An expert on emerging and frontier markets, as well as management during uncertainty
Jonathan Berman is an investor, advisor and author. J.E. Berman Associates puts his resources and reputation to work for a small number of businesses with high growth potential in emerging markets. Previously, Jonathan served as partner and director of the corporate practice at Dalberg, a strategic advisory firm focused on frontier markets with fourteen offices worldwide. He has advised numerous global Fortune 500 companies on entry and operations in emerging and frontier markets. His clients have included global leaders in oil, gas, mining, agribusiness, education, healthcare, IT and consumer goods, as well as governments and investors active in these sectors.
Jonathan’s first book is Success in Africa, about the fastest-growing markets in the world and the CEOs who succeed there. President Bill Clinton calls it “important and timely.” Legendary investor Mark Mobius describes Success in Africa as “dynamite.” Former Coke CEO Neville Isdell said simply “It’s a great book.” Jonathan’s views are sought by leading business publications including The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, CNBC and Bloomberg. He writes a regular feature on leadership and global markets for Harvard Business Review.
Jonathan serves on the board of directors of Asoko Insight, an information services company delivering superior data and analysis on African corporations to customers worldwide. He is active with multiple non-profit organizations, a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a graduate of Yale and Berkeley.
Speaking and consulting topics
Success in Africa
Until recently, Africa was known as a land of happy animals and miserable people, valued mostly for safaris. Today, Africa is the hottest frontier market in the world, with growth rates 3 times the rate of the US for over a decade. Based on a decade of experience working in Africa and interviews with dozens of business leaders succeeding in Africa, Jonathan Berman sheds new light on what westerners previously called the dark continent. Legendary investor Mark Mobius describes Berman as “dynamite” and US President Bill Clinton calls his insights “Important and timely.” Berman takes your audience on a fast paced, character-filled journey through Africa’s recent growth, the opportunities coming into view today, and the drivers of opportunity tomorrow.
Target Audience
- Executives, C-Suite, Board Members
- Professionals Involved in or with Global Organizations
- Corporate, Social, Political, Economic Strategists
Managing uncertainty
The greatest challenge of today’s business environment is uncertainty, making the right choices when the past provides scant guidance for the future. Jonathan Berman unlocks the key insights of highly effective leaders in the face of uncertainty like legendary Coke CEO Neville Isdell and four-star general David Petraeus. He draws on those interviews and two decades working in the most uncertain business environments in the world to deliver lively, relatable stories that connect directly to your audience’s known experience. Berman distills this wealth of knowledge to three actionable strategies that enable your team not just to manage uncertainly, but thrive upon it.
Target Audience
- Executives, C-Suite, Board Members
- Professionals Involved in or with Global Organizations
- Corporate, Social, Political, Economic Strategists
Winning in emerging markets
Today and for the foreseeable future, the developing markets of Asia and Africa will grow 2-3X as fast as the markets of the US and Europe. Jonathan Berman leads your team into a thought-provoking discussion of what it takes to succeed in these fast growth markets. Drawing on two decades advising the global companies most successful in each region, Berman shares with your team how others have thought about new customers, varied cultures, challenging operating environments and prioritizing nearly unlimited opportunity.
Target Audience
- Executives, C-Suite, Board Members
- Professionals Involved in or with Global Organizations
- Corporate, Social, Political, Economic Strategists
Publications
Jonathan’s first book is Success in Africa, about the fastest-growing markets in the world and the CEOs who succeed there. President Bill Clinton calls it “important and timely.” Legendary investor Mark Mobius describes Success in Africa as “dynamite.” Former Coke CEO Neville Isdell said simply “It’s a great book.” Jonathan’s views are sought by leading business publications including The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, CNBC and Bloomberg. He writes a regular feature on leadership and global markets for Harvard Business Review.