What does it take to make billion-euro decisions when the rules of the game keep changing?

That was one of the questions at the heart of our latest Fireplace Talk at Lauder Business School, where we welcomed Dr. Tom Asselman, M.Sc., Senior Vice President of Strategy and Chief Strategy Officer at OMV, on 21 October 2026.

From geopolitical tensions and billion-dollar mergers to the future of energy and the secrets of successful leadership, the evening offered our students something that no textbook can fully capture: a firsthand look at how strategy works when the stakes are real.

When Uncertainty Becomes the New Normal

Imagine having to decide where to invest billions while regulations shift, geopolitical tensions escalate, and technologies transform entire industries.

Welcome to the world of corporate strategy!

Dr. Asselman offered a fascinating look behind the scenes of strategic decision-making at OMV, explaining how companies must continuously navigate uncertainty while remaining competitive, profitable, and prepared for the future.

At the center of it all are two deceptively simple questions: Where do we play, and how do we win?

The answers, as our students discovered, are anything but simple.

The Energy Trilemma: Can We Have It All? Sustainability. Affordability. Energy security.

Three priorities. One global challenge.

As Europe accelerates its energy transition, businesses face difficult decisions about how to balance environmental ambitions with economic competitiveness and reliable energy supplies.

Dr. Asselman explored how OMV is adapting its business portfolio through investments in renewable energy, green hydrogen, sustainable fuels, and circular solutions for plastics.

But the discussion went far beyond technology.

What happens when regulations change halfway through a billion-euro investment? How quickly can aviation become sustainable? Will fossil fuels disappear? And what role might nuclear energy play in the decades ahead?

These were just some of the questions that sparked a lively exchange between our guest and students.

Forget the Job Title. Build Trust.

Perhaps some of the evening's most memorable insights had little to do with energy and everything to do with people.

Drawing on his experience leading international teams and working on major corporate transactions, Dr. Asselman shared what he considers essential to a successful career: competence, reliability, meaningful relationships, and trust.

His leadership philosophy challenges conventional ideas of hierarchy. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. Give them room to work. Encourage them to challenge your thinking. And focus on what they deliver, rather than where or when they work.

For aspiring managers and future business leaders, the message was clear: Leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about creating an environment where the best answers can emerge.

A Career Worth Building

What would a senior executive tell his 25-year-old self?

Work hard. Be dependable. Build relationships. And above all, pursue something you genuinely care about.

Dr. Asselman encouraged students to ask themselves three questions when considering their professional future:

Is it meaningful? Does it make an impact? Is it fun?

A refreshingly human perspective on career success from someone whose professional life involves some of the most complex strategic challenges in international business.

Big Questions. Fresh Perspectives. Real Conversations.

Our international students certainly made the most of the opportunity.

From European energy policy and the war in Ukraine to sustainable aviation, nuclear technology, organizational culture, and the future of global markets, their questions turned the evening into a dynamic exchange of ideas.

And that is precisely what our Fireplace Talks are about.

At Lauder Business School, we believe some of the most valuable lessons happen when academic knowledge meets real-world experience, when students challenge established perspectives, and when business leaders share not only their successes but also the complexity behind their decisions.

A sincere thank you to Dr. Tom Asselman for an inspiring evening of candid insights, thought-provoking discussions, and valuable career advice.

Because sometimes, the best business lessons don't come from a textbook. They come from a conversation.