- Focus on four strategic directions: human-AI collaboration, phygital experience, talent fluidity & retention 4.0, and quantum-ready mindset.
- Ten cross-sector challenges highlighted, including cybersecurity, digital skills gaps, ethical data management, and greenwashing.
- New keywords for talent and business growth: digital proficiency, prompt engineering, customer engagement, and sustainability.
- Keynote speaker Antonio Polito: “As Pope Francis said, we are not living in an era of change, but a change of era. Doing business is increasingly complex; the only way forward is innovation, which is inseparable from education. Without trained and up-to-date human capital, there is no global competitiveness. And without competition, there is no growth, well-being, or democracy.”
Rome Business School hosted its 5th annual Corporate Advisory Board meeting, bringing together 130 CEOs and managers to explore the implications of geopolitics and examine key trends identified by leading national and international companies, including Meta, Fendi, Porsche and KPMG.
The Corporate Advisory Board (CAB) is RBS’s consultative body, consisting of 130 members across seven knowledge areas. This year, it expanded to include the Non-Profit sector and Forbes Under 30, with the goal of fostering a collaborative model between academia and business to develop talent and shape a new generation of responsible and innovative leaders.
The CAB is a dynamic, expanding ecosystem, with a membership composed of 57.4% executives, 25.6% CEOs, and over 70% from international organizations. In 2025 31 new companies joined, including Sony, Mastercard, Johnson & Johnson, and Medici Senza Frontiere.
Keynote speaker Antonio Polito, editorialist at Corriere della Sera, stated:
As Pope Francis said, we are not living in an era of change, but a change of era. The historical phase that began after World War II, which shaped the West as we know it, is over. Global governance structures, economic certainties, political balances: all are shifting. In this extraordinary acceleration of history, doing business will become increasingly complex. The only way to rise to the challenge is through innovation, not only technological, but also in work methods, organizational models, and corporate culture. And innovation is inseparable from education: academic, corporate, lifelong. Without trained and updated human capital, companies can’t compete in global markets. And without competition, there’s no growth, no well-being, and no democracy.
Highlights from the Seven CAB Workshops: Future Trends
- Phygital Experience: The New Frontier of Human-Digital Engagement
Phygital is the seamless fusion of physical and digital dimensions in interactions among people, brands, and environments. No longer a trend but a strategic asset, phygital requires companies to redesign the customer journey to be multisensory, reactive, and emotionally coherent. From augmented reality in grocery retail to immersive tourism apps and digital art galleries, every industry is called to deliver memorable, human-centered experiences that blend empathy with digital precision.
- Talent Fluidity & Retention 4.0: Flexible Talent in Action
Today’s professionals seek flexibility over fixed roles. Talent is fluid, hybrid, self-directed. Organizations must evolve into dynamic ecosystems that enable personalized career development and value transversal skills. Retention now hinges on active empowerment, internal mobility platforms, job rotation, and personalized microlearning, all underpinned by a culture of engagement and purpose.
- Quantum-Ready Mindset: Leading Through Uncertainty
In the face of non-linear and complex scenarios, tomorrow’s leaders must adopt a “quantum-ready” mindset able to detect weak signals, envision alternatives, and deploy agile, resilient strategies. From finance to HR, this adaptive mindset is essential to steer organizations intelligently and sustainably.
Complementary Trends: Toward More Human and Integrated Business Models
In addition to the major trends, the CAB discussions unveiled a broader ecosystem of innovation:
- Intergenerational leadership: Bridging generational expectations through empathetic, flexible management styles.
- Sustainable finance: ESG is not a compliance issue, but a strategic lever for trust and investment.
- Data-driven personalization: Predictive analytics enhance relational value and customer experience.
- UX design: Seen as a growth and loyalty driver, particularly in emotionally charged sectors like tourism, art, and culture.
- Shoppable content: Immersive, narrative-driven digital content that drives immediate purchase — a new frontier for marketing.
Cross-Sector Challenges and Future-Ready Skills
CAB Day 2025 also identified ten key challenges shared across industries: cybersecurity, digital skill gaps, ethical data governance, physical-digital integration, and the risk of greenwashing.
Workshops emphasized the urgent need to renew managerial roles, embracing agility and innovation while balancing automation with the human touch.
From these discussions, two sets of guiding keywords emerged:
- For talent development: digital proficiency, soft skills, prompt engineering
- For business growth: automation, customer engagement, strategic sustainability
The CAB: A Strategic Alliance for Impactful Education
The CAB is the bridge between academia and industry, with tangible outcomes:
- 53 Master programs updated
- 360 hours of hands-on training delivered through 30 Business Practice Labs with partners like Expedia, Nestlé, and NTT Data
- 14 corporate lectures, 5 company visits, 2 company meetings with Tesla and Unilever
- 20 inspirational welcome sessions with brands like Toyota, Amazon, and Bvlgari
Between 2021–2024, CAB-led initiatives grew by 169%, from 72 to 194.
New 2025 focus areas: Future Makers and Not-for-Profit.
Thanks to this powerful network, over 2,900 students from 150+ nationalities gain access to relevant, real-world education every year, enhancing both their academic paths and global career opportunities.
