WELCOME TO THIS MONTH ’ S issue , in which we look at a city that in many ways is the meeting point between Europe Africa and the Middle East . Marseille is an historic trading centre that is leveraging its geographical advantage in the digital age .

Do you think that an MBA is becoming something of a rite of passage ? Something that anyone needs if they want to be taken seriously as a contender for the upper reaches of management ( or indeed , by investors , as a founder of a new enterprise ?) We have had a trawl around some of the most forward-looking business schools of the region to see how their thinking is evolving and how they think post-experience academic engagement can be made relevant .

Finally , if money is what interests you , reflect that even if cash transactions are endangered , coinage will never disappear from our pockets . The UK ’ s Royal Mint is , at more than 1,100 years , surely the oldest company we are likely to present : look within to see how its supply chain is being transformed .

Interim Managing Editor John . O ’ Hanlon @ wdmgroup . com

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