In mid-May, the picturesque town of Bled, Slovenia, turned into a global melting pot of thoughts and ideas as renowned leaders and thinkers converged for the international conference, From Doomsday to New Optimism.
The conference, an event designed to embolden leadership in a climate of growing global uncertainty, attracted an impressive roster of participants. Hosted by the IEDC Bled School of Management and Bloomberg Adria, it brought fresh perspectives on navigating crises, offering new pathways toward resilience and optimism.
Among its biggest backers – as the exclusive sponsor – was Mplus Group, a forward-thinking company that prides itself on fostering innovation and leadership.
"Large companies and organizations often put their staff through traditional management education programs, such as MBAs. But the demand for more comprehensive, more innovative efforts is growing," Stjepan Orešković, Majority Owner of Mplus and President of the IEDC Supervisory Board, told Bloomberg Adria.
Mplus's decision to sponsor the conference and invest in the IEDC Bled is an expression of their faith in the transformative potential of such platforms.
"This conference, and events such as these in general, are a step in the right direction. We want to learn from the messages shared at the conference. Connecting with a community of creators, change leaders, and real doers makes us a better company," Orešković shared, noting that the need for multifaceted leadership capable of steering organizations through complex challenges has never been greater.
Lessons in crisis management
A diverse group of globally recognized speakers contributed their insights to the event.
Among them was Esko Aho, the former Prime Minister of Finland, perhaps best known for his decisive economic reforms that navigated Finland through a recession and led the country into the European Union. Aho highlighted the need to view crises as opportunities for fast and transformative changes.
Equally impactful was the tale of resilience shared by Mate Rimac, the Croatian founder of supercars maker Rimac Automobili. Despite a decade-long struggle for survival, Rimac spoke of how his early challenges and the lack of access to capital and state support forged a global mindset within his team. His inspiring story served as a testament to the power of perseverance, innovative thinking, and risk-taking in overcoming adversity.
Key takeaways from the conference included the necessity to focus on long-term success rather than short-term performance, the importance of setting the right priorities, and the crucial role of implementing change during crises.
Aho further stressed the importance of innovation, pointing out Europe's potential to implement new technologies due to its highly educated population, a message that echoes Mplus Group's own commitment to fostering innovative leadership.
Mplus Group's sponsorship of the conference and its investment in IEDC Bled, in which it is a shareholder, showcases its long-term commitment to thought leadership and innovative crisis management strategies.
In partnership with IEDC - Bled School of Management, the company has also launched Mplus Elevate - a Global Leadership Development Program tailored specifically for Mplus. The aim is for Mplus leaders to contribute to organizational excellence by staying ahead of the curve on digital transformation, technological advancements, and cultural changes.
"We want to be part of this in the long term," Orešković added, indicating the company's plan to continue to support such transformative initiatives.
To access the article in Slovenian published on Bloomberg, please visit the following link
