Web design and development by:

Elaine Baran

Elaine (ebaran@virtualstrategist.net) is president and founder of Baraness Ventures, a strategy consulting practice specializing in business venture assessment and corporate strategy. Working with a wide range of corporate and venture-backed clients, Baraness Ventures has developed a unique approach to business modeling that incorporates Balanced Scorecard, linear and non-linear modeling, and financial analysis techniques to create effective business plans. A broad understanding of business dynamics and functional competencies form the foundation of her company’s approach to resolving business issues.

Prior to founding Baraness Ventures, Ms. Baran was a Principal Consultant with CSC Consulting’s Strategy Practice where she spearheaded project teams which created workshops on critical business issues for the new economy and analyzed business ventures. Before joining CSC Consulting, she was a manager with KMPG Consulting’s World Class Finance/High Tech practice in Silicon Valley where she led a variety of project teams, including a major product development effort which provided the methodology and framework for integrating Balanced Scorecard with target modeling, financial reporting and planning. Ms. Baran has also served in key corporate finance and strategic planning positions in the hospitality industry, including holding the position of president at a travel and tour company. She has also worked in systems analysis and development for the Federal Government.

Ms. Baran is a graduate of the University of Chicago with a Master of Business Administration, specializing in Marketing. Her undergraduate degree in psychology was awarded Magna Cum Laude from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Additional studies include completion of a Masters in Spiritual Psychology program from the University of Santa Monica.

Virtual Strategist Articles

Issue 1 - The Human Strategist: Leapfrogging into the Global Future

Issue 2 - The Human Strategist: Lift Off to a Dream

Issue 3 - The Human Strategist: I'll Have The Usual

Issue 4 - The Human Strategist: Dancing on the Edge of the Possible

Issue 5 - The Human Strategist: The Stories We Tell Ourselves