What if the way we value businesses is wrong? | Paul Adams | TEDxAuckland

“The language of business is accounting.” (Warren Buffet, 2014)
“That language is now broken.” (Paul Adams, 2021)

The world is drowning in intangible assets. And yet they’re being left off balance sheets and out of our conversations. Why is that?

Before you think that this talk isn’t for you, Paul has ninety-one trillion reasons for why it is. Because that’s the value of the global economy and virtually all of it, an estimated 90%, is based around intangible assets. Our cognitive biases and archaic accounting systems do not recognise the value of intangible assets, a value which - unlike the screen you’re watching this on - is poised to grow exponentially. So what exactly are intangible assets, and why do they matter to you, to accountants and to the economy? Let’s let Paul answer that.

Having observed the shift from an economy driven by tangible assets to one driven by intangible assets, Paul grew frustrated about the opportunities missed when companies and countries misunderstand how to identify, value and commercialise these critical assets. This frustration led him to found EverEdge Global, an advisory firm that sees companies and capital providers convert intangible assets into measurable growth and increased enterprise value.

Paul has been named one of the top intellectual property strategists in the world nine years in a row by IAM Magazine and is renowned for his advocacy for the fundamental role that intangible assets have in corporate performance. He is also a frequent guest speaker at global intangible asset, strategy, valuation and commercialisation conferences and events.

[spire]

Thank you! This is very interesting. I'm working on becoming a certified public accountant.