Jan Carlzon is globally recognized as a turnaround specialist and strategic leadership expert. With over 25 years of experience in the travel and airline industry, he served as President and CEO of SAS Group (1981-1993), transforming the Scandinavian airline into a model of profitability and customer satisfaction.
Author of the bestselling book “Moments of Truth,” Carlzon is a pioneer in employee motivation and strategic management. His book, translated into 20 languages, remains one of the most influential business texts ever written.
In 1967, Jan Carlzon joined Vingresor, one of Europe’s largest tour operators, becoming CEO in 1974 and transforming the struggling company in less than a year. In 1978, he took the helm of Swedish airline Linjeflyg, leading it to profitability within three years.
In 1981, Carlzon became CEO of SAS, rescuing the airline from crisis and making it profitable within a year. During his tenure, SAS became a customer-centric model and Carlzon emerged as a pioneer of free-market competition in the European airline industry.
Since 1994, Carlzon has been involved in various European business ventures. He founded NETnet International SA, an innovative telecommunications company, and co-founded Ledstiernan, a venture capital organization focused on the tech sector.
Among his numerous accolades, Carlzon has received the King of Sweden’s Medal, honorary doctorates, and has been listed among the 100 most influential Swedes in history.
Jan Carlzon’s conferences inspire leaders and teams to rethink their management models. He advocates for a decentralized approach, empowering decision-making at every level of the organization to foster innovation and efficiency.
With practical examples and strategic insights, Carlzon demonstrates how companies can place people at the center of their operations to achieve outstanding results and thrive in competitive markets.
Learn how to adapt organizations to competitive environments through decentralization, team empowerment, and customer-focused strategic management.
Based on his bestselling book, this talk highlights how to turn everyday customer interactions into opportunities to strengthen your brand and improve results.
Carlzon shares strategies for thriving in a globalized environment, emphasizing the importance of free-market competition and agile decision-making in evolving industries.
If you’re looking for an inspiring talk on strategic leadership and business transformation, you can book Jan Carlzon through Thinking Heads. As an innovative leader and renowned author, Jan provides a unique perspective to empower teams and build competitive organizations. Contact Thinking Heads today to secure his participation in your next event.
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MADRID
+(34) 91 310 77 40
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© Thinking Heads, 2025
MADRID
+(34) 91 310 77 40
+(34) 91 310 77 40
MIAMI
+1 (305) 424 13 20
SEOUL
+(34) 91 310 77 40