Nicole Malachowski

Col. Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret.) defies stereotypes. Yes, she was a jet fighter pilot, but if you think you know her based on that, you’d be wrong. A leader, a combat veteran, the first woman pilot on the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, a White House Fellow, and an inductee into both the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame, Nicole’s distinguished 21- year Air Force career exceeded her wildest dreams. But the dream came to an end when a devastating tick-borne illness left her struggling greatly to speak or walk for almost nine months. An indomitable spirit, Nicole fought back against overwhelming odds and prevailed. Drawing on stories from her career and personal life, Nicole inspires audiences to rethink the challenges they face every day. She urges them to go beyond resilience and become resurgent. Nicole empowers people with three key beliefs: failure and risk is the price of entry for achieving something great; sometimes you need to yield to overcome; and her personal mantra – “Nobody wants to lead a scripted life.”

In her speeches, Nicole inspires audiences with lessons from her experience that can be tailored to meet program objectives. Nicole brings her experience to the stage and holds audiences spellbound with an easygoing authenticity of someone who’s achieved greatness. She’s been a member and leader of exceptional teams. She has faced overwhelming challenges and adversity and has come out on top. When Nicole’s distinguished military career was cut short by a neurological tick-borne illness that, at its worst, left her unable to walk safely or speak intelligibly, she overcame those challenges, as well.

Videos

Biography

A 21-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Col. Nicole Malachowski (USAF, Ret.) wanted to fly military jets from the moment she saw them at her first air show at five years old. She achieved that goal – and then some. A leader, a combat veteran, the first woman pilot on the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, an instructor, a White House Fellow, and an inductee into the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame, Nicole’s Air Force career exceeded her wildest dreams.

In her speeches, Nicole inspires audiences with lessons from her experience that can be tailored to meet program objectives. Nicole brings her experience to the stage and holds audiences spellbound with an easygoing authenticity of someone who’s achieved greatness. She’s been a member and leader of exceptional teams. She has faced overwhelming challenges and adversity and has come out on top. When Nicole’s distinguished military career was cut short by a neurological tick-borne illness that, at its worst, left her unable to walk safely or speak intelligibly, she overcame those challenges, as well.

While other high school students were practicing for their driver’s licenses, Nicole was accumulating flight time – she was sixteen years old when she took her first solo flight. While in high school, she joined the Civil Air Patrol and participated in Air Force Junior ROTC. Nicole’s professional story began when she earned her commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 1996. Following graduation, she attended Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) at Columbus AFB, MS and began her career as a pilot. Competitively selected to fly combat aircraft, she was among the first group of women to fly modern fighter aircraft. She served in combat as an F-15E Flight Commander, Evaluator, Instructor Pilot and Flight Lead. Over her 21-year career, Nicole achieved the rating of Command Pilot with over 2,300 flight hours in six different Air Force aircraft. She was also selected to fly as Thunderbird #3 with the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron – the first woman to fly on any Department of Defense military jet demonstration team. Colonel Malachowski has served as a mission ready fighter pilot in three operational F-15E fighter squadrons and has flown over 188 combat hours, including her proudest moment as a fighter pilot: leading the first fighter formation to provide security for Iraq’s historic democratic elections in 2005.

On the ground, Nicole was a White House Fellow, class of 2008-2009, where she served on the Presidential Transition Support Team (PTST) while assigned to the U.S. General Services Administration. She has served two high-level staff assignments at the Pentagon – one in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD P&R) as well as the Secretary of the Air Force Office of International Affairs (SAF/IA). She also served as the Executive Director of the White House’s national ‘Joining Forces’ initiative where she directly advised former First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden on all topics relating to service members, veterans, and military families to include employment, education, mental health, veterans’ homelessness and more.

Nicole’s operational F-15E assignments include two tours of duty at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom as well as one operational assignment to Seymour Johnson AFB, NC. She has also served alongside the United States Army 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Red Cloud, Republic of Korea, as an Air Liaison Officer. During her second assignment to Seymour Johnson AFB, NC, she had the honor of commanding the 333rd Fighter Squadron, leading an elite cadre of F-15E Instructors in the training of the next generation of combat aviators. Further, she was responsible for resources totaling over $1.1B and the execution of a $119M annual flying hour program.

Nicole earned a Master of Arts, with honors, in National Security Policy from American Military University and a second Master of Arts, with highest distinction, in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. While there, she earned the Admiral Stephen B. Luce Award as the class honor graduate, the first Air Force officer in the history of the Naval War College to do so. Nicole has been recognized with several honors for her consistent contributions to community service. As Nicole continues to recover from her neurological tick-borne illness, she embraces any opportunity to educate others about her medical journey and gains energy from educating others about this growing epidemic. She is on the Board of Directors at the LivLyme Foundation and is a Patient Advisory Board Member of The Dean Center for Tick Borne Illness.

Colonel Nicole Malachowski (USAF, Ret.) was born in Santa Maria, CA and graduated high school in Las Vegas, NV. She and her husband Paul have twin children; son Garrick and daughter Norah. Paul is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and former F-15E Evaluator Weapons Systems Officer.

Speech Topics

Conquering Fog and Friction: Leading Through Times of Crisis

“No war plan survives first contact with the enemy” is a truism. In the military, leaders must acknowledge and address the fog (things we can’t see, know, or predict) and friction (the forces which impede progress) of war. In such times, effective leadership is more crucial than ever. Using the challenges and uncertainties of combat as a metaphor for organizational challenges, Nicole stresses perspective, priorities and positive leadership as she provides tools for leaders to use in times of crisis—or anytime—to keep their organizations successfully moving forward.

Nicole Malachowski offers leaders a framework to lead through fog and friction in times of crisis.

-How to proceed regardless of the unknowns your organization facing

-How to maneuver around or through impediments to your organization’s progress

-Understand the leadership challenges that are unique to times of crisis

-Keep focused on your purpose; perspective is critical to manage risk and adapt

-Positivity and calmness are essential. Instill confidence; don’t add to the chaos

Harnessing Headwinds of Change – Successfully Navigating Change & Adversity

Leaders across every industry and experience level share one thing in common: To be successful they need to effectively navigate failure, organizational change, and the unknown. Like headwinds to a pilot, these perceived barriers can force you to change direction, cost you momentum, and even take away options. These headwinds can feel confusing, disorienting, and downright uncomfortable. In this talk, Nicole Malachowski uses the aviation-based idea of headwinds as a metaphor to show how with the right mindset, individuals and teams can learn to harness the energy of these headwinds in their advantage.

Nicole inspires individuals and organizations and bolsters their ability to:

-Overcome personal and professional failures

-Effectively navigate organizational and cultural change

-Endure the discomfort of the unknown

-Increase resilience, reinvention, regroup, and adaptability

-Have courage to rise above self-doubt and cultural paradigms

-Support and mentor others on the team

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE – BEING THE BEST WHEN IT COUNTS

To be successful, leaders from every industry and experience level need to effectively navigate moments of self-doubt, master the role of a trustworthy team player, and embrace moments of personal and professional vulnerability. Using the idea of an aircraft performance envelope as a metaphor, this elite fighter pilot and military leader will share inspiring personal stories and practical tools to ignite individuals and teams to reach beyond commonly-assumed limitations to achieve their maximum capabilities and impact. Nicole Malachowski’s presentation will bolster the ability of individuals and teams to:

Overcome self-doubt that often inhibits personal and professional growth
Model the selfless trust needed to be an effective teammate
Practice vulnerability and transparency to build trust and galvanize teamwork
Build accountability, dependability and reliability that drive performance
Break down silos to unleash creativity and adaptability

BREAKING BARRIERS – CONQUERING SELF-DOUBT AND CULTURAL PARADIGMS

Everyone faces barriers, both personal and professional, that may appear to place limits on what’s possible. When people pursue only what is expected, accept cultural norms that hold them back, and view barriers that appear unsurmountable, their personal and professional lives become limited—scripted. A powerful trailblazer herself, Nicole Malachowski reminds audiences to not let others draw their boundaries, and to break tradition with grace and purpose. She inspires people to see obstacles and challenges as opportunities to grow—a chance to reach new levels of personal and professional excellence.

Nicole delivers actionable insights for pursuing dreams, making choices, and living an unscripted life.

Define your own possibilities and overcome self-doubt
Reevaluate traditions, paradigms, and overcome limitations
Welcome challenges to the status quo
Why having the courage to ask for help is key to, reaching your potential
Acknowledge the work-life balance myth

THE MACH 2 MINDSET – DECISION-MAKING IN A HIGH-SPEED ENVIRONMENT

One popular pilot saying is “speed is life,” because without enough speed, an airplane is nothing more than an expensive rock. In the business world, especially when technology is involved, speed can be just as crucial. The organization that moves the fastest often realizes the most success. Having flown a high-tech fighter aircraft that can reach speeds of up to twice the speed of sound, Nicole Malachowski offers principles that keep any organization functioning smoothly, efficiently, and at high speed, even when chaos and the unexpected occur. Nicole’s insights help leaders create a culture where decisions get made quickly.

Assess the dynamics that slow your organization down
How turmoil in your operating environment slows you down
How does a need for speed impact decision-making
Trust, clear roles, and communication are vital to navigate the unknown at speed
Practice, planning, and preparation underpin organizations that move quickly

Testimonials

“We can not thank YOU enough for bringing your inspiring, moving, profound, vulnerable, INCREDIBLE story to our team. If your ears have been ringing it is 120 people saying you were the absolute highlight of the whole offsite. And many told me you were the BEST speaker they have ever heard. [And these people hear a lot of speakers.]”

– Training Manager, Genentech

“We were already excited to hear Nicole speak because of her impressive bio, but her presentation still blew us away. She has a compelling personal as well as professional story to tell. And she does it with a passion and vulnerability that create a strong connection with her audience. Five minutes into her presentation, you could tell that she had our group hooked. Nicole creates a three-dimensional experience for her listeners – we had the sense that we were with her in the cockpit of her fighter jet as she recounted experiences of flying with the Air Force’s Thunderbird team. Her presentation resonated so deeply with our audience that people are still talking about her presentation a week later and employees who could not attend are asking to see the video of her presentation. Nicole is professional, organized, timely, and an all-around pleasure to work with. She was thoughtful in researching our organization and event so she could craft her discussion to fit our audience.”

– Investments Director, Fundamental Equities, Invesco Advisers, Inc.

“Most of us will never lead a squadron of F-15E fighter pilots, fly right wing for the USAF Thunderbirds or have our careers transformed as a result of a tick bite. But your storytelling took us there for a brief moment and the lessons they represent—failure and risk are the price of entry for achieving something great; plow your own path; nobody wants to lead a scripted life; etc.—resonate in a way that can change lives, personal and professional. You are one of the most engaging and effective speakers I have come across—a humble force that touches people emotionally. Without question, you presented exactly the message we wanted to share with our elite performers.”

– Chairman and CEO, SunTrust Banks, Inc.

“Col. Nicole Malachowski took our financial professionals by storm – three weeks later, people are still talking about her. She has a unique gift of being able to relate her very interesting and exciting professional and personal life experiences to a diverse audience in a completely different profession. Her genuine conversational style made each attendee feel she was talking directly to them.”

– Treasury Management Association of New York (TMANY)

“Nicole was exceptionally well received. She—truly—did a magnificent job. Connected with the audience, inspiring, thought-provoking, funny, real, open. Our colleagues couldn’t stop talking about it. Was the highlight of our event.”

– UnitedHealth Group

“Rarely have I found an entire room of business colleagues all so incredibly inspired and engaged by one speaker! Nicole’s story has the power of relating to all businesses as well as the individual journeys we are all on. Nicole’s compassion, determination and kind spirit shine through in every aspect of her presentation. The outpouring of support, after two standing ovations and many tears, made it clear her message resonated with everyone in attendance. We look forward to Nicole joining us for future conferences and highly recommend her for anyone looking for a truly exceptional experience!”

– CEO of Cetera Financial Group

“I have had the pleasure and burden of hosting speakers for major corporate and client meetings (40-7000 attendees) for the last twenty years. I refer to this part of my work as a burden only because when you chose a speaker who doesn’t hit the mark, it can have a significant impact on the experience, efficacy and ratings of an event. But when you chose well, it’s magic. I’m writing to you today to let you know that you, Nicole Malachowski, are magic! You are easily in my “top-5 of all-time”! In addition to be an excellent public speaker in manner, tone and approach, your presentation was stunningly inspiring, moving and motivational. And it wasn’t just a feel good session. Every person in the room left with business and life-tools to use and share. But most of all, each and every one of us left the room with a more grateful heart. For me, this is the home run of home runs as we attempt to bring some light to the lives of our employees and clients. Thank you for being the amazing woman and role model you are, for your service to our great country and for sharing part of yourself with us. I, too, wish you blue skies and tail winds.”

– President, First Allied and Cetera Advisors

“Colonel Nicole Malachowski recently spoke to the senior leaders in my company and did an outstanding job. In fact, I cannot recall another speaker where there was such high universal praise. She is inspiring, authentic, energizing, and a true American hero. More than a week later, there is still abuzz in the organization and I have zero doubt her remarks will leave a lasting impression on our team to embrace headwinds and navigate change more successfully.”

– President and CEO of Strayer University, Inc.

“I was at the Strayer retreat this past week, and wanted to express how much your presentation meant to me. I’m sure you get this a lot, but your stage presence is amazing but your message is life-changing. You may not know how many people in each of your audiences are affected, but I can assure you that your message spoke to me in a time of need and I just wanted to share my appreciation. I so appreciate your story and how you are so blessed to connect with others.”

– Strayer University Attendee

“An indomitable spirit whose life journey adds such warmth and depth to her powerful message. She is relatable to women and men with a fascinating narrative of overcoming trials and tribulations all while being an unwitting trailblazer in aviation, in leadership, in social awareness and in medical care”

– VP, Advanced Technology Demonstration Center, Northrop Grumman

“A very special thank you for your incredible keynote at our team meeting this week. You touched my team with your brilliant and meaningful storytelling and have inspired them with your leadership and very practical tips on how to manage headwinds. You captivated their hearts and minds—and it was exactly the kind of closing I wanted to end our week of planning sessions. I know you are going to have an amazing career as a speaker as my team like me was thinking of how and where we need to have your message in our programs and will be recommending you to their network of colleagues and friends in the industry.”

– SVP, CMO | Marketing and Sales, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts

“You are a spectacular speaker and I have never been to a meeting with our entire team mesmerized by anyone like they were with you. Your story is unbelievable and you are able to deliver it in such a natural and powerful way that had me in awe for days after. I haven’t been so motivated or inspired by anyone in a long time.”

– Director | Marketing Activation, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts

“Nicole, thanks again for joining us in Wilmington! My team couldn’t have been more pleased to work with you. Your message of perseverance, determination, and overcoming roadblocks was incredibly moving and inspiring. Our group of hoteliers and developers embraced your courage, and your path resonated with the myriad of challenges we face in our industry. I was especially impressed when you joined us the day before, sat through our meetings, got to know various people, and mentioned them during your talk! I have to say that never before have I had our group rise and give a standing ovation to a guest speaker and then be asked to return to the stage for ongoing applause!”

– Executive Vice President, Human Resources, PM Hotel Group

“Days later I am still thinking about you and the unforgettable talk you gave to close our leadership conference. To say it was the highlight of an already exceptional conference would simply be an understatement. You touched so many people with not only your story, but the very essence of who you are as human being. You are a unique mixture of charm, vulnerability, humble strength and resilience…many of us in the audience, including myself, aspire to be more like you. You left us all with the gifts of inspiration and motivation…exactly what we needed to end a conference that was focused on driving performance and connections.”

– Event Planner, PM Hotel Group

“… it was the best, most inspiring, heartfelt and meaningful speech I heard all year. Even though I have never flown a jet, given birth to children, or had to deal with a tick-borne illness, you effortlessly translated your words and stories on resilience and dedication into the challenges we face every day. Keep telling your story, it was a pleasure to hear.”

– Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, BPG|360

“During our time together Nicole Malachowski and I traveled across the country to visit and speak with our regional personnel. She shared her unique background, her experience, challenges she faced, and lessons learned over two decades of serving our country. At every stop the reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Her unique ability to connect with each and every member of the crowd was impressive. Each individual believed she was talking directly to them and all attendees left walking a little taller. If you are looking for someone to motivate and inspire your audience you cannot do better than Nicole Malachowski. And I’ll bet you might walk a little taller, too.”

– Deputy Administrator, U.S. General Services Administration

Dan Lyons

There is probably no better (or funnier!) journalist, author and chronicler of our chaotic digital age than Dan Lyons. Dan’s 2016 bestseller “Disrupted: My Misadventures In The Start-up Bubble,” was a tragicomic romp through his “old guy” experiences working for a hip tech startup.

His follow up book to Disrupted was the perfect sequel. “Lab Rats: How Silicon Valley Made Work Miserable For The Rest of Us” is a witty and well researched examination of how Silicon Valley has completely changed the way we work, in ways no one ever could have imagined.

But Now, Dan has a new book out…:

STFU: The Power of Keeping Your Mouth Shut in an Endlessly Noisy World

Talk less, get more. STFU is all about inspiring people to speak with intention and engage with the world in ways that create an advantage. Buying a new car or house? Hoping to move up the ladder at work? Trying to win friends and influence people? Learn how to shut the f*ck up. By identifying five types of over-talkers (don’t worry, Dan’s a recovering one, too) and five exercises to cure our babbling ways, STFU is a prescriptive, informative book that empowers us to become better at nearly every facet of our daily lives—and, more important, to improve the lives of the people around us.

Dan has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Economist, The Guardian, NPR and the BBC. In addition to authoring six books, Dan has consulted with tech companies, written for HBO’s hit comedy series, “Silicon Valley,” and led technology coverage for Newsweek.

His energetic, story-driven, takeaway-laden keynote presentations get rave reviews.

Videos

Biography

Dan Lyons is an author, journalist, satirist, and screenwriter whose credits include two seasons working on HBO’s hit comedy, Silicon Valley. Recently, Dan partnered with Onda Entertainment in Los Angeles to produce a screenplay based on his book, Disrupted. That book tells the story of Dan’s hilariously catastrophic 18-month stint at a software startup run by millennials.

Dan spent 10 years at Forbes, then was tech editor of Newsweek, a columnist at Fortune, and an op-ed writer for the New York Times. As a satirist Dan became known in the late 2000s as the creator of a blog called The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs, where he wrote under the pen name, “Fake Steve Jobs.” At its peak this incredibly silly blog drew 1.5 million readers a month, and led to someone calling Dan “the Mark Twain of Silicon Valley,” and “a Jonathan Swift for our own digital age.”

Dan has spoken at dozens of conferences and events around the world. He has a B.A. from Bradford College and an M.F.A. from University of Michigan. Click here for more info.

Speech Topics

The Future of Work: Unlocking Human Potential

The future of work is all about flexibility, but the shift to new models is creating headaches and confusion for organizations. Is remote work really better? How do we do it? Dan Lyons explains—with concrete, actionable ideas—how companies can use remote work to gain competitive advantage and unlock human potential. Dan has spent the past decade writing about the tech-driven workplace and even embedding himself inside tech companies to gain a first-hand perspective. He thinks remote work could be as disruptive and impactful as the Internet itself.

Much of this talk is derived from research for his new book (Spring 2023) with some of the cutting edge people involved in remote work, with people who run companies that have been remote since the beginning. He’s also conferenced with “digital nomads” and interviewed government officials in the Canary Islands(!) who are competing to get remote workers. And if that’s not enough, Dan has worked as a contractor and consultant for 2 tech companies to get an experience of what it’s like for an actual employee to be a remote worker. One of those companies? Twitter.

Dan’s best-selling book, Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Startup Bubble, became a Silicon Valley classic by blending a laugh-out-loud personal story with influential insights that have helped companies create happy, productive workplace cultures. Dan has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Economist, The Guardian, NPR and the BBC. In addition to authoring six books, Dan has consulted with tech companies, written for HBO’s hit comedy series, “Silicon Valley,” and led technology coverage for Newsweek. His energetic, story-driven, takeaway-laden presentations get rave reviews.

5G and AI: Promise and Peril

What is machine learning, how does it work, and how is it changing our lives? Is the combination of machine learning and 5G mobile telephony a danger or a blessing? Will new technologies lead to dangerous geopolitical upheaval or to marvelous new apps that make our lives immeasurably better? The answer is both. Tech journalist, author and research consultant Dan Lyons explains the promise and peril of two new technologies whose impact will be greater than the Internet itself, and why you should care.

Techlash: How Tech Tools Destroy Productivity, and Why Even Some Tech Companies Have Started Banning Them

Here’s the dirty little secret that technology companies don’t want you to know: technology tools don’t make companies more efficient, but instead destroy productivity. Tech companies know this and that’s why some have been banning certain tools, like Slack and shared calendars, and restoring sanity to the workplace.

New York Times best-selling author Dan Lyons writes about the backlash against technology — aka, the “techlash” — as well as the new economy workplace in two books, Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Start-Up Bubble, and Lab Rats: How Silicon Valley Made Work Miserable for the Rest of Us. In the age of the Internet, Silicon Valley startups believed they could boost productivity by building tech-centric, “data-driven” workplaces, where algorithms were king. Instead the new compact has led to workaholism, burnout, stress and unhappiness among workers. Worst of all, it doesn’t work: these startups operate at light speed but never manage to become profitable. That has led to a “techlash,” a backlash against Silicon Valley companies and their business model. In Lab Rats, Lyons traveled corporate America and discovered a counter-revolution led by a new generation of startup CEOs. These pioneers are doing something really strange and counter-intuitive — they’re ripping technology out of their workplace, having come to believe that these tech tools don’t make workers more efficient and in fact have been destroying productivity. Instead, they’re focusing on people, and building human-centric workplaces. It’s working. They’ve boosted productivity and are delivering real profits, building sustainable companies with healthy, happy employees. When it comes to using technology in the workplace, people are starting to realize that less is more.

Editorial Reviews

“Entertaining, illuminating, and inspiring! More than a book, it’s a public service announcement that we’d all do well to―well, STFU and listen to!”
―Sarah Knight, New York Times bestselling author of Calm the F*ck Down

“Read this book–your boss will thank you. Your spouse will thank you. And you’ll thank yourself! Good communication is measured not by the speaker, but by the listener. How can you know what’s going on in another person’s ear? Start by STFU! For most of us, that’s easier said than done. Dan Lyons will explain how to do it, and why it will improve your relationships at work and at home.”
―Kim Scott, New York Times bestselling author of Radical Candor

“STFU convinced me that, by keeping my big mouth shut, I will be happier and more productive and so will everyone else in my life. Dan Lyons’ ridiculously funny gem taught me how to shut up, pay fierce attention to others, stifle my ‘manalogues’ and so many more antidotes for my talkaholic tendencies. My only problem is that, after reading STFU, I can’t stop talking about how much I love this book!”
―Robert I. Sutton, organizational psychologist, Stanford Professor, and New York Times bestselling author of seven books including The No Asshole Rule

“Lyons cuts through the noise even as he critiques it. Timely, clever, and important. Need I say more? (Probably not).”
―David Litt, former speechwriter for President Barack Obama and New York Times bestselling author of Thanks, Obama

“Want to help with those loudmouthed jerks, the ones polluting our media and our minds of late? Want to avoid being one yourself? STFU teaches us what we all need to learn: how to listen, pause and speak. How to communicate with intention, and power. The book opens your mind by closing your mouth. I could go on, but I’ll shut up now.”
―Aaron James, New York Times bestselling author of Assholes: A Theory

Mike Abrashoff

At the age of 36, the Navy selected Abrashoff to become Commander of USS Benfold – at the time, the most junior commanding officer in the Pacific Fleet. The immediate challenges that faced him on this underperforming Naval war ship were staggering: exceptionally low morale, high turnover and unacceptably low performance evaluations. Few thought that this ship could improve. In many ways, the USS Benfold was actually an extreme example of the same problems facing many organizations today.

“When my crew came to me with a problem, I’d say ‘It’s your ship – how would you fix it?’.” Mike focused on the one thing he could influence: his crew’s attitude, because culture is the ultimate competitive weapon for any organization.

Mike’s established a set of management principles that he calls The Leadership Roadmap. At the core of his leadership approach on Benfold was a process of replacing command and control with commitment and cohesion, and engaging the hearts, minds, and loyalties of workers with conviction and humility. “The most important thing that a captain can do is to see the ship through the eyes of the crew. The idea is to empower every individual to share the responsibility of achieving excellence.”

The solution was to establish a system of management techniques that Abrashoff calls The Leadership Roadmap. At the core of his leadership approach on Benfold was a process of replacing command and control with commitment and cohesion, and by engaging the hearts, minds, and loyalties of workers – with conviction and humility. “The most important thing that a captain can do is to see the ship through the eyes of the crew.” According to Abrashoff, The Leadership Roadmap is a practice that empowers every individual to share the responsibility of achieving excellence. “It’s your ship,” he was known to say. His former sailors to this day still remind him of it.

Videos

Biography

Mike Abrashoff was the most-junior officer in the Pacific Fleet when he took command of the near-worst performing ship. Twelve months later, the USS Benfold was the best ship in the entire Navy – using the same crew. The story of that stunning transformation has lessons for every organization: leadership matters – and culture is everything. Mike’s written three books – his first, It’s Your Ship, has sold over 1.3 million copies. His Leadership Roadmap offers clear, battle-tested, and actionable steps. Mike shows people at every level of the organization how to engage and take incremental steps toward change that can make a dramatic difference at work. Mike is clear, “I didn’t turn the ship around – my crew did that. What I did was to create an environment where they felt safe, empowered and supported. When you do that, anything is possible.”

In many ways, what Mike was able to do with the USS Benfold was an extreme example of the same problems facing many organizations today. That’s why dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, and Fast Company have cited Mike’s story as an inspiring lesson for business. Leaders especially identify with Mike’s being accountable for the results in an environment where he couldn’t make the rules.

“When my crew came to me with a problem, I’d say ‘It’s your ship – how would you fix it?’.” Mike focused on the one thing he could influence: his crew’s attitude, because culture is the ultimate competitive weapon for any organization.

Mike’s established a set of management principles that he calls The Leadership Roadmap. At the core of his leadership approach on Benfold was a process of replacing command and control with commitment and cohesion, and engaging the hearts, minds, and loyalties of workers with conviction and humility. “The most important thing that a captain can do is to see the ship through the eyes of the crew. The idea is to empower every individual to share the responsibility of achieving excellence.”

By every measure, these principles achieved breakthrough results: turnover decreased to an unprecedented 1%; the rate of promotions tripled; and the crew slashed operating expenses by 25%. Regarded as the finest ship in the Pacific Fleet, Benfold won the prestigious Spokane Trophy for having the highest degree of combat readiness. This remarkable turnaround was accomplished by the very same crew that had performed so poorly just months before.

Mike is author of three books. His first, It’s Your Ship, has a timeless message: don’t use outside forces that stand in your way as excuses – control the things you can influence and amazing results will happen. His next books, It’s Our Ship and Get Your Ship Together, showed how these principles have been put into action by business leaders in their own organizations.

A popular keynote speaker for audiences looking to ramp up organizational performance, Mike has spoken to every industry and kind of audience – from board retreats to front line personnel; from sales groups to universities; from Fortune 500s to startups. He inspires audiences to rethink their beliefs about leadership and organizational culture and tailors the message to focus on engagement, execution, change, safety, diversity, leadership, teamwork, innovation, accountability and more.

Prior to commanding USS Benfold, Mike served as the Military Assistant to Secretary of Defense William J. Perry. He also helped draft the air defense plan for naval forces in the Persian Gulf in 1990, coinciding with Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait; and served as the executive officer of the Cruiser Shiloh, where he deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of United Nations sanctions against Iraq.

Mike Abrashoff is the founder of Aegis Performance Group, a consulting firm which works with and supports leaders as they address leadership, talent and performance challenges within their organizations. Mike and his team prompt leaders at all levels to re-imagine their leadership thinking and create new ways to elevate individual, team and organizational performance.

Speech Topics

IT’S YOUR SHIP – ACHIEVING BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE

When Mike Abrashoff took command of the USS Benfold, morale was low, turnover was high and the ship’s performance ranked near the bottom of the Pacific Fleet. Just twelve months later Benfold was ranked #1 – using the very same crew. The lesson was clear – leadership matters and culture is everything. This inspiring talk is for every individual and organization looking for practical and usable ways to take organizational performance to new heights. In Mike’s case, he realized that before the ship’s performance could change, he had to change his leadership style. Mike worked to create a culture of trust and empower his crew to take charge and use ingenuity and initiative to improve every aspect of the way things were done. Top down leadership is dead, so when the crew would present a problem, Mike became famous for responding “What would YOU do? It’s YOUR ship!” Mike’s presentation leaves audiences with the tools and inspiration to accomplish big goals.

NO LIMITS – DON’T LET GOALS BECOME LIMITATIONS

Sometimes in our professional lives we might think we are in a battle to beat an adversary or a competitor when in actuality we are really in competition with ourselves but just haven’t figured it out yet. When battling the competition, you want to come out on top, if only by one more sale or maybe a few percentage points. Other times, someone at a higher level gives you a goal based on some median expectation set for others. When Mike Abrashoff took command of a well below-average ship in the U.S. Navy, his goal was to get to average. He initially set average goals and expectations for himself and his crew until one day it dawned on him: his ship could be much better than just average. It was Mike’s eureka moment: realizing they weren’t in competition with anyone but themselves. To be their best they had to stop putting limits on what they believed was possible. That realization changed Mike Abrashoff’s approach to leadership and led the same crew to accomplish one of the most remarkable turnarounds that was chronicled in the Harvard Business Review , Fast Company magazine and Mike’s New York Times’ and Wall Street Journal bestselling book, IT’S YOUR SHIP. This presentation will challenge audiences to think differently on how to set expectations while realizing the only limits that you have are self-imposed.

THE VIRTUAL LEADER’S ROADMAP

Mike Abrashoff had to change his leadership mindset when he took over the near-worst performing ship in the Navy. The situation was dire. If performance did not improve, sailors could have gotten injured…or worse. In response, Mike quickly adopted a new set of principles to guide a new way of leading. His focus was on building trust and authentic ways of engaging. It was about listening to and empowering his crew who then went on to make the USS Benfold the best ship in the entire U.S. Navy. These very same principles are the foundation of success for organizations that embrace working virtually. In the short term, many organizations have found virtual work arrangements actually increase effectiveness of employees. That effectiveness may not be sustainable if leaders and organizations don’t master a new skill-set of how to lead people they can’t see. It’s about measuring results – not activity; and about finding ways to let people know their efforts are appreciated. Those who succeed in leading in the virtual environment will create a decisive competitive advantage.

GO DEEPER WITH HALF-DAY AND FULL-DAY PROGRAMS

Dive deep into the Leadership Roadmap with a half-day or full-day program. The sessions are most often used as a follow-on to Mike’s keynote and provide attendees with powerful tools and strategies to apply in their work environment. Depending on the circumstances, these longer sessions are facilitated by a senior strategist from Mike’s firm, Aegis Performance Group, or Mike himself. These sessions create an exciting interactive atmosphere where participants examine the key components of high performing leaders, teams and organizations. Inquire for more details and program descriptions.

Testimonials

FRANCHISE OWNERS:
“I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye after your presentation to our franchisee group. You did a terrific job – we heard nothing but rave reviews on your stories, your leadership ideas, your style, the lack of PowerPoint slides, etc. Well done!”
– President, Great Clips, Inc.

UNION CARPENTERS:
“Despite the fact that it was late in the afternoon on the closing day of a 3-day conference, Abrashoff engaged and inspired the participants. As I coordinate these events, I tend to watch the crowd more than any individual speaker. Doing this tells me how the program is going based on how many faces are looking down at their phones or talking to the person next to them. The entire time Abrashoff spoke he had command of the entire room.Not a single set of eyes was anywhere but on him.”
– Chief of Staff, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America

CATERPILLAR DEALERS:
“Mike, you hit it out of the park, as I knew you would. Your message was on point and was exactly what I was looking for. It emphasized some of the things we were already working on and provided a good foundation for us to build on.”
– President/CEO, Empire Caterpillar Southwest

Mike Abrashoff’s address to our group in Denver was spot-on. It was quite evident that he had worked to include information regarding our company, our markets and in particular, our Project Managers Forum objectives and attendee backgrounds into the content of his presentation. Several people commented to me that they found his story inspiring and relevant. As I mentioned earlier, this was the third time I heard Mike tell his story. It seems that each time I pull something more from the information he shares.”

– Facilities Manager, URS

“You gave a memorable and enjoyable keynote speech that was enjoyed by all. Thank you for making our owners understand that they are the captains of their own destiny and that they need to take all action needed to succeed. You did a great job setting the tone for the rest of the convention.”

– Kevin G. Sinclair, CEO, Wireless Zone

“We have never had such positive feedback so you very much exceeded our expectations. You were quoted numerous times throughout the remainder of the conference which says people took your message to heart and will put it to work in their everyday jobs – exactly what we aimed for!”

– Director of Staffing, Employee Relations & Development, Denbury Resources

“The “day after” is over and the impact is reverberating throughout the organization. .” I truly appreciate the effort you obviously made to incorporate our issues and to position the call to action for them as leaders of teams. The feedback was clear — your presentation ranked #1 for most valuable . . . count me a fan.”

– Head of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, North America, Nokia Siemens Networks

“Mike Abrashoff’s remarkable story regarding the transformation of USS Benfold was extremely well received and appreciated by our event participants, who found great inspiration and practicality in his remarks. These are challenging times for many and his perspective on leadership and leading during difficult times is timely as well as thought-provoking.”

– California Bankers Association

“The feedback was overwhelmingly positive! I personally have never listened to a better speaker. Your message was tailor made for my team and I look forward to discussing future opportunities with you. Thank you so very much Mike.”

– VP, TransCanada Energy Operations

“I wanted to let you know what an amazing speaker and presentation Mr. Abrashoff gave! It was a pleasure listening to him.”

– Program Analyst, SAO East

“Your insightful leadership guided us through a thorough, engaging and thoughtful examination of our current “state of the union” as well as our visions and expectations for the future. We have been inspired by your call for collaboration and are excited to bring your teachings forward with us into the future.”

– Laurence Gumina, CEO, Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services

“Any audience that cares about leadership, culture, change management, performance and teamwork would benefit immensely from your presentation. Our group enjoyed not only your message, but also your presentation style. Needless to say, you received very high ratings in our post-conference survey.”

– Steve Perlowski, Vice President, Industry Affairs & Member Relations, National Association of Chain Drug Stores

“He was fabulous! A big hit and hit the nail on the head with our meeting theme- was the perfect end to the week.”

– VP of IT, Underwriters Lab

“THANK YOU for visiting City of Hope! Our team of leaders was inspired by your sessions and many have emailed me or stopped me on campus to share how they can apply relevant learnings. We have ordered another 100 books and many will be taking the time to read the book in larger teams. We are creating an internal blog where leaders can share with others how they are creating organizational transformation through grass roots managerial efforts. Thank you again for helping us drive organizational change and evolving our efforts to build a more accountable culture!”

– Chief Human Resources Officer, City of Hope, Duarte, CA

“[Mike Abrashoff] was fantastic! He was extremely generous with his time, and he was absolutely the right person for what we wanted to accomplish.”

– BP Exploration, Inc.

“Conference ended today with a bang. You were by far the best presenter!”

– Josh Linkner, CEO / Managing Partner, Detroit Venture Partners, LLC

“Thank you for following up – we really enjoyed Mike’s presentation and the audience feedback was outstanding! He really kick started our day with a bang and we were pleased to have him as part of our agenda.”

– HR Specialist, Intel

“It went fantastic. Full house and everyone raved. He is one of the best speakers on leadership and management I have seen in a very long time.”

– Senior Manager, Event Services, Ingram Micro

Vikram Mansharamani

Dr. Vikram Mansharamani is a global trend-watcher who shows people how to anticipate the future, manage risk, and spot opportunities. He is the author of the recently-released THINK FOR YOURSELF: Restoring Common Sense in an Age of Experts and Artificial Intelligence and BOOMBUSTOLOGY: Spotting Financial Bubbles Before They Burst. He has been a frequent commentator on issues driving disruption in the global business environment. Vikram’s ideas and writings have also appeared in Bloomberg, Fortune, Forbes, The New York Times and a long list of other publications. Linkedin twice listed him as their #1 Top Voice for Money, Finance and Global Economics and Worth has profiled him as one of the 100 most powerful people in global finance. Millions of readers have enjoyed his unique multi-lens approach to connecting seemingly irrelevant dots.

Vikram recently wrote on Linkedin: “As I’ve stressed before, uncertainty and change are unavoidable realities of life. Yet all of us are asked to make decisions in the face of ….fluid dynamics. What’s the best way to do so? Sadly, there is no one correct answer, but I believe we must look through the day-to-day noise to have any chance of identifying signals. Long-term trends that drive seemingly disconnected developments offer a compass to guide us through the numerous cross-currents that plague our lives; and as I’ve noted several times in the past, I believe this approach is at least marginally more useful than my Ouija board or Magic 8 ball.” Vikram is not without a sense of humor, too; which of course helps to navigate uncertainty, especially when making bold predictions about the future.

Videos

Biography

Vikram Mansharamani is a businessman who has spent his life creating businesses and helping entrepreneurs and companies create jobs and grow. An economist and author, he has written a book about financial bubbles and his writings have appeared in Bloomberg, Fortune, Forbes, and a long list of other publications. LinkedIn twice listed him as their #1 Top Voice for Money, Finance, and Global Economics, and Worth profiled him as one of the 100 most powerful people in global finance. Vikram is also the author of Think For Yourself: Restoring Common Sense in an Age of Experts and Artificial Intelligence (HBR Press, 2020) and was a 2022 candidate for the US Senate in New Hampshire.

From 2017-2022, Vikram was a Lecturer at Harvard University, where he taught students to use multiple perspectives in making tough decisions. Previously, he was a Lecturer at Yale University. In addition to teaching, he also advises several Fortune 500 CEOs to help them navigate the radical uncertainty in today’s business and regulatory environment. He has a PhD and two Masters degrees from MIT and a Bachelors degree from Yale University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Vikram lives in Lincoln, NH with his wife, daughter, son, golden-retriever, and two cats, one of which he believes may be clairvoyant.

Speech Topics

Navigating Uncertainty: An Unconventional Approach

In this stimulating and entertaining talk, Dr. Vikram Mansharamani applies a unique combination of practitioner experience and academic perspective to help audiences navigate the seemingly unending crosscurrents of global economic, financial and geopolitical uncertainty. He explains how we got to the current world of protectionism, nationalism, populism, and currency conflicts and explores how the combination of political, social, technological, demographic, and economic pressures will impact future trends. After presenting several scenarios, he considers the risks and opportunities emerging from a recession or an escalation of global tensions. While audiences often find themselves agreeing with Dr. Mansharamani each step of the way, they’re frequently surprised by what turn out to be unconventional conclusions.

Think For Yourself

In a fast-paced world driven by complex and changing factors, connecting the dots is often more important than developing them. As a result of the overwhelming flood of information that pours at us daily, we run headlong into the arms of experts and technologies. We’ve stopped thinking for ourselves and now habitually – perhaps unconsciously – outsource our thinking about important decisions. Rather than turn to specialists, Dr. Mansharamani guides us to think bigger and look across the silos of expertise, leaving listeners empowered and energized to think for themselves. This memorable talk is filled with stories from a variety of industries and settings about how we got to where we are and how we can reclaim control.

Boom or Bust: Spotting Bubbles Before They Burst

Our dynamic global economy seems to be producing boom and bust cycles more frequently than in the past. There’s always something that seems ahead of itself, having reached unsustainable levels. In direct contrast to the prevailing academic thinking, Dr. Vikram Mansharamani believes it’s possible to identify financial (and other) bubbles before they burst. Drawing on entertaining examples from art markets, architecture, and popular culture (as well as economics and politics), he powerfully demonstrates that you need not be an expert to anticipate the future. Audiences leave this talk feeling empowered to think independently and connect the obvious dots to generate not-so-obvious conclusions.

Testimonials

“Dr. Mansharamani is a talented speaker who connects with his audience. He is able to distill broad themes into relatable bites through illustrative and effective storytelling and use of visual images. He invites the audience to engage directly with him and they do! He is adept at and seems to enjoy responding to questions and challenges to his point of view. Dr. Mansharamani was among the best speakers we’ve had in our Author Series – evidence: the long line of people who sought to meet him and ask more questions following his presentation.”

– Suzannah L. Susser, Deputy Director, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

“Rare is the speaker that offers a perspective culled from a variety of disciplines. Seeking such a person, we booked Vikram to speak to our group, which is comprised of CFA charter holders with a wealth of experience in financial markets. He was someone we thought would inspire outside-the-box thinking, and he delivered in spades. Vikram offered a broad, macro-level presentation that exposed our audience to potential opportunities and threats facing the world. He’s an incredibly knowledgeable, dynamic speaker whose presentation just might change your worldview – he certainly changed a few among our group.”

– Sayer P. Martin, CFA, President, Sagacious & Programming Chair, CFA Society of Iowa

“Vikram is a lively and engaging speaker. Right from the first moment Vikram steps on stage he captivates the audience and involves them in the session- no one is looking at Blackberries or leaving the room – they are all fascinated with what he has to say. Vikram is a very versatile speaker- he can give thoughtful and entertaining solo presentations communicating a clear and relevant business message but in addition he is a real asset to panel discussions- he encourages debate and creates a compelling dialogue. You can trust Vikram to add value, insight and personality to any conference.”

– Victoria Chatterton, Conference Director, ICBI

“One of the most important topics in global economics today was presented with enthusiasm and humor, supported by well-researched analysis. This attention-grabbing presentation is a must for anyone who’s looking ahead to the Next Big Boom (or Bust).”

– Trey Seitz, Investment Manager, External Equities Department, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority

“Vikram is a wonderful speaker. He engaged the audience from his opening comments and kept them entertained and informed until the end. The Q and A session was equally beneficial. He handled all the questions with colorful concise answers and encouraged everyone to participate. The audience clearly enjoyed the presentation and gave him great reviews in the survey. I would certainly recommend him to any group that needs insight into Bubbles and the Global Economy.”

– Richard L. Ware, CFA, Program Chair, CFA Virginia

“PwC engaged Vikram Mansharamani to conduct a two hour session in August, 2011 as part of the firm’s full day pension plan Trustee education session. I worked with Vikram prior to his presentation and found him to be very responsive and easy to work with. Roughly 20 people attended the session. We asked Vikram to talk about his book, Boombustology. We provided the book to the attendees prior to the meeting; however, time constraints prevented many of the attendees from reading the book prior to the meeting. Vikram’s presentation — the first of the day — was very engaging… We were entertained, but we learned a lot…His arguments were very specific and quite convincing. His methodical approach resonated well with our group of accountants and financial professionals. Vikram kept the group’s interest and also entertained them. His professorial approach made me wish I were back in school… Of the four groups that presented that day, I felt that Vikram’s presentation was the best. We still discuss his material six months after the presentation.”

– C. B. Bianco, Director of Investments, PricewaterhouseCoopers

“We host a variety of authors, professors, economists, doctors, and architects for a lecture and Q&A session. Typically, these lectures draw between 30 and 60 members. On Wednesday September 28, 2011, Vikram Mansharamani joined 50+ members to discuss his book entitled “Boombustology”. Our members thoroughly enjoyed the evening and were very impressed with Dr. Mansharamani’s engaging style and charisma. After the Q&A section of the lecture, members swarmed Dr. Mansharamani to continue asking their questions before he had to depart for a flight to another lecture. I received positive feedback about Dr. Mansharamani’s lecture from our members and am pleased that his lecture could kick-off our fall season of library lectures.”

– Lesley Kiger, Activities Manager, The Yale Club of NYC

“I want to thank you for the terrific presentation you made to the Hamilton Trust on November 10, 2011 at the Brae Burn Country Club. Our membership enjoyed your talk and thought it was one of the best presentations we have had. Our 60-person membership, consisting mostly of CEO types, is a very sophisticated and learned audience. As you know, I was initially concerned that your subject on Boombustology and Yale connection might be too academic and that you also might have a challenge in controlling the questions and debate from our group. Well, I was amazed that your presentation totally captured their interest without exception, and you controlled their questions without losing a beat on your subject matter. The members felt you were providing them with a completely new way to view the economic signals of booms and busts, and were taken with your energy and vibrant presentation skills. You came highly recommended from your previous engagements and, after this delightful experience, I would highly recommend you to any other groups looking for an entertaining and stimulating speaker. Finally, you should know that, after your presentation, I received four unsolicited e-mails from members congratulating me for bringing in such a terrific speaker.”

– David Quade, President, Berkshire Income Realty & Chairman, Program Committee, The Hamilton Trust

“I have had the pleasure of working with Vikram on a number of occasions. There are few Academics that are as abreast of market concerns as he, but even more, there are few market strategists that can remain on top of the latest research and thinking. Vikram remains one of Track.com’s top speakers and dinner guests. His insights and easy-going, straightforward speaking style make him the go-to expert for China and anything global.”

– Robert Savage, Chief Executive Officer, Track.com

“What a hit you were at our meetings! So many people commented on how much they enjoyed your presentation and how much they gained from it! Thank you for spending the time you did up front to really understand our audience.”

– Manager of Advisor Training, Lincoln Financial Advisors

“Great session by Vikram in my opinion, and informal feedback has been quite positive. He didn’t stint on the prep time (in fact he asked for more), and it showed in how well prepared he was for the Invesco audience.”

– People Development Adviser, Human Resources, Invesco

Geoff Colvin

The best companies and leaders win by confronting reality faster than the competition. Geoff Colvin of Fortune delivers valuable insights to help them do just that. His unique perspective stems from unparalleled access to top global business leaders who tell him what they’re seeing, thinking, and doing. As a result, Geoff can provide audiences with a clearer path for an uncertain future. Geoff unpacks actionable insights on the economic, market, political, and technological forces driving disruptive change. Some of the topics and takeaways you’ll have from a Geoff Colvin keynote:

What are the political, technological, economic, and competitive forces shaping the future of business?

Learn what the best leaders & organizations doing right now to compete and grow in spite of deep uncertainty.

What is the future of work in a world filled with robots and smart technology? How will humans fit in?

How did the great performers become great? It’s more than natural talent or hard work. Learn the truth and apply their secrets.

Videos

https://vimeopro.com/speakervideos/geoff-colvin/video/173635939

Biography

Experience counts in serious times. For four decades at Fortune, Geoff Colvin has covered the economic, political, technological, and competitive forces disrupting business and how top leaders and companies adapt and transform to win in spite of them. The big takeaway, Geoff says, is that winning companies and leaders summon the courage to act –they stop protecting the past and start inventing the future –and they confront this reality faster than the competition. As business leaders face their biggest challenge ever, Geoff Colvin is the voice of experience who shines a light –revealing a clearer path for an uncertain future. His columns and cover stories for Fortune have earned him millions of loyal fans. Many of them also hear him dispense critical business insights on the CBS Radio Network, where he reaches seven million listeners each week. Geoff’s bestselling books include The Upside of the Downturn, Talent is Overrated, and Humans are Underrated. A keynote speaker with compelling content, Geoff Colvin is also a brilliant panel moderator and interviewer.

As Fortune‘s senior editor-at-large, Geoff Colvin is now in his fourth decade at Fortune. He is one of business journalism’s sharpest and most respected commentators on leadership, management, globalization, government regulation, corporate governance, competition, the economy, the infotech revolution, human performance, and related issues.

In addition to his daily CBS Radio Network segments (he’s done over 15,000 since 1995), Geoff has appeared on Today, Good Morning America, Squawk Box, CBS This Morning, ABC’s World News Tonight, CNN, PBS’s Nightly Business Report, and dozens of other programs. He also served as anchor of Wall $treet Week with Fortune on PBS.

In addition to speaking, Geoff is also a brilliant panel moderator, emcee, and interviewer whose subjects have included Ben Bernanke, Larry Summers, Janet Yellen, Henry Kissinger, Richard Branson, the Prince of Wales, Bill Gates, Colin Powell, Jack Welch, Alan Greenspan, Ted Turner, Warren Buffett, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and many others.

Geoff is a respected author whose groundbreaking international bestseller, Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else, has been published in a dozen languages. The Upside of the Downturn: Management Strategies for Difficult Times was named “Best Management Book of the Year” by Strategy + Business magazine. Geoff’s latest book is Humans are Underrated: What High Achievers Know That Brilliant Machines Never Will. It’s based on the idea in his wildly popular Fortune article “In the Future Will There Be Any Work Left for People to Do?” It looks at the trend of advancing technology performing ever more tasks better than people perform them, and the ways humans will create value for their organizations and their careers in the changing economy. The ideas he shares have profound implications for every business and industry.

A native of Vermillion, South Dakota, Geoff Colvin is an honors graduate of Harvard with a degree in economics and has an M.B.A. from New York University’s Stern School of Business.

Speech Topics

CONFRONTING THE REALITY OF CHANGEWhen change comes at us from every direction, it can feel like our only option is to play defense. “Not so,” says Geoff Colvin of Fortune. “The best leaders I’ve reported on have found ways to embrace a world of continuous disruption and build a powerful competitive advantage in the process.” Geoff is optimistic about the future as he unpacks step-by-step how we can all respond faster to change and even get ahead of it as individuals, teams, and enterprises. Geoff provides actionable takeaways to help leaders face change smarter:

• What the best leaders and companies are doing right now to create the future
• Why confronting reality faster is the key to seizing new opportunities
• Biggest pandemic lessons for business
• Scenario planning: surviving bad times begins with better decisions in good times
• 3 best ways to lead during crisis and disruption
• Creativity and innovation – how to unleash it individually and organizationally

RISKS & OPPORTUNITIES IN THIS ECONOMY

Global turmoil has roiled an already fragile economic order in ways that are still unfolding. At Fortune, Geoff tells the economic story in terms that focus on the risks and opportunities. Business people already know the numbers – what they might miss is the big picture; the forces driving the trends causing disruptive change in their world and, most importantly, what to do about it. This presentation isn’t a stream of economic statistics; it’s an optimistic story that Geoff tells engagingly, humorously, and memorably with valuable takeaways because, as he says, “Even in tough times, somebody’s going to win, why not you?”

Geoff covers:

• Why, even in times like this, it’s vital to remain optimistic
• The latest data and trends curated for the audience/industry he’s addressing
• A plain-spoken explanation of what’s going on now – on Main Street, Wall Street, in Washington, and globally.
• How successful companies are winning in this economy

FUTURE-PROOF YOUR BUSINESS MODEL

Four big trends are causing business leaders angst as they confront the idea that their business model needs to change. In this talk, Geoff Colvin looks at how the economic climate, advancements in tech, global and domestic politics, and workers are moving to render many business models obsolete. As a result, business model innovation has become a must-have competence for all companies. That’s a problem for those that are unprepared but a huge opportunity for those who are paying attention and taking this challenge seriously. Geoff reveals:

• Inspiring examples of companies transforming their business model and winning
• Key trends driving the need for business model change
• How to just do it: Stop protecting yesterday and start creating the future
• The secrets to becoming a business model innovator
• How to adapt to a friction-free economy and create outsized opportunities
• Why human capital is the most valuable kind and how to make the most of it

LEARNING FROM THE WORLD’S GREATEST LEADERS

Through his work at Fortune, Geoff Colvin has seen top business leaders up close. Over the years, he’s gotten to know many of those leaders well. Watching them and talking with them has revealed eye-opening insights into how they cope with change, wrestle with transforming their companies, and face the economic, competitive, technological, and political forces buffeting their businesses. Geoff unpacks their stories in this talk uniquely crafted for each audience, showing relevant lessons learned from leaders and companies we all know. This talk can focus on several themes:

• The crucial process of making tough decisions
• Finding and keeping great employees
• Navigating regulatory uncertainty
• Adopting new technology
• Managing in a crisis
• Leading cultural change

Testimonials

“In a word: fantastic! Geoff really was perfect for this. He kept the conversation lively. Geoff really knocked it out of the ballpark.”
– Microsoft

“No surprise, Geoff was articulate and insightful, thoughtful on global and fiscal issues affecting industry and candid on impressions of leadership. Not to mention, a wonderful man who I will forever be indebted to.”
– CEO, The Elliot Group

“Thanks so very much for your moderating today. I felt relaxed and right at home.”
– George H.W. Bush

“Once again your stewardship of the business sessions opened the door for a truly interactive and valuable dialogue for everyone. Your depth of understanding of the challenges these companies are facing and the opportunities that lie ahead added tremendously to our conversations.”
– John Chambers, CEO, Cisco

“The consensus was: “He did a great job.” “He was dead on.” “He said what we needed to here.” “Great job.” I truly didn’t hear one bad or negative comment. He was a total “hit”. He was a total delight to work with (as were all of you). Thank you for everything.”

– Assistant to the CEO and President, Vanguard Health Systems

“Thank you very much for joining me this week at the THINK Finance: CFO CIO Leadership Exchange in New York and for contributing to our event in such a substantial manner. It was such a pleasure to see you again and share the stage with you. As with previous exchanges, you helped to draw out important insights from our speakers and deliver tremendous value to our audience. We at IBM value the perspectives you brought to our session and appreciate the time you spent with us. Thank you again for making our event a priority.”

– IBM Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

“Geoff was wonderful and feedback was glowing from my team, leadership and personally. I loved meeting him and he was a true professional and absolutely lovely!”

– Marketing Manager, Agile-1

“Geoff turned in two outstanding performances for Commonfund. His grasp of business issues is second to none and his engaging style consistently pulls the best comments from our panelists. What more could one ask? But actually Geoff delivers more without our asking. He is one of the most genuinely respectful and caring people on the speaking circuit. And despite his vast business knowledge and superior interviewing skill, he hasn’t a trace of ego.”

– Producer, Lovett Production

“You are as good as any interviewer I’ve ever worked with. You seem to bring out the best in everyone, and you sure do with me. I hope our paths cross again before too long.”

– Hank Paulson, Former Secretary of the Treasury & Chairman, The Paulson Institute

“Geoff was AMAZING. All the feedback that we have been receiving for the keynote and panel has been very positive.”

– Administrative Assistant, Omers Private Equity

“He was amazing! One of the best we’ve had . . . executives loved him as well as students, and he was so inspirational to our student group – they are a hard audience, and rallied around his message on Talent is Overrated. So true!”

-Director of Executive Learning and Marketing, Belmont University

“Evaluation comments indicate that registrants especially liked your humor, the easy-to-understand message and the way you transitioned the information theory to real world applications. You generated an overall evaluation score of 8.64. This, coupled with the numerous positive comments, means your presentation, “How the Best Companies are Winning Today and Why Talent is Overrated”, was a great SUCCESS!

-Director of Conference Programs, Industrial Asset Management Council

Monte Solberg

With over 15 years in Government, as an MP and federal cabinet minister, Monte has heard thousands of pitches from “Government Relations” pros and amateurs alike. Therefore, there is no one better suited than Monte to explain how to actually meet politicians and officials to discuss your organization’s concerns, and how to overcome their potential objections or worse, indifference to your message – and still feel good about yourself.

Best of all, you’ll be entertained by Monte’s wry keynote while you learn: Monte was frequently selected by Parliament Hill staffers as one of the wittiest MPs on the Hill. Yes, Monte Solberg makes “Government Relations” a quasi, semi-fun topic as no one else can.

If you are looking for a talk on “GR” or simply want a presentation on the state of the nation, the economy, and more – then don’t hesitate to contact us to book Monte for your next event.

Videos

Biography

Hon. Monte Solberg P.C.

Monte is the Principal of New West Public Affairs. Since 2008 he has provided communications, government relations and public affairs advice to some of Canada’s largest companies and organizations.

Previously, Monte was a Member of Parliament (Medicine Hat) from 1993 – 2008. He served under Prime Minister Harper as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and as Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. He served on various cabinet committees including Economic Growth and Long-term Prosperity, and Foreign Affairs and National Security

While in Opposition, Monte served as his party’s Chief Critic for Finance and Foreign Affairs. Parliament Hill staffers selected Monte as one of the top communicators in Parliament.

He is a popular political commentator making appearances in major media outlets across Canada. He is also a popular keynote speaker.

Speech Topics

How to Save Your Organization from Government Bureaucrats and Bad Policy, and Live to tell About It.

Monte’s keynote on how to deal with government is a must hear for anyone in a regulated industry, or for any association, company, union, or small business; in short, it’s a talk for everybody! Some of the takeaways from this talk include:

– How to make a good first impression with officials

– Finding out who influences the decision makers

– Learn the best way to build and keep relationships and to gather information

– You’ll hear why going directly to the Minister is usually a bad idea

– Plus a lot more.

Navigating City Hall

A Talk For Municipalities, but can be customized for all levels of government.

As the closest level of government to citizens and businesses, municipalities are tasked with building their communities and supporting growth in their local economies. Municipalities are arguably the most important stakeholder for provincial governments and, increasingly, their voice is important at the federal cabinet table. Understanding how to communicate with Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill is vital to ensuring municipalities are effective and impactful.

It’s an important job, and Monte knows how to help! With experience assisting both municipalities as well as businesses & organizations looking to engage with municipalities, Monte’s talk brings a multi faceted perspective to municipal communications. He provides public relations, strategic communications and advocacy advice to municipalities, whether they’re looking to engage with the public or another order of government.

Testimonials

“At a conference, I recently attended, Monte made a superb presentation. It was full of insightful suggestions about getting your message through to elected officials and public servants. His experience at both delivery and receiving ends shone through. Most useful.” Carleton University

“I very much enjoyed your presentation at the recent Scaling Up conference in Ottawa. Your message on how to communicate with government was both entertaining and informative. And of course, it comes with your credentials of having served as a federal Cabinet Minister. Many of the conference delegates have asked that you return again next year. Conference speakers who can engage the audience are rare, but you really were a highlight of the event. For others who are looking for a credible, informative and engaging speaker, I will absolutely recommend you.” Scaling Up Conference

“A gifted communicator and speaker, Monte drew from his considerable experience as a former parliamentarian, political commentator, columnist and public affairs strategist to deliver a speech at our annual public policy symposium that was filled with topical political commentary and observations, and a healthy dose of humour.” Manitoba Real Estate Association

Todd Buchholz

Economist Todd Buchholz “lights up economics with a wickedly sparkling wit,” says the Associated Press.

The former White House senior economic advisor, Tiger hedge fund managing director and best-selling author has jousted with such personalities as James Carville and Ben Stein. His lively and informative speaking engagements have earned him a place in Successful Meetings Magazine’s “21 Top Speakers for the 21^st Century, and his best-selling books on economics and financial markets have been widely translated and are taught in universities worldwide. As a frequent commentator on the state of the markets, Todd Buchholz brings his experience as a former White House director of economic policy, a managing director of the $15 billion Tiger hedge fund, and a Harvard economics teacher to the cutting edge of economics, fiscal politics, finance, and business strategy. Buchholz is a frequent guest on ABC News, PBS, and CBS, and he recently hosted his own special on CNBC. Buchholz has debated such luminaries in the field as Lester Thurow and Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz.

Buchholz has authored numerous critically acclaimed and best-selling books on the economy and leadership, many of which he has developed into successful lectures and speaking events. His books have been translated into a dozen languages and are used in universities worldwide, including at NYU, Duke, and Princeton. Author Buchholz is praised for his examination of economics, business and entrepreneurship in the context of global society.

The Sunday TIMES (UK) called The Price of Prosperity: Why Rich Nations Fail and How to Renew Them “highly entertaining, far-sighted and enjoyably acerbic.” The Wall Street Journal named the book to its exclusive list of “Eight Summer Must-Reads” for 2016. Market Shock: 9 Economic and Social Upheavals that Will Shake Our Financial Future, was released to rave reviews and dubbed “outstanding” by the Wall Street Journal.

Buchholz has also published the best-selling New Ideas from Dead Economists, New Ideas from Dead CEOs, From Here to Economy, and Lasting Lessons from the Corner Office, which garnered high praise from The New York Times and Financial Times. Named by Publishers Weekly as a “top ten” book for 2011, his book Rush: Why You Need and Love the Rat Race has been praised by the Financial Times, Toronto Globe & Mail, Los Angeles Times and the BBC, among many others. Buchholz has penned articles for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Forbes, and Reader’s Digest.

Videos

Biography

As a frequent commentator on the state of the markets, Todd Buchholz brings his experience as a former White House director of economic policy, a managing director of the $15 billion Tiger hedge fund, and a Harvard economics teacher to the cutting edge of economics, fiscal politics, finance, and business strategy. Buchholz is a frequent guest on ABC News, PBS, and CBS, and he recently hosted his own special on CNBC.

Before joining Tiger, Buchholz was President of the G7 Group, Inc, an international consulting firm whose clientele included many of the top securities firms, investment banks and money managers in New York, London, and Tokyo, including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. His commentaries were closely read by officials at the Federal Reserve, Bundesbank and Bank of England. Buchholz won the Allyn Young Teaching Prize at Harvard and holds advanced degrees in economics and law from Cambridge and Harvard. He was a fellow at Cambridge University in 2009, holds several engineering and design patents and is a co-producer of the Broadway smash “Jersey Boys.”

Buchholz is the inventor of the Math Arrow, a mathematical matrix that makes numbers more intuitive to children. Martin Cooper, widely recognized as the inventor of the cellular phone, has called the Math Arrow “ingenious.”

Speech Topics

How to Tackle and Embrace AI

AI is disrupting the way we do business, even faster than the Internet, the PC, and television did in past decades. Former White House Director of Economic Policy Todd Buchholz, author of Market Shock and New Ideas from Dead CEOs, tackles the startling implications of AI technology — when to harness it, and how to discern hype. As finance, tech, and industrial firms like Morgan Stanley, Apple, and Tesla rush to file patents, Todd explains where the AI revolution is going and how AI will impact inflation, oil prices, and interest rates. A former managing director of the legendary Tiger hedge fund, Todd’s writing on technology and the economy have been praised in the Wall Street Journal and Financial Times, and he has been featured on media programs from ABC to the BBC. Organizations like the Pentagon and Goldman Sachs have placed Todd’s works on their recommended reading lists, and Todd has delivered provocative and insightful keynotes before the world’s leading companies, and to audiences at prestigious universities such as Stanford, Harvard, and Cambridge, among others.

· Discover how to harness AI to lower costs and expand markets

· Pinpoint how AI will change financial markets, disrupting inflation and interest rate expectations

· Reveal how AI will overhaul the job market, creating vast new opportunities, while also requiring retraining

· Decode when AI is used effectively versus when it’s used merely to hype

Prosperity Ahead — or Not?

Discover how demographics, technology, and globalization are reshaping the economy and our future
Pinpoint the signs of stock market rallies, and the warning signs of slumps
Identify the political pressures on trade, debt, and interest rates from the U.S. to the E.U. to China

4 Ways to Conquer a Business Crisis

Todd unlocks the 4 strategies that keep businesses prospering when they hit an unexpected crisis. Ninety percent of the Fortune 500 list from 1955 are gone. What can you learn from the survivors? Tap into Todd’s frontline experience as White House director of economic policy and managing director of the Tiger investment fund, to get your business growing now.

Find out how companies like Disney, Johnson & Johnson, and Audi bounced back from near-fatal hits to their bottom line
Discover whether your company should invoke the “Clean Sweep” or “Big Bet” strategy to win back customers
Learn whether the economy will bounce back with a V-shaped, U-shaped, or W-shaped recovery, and how to adjust
Position your company to be, not just a survivor but a beneficiary of the economic rebound ahead
Target the customers and entities that can spend the most—soon

How to Compete in a Global Economy

Learn how the “scissors economy” cuts costs while creating new opportunities
Explore the ways to build customer loyalty even when facing unforeseen competition
- Explore how generational differences impact your workplace and your customers
- See how psychology shapes financial and customer choices
- Learn the three words that most excite your employees, investors, and clients
  
  Find out which countries offer the best opportunities for investment and expansionBehavioral Economics Can Work for You
  
  Finding Hope in World Politics
Take a world tour to the “hot spots” that are on the cusp of economic and political change

Understand how presidents and prime ministers — from Washington to Beijing — make crucial decisions

Learn how globalization has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, while sparking protests about Brexit, NAFTA, and NATO.

Josh Linkner

Business leader, NY Times bestselling author, tech entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and keynote speaker on a mission to drive creativity, innovation, and reinvention.

Josh Linkner is a business leader, venture capitalist, tech entrepreneur, top-rated keynote speaker, and author of two New York Times bestsellers: Disciplined Dreaming and The Road to Reinvention. As CEO and Managing Partner of Detroit Venture Partners, he helps startups disrupt the old guard while helping to rebuild his hometown of Detroit, Michigan. Josh has twice been named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and is a President Barack Obama Champion of Change award recipient. He is a regular columnist for Forbes, The Detroit Free Press, and Inc. Magazine. His work on innovation has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, CNN, and more.

Josh is on a mission to drive creativity, innovation, and reinvention. And he also plays a mean jazz guitar.

Videos

Innovation with a focus on Healthcare:

Biography

Josh Linkner – who started his career as a jazz guitarist – personifies creativity, entrepreneurship and disruptive innovation. He has been the founder and CEO of five tech companies, which sold for a combined value of over $200 million.

Josh is the author of four books, two New York Times Bestsellers: Disciplined Dreaming: A Proven System to Drive Breakthrough Creativity, and The Road to Reinvention: How to Drive Disruption and Accelerate Transformation, as well as his latest book, Hacking Innovation. He is also the Founding Partner of Detroit Venture Partners, investing in and mentoring over 100 startups.

Josh has twice been named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and is a President Barack Obama Champion of Change award recipient. He is a regular columnist for Forbes, The Detroit Free Press, and Inc. Magazine. His work on innovation has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, CNN, and The New York Times. And yes, he still plays a mean jazz guitar.

Speech Topics

RETHINK. REBOOT. REINVENT.

An innovative framework to navigate volatile times

Over the past 24 months, the world as we knew it was turned upside down. The COVID pandemic sent shock waves through our economy, supply chain, and workforce, ringing in a new era of accelerated transformation. The successful models of the past have been rendered obsolete, requiring leaders to rethink their strategy in this defining moment.

In this inspiring and actionable keynote experience, 5-time tech entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, venture capitalist, and world-renowned innovation expert Josh Linkner helps leaders respond to volatility with creative confidence. Exploring the core mindsets, habits, and tactics of the most innovative leaders on the planet, Linkner leaves audiences with an elevated capacity for inventive thinking and creative problem-solving through his battle-tested Reinvention Framework:

Reset. Pause, take inventory, and reassess. Recalibrate vision, goals, customer needs, market opportunity, regulatory environment, and competitive threats.

Release. Let go of existing assumptions and beliefs. Challenge conventional wisdom, defy traditional approaches, and reexamine previous models.

Reimagine. Spark fresh ideas using proven tools for creative problem solving and inventive thinking.

Redefine. Establish new rules of engagement. Retool existing approaches, models, and systems.

Realign. Reengage and reconnect key stakeholders (team, partners, customers, suppliers, media, investors) to the new reality.

Relaunch. Put new models into action intentionally while refining and readjusting in real time.

Reclaim. This deliberate framework will allow your organization and leaders to regain confidence, market leadership, and momentum.

Participants (and their organizations) will leave the session…

Reenergized. Fueled with inspiration and energy to forge ahead in uncertain times.

Reequipped. Armed with a proven framework and specific tools to reinvent a new future.

Ready. Emboldened to meet the challenges of the day and drive sustainable success.

BIG LITTLE BREAKTHROUGHS

How small, everyday ideas drive gigantic results

The pressure to generate big ideas can feel overwhelming. We know that bold innovations are critical in these disruptive and competitive times, but when it comes to breakthrough thinking, we often freeze up.

Instead of shooting for a $10 billion IPO or a Nobel Prize, the most prolific innovators focus instead on Big Little Breakthroughs – small, creative acts that unlock massive rewards over time. By building a daily habit of creativity, leaders and organizations not only enjoy a high volume of small wins, but also the daily practice of micro-innovations — the fastest route to discover the massive breakthroughs we seek.

How did a convicted drug dealer use a Big Little Breakthrough to launch and scale a massively successful fitness company? Why was a nurse practitioner able to use daily micro-innovations to solve healthcare problems that the biggest corporations couldn’t crack? How did a tattoo lead to a 30% boost in performance for a publicly traded restaurant company?

Big Little Breakthroughs isn’t just for propeller-head inventors, fancy pants CEOs, or hoodie-donning tech billionaires. Rather, it is a simple yet effective method for all of us to cultivate the power of human creativity. Focusing on a simple and deliberate approach to daily practice, the system enables people from all backgrounds, training, and walks of life to expand their creative skillset and mindset. It helps everyday individuals and leaders unlock inventive thinking and harness innovation to tackle tough challenges and seize bold opportunities.

The Big Little Breakthroughs framework provides a specific and practical approach to unlocking dormant creative capacity. Instead of wild, risky and expensive moonshots, participants learn to unleash small, daily creative acts to drive gigantic results over time. In fact, cultivating high volumes of micro-innovations not only de-risks the creative process, it builds the much-needed skills that lead to colossal transformations…and the creative confidence to take responsible risks.

FIND A WAY

Expand creative problem solving to tackle the challenges of COVID-19

In these uncertain times, we can no longer rely on the models of the past and expect the same results. How can we confront the new realities of the COVID-19 era and emerge stronger and better equipped?

Creative problem solving has long been the core ingredient in overcoming adversity and seizing new opportunities. In this inspiring keynote, famed tech entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author Josh Linkner explores the realities, challenges, and opportunities created by COVID-19 and delivers an inspiring path forward. Participants will learn specific techniques and leave both energized and better equipped to conquer challenges and seize possibilities.

How can leaders bounce back and recover after facing painful setbacks? How can creative resilience be harnessed to conquer adversity? How can we rewrite the rules after a massive sea change like the coronavirus?

In this high-energy session, participants will see how creative problem solving can become their most powerful resource. They’ll uncover practical tools to unlock inventive thinking and win even against daunting odds and unprecedented challenges.

THE 5 MINDSETS OF INNOVATION

How the world’s most innovative leaders think and act

Having interviewed hundreds of top innovators, leaders and organizations around the world, New York Times bestselling author and tech entrepreneur Josh Linkner uncovered the five most powerful mindsets that are the building blocks for jaw- dropping innovation. In this high-energy keynote, your audience will learn to embrace these powerful approaches in order to conquer adversity and fuel growth.

How did an oddball idea save the cattle industry over $1 billion? How did a large hotel chain create a new revenue stream and drive competitive differentiation without investing a penny? How did the leaders of a small organization stave off a near-certain extinction, even when they were overwhelmingly outmatched by a powerful enemy?

Each mindset is reinforced through surprising, real-world examples, laugh out loud moments, and practical takeaways. The five mindsets are portable and can be applied immediately to any role, job function, or industry. This memorable session will leave your audience inspired, moved, and better equipped.

THE MUSIC OF BUSINESS

Problem solving, collaboration and agility from the dangerous world of jazz music

Live jazz is an art form that equates to real-time innovation. To even navigate through a single song, jazz musicians must collaborate, adapt to rapidly changing circumstances, and make decisions in the face of ambiguity. As the baton of leadership gets passed from one musician to the next, individual contributors are constantly course correcting, inventing, and creatively solving problems.

Sounds just like your organization, doesn’t it?

In this unique and memorable keynote, jazz guitarist and tech entrepreneur Josh Linkner uses a live musical performance as a metaphor for modern, innovative collaboration. Josh and his fellow musicians lead the audience on a musical journey, sharing an insider’s look at this stunning art form. Through the lens of a jazz musician, participants will gain a fresh perspective and new techniques for creative problem solving, improved collaboration, and real-time agility.

This mesmerizing session’s finale features live audience participation. After helping to ”compose” a new jazz song, three audience members join the band and perform their new composition live in front of their peers (no musical experience necessary). Participants are given handheld percussion instruments – along with some fun props and costumes – and together with Josh and his fellow musicians, the group performs for the audience. This live performance brings the key learning principles to life, always ending in a cheering crowd and terrific pictures for social media.

THE CREATIVITY UPGRADE

Lead your team to the next level of innovation, growth, and sustainable success

On a regular basis, we upgrade our cars, software, and wardrobe. But when was the last time you upgraded your imagination? Isn’t it about time to give your team a boost of inventive thinking, creative problem solving, and everyday innovation to drive better outcomes?

From your upgrade, you will:

Learn and understand the mindsets of innovators
Grasp the need for – and urgency – of change
Become inspired to take action and forge a new path
Acquire specific techniques for creative problem solving
Leverage human imagination to outpunch the competition
Understand how and where to use inventive thinking to fuel growth
Discover fresh possibilities with heightened level of creative awareness
Recognize that we are all creative, and that everyday innovation is accessible for every role and job function
Demystify the creative process
Emerge with specific tools to close the Creativity Gap to achieve full potential
Launch a new version of you – as a powerful creative force

In this inspiring keynote, Josh will help your team grow, as both business leaders and as people. Your audience will learn to solve problems in creative, non- traditional ways and expand their creative capacity to drive growth and sustainable success.

Your group will laugh hysterically, feel thoroughly energized, get deeply inspired, and leave better equipped. Now that’s an upgrade that’s simply irresistible.

THINK AND ACT LIKE A STARTUP

How celebrity entrepreneurs generate game-changing solutions

Have you ever wondered how Oprah and Bill Gates think and act behind the scenes? How do the entrepreneurs we revere invent bold ideas, do more with less, and change the world as a result? What would happen if the founder of Snapchat or Zoom joined your organization?

Tech startups aren’t the only ones who can think differently. We can all use this same creative thinking in our own careers, companies, and communities.

In this energizing and surprising keynote, five-time tech entrepreneur and venture capital investor Josh Linkner demystifies startup thinking and shares a specific methodology that we can put into practice immediately. Audience members will learn to embrace the creativity, grit, and vision of a startup and then channel this approach to drive growth, innovation, efficiency, and customer delight. Participants get an insider’s look as Josh Linkner decodes startup thinking to help leaders of any size company in any industry or profession:

Understand how an entrepreneur would attack their organization with the specific goal of dislodging it
Reimagine their role through the lens of an entrepreneur
Harness the ferocity of entrepreneurial thinking
Embrace “startup speed” to increase velocity in their own organizations
Learn the five best approaches used by startups to create disruption
Avoid the weaknesses that plague entrepreneurs by exposing the four biggest startup death traps

Testimonials

You were amazing!”
~Sandra E. Pierce, CEO, Charter One Bank, RBS Citizens, N.A.

“In today’s fiercely competitive global marketplace, the most important resource any business has is the creative thinking of its people. Josh Linkner lays out a road map that will guide individuals, teams, and companies to higher levels of creativity. It is a journey that will lead to better ideas and breakthrough thinking—and those who take it will also have a lot of fun along the way.”
~Bill Ford, Executive Chairman, Ford Motor Company

“Josh, thank you again for presenting today at the CMO Summit. You were fabulous and we have received wonderful fedback! ”
~Katherine Twells, Group Director, The Coca-Cola Company

“Linkner hit the ball out of the park!”
~Marco Forte, Vice President, ABC Television Network

“Josh’s presentation was perfect. The content was spot on and you could tell he really prepped. I would highly recommend Josh to other clients if they are looking to unlock the power of creativity across their organization.”
~Stuart Beck, Frito-Lay North America

“Josh, everyone had nothing but great things to say about your presentation. You did a wonderful job at entertaining and enlightening the crowd with your message. Thank you so much!”
~Julian Hua, Visa

“I felt compelled to send you on a short email to let you know quite how blown away I was by your presentation to us yesterday in London. It was quite literally one of the most motivating and thought-provoking two hours of my professional career.”
~Robert Cunningham, Heineken

“Josh brought a great source of refreshing content about creativity in business that was just what our Inc. GrowCo Conference needed. His energy and enthusiasm about the topic inspired attendees and gave them takeaways to implement in their own companies. Josh has a strong stage presence and was extremely easy to work with.”
~Karlie Krieger, Director of Events, Inc. Magazine

“On a dreary winter afternoon, Josh raised the energy level at our quarterly team meeting with thought-provoking discussion on creativity and leadership. His passion is contagious. The concepts discussed were supported with both qualitative and quantitative data so it appealed to both left and right-brained colleagues. We were engaged throughout and left the meeting fired up!”
~Lauren Rosinski, Deloitte Consulting

Healthcare testimonials:

“Your presentation was fantastic and really delivered on our theme. We’ve heard nothing but great feedback about the information you shared and have no doubt many of our teams will be using the role-storming model for future brainstorming sessions. It was a pleasure working with you and we appreciated the effort you put in to ensuring the presentation met the meeting objectives and was relevant and entertaining for our broad audience.”
— Traci Plate,
Chief of Staff, North America
GSK Consumer Healthcare

“Thanks again for giving a very inspiring and thought provoking speech. Members of the team were blown away by your message and walked away with tools to succeed in their role as innovators.”
— Jessica L. Locke,
Director, Office of the President
Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, P.C.

“Awesome! Best speaker in 15 years! Just what our group needed.”
— Tina Braid,
Director, Administration, Governance and Board Relations
Beaumont Health

“We were thrilled with Josh! He set the tone for a great conference!”
— Jenna Dodge,
Operations Manager
Pfizer

“Thank you delivering a truly inspirational keynote. The true test that your messages stuck surfaced when our internal speakers echoed your words in their own presentations over the week. We heard everything from Judo flip to the red zone to getting scrappy and much more. I expect to see many of your ideas implemented into our projects over the year.”
— Cathy Carter,
Manager, Talent Engagement and Development
Cotiviti

“It was an absolute pleasure to meet you, and a huge THANK YOU to you for the invaluable pearls you left with our team. Rob and I both discussed that this meeting was our best one since inception, and YOU were a major contributor to that success. I’ve received rave reviews about your talk from multiple people on our team so, again, thank you.”
— Cory Sinning,
Director, Physician Education & Sales Training
Intersect ENT

Mike Walsh

Mike has delivered close to 1,000 keynote speeches around the world to companies in almost every industry.

With a background in research and strategic consulting, Mike first leads his clients through a pre-event research process, designed to pinpoint the most relevant issues impacting their business and the strategies with the best chance of delivering meaningful change.

Once the research is complete, Mike will have everything he needs to deliver a high-energy, thought-provoking keynote that provides relevant solutions for your audience and sets the tone for your entire event.

Rather than focusing on the distant future, Mike takes an anthropological approach – scanning the near horizon for emerging technologies and disruptive shifts in human behavior, and then translating these into pragmatic plans for business transformation. A prolific winter and commentator, Mike’s views have appeared in a wide range of international publications including BusinessWeek, Forbes and the Wall Street Journal.

Videos

Biography

Mike Walsh is the CEO of Tomorrow, a global consultancy on designing business for the 21st century. He advises leaders on how to thrive in this era of disruptive technological change. Mike’s clients include many of the global Fortune 500, and as a sought-after keynote speaker he regularly shares the stage with world leaders and business icons alike. Mike previously founded Jupiter Research in Australia, and has also held senior strategy roles at News Corporation in the Asia Pacific Region. He is currently a board member and strategic investor in the North Alliance, Scandinavia’s leading digital marketing group. Mike’s best-selling book FUTURETAINMENT, published by Phaidon was the winner of the design award by the Art Director’s Club in New York.

Speech Topics

New Rules For A New World

COVID-19 is not only changing our way of life, it will hasten the arrival of a radical new future of work. While for many of us working from home has been a new and unexpected challenge – that is just the start of a much bigger transformation set to reshape the nature of business itself.

In order to survive, every organization will have to virtualize. Whether it be serving customers through digital channels or leveraging AI, algorithms and automation to ensure business continuity – we are likely to experience in the next twelve months, a decade’s worth of change.

Not every business will make it, but those that do will never be the same again. And for leaders, now more than ever, is a time to upgrade their capabilities, embrace new technologies, and reimagine what they do.

Mike Walsh’s inspiring new keynote presentation will offer audiences an insight into the organizations and leaders that are successfully navigating this period of change, and how to create a playbook for their own transformation.

Becoming future-proof is more than just about getting through the current crisis – it is about being ready for the new world that awaits us on the other side.

Virtual Experience Options – more detail below

Digital Keynote – pre-recorded keynote (30 min) + 15 min live Q & A
Virtual Livecast – live or pre-recorded customized keynote (30-45 min) + 15 min live Q & A
Studio Broadcast – live keynote from professional production studio (30-45 min) + 15 min live Q & A

NOTE: these virtual sessions can be recorded and include a limited license to distribute internally.

Virtual Delivery Options

To replicate the energy and engagement of a live stage event, Mike and his team have assembled some unique technologies and partnerships to deliver a high impact online experience for your audience at a variety of price ranges.

Digital Keynote

For clients who want the highest possible quality for their virtual summit, Mike provides a pre-recorded keynote session 30 minutes in length, shot on multiple studio quality cameras, and professionally edited with dramatic video cutaways and a music score. After screening this video to your online audience, Mike can participate in a live Q&A session. The client will have the right to host the keynote on a password protected site for 30 days after the event. You can view the first minute of this keynote below.

30 minute pre-recorded keynote
Addresses the current crisis and opportunities
You receive a password-protected video link for one-time use
Mike participates in a 15 minute Q & A session following the screening

What Leaders Need To Know About the Metaverse

The Metaverse is more than a gold rush; it will be an alchemical transformation in the way the world works. Over the next few years, we will see a rapid convergence between the digital and real world driven by increasingly sophisticated devices, decentralized blockchain technologies and AI platforms capable of generating persistent, immersive and collaborative experiences indistinguishable from reality.

Mike Walsh’s new keynote presentation will demystify core Metaverse technologies and concepts like NFTs, DAOs, DeFi, XR, DeSO, GameFi and Web3. In addition, with a playbook style approach, he will provide insights into what it will take to pioneer Metaverse applications, experiment with new ways of working, and attract and develop the right kind of talent to help you achieve your goals.

The time for action is now. Every organization and industry will be impacted by the next iteration of the Web and its radical interfaces, infrastructure and investment models. The question for leaders is no longer what is the Metaverse, but rather – what is our plan for it?

In this keynote, attendees will learn:

Successful case studies of how both existing brands and disruptive new entrants are leveraging Web3 technologies to reinvent customer experiences, create engaged communities and unlock new value creation opportunities.
What the Metaverse means for enterprises and how we work – whether it be personal avatars in hybrid workspaces, digital twins on the factory floor, or smart contracts in the supply chain.
A Metaverse toolkit for leaders to understand and navigate emerging ethical and strategic issues like privacy, fraud, user safety, sustainability, governance and control.

Topic: Designing Your Business for the 21st Century

The companies that thrive in the near future will be the ones that not only embrace change but are the first to break the rules. If you could start with a clean sheet of paper, how would you design your company? Should your youngest staff member be making coffee or running your R&D team? Is Big Data something for your IT department to worry about, or a weapon to be wielded by your management team? Do you ban social networks or use them to collaborate more effectively?

Most companies are simply not designed to survive. They become successful on the basis of one big idea or breakthrough product. That early success then becomes a rigid code, and as customer habits and markets change, many fail to see that everything that made them successful is exactly what will destroy them later.

Based on interviews with you and your choices on the 7 strategic priorities, Mike will cover a range of thought provoking issues including:

How your future customers will think, talk and transact.
Lessons on disruptive innovation from fast growing, emerging markets.
How to leverage enterprise social networks to solve real business problems.
What it takes to recruit, retain and motivate tomorrow’s employees.
How to apply speed, agility and the new lean IT mindset to your technology teams.
Hacking your corporate culture to transform employee engagement.
Why the multicultural web of tomorrow will be different from the one we use today.
Identifying the critical data pivots in your business, the real-time numbers no leader can afford to ignore.

Mike’s talk, “Designing Your Business for the 21^st Century” will be tailored around your choices of the 7 strategic priorities outlined below.

The Seven Strategic Priorities for 21st

Smart leaders realize that the future of their company depends on business design decisions that must be made today. In his ongoing research on the world’s most innovative companies, Mike has categorized those decisions into seven strategic priorities.

When you engage Mike as your keynote speaker, he will work with you to select the strategic priorities most relevant to your future roadmap. Then, during his research phase, he will conduct in-depth interviews with your team, clients or top performers in your industry in order to identify specific case studies that will resonate with your audience.

The seven strategic priorities are as follows:

People – engaging the next generation of customers and co-workers.
Marketing – figuring out the new marketing model.
Culture – understanding ‘Network Capital’ and today’s employee engagement crisis.
Technology – re-imagining the role of IT in the enterprise.
Innovation – exploring new frameworks for disruptive thinking.
Global – building your business to world scale.
Leadership – becoming a data-driven leader.

Michele Payn

Michele Payn personifies passion. Known as one of North America’s leading farm and food advocates, she serves as a resource for people interested in connecting the people and science of food and agriculture. Michele encourages all of her clients and audiences to connect with people’s hot buttons and speak their language – whether it’s building a connection between farm gate and food plate, developing corporate sponsorships or growing advocacy.

Widely known as a “change agent,” Michele delivers advocacy training programs and motivational keynotes to empower organizations to build connected communities; and she measures success in conversations around the food plate by people who are willing to reach out to help make their cause matter.

Videos

Biography

Utilizing her diverse professional experience in the agricultural, sales and not-for-profit sectors, Michele founded Cause Matters Corp., a company designed to build connections around the food plate, in 2001. Cause Matters Corp. focuses on sharing agriculture’s story, science communication, social media strategy and growing a food movement. In each of these core areas, MPK helps organizations clearly identify issues, understand their audience and connect solutions. Michele’s goal is to help you communicate “why your cause matters” – whether you’re a scientist, foodie or in agribusiness.

Agriculture advocate. Science enthusiast.

She knows agriculture because she lives agriculture. She holds degrees in Agricultural Communications and Animal Science from Michigan State University, where she saw science come to life firsthand as a student worker in the animal reproductive physiology laboratory. Michele is past president of College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Alumni Association and had the impact of her work featured in a Spartan Saga. Career highlights include a Regional Directorship for the National FFA Foundation, where she sold over $5 million in corporate sponsorships and led campaigns to develop community support for various Foundation expansions. She has also marketed and sold dairy genetics to more than 25 countries, managed e-business accounts and presented training programs in developing countries. Michele still holds her firsthand farm and science experience as the best contributor to her work.

Speech Topics

Translating Farm to Food

How can you move beyond advocacy?

Have you looked into agriculture’s future? Who will be making decisions about how farmers are allowed to take care of our land and animals? Not agriculture, if we can’t learn to meet at the intersection of farm and food. Sharing your farm, ranch, or agribusiness story is great, but it’s time to go beyond advocacy. Do you have what it takes to translate today’s agriculture to grocery shoppers?

Michele just completed her second book, Food Truths from Farm to Table: 25 Surprising Ways to Shop & Eat Without Guilt. The book addresses myths throughout the grocery store to bring clarity and common sense to the food conversation. She embedded 25 food truths throughout the book to translate how food is grown, why modern practices are used and how marketing is misleading food buyers. The book includes stories of 50+ contributors to translate the science of today’s agriculture on a human level.

All can benefit from taking their skills to another level. Advocacy and telling a story are wonderful but can be rather one-sided. Translating what happens on today’s farms and ranches is key to connecting at a heart level. This eye-opening keynote or training will help your audience learn:

Tips to distill technical issues such as animal welfare, GMOs, antibiotics, food safety, pesticides and hormones into simpler conversations.
Techniques to translate the complex business of growing food, fuel, feed and fiber in real-life communications.
Advanced methods to communicate why food is grown the right way by the right people for the right reasons.
Leadership skills in the conversation around farm and food as a best business practice.
Ways to easily integrate these skills across social media channels.

Authentically Agriculture: Connecting on a Human Level

Agriculture isn’t just your work, it’s who you are.

Or is it? Now is the time to translate the agriculture world to the non-ag folks and YOU are the one to do it. It’s also time for us to take responsibility for not communicating about what’s happening on today’s farms and ranches – which means we must relate as humans.

You have the opportunity to connect on common values, regardless of who is on the other side of the conversation. MP’s new program is filled with examples of standing in 100% authenticity for agriculture. She’ll help you find a way to “go beyond the choir” and connect with people who can still be influenced through conversation. Michele’s “agversations” with moms, CEOs, children and media come to life with her humorous look at agriculture’s messages. This program will show you how to:

Connect on common values – shared interests and results
Provoke interest and let others learn from your personal experiences and stories
Create “agversations” with those within and out of the agriculture to spread your message
Share what is happening on today’s farms
Discover how to be casual yet influential in conversation rather than defensive
Help others understand the importance of ag issues –become more comfortable discussing issues with others
Interpret the journey from farm to plate with your own stories
Learn how Michele talks about ag issues to non-aggies comfortably, meaningfully so you too can become a compelling storyteller

Audience members will be inspired to take a hard look at “who am I”, consider “what does that mean to others” and then take actionable steps through “how do I translate agriculture to something meaningful for others.” Michele is known for lighting a fire under farmers, ranchers and agribusiness people – this program is designed to help your meeting attendees understand how to relate on a personal basis, as one human to another.

Learn from Michele’s experiences discussing food, fuel, feed and fiber with parents, foodies, influencers, international audiences, friends and nutrition professionals. She’ll give you freedom to be authentic even when you’re not “talking shop” with people who share your same background. MPK is often asked “How can I be in a situation that’s unrelated to agriculture and still share my message?” This memorable program gives the answers – and grows your comfort level, confidence, and clarity.

Typical audience outcomes:

Use your strengths to comfortably reach beyond the choir
Find more voices in a bigger, more robust conversation about agriculture
Identify new tools that allow you to practice the conversation with a variety of non-ag people
Gain confidence in high risk situations to deliver results

When you’re ready to allow people the opportunity to connect on a human level,contact MPK to help you translate farming to food in a meaningful way.

Celebrating Agriculture Keynote

Celebrate the People, Promise and Passion of Agriculture

When you’re ready to stand up andcelebrate the people, promise and passion in our business,bring Michele to your meeting. You will laugh and cry while celebrating work from the farm gate to the consumer plate. Fill your room with energy and unmatched passion for the agrifood business– MP is known for lighting up audiences and leaving an imprint on their heart.

Michele’s keynote is filled with poignant moments from her life on the farm, lessons from working with farmers from over 25 countries and how to really make a connection that impacts the future of agriculture. She’ll even incorporate kickboxing moves and throw in audience humor as they join her on stage. This memorable keynote will help you understandhow to lead through the significant changes facing agriculture in the 21st century and leave a legacy for your business.

When you attend Celebrating Agriculturepresentation, you will:

Consider thought leadership in the conversation about food, fiber, fuel and feed
Understand the necessity of proactive positioning for agriculture

Learn to leverage trust to protect your bottom line

Identify ways to more effectively connect with key influencers
Find the power of emotions in connecting with other humans

Outcomes:

Inspiration for agriculture from one of their own
Tools to better understand how to communicate about our business

Ways personal legacy can drive your leadership in agriculture

Grasp of speaking the same language as the 98.5% of the population not on a farm.

Not only will Michele’s lifelong passion and background in agriculture keep your audience on the edge of their seats, Michele’s interactive style gets them out their seat – both at your meeting and back at home.

Testimonials

With Michele’s guidance, our science community learned to make their science meaningful on a personal level. Thanks to Michele we are better prepared to have important conversations about agriculture and science.
Genome Prairie

The Agri-Business Council of Oregon hired Michele to present a keynote speech at our 2012 Annual Membership Meeting, as well as to facilitate a fundraising workshop with my Board of Directors. She did a fantastic job connecting with both audiences in a way that was entertaining, educational and functional. Her passion for agriculture is true to her heart, and you can see how much it means to her when she speaks. She was worth every penny.

Agri-Business Council of Oregon

Your “Celebrating Agriculture” presentation was very well received. Participants certainly benefitted from your experience to become a source of information to educate friends, neighbors, consumers, etc. about farming and speak up for the industry. Building relationships – one hour, once a week to champion agriculture was a great message to leave the group with. Your presentation was educational and informative!

COGA, British Columbia, Canada

Michele was Alpha Zeta’s keynote speaker at the National Agricultural Leadership Conference and also presented a workshop to the attendees. She did a phenomenal job. Not only was she engaging in her presentation style, but she also presented great information and ideas on how Alpha Zeta members can improve the perception of agriculture in a way that resonated with the students. Alpha Zeta hasn’t had a speaker like that in quite awhile.

Drake & Associates

Michele’s presentations “Championing Agriculture” and “Responding to the Rhetoric: Overcoming Activist Claims” were the highlight of our National Corn Grower’s Association (NCGA) meeting. Many of our attendees, which included state association staff and grower recruiters, came away from the meeting impressed and energetic about their industry. The six and one-half points to remember when championing agriculture resonated very well and are used by our attendees in their membership recruitment and community relations efforts.

Wow! Dynamic, enthusiastic, energetic right on target, and exemplary are just a few ways to describe Michele and her talents. The custom designed workshops and general session that Michele provided were incredible.
American Farm Bureau Federation

It is rare to have a person customize their efforts to our precise needs the way you do…I would have to recommend you to anyone that is really serious about strengthening his or her customer skills work with you. Your ability to identify needs and help a staff develop their own solutions is the best I have seen.

Eastern Michigan Grain

Thank you for touching our hearts, opening our minds and literally letting us kick up our heels.

Wisconsin Association of Fairs

Michele, your presentation on championing agriculture provided solid suggestions for how participants can approach the communications challenges they constantly face… you took an issue that’s very near and dear to their hearts, yet very general, and gave them practical steps and tools for creating high-impact messages for specific audiences.

Nicole Malachowski

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