In the TEDxYerevanSalon talk, “Maestro to Sustainable Business Leader: Harmonizing Discord,” Artak Melkonyan discusses his journey from aspiring conductor to a leader in sustainable business practices. He emphasizes the urgent need for businesses to shift towards sustainable practices in order to address the pressing environmental and social challenges we face today.
Melkonyan highlights the alarming environmental statistics, such as the dwindling forest sizes and declining fish populations, and emphasizes that the current model of conducting business is pushing our planet to the brink. He stresses the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) introduced in 2015 as a collective vision for a more sustainable future.
The talk delves into various concepts such as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Socially Responsible Investing (SRI), Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, and Impact Investing, explaining how each level builds upon the other in integrating sustainability into business operations. Melkonyan clarifies the confusion surrounding these terms and sheds light on the measurable impact that sustainable practices can have on a company’s financial performance and long-term success.
Ultimately, Melkonyan urges businesses to move beyond superficial CSR initiatives and embrace a more intentional and measurable approach to impact through practices such as Impact Measurement and Management. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of various impact indicators and making decisions that resonate with universal human values and contribute to a sustainable future for all generations.
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Author Video Description
Join us on a captivating journey exploring the parallels between orchestral conducting and leading sustainable business practices. Discover how mastering harmony, audience connection, and collaboration can transform the way we conduct business, turning discord into impact and sustainability. Through this unconventional lens on ESG and other sustainability frameworks, delve into the crucial role of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and explore the complexities and benefits of impact measurement and management. This talk will inspire you to play your part in creating lasting positive change.
Artak Melkonyan is currently a Senior Advisor on equity financing and funds at UNDP. He has 28 years of experience in business and economic development projects across over 40 countries. He held leadership roles in private equity, fintech, banking, venture philanthropy, and international organizations. He worked as an Adjunct Lecturer of Management at AUA. Mr. Melkonyan was the Aide to Senior Advisor to the President of Armenia. He currently leads a dedicated team at the UNDP, specializing in innovative impact finance solutions for businesses and private sector stakeholders to address the Sustainable Development Goals. He holds expertise in advising and mobilizing business support, funding, and investment structures on impact investing, ESG, and other sustainability approaches. He led multi-million dollar projects in impact investments, fintech, sustainable tourism, education, and the green economy. Mr. Melkonyan has spearheaded the development of impact venture accelerators globally. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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TEDx is an international community that organizes TED-style events anywhere and everywhere — celebrating locally-driven ideas and elevating them to a global stage. TEDx events are produced independently of TED conferences, each event curates speakers on their own, but based on TED’s format and rules.
Video “Maestro to Sustainable Business Leader: Harmonizing Discord | Artak Melkonyan | TEDxYerevanSalon” was uploaded on 06/11/2024 to Youtube Channel TEDx Talks