But Wiedemann, who founded the direct marketing unit of Grey Global Group (nasdaq: GREY - news - people ) and until a few months ago was running Responsys, a Silicon Valley online marketing firm, does the bidding of one of America's most implacable bosses: Chicago billionaire Samuel Zell .

FORBES: No Free Lunch

Signature programmes include Beyond Grey Pinstripes, a global data base and report card on MBA business education, and the Corporate Values Strategy Group, a forum for business leaders to promote change in policy and business practice in pursuit of long-term value creation.

FORBES: Social Intrapreneurs: Disruptive Innovators on the Inside

This sort of global contest for grey matter certainly makes for a bracing environment.

ECONOMIST: Higher education