Group Elephant is characterized by a primary strategic imperative in terms of which it goes ‘Beyond Corporate Purpose’ in its day-to-day activities, operating a hybrid business model through which it funds and operates nonprofits and impact investment businesses. The primary focus area is the preservation of at-risk Elephants and Rhinos, through the economic upliftment of rural People in areas adjacent to the threatened species, or another definition of ‘ERP’, if you will. The hybrid business model has been the subject of two University of California Berkeley Haas School of Business case studies, in 2016 and 2021, published and sold via the Harvard Business Review website and already taught at several universities, worldwide.
Following a period of rapid growth but waning enthusiasm for purely financial objectives, CEO Jonathan Tager decided to rebrand the Group and use a hybrid (blended) business model to achieve business, environmental, and social goals. This case study explores the inception of Group Elephant's 'Beyond Corporate Purpose: Elephants, Rhinos & People (ERP)' initiative and Tager's reflections on its early stage progress.
The case covers:
Six years after the 2015 launch of Group Elephant's 'Beyond Corporate Purpose: Elephants, Rhinos & People (ERP) program, CEO Jonathan Tager reflects on the various ERP programs and their impact on the elephant and rhino welfare, through a strategy based on poverty alleviation. The case also describes the effects of the ERP initiative and corporate rebranding on the core for-profit business.
More broadly, the case study explores:
We invite you to indulge in these two fascinating case studies exploring the inception, benefits and challenges of Group Elephant's hybrid business model, the global application thereof and the impact of 'purpose-driven leadership'.
These case studies are the property of the University of California at Berkeley. All copies requested from this site were purchased. You can also purchase directly from the Harvard Business Review.
