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...ed in a whimper, but, thanks to Knutsen, the Bang is now bigger than ever.”
Anders Knutsen graduated from University in Denmark with an MA in Economics in 1973 and began his career in personnel with Bang & Olufsen. Heading up the Personnel and Working Environment Department for three years, he then moved through the company in various positions, and in 1992 was appointed President and CEO, a position he held for 11 years until July 2001.
He feels his main achievement has been to help turn the company into a thriving business 'without destroying the heart and soul'. Bang & Olufsen has recently been going through a radical period of change, starting with losing approximately 1200 dealers world-wide who didn't comply with its standards. At the same time it is building a world class distribution to be a strong live statement, integrating with its Internet strategies to expand the brand.
The future for Bang & Olufsen is to move from a product-driven to a vision-driven company. This has also had a dramatic impact on the quality of customer service. This has been achieved by changing the communications strategy, not only the processes but also the content of the communication. This lead to the realisation that communication is just as important as products, and that customers share values across national borders and share a universal language. The company developed a division called StoryLab, where messages are developed conceptually in the same way as new products. Bang & Olufsen re-evaluated and revamped relationships with partners and stakeholders, dealers, franchisees, subsidiaries and sales companies. This all had the effect of turning Bang & Olufsen into a much more customer-focused organisation.
Knutsen is the current Chairman of the Boards of Solum A/S, Copenhagen Business School.
2007 Honorary tasks and Board memberships
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Danisco A/S
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Solum A/S
Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors Topdanmark A/S
Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors, Fritz Hansen A/S
Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors, Hersild og Heggow A/S
Member of the Board of Directors Augustinus fabrikker
Member of the Danish Governments Globalisation Committee
Member of the Danish Academy of Technical Science
Received the Danish Design Award in 2000
Former honorary tasks and Board memberships
Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors Federation of Danish Industry 1996 -2001
Chairman of the Board of Directors Orange Denmark A/S 2001 – 2003
Chairman f the Board of Directors L. M. Glasfiber A/S 2002- 2005
Chairman of the Danish Committee for Trade and Industry 2002 – 2006
Member of the Board of Directors The Danish Venture Fond 2003 - 2006
Chairman of the Danish Think Tank Future Growth 2004- 2005
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- Going through change
- Steering through difficult times
- Leadership
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