About Mark
Mark Bonchek is a pioneering thought leader in digital strategy and organizational transformation, serving as a BPI Faculty member dedicated to updating leadership thinking for the digital age.
Who is Mark Bonchek?
Mark Bonchek, Ph.D., is the founder and CEO (Chief Epiphany Officer) of Shift Thinking, an organization focused on helping leaders and organizations adopt new mental models for growth and change in the digital age. He is recognized for his extensive work in digital strategy, organizational transformation, and leadership development. Bonchek's mission is to update leaders' thinking for a rapidly evolving digital landscape, guiding companies through transformative change.
His expertise stems from over two decades in the digital and organizational strategy space, marked by significant contributions to understanding and navigating the impact of technology on business. He is a frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review and a faculty member at Singularity University, where he teaches principles of exponential mindset.
Quick facts about Mark Bonchek
| Role | Founder and CEO |
| Company | Shift Thinking |
| Expertise | Digital Strategy, Organizational Transformation, Leadership Development, Exponential Thinking |
| Notable for | Pioneering social media research, founding Shift Thinking, Harvard Business Review contributions, Thinking Styles assessment |
| BPI affiliation | Expert Faculty member |
What is Mark Bonchek known for?
- Pioneering research on social media, culminating in Harvard University's first Ph.D. on the topic in 1997.
- Founding Shift Thinking, an organization dedicated to guiding leaders and organizations in adopting new mental models for the digital age.
- Developing the Thinking Styles assessment, a tool designed to help individuals understand their collaborative strengths and weaknesses within teams.
- Serving as a frequent contributor to Harvard Business Review, with nearly fifty articles published on topics related to digital strategy and organizational change.
- Authored the book Brand Orbits, exploring concepts related to branding in the digital era.
- Faculty member at Singularity University, teaching principles of exponential mindset to global leaders.
- Named to the Agenda Digital 50 list of board candidates by the Financial Times, recognizing his influential insights.
What is Mark Bonchek's background and experience?
Mark Bonchek's career began at MIT in the early 1990s, where he led a research project on digital engagement and political participation. He later earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1997, focusing on social media, a then-nascent field.
His professional journey includes significant roles at prominent organizations:
- Director of Research at Strategos Institute: Explored strategies for company reinvention and business model transformation.
- iXL: Led the strategy practice in Boston, focusing on digital solutions.
- McKinsey & Company: Served as COO of TomorrowLab, where he was instrumental in designing digital strategy offerings.
- Truman Company: Founded and served as CEO, establishing a co-creation and peer exchange model for strategy development, which later merged with Fifty Lessons.
- Shift Thinking: Founded and currently serves as CEO, advising major companies like SAP, Kaiser Permanente, and ABC on achieving exponential growth and transformative change.
What topics does Mark Bonchek speak and write about?
Mark Bonchek's discourse centers on the critical need for leaders and organizations to adapt their thinking in a digital, exponential world. He frequently addresses subjects such as exponential thinking, transformative change, leadership development, and organizational transformation. His work often delves into digital strategy and business model innovation, offering frameworks for sustained growth in complex environments.
He explores foundational concepts for organizational purpose and growth, emphasizing the adoption of new mental models. His extensive publications in the Harvard Business Review reflect these themes, providing practical insights into navigating digital disruption, fostering innovation, and building resilient organizations.
How does Mark Bonchek contribute to the Best Practice Institute?
As a distinguished BPI Faculty member, Mark Bonchek contributes his deep expertise in digital strategy and organizational transformation to the Best Practice Institute. His insights align with BPI's mission to identify and disseminate best practices that foster Most Loved Workplaces® and drive organizational excellence. Bonchek's work on adapting leadership thinking for the digital age directly supports the principles of the SPARK Model, particularly in areas of strategic foresight and innovation.
His involvement helps BPI members and executive leadership understand how to cultivate environments that embrace change, leverage exponential technologies, and develop purposeful growth strategies. By emphasizing new mental models and collaborative strengths, Bonchek helps organizations become more agile and responsive, which are crucial components of a Most Loved Workplace culture.
Where can you learn more from Mark Bonchek?
You can explore Mark Bonchek's perspectives on digital strategy and organizational transformation through his numerous articles in the Harvard Business Review, his role as a faculty member at Singularity University, and the resources available through Shift Thinking. For further insights into his work with the Best Practice Institute, look for his contributions to BPI's executive education programs and thought leadership content.