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🎉 Reflections on the Past Year

The year began with exams from the first semester of my master’s program in Italy, focusing on economics with an emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation. These exams covered a wide range of subjects, including statistics, corporate law, micro/macroeconomics and more.

Living abroad has undeniably been a transformative experience, one that has significantly broadened my horizons and contributed to my personal growth and maturity. If you’re interested, I wrote about this experience earlier in the year. The most crucial lesson I’ve learned is the importance of living in the present and enjoying each moment.

Pushing the limits.

Throughout this year, I’ve been on a continuous endeavor of creative exploration, daring to think outside the box, and constantly pushing my own limits. I decided to launch this website dedicated to documenting my thoughts on various business-related topics. I also use this platform to delve into the work of individuals I admire in the business world, learning from their experiences. For instance, I wrote about the CEO’s toolbox (you can read it here) and explored the significance of innovation for a small country like Iceland (read it here). I even had that article published in the Icelandic newspaper Morgunblaðið, which you can see in the photo below.

Looking ahead to the new year, I plan to publish more articles. I encourage you to connect with me on LinkedIn or register at the bottom of this page if you’d like to receive email notifications to stay updated on these articles.

 


Work related.

In terms of work, I’ve maintained a part-time position at brandr alongside my studies. My primary responsibilities have involved contributing to the scaling strategy of brandr Index. We’ve worked closely with the global branding agency Saffron to enhance our brand’s look and feel, ensuring that we are understood correctly as we continue to grow. There are very exciting times ahead for the company!

Another significant recent project has been overseeing the Best Icelandic Brands 2023 awards. In this role, I’ve been responsible for recruiting and assembling our exceptional selection panel, which including experienced professionals in the Icelandic business environment. Their pivotal role in the process includes nominating brands and later on in the process, evaluating the cases submitted by these nominated companies. Furthermore, as part of the process, these brands leverage the brandr Index to measure the strength of their brands.

brandr Index.

The Best Icelandic Brands panel of experts.

What will 2024 bring to the table?

As I gaze into the future, contemplating what 2024 has in store, I’m gearing up for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. I have final exams in January and February, followed by writing my master’s thesis this spring. Furthermore, I will continue to support brandr Index global growth. And as mentioned earlier! I’ll keep posting articles here and aim to share valuable insights and information.

Dear reader, Merry Christmas to you and may the new year bring you happy times!

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    About Elías Larsen

    What I do

    I’m head of growth at brandr Index, focusing on developing strategic relationships that foster trust, reliability, and shared success. My role centers on connecting with forward-thinking partners worldwide to introduce innovative branding solutions across diverse markets.

    How I Do It

    My background in strategic business development and leadership drives my approach to growing brandr Index’s reach. I believe in a hands-on approach, crafting relationships that are as reliable as they are dynamic, ensuring every collaboration is both beneficial and enduring.

    My Mission

    As a young, ambitious professional, I actively seek challenges that enhance my skills and push the boundaries of what we can achieve in business strategy and development. My approach is always to inspire growth and operational efficiency through innovative practices.

    Guiding Principles

    I am deeply passionate about developing strategic approaches that not only accelerate the growth of startups but also enhance the scalability of established firms. 

    Leadership, to me, means having a clear vision and the practical skills to implement effective strategies that align with the dynamic needs of the market.

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    University Degrees

    I graduated with a Masters’s degree in Economics focusing on Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the University of Padova in Italy, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and International Business from the University of Iceland.