Category: Say Hi to…

Another team member ready. Sougand Golsorkhi is our new associate professor in strategy.

With both practical and academic experience in the field of strategy, Sougand will have a lot to contribute when it comes to aiding our students in finding their unique competitive advantage. 

Sougand’s research and teaching are rooted in understanding and, analyses of strategy and entrepreneurship. The direction and scope of  an enterprise over the long term to achieve unique advantage through its configuration of resources within a changing and highly competitive global environment, are important considerations in survival and sustainability of an enterprise. 

«My personal background and academic interests are aligned to explore the notion of competitive strategy, how enterprises manage to be different by deliberately choosing a distinct set of activities to deliver a unique mix of value to meet needs of markets and stakeholders expectations, as their global external environment evolves.»

We are super excited to learn more from Sougand.

As a several months long recruitment process comes to an end we are ready to present one of two marketing professors that will be joining the Shift team – Tobias Otterbring.

With his background in both psychology and consumer marketing Tobias will have a lot to contribute when it comes to enabling Shift students to gain customer insight and conduct effective marketing.

Tobias conducts studies that are often based on field data from actual retail and service settings, such as retail banks, grocery stores, petrol stations, telecommunication stores, furniture stores, sporting goods stores or restaurants – he has even done research on beer. His research focuses on the effects that nonverbal cues (e.g., smiling, physical appearance, interpersonal touch) and physical factors (e.g., height, muscularity, digit ratio) have on customers’ emotions, attitudes, and purchase behavior.

Tobias is an excellent researcher and his work has appeared in top journals such as Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Business Research, and Psychology & Marketing. His work has also been featured in outlets including but not restricted to Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and BBC News.

We are beyond excited to welcome Tobias to the Shift faculty team!

… Stine – Head of Shift!

Stine has worked with Shift since it was a vague idea three years ago. Her responsibilities include developing the program, teaching several courses, and following the students from application to graduation.

«Making Shift happen has required tireless work, disregarding rules and changing the status quo – much like any entrepreneurial endeavor. I firmly believe that with the right mindset – including the ability to think differently, see solutions where others see problems, and proactively address emerging issues – you can achieve anything. The purpose of Shift is to equip students with this ‘entrepreneurial mindset’ along with valuable experience, network and skills. Those able to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset and combine it with good values and hard work are the ones that will be able to change the world for the better.»

Stine has a PhD in international entrepreneurship and years of experience teaching entrepreneurship to students from different backgrounds. She has also lived and worked in several countries – including Israel, USA, and Belgium – been through the Trainee Sør program, had several board positions, and started her own consultancy firm. In addition to her work as head of Shift she teaches entrepreneurship to bachelor students and conducts research on internationalizing startups and entrepreneurship education.

…Christina – Shift´s student adviser!

Christina has long experience with student follow-up and advising student entrepreneurs. She is very much looking forward to welcoming the first class of Shift students: 

“What I look forward to the most is to watch the students grow, and to see what amazing businesses and change agents that will come out at the other end. I also look forward to being there for the students, supporting them with whatever they need. 

One of the reasons why I love my job is I find that there is hope in entrepreneurship. Hope for new businesses that can make a positive contribution to the UNs sustainability goals and hope for change agents to change existing businesses to the better. I feel that by offering my professional and personal support to the Shift students, I give them a good foundation to become impactful business developers and entrepreneurs.”

Christina N Larsen Student adviser | Shift entrepreneurship