitical landscape
Economics and Geopolitics – A European Lens
Explore how economic policy has become an increasingly important instrument of geopolitical competition and what this means for Europe's position in the global economy. Examine Europe's dependencies, vulnerabilities, and sources of leverage, and consider the strategic choices and trade-offs it faces in strengthening its economic security and competitiveness.
You will:
- Understand how trade, sanctions, tariffs, and other economic tools are used to pursue geopolitical goals
- Explore Europe's economic diplomacy and its relationships with key global powers
- Examine energy security and the energy transition through a geopolitical lens
- Identify key European dependencies, vulnerabilities, and sources of leverage
- Consider Europe's options for strengthening economic security and competitiveness, and the trade-offs involved
Navigating Risk – Geopolitical Scenarios and Business Strategy
Move from analysis to application and learn how to approach geopolitical risk more systematically. Through scenario-based work, explore how geopolitical tensions can evolve, how they can affect different parts of a business, and how organizations can prepare for and respond to disruption.
You will:
- Identify key geopolitical developments and conflicts that could create material risks
- Use scenario thinking to explore how geopolitical tensions could evolve
- Assess potential impacts across areas such as supply chains, production, sales, and finance
- Examine sector-specific vulnerabilities and exposure
- Develop and compare possible strategic responses to strengthen resilience and adaptability
- Draw lessons from cases and industry experiences of navigating geopolitical disruption
Industry Impacts and Future Opportunities
Bring geopolitical insight closer to business decision-making. Explore how companies are integrating geopolitical foresight into strategic planning, how geopolitical change is affecting different industries, and how you can apply insights from the program in your own organizational context.
You will:
- Explore how companies are integrating geopolitical foresight into strategic planning
- Examine geopolitical risks and opportunities through an industry lens
- Identify signals to watch and approaches for monitoring geopolitical developments
- Translate geopolitical awareness into concrete business priorities
- Consider how to communicate geopolitical risks and opportunities across your organization
- Reflect on how to apply geopolitical thinking in your own professional context
What participants say
The program helped me translate global geopolitical developments into concrete strategic questions for our regional business community.
The Geopolitics for Business course at ESMT Berlin was highly relevant, thought-provoking and immediately applicable to my work. It helped me translate global geopolitical developments into concrete strategic questions for our regional business community — from resilience and critical infrastructure to energy security, competitiveness and the role institutions like ours can play in turning awareness into action.
Before the program, I saw geopolitics largely as a market intelligence or risk-monitoring function. Today, I believe it should be integrated into every business function.
What’s one assumption about geopolitics that changed for you?
"Before the program, I saw geopolitics largely as a market intelligence or risk-monitoring function. Today, I believe it should be integrated into every business function. Geopolitical changes are no longer external events that companies react to but strategic factors that should shape decision-making across the organization."
What surprised you most about the connection between geopolitics and business strategy?
"I was surprised by how practical it can be. Geopolitical analysis is not just about understanding global events; it can be translated into concrete frameworks that help companies anticipate risks, identify opportunities, and make better strategic decisions."
What insight from the program has stayed with you the most?
"One insight that has stayed with me is that we are living through a period of profound transformation in the international system, marked by growing skepticism toward multilateralism and increasing geopolitical fragmentation. Executives need to recognize that this is not a temporary situation but a structural shift that will influence trade, investment, and supply chains for years to come. Companies must decide whether to actively support international cooperation and open markets or adapt their business models to a world characterized by more regional and bilateral relationships."
The course helped me better understand how to evaluate geopolitical risks and opportunities and derive actionable insights for business strategy.
Working in strategy and market intelligence for the energy industry, I wanted to deepen my understanding of how geopolitical developments influence markets, customers, and business decisions. The program offers a practical and structured way to connect geopolitics with business.
The course provided frameworks and analytical tools for assessing geopolitical developments and translating them into business implications. It helped me better understand how to evaluate geopolitical risks and opportunities and derive actionable insights for business strategy.
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about the Geopolitics for Business program, including suitability, time commitment, practical learning, and how to apply.
What is Geopolitics for Business?
Geopolitics for Business is an executive education program that helps leaders understand how global power shifts, economic competition, trade, sanctions, regulation, energy, and international dependencies can affect their organizations. It combines geopolitical foundations with practical approaches for assessing risk, exploring scenarios, and informing business strategy.
Is this program suitable if I do not have a background in geopolitics or international relations?
Yes. The program is designed for business leaders, mid- to senior-level managers, corporate strategists, and risk managers who want to understand how geopolitical developments can affect their organization. It provides a structured and applied exploration of geopolitics, combining essential foundations with practical approaches for analyzing geopolitical developments and risk.
How much time does the online program require each week?
The program requires around five hours per week over six weeks. The time commitment includes live online sessions, focused pre-session materials, individual work, and optional resources for deeper exploration.
What practical approaches will I use to assess and respond to geopolitical risk?
You will learn practical approaches for assessing and responding to geopolitical risk, including scenario thinking, identifying sector-specific vulnerabilities, monitoring relevant signals, and evaluating potential impacts on supply chains, production, sales, and finance. Using a personal workbook and final applied project, you will translate these insights into strategic responses for your own organization or industry.
What certificate will I receive, and does the program count toward the Postgraduate Diploma?
Participants receive a certificate of attendance, and the program can also be taken as part of the ESMT Postgraduate Diploma in Management.
What is the application process?
Click “Apply now” to register through the service portal; after ESMT reviews your application, you will either receive confirmation of registration or be contacted to discuss whether the program is the right fit, with places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Earn Your Postgraduate Diploma
This program can be taken as part of the Postgraduate Diploma in Management curriculum.
Looking for more information, a consultation, or support with your application?
Contact our program advisor Sitora Yusupova.
- Book a consultation
- Phone: +49 30 21231 1490
- Email: bd@esmt.org
