Since gaining prominence in the late 1990s thanks to ex-GE CEO Jack Welch, reverse mentoring has grown in popularity around the world. It has provided benefits for two generations of employees while allowing executive ranks a window into new and developing ideas and technologies.

We live in a connected world. Companies are expanding internationally and customers expect borderless interactions. Services must be simple, agile and tailored. Customers want to choose how, when and where they will interact with businesses.

Someone once told me Russians are like coconuts. It didn't make sense until I arrived in Russia.

Happy cows make great pictures. They're also more productive. But there's a fascinating extra dimension to animal welfare: farm staff are happier. And that's a virtuous circle as it leads to higher engagement by the employees, who in turn look after their animals better – from both a welfare and productivity perspective.