Biography
Kjell NORDSTROM & Jonas RIDDERSTRALE2003 ranking: 21
No ordinary gurus, Kjell Nordström (b. 1958) and his partner Jonas Ridderstråle (b. 1966) are different. They are Swedish, have shaved heads and do gigs not seminars. They are not Michael Porter. Indeed, their gigs often begin with a loud incantation of the words "Fucking and shopping". In fact, the only similarity between the Swedish duo and conventional gurus is their jobs - they are academics at the Stockholm School of Economics. In unconventional times, Nordström and Ridderstråle are building up a sizeable following throughout Scandinavia and increasingly beyond. Their seminars are sell outs. Their ideas focus on globalization and innovation. In a world of suits, Nordström and Ridderstråle's message is refreshingly different. Their bestselling book, Funky Business (2001), has brought their ideas - and their shaven heads - to a wider audience. Their next book is provisionally titled Karaoke Capitalism.
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