Conductor of a Change Orchestra

ERM Dynamo's value-based leadership and management style accommodates a sane work schedule -- about 40 hours a week, as opposed to the 60-80 hours a week logged in at larger ERM firms. "Our staff is mainly 30-something, most of us have children, and everyone wants to work for sustainable development in a sustainable way," he says. "We don't want to end up with divorces or ulcers in order to save the world. We want to have a happy life and spend time with our families."

Integrating environmental issues and social responsibility with business management, ERM Dynamo is, according to Bjurstrom, the AIESEC of consulting. Not only does ERM Dynamo present Bjurstrom the opportunity to work for a better world through its social vision, but the company also nurtures a culture of intellectual leadership and work freedom. The company policy understands the desire to take personal time off to pursue projects, such as writing a book, or tending to a family need. "I urged a new employee with a sick son to take as much time off as needed to help his child recover," Bjurstrom says, "And I trusted that he would take care of his job -- in whatever way suited him best. After his son's operation, our colleague thanked us for our support at our weekly Monday morning meeting."

With the recent acquisition, Bjurstrom says he's living a dream first realized in AIESEC: He's returning to the international arena but this time to advance environmental and sustainable development issues. He's meeting the ecological needs of the present generation without compromising the demand of future generations.

"In 1987, AIESEC challenged the UN commission report on sustainable development, which called upon youth worldwide to take charge of our future," Bjurstrom recalls. "So we arranged a series of seminars all over the world. In Sweden, we focused on the connection between ecology and the economy. I was one of the project advocates on the local committee, then at the national level. We discussed and debated. We were an association of students in economics and management, not Green Peace. Some students criticized, 'Why should we involve ourselves in environmental issues?' And that was so very clear to me from the very beginning, not to others. Of course we should involve ourselves because this is the future of management, the future of the economy."

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