Key Insights from the CEO Meetup at the National Museum

Did you miss our CEO meetup in October??

No worries! We’ve gathered everything you want to know below.?

Highlights

Watch this video for key highlights from the event.

The panel

On stage, we had an incredible lineup. From left to right on the image: Moderator Peter Malmqvist , ChargeNode 's founder Kristian Sandahl , Steelwrist 's CEO Stefan Stockhaus , former Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, Upsales ' CEO Daniel Wikberg , Truesec 's CEO Anna Averud and Infobric Group 's CEO Dan Friberg .

Takeaways from all discussions

1. What do the fastest-growing companies have in common??

Upsales’ CEO Daniel Wikberg shared five key takeaways from our growth study - Revenue Journal Ranking 2024.

Here are five conclusions:

1. Only 15% of the companies still have their original founder as CEO.

2. The study's findings challenged the old belief that “growth comes at a cost.” A full 86% of the companies were profitable in 2022, and 74% were profitable over all three years studied.

3. Sustained rapid growth is difficult. Only 17% of the companies grew by more than 30% annually over the entire three-year period.

4. The most important external growth factor was underlying industry trends. In other words, it pays to consider positioning carefully rather than leaving it to chance.

5. The majority of companies grew organically, with very few pursuing a growth strategy driven by acquisitions. They also maintained a balanced view on the "cost of sales."

Read the full report here.?

2. What should Swedish companies prioritise to strengthen our competitive edge in Europe?

Fredrik Reinfeldt gave a 20-minute keynote on Sweden’s competitiveness in Europe and what CEOs should consider when positioning their companies for the coming 25 years.?

So what can we expect??

1. Market Access Will Be Crucial for International Expansion

There is a significant risk of a market limited to the Nordics and possibly Northern Europe. Regulatory demands, local conditions, and uncertainty restrict global openness and hinder growth in new markets. The EU’s internal services market is far from complete, and it’s unclear if the EU will support the necessary market access.

2. Europe Risks Falling Behind in Future Industries

Sweden and Europe face a critical question: will we become global leaders in future industries like renewable energy, or should we expect markets such as China and the US to outpace us? Despite policy interventions in Sweden, a significant portion of development is now happening outside Europe, which poses a risk to our position in future markets.

3. Demographic Shifts Threaten the Workforce

Sweden, and much of the developed world, faces a demographic shift. With an ageing population, declining birth rates, and immigration, we are left with a labour market insufficiently replenished by younger generations. This raises new questions about who will work and at what stages in life.

We recently published a full piece with all the key takeaways from Fredrik's speech for those who want to dive into the details.

3. What does the future hold for Swedish industry? And how can you, as a CEO, drive growth and innovation during the fourth industrial revolution?

In the first panel, Stefan Stockhaus, Anna Averud, and Kristian Sandahl shared their expertise on the future of Swedish industry.?

Three key takeaways from the discussion are:?

1. Underlying trends are crucial for rapid growth. By positioning your company well, you can capture market share and outpace competitors.

2. The rise of digitalization brings not only opportunities but also significant risks. It’s not about protecting everything but having a clear strategy to safeguard the most critical assets.

3. Strategy without execution is worthless. Build a strong culture that understands and delivers on the company's strategy—then the results will follow.

4. Grow organically, through acquisitions, or expanding internationally?

In the second panel, Dan Friberg, Fredrik Reinfeldt, and Daniel Wikberg discussed various strategies for driving growth.

Three key takeaways from the discussion are:?

1. Build a strong, long-term culture that supports your growth strategy—whether it’s organic or through acquisitions.
2. Ensure you can capitalise on your existing market position before expanding into new markets.
3. Develop local connections and establish an on-the-ground presence to ensure success when going international.

More photos

Thanks to everyone who joined us.?

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Best,

The Revenue Journal team