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…
Is Your Organization Facing an Innovation Crisis? Low Innovation Scores Predict Bankruptcy in Just 2 to 3 Years What if the key to a company’s survival and success could be measured as precisely as its financial performance? For Professor Grant Burgess, a bacteriologist turned innovation expert, this question became the driving force behind a groundbreaking discovery. Through decades of experience in pure research and biotechnology, trying to understand how best to commercialise his ideas, he uncovered a startling reality: innovation isn’t just a buzzword it’s a measurable, quantifiable force that can determine whether a business thrives or fails. His journey, which began with studying the intricate workings of bacteria, led him to develop a revolutionary method to measure innovation. The…
Rooted Beginnings: It Started With a Feeling The truth about starting your own business is there is no "perfect time" nor a "secret formula" to unlock. Most meaningful businesses often begin with something more intuitive: an intrinsic feeling, a deep-seated knowing, or a sense of misalignment that signals a need for change. For many, it is simply having the courage to lean into that instinct and build from where they are. This article delves into the journey of one such individual who listened to her intuition, illustrating that the most powerful moment in any entrepreneurial journey is daring to take the first step. Trading a conventional career path for an entrepreneurial venture, Ash Mendelsohn established a business embedded with creativity,…
Charlie Munger interviewed after the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting in 2015. Image by Kent Sievers on Shutterstock. Charles Munger, who stood as a remarkable pillar in Berkshire Hathaway's development for nearly six decades alongside Warren Buffett, passed away at 99 on 28 November 2023. Munger was fundamental in the transformation of Berkshire Hathaway from a struggling textile production company into a global powerhouse. His passing occurred in a California hospital on Tuesday, as reported by the firm. Known for his long-standing residency in Los Angeles, Munger's vast contributions have not gone unnoticed. "Without Charlie's invaluable inspiration, wisdom, and involvement, Berkshire Hathaway wouldn't be where it is today," Buffett articulated in the statement. Born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1924, Munger was…
Tug-of-War: Why Paradoxes Define Modern Business A clear theme is emerging across industries and countries: business leaders are navigating a level of complexity unlike anything they’ve seen before. According to a PwC Annual Global CEO Survey, 40% of CEOs believe their organisations will not be economically viable in 10 years if they stick with their existing strategies. This is a reflection of a business environment where the traditional rules no longer apply. This sense of urgency is driven by an environment characterised by rapid technological, geopolitical, and economic shifts. The dynamic nature of modern business demands decision-making models that are more adaptive, collaborative, and fast-moving than previous approaches allow. Leading a company or team is no longer about having the…
