The Emptiness After the Big Win As the year comes to an end, this is the time when we reflect and take stock of everything we’ve accomplished. Yet, for many of us, we've certainly done a lot of work, but the outcome feels insignificant. It stirs a quiet unease: the sense that, despite the projects delivered, the milestones ticked off, we have this feeling that we still haven’t done enough. This is the arrival fallacy at work, the belief that once we reach a certain goal, we’ll finally feel complete. We chase goals believing they hold the feeling we’re missing, only to discover the feeling never stays. We continually chase more success, more recognition, more wealth, believing that the next…
Disrupt or Be Disrupted: How Value Decoupling is Changing the Game In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, value decoupling has emerged as a critical challenge, particularly for established companies facing disruption. This phenomenon occurs when competitors—often digital disruptors—strategically peel away key customer activities, eroding the foundation of traditional business models. In this discussion, we will explore the forces driving decoupling, the strategies digital disruptors use to separate and capture customer interactions, and real-world examples of companies that have suffered as a result. We will also delve into why digital players are often better positioned to leverage this strategy, the common missteps traditional businesses make in response, and the approaches they can adopt to counteract these threats and retain their competitive…
How to Prepare For Feedback Conversations In our previous article, we explored the power of self-awareness. This week, we dive into the art of navigating tough conversations and exchanging feedback with clarity and care. Giving and receiving feedback are deeply intertwined with self-awareness and emotional intelligence in the workplace. Before stepping into any feedback conversation, preparation rooted in self-awareness is essential. Understanding our own emotions, triggers, and behavioral patterns helps us approach feedback calmly and confidently. Self-aware leaders consider the recipient’s emotional state, while emotionally intelligent individuals manage their reactions, viewing feedback as an opportunity for growth rather than criticism. More importantly, when feedback is exchanged within a culture of trust, it fosters constructive dialogue, vulnerability, and mutual respect, thereby…
What’s Next for Accounting? Key Shifts Defining the Next Decade Accounting has long been seen as a stable profession, but that image no longer holds. Similar to other industries, it is being reshaped by automation, artificial intelligence (AI), evolving regulatory frameworks, and shifting client expectations. The accounting field is being reshaped by four major trends, impacting how accountants work and the value they provide. Firstly, accountants are increasingly stepping into the role of strategic business advisors. The automation of repetitive and low-skill tasks enables accountants to take on more analytical and strategic responsibilities. As leaders face increasingly complex decisions, accountants are becoming partners in guiding long-term strategy. At the same time, emphasis on sustainability and integrated reporting is pushing companies…
Bridging Worlds: A Journey of Growth, Innovation, and Relevance With the average company lifespan plummeting from 67 years to just 14—and predictions that half of today’s S&P 500 could vanish in the next decade—staying relevant has never been more critical. This article explores the journey of Araz Najarian and how she supports businesses in staying relevant and purposeful through her work at ELP Network. Founded over 25 years ago, ELP Network emerged from the vision of four individuals— with a combined background of academic expertise, and extensive executive business experience. Together, they set out to bridge these two worlds, creating a practice that would help businesses achieve sustainable growth and maintain relevance in an ever-evolving marketplace. This vision laid the…
