Howard Yu

Howard Yu’s Background

Howard Yu is the LEGO® Professor of Management and Innovation at IMD, globally recognized for his expertise in business strategy and future readiness. As Director of the Center for Future Readiness, founded in collaboration with the LEGO Brand Group, Howard helps organizations navigate strategic transformations and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow.

In 2023, Howard received the prestigious Thinkers50 Strategy Award and was named among the top global management thinkers, underscoring his groundbreaking contributions to the field. His collaboration with the LEGO Group has also earned an EFMD Gold Award and a Brandon Hall Group Gold Award for advancing organizational and learning strategies.

Howard co-directs the Strategy for Future Readiness program at IMD, delivering tailored training to global companies such as ABB, Bosch, Novo Nordisk, Electrolux, Heineken, and Maersk. His thought leadership is featured in prominent publications like the Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review, and he is a regular contributor to media outlets including Bloomberg, CNBC, and the BBC.

Howard’s book, LEAP: How to Thrive in a World Where Everything Can Be Copied, is an acclaimed guide to sustaining competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving landscape. The book has won multiple accolades, including an Axiom Business Book Awards Gold Medal.

Before joining IMD in 2011, Howard earned his doctoral degree from Harvard Business School and began his career as a banker in Hong Kong. His commitment to advancing business strategy and innovation has cemented his reputation as a trusted advisor to industry leaders worldwide.