BCG Henderson Institute

header-logo
footer-logo
Sign In
idea explorer
SUBSCRIBE

LOAD MORE

Ulrich Pidun

Insight Leader, Strategy Lab

Expertise

Education

  • PhD, summa cum laude, theoretical chemistry, Philipps University of Marburg
  • MBA, with highest distinction, INSEAD
  • MSc, chemistry and mathematics, Philipps University of Marburg and Imperial College London

BHI Affiliation
Strategy Lab
Location
Frankfurt
Contact

request for speaking engagement

Ulrich Pidun

Insight Leader, Strategy Lab

Ulrich Pidun is based in BCG’s Frankfurt office and is the Insight Leader for the Strategy Lab. He is also a core member of the Corporate Finance & Strategy practice and an expert in corporate strategy.

Previously, as an Alum Fellow (2019-2022), he focused on Business Ecosystems. His research explores business ecosystems by looking at ecosystem design, governance, and strategies. And his work answers commonly asked questions such as: Do You Need a Business Ecosystem?, How Do You “Design” a Business Ecosystem?, Why Do Most Business Ecosystems Fail?, How Do You Manage a Business Ecosystem?.

Ulrich is also a professor for corporate strategy at Technical University of Berlin, Germany, book author, and a frequent speaker on business ecosystems, speaking at places such as Strategic Management Society, Academy of Management and Innov8rs Connect, in addition to C-suite events of Fortune 500 clients. His work has been published in leading publications, including MIT Sloan Management Review, Long Range Planning, Strategic Organization, and Academy of Management Perspectives.

Outside of work, Ulrich enjoys playing the clarinet, riding his mountain bike, and playing chess.

Books co-authored by Ulrich Pidun

2021
Inspiring the Next Game series

Strategy is by definition a changing art: strategy is about generating competitive advantage, but what it takes to create advantage is always evolving. This series takes a broad view of strategy, reflecting the multifaceted imperatives that leaders face.

2019
Corporate Strategy Theory and Practice

The book covers the fundamental questions of daily strategy work and illustrates them with examples from real companies. 

Recent Work

View All

BCG.com | July 29, 2025

From Change Management to Change Strategy

Trial and error isn’t an option in your next change effort. To help you develop a tailored change strategy, we built an agent-based change simulator.

MIT Sloan Management Review | June 23, 2025

When Wait and See Is Smart Strategy

Waiting can be a dysfunctional choice — or a wise approach to navigating complexity. Leaders facing today’s uncertainty must know when and how to wait.

Harvard Business Review | June 3, 2025

Growth Isn’t the Only Way for Companies to Create Value

In a world where growth is becoming increasingly elusive, companies can still create significant value by adopting a strategy of disciplined stability.

BCG.com | April 16, 2025

The Transformation Paradox: How to Grow When the Growing Gets Tough

Unlikely as it seems, businesses can not only thrive amid economic uncertainty—they can seize the opportunity to transform for sustained growth.

MIT Sloan Management Review | March 10, 2025

How to Strategize in an Out-of-Control World

In 2025, political surprises are adding fuel to the fires of business uncertainty, complexity, and volatility. Here’s how leaders can navigate this special type of risk.

Developing Leaders Quarterly | June 21, 2023

Winning the Ecosystem Game

Orchestrating companies collaboratively lead other companies in digital ecosystems but what does it take to lead orchestrating or participating companies? From our research on the factors which drive the strategic and operational success and failure of ecosystems, we propose the traits, mindsets, and behaviors required of ecosystem leaders.