From Value Creation to Global Risks: Prof. Loewy Shares Leadership Perspectives with Students

Written by Hsu, Chin-Han(Hannah)

The Sustainable Leadership Forum recently hosted Professor Gideon Loewy (President of Scandinavian Design Consultant Co. Ltd.) for a talk titled “Values, Stewardship, Governance and Leadership.” He introduced the concept of stewardship as taking care of something so that it can be passed on in better condition than before. Professor Loewy linked this idea to long-term thinking in business, emphasizing that leaders should act as stewards of their companies and resources for future generations.

Professor Loewy explained how companies create value through capital, reserves, and compliance with ESG and other rules. He said money works like fuel that drives the business engine, rather than being the purpose of a company. He used examples from the stock market, including Nvidia and Tesla, to describe how investors look at future value. He also mentioned that many SMEs in Taiwan do not reinvest in their own development and often face cash-flow problems. In addition, he pointed out that many start-ups fail because they do not do enough market or competitor research and do not clearly understand who their buyers are.

He then talked about global issues such as climate change, food and agriculture, and risks in supply chains. He discussed examples like egg consumption, food delivery habits, and hydroponic vegetables to show how changes in temperature, food production, and processed food can affect daily life and business. He also explained the growing importance of ESG reports and used cases such as rare earth supply chains and the blockage of the Suez Canal to show how closely connected modern industries are.

At the end of the session, Professor Loewy encouraged students to build creative thinking and strengthen their ability to make a real contribution inside organizations. He noted that businesses depend on people who can create value, especially as AI becomes more common. He reminded students that their future careers will take place in a global system where many parts depend on each other, and understanding this wider environment will be important for their future work.