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“

In part four of his Future Proof series, mental fitness expert Neil O'Brien gives us tips for developing self-worth.  In simple terms, he says we need to value ourselves and our talent before we can expect anyone else to do the same.  

In this blog series I have set out my philosophy and approach in the area of natural talent and ability. I have looked at what it is, how to discover or re-discover it and how we can use it to build the next part of our future work and life success.

However, it is one thing to know you are a wonderfully talented human being but it is another thing to value your talent, your ability and your contribution.

How dare you!

I believe that we are not going to achieve genuine success and happiness without having a healthy level of self-worth. Self-worth is the quality of the relationship we have with ourselves which will then determine the quality of our relationships with others and the quality of our relationship with life. So, everything will start or end here. It’s not enough to be a wonderfully talented human being if you don’t value your talent. In fact, how dare you expect other people to value you and your talent if you don’t value it in the first place!

[caption id="attachment_4019" align="alignleft" width="300"] Self-worth can be nurtured - the best time is always now[/caption]
Not Happy

Not only that, if you and I are not happy with who we are, then we won’t be happy with where we are, who we are with and what we are doing. So valuing ourselves genuinely, and maintaining that sense of value for the future, will be the kind of vital 'fitness' required for future success and happiness. Otherwise our standards slip, we settle for less than we are worth and we start to accept this low level as being our level.

Validation

Where do we get a sense of worth and validation from? Can we generate it for ourselves as we go forward though life?

Certainly our early formative years were important. This includes family, authority figures, belonging to groups, teams, classmates, sports teams and peer groups. Now, later in life, we are also part of new groups and tribes but these are usually only ‘occasional’. Apart from family and work most of the time we are living in our own heads. So while we can get some sense of our value from others, most of the time it is something we have to be able to do for ourselves.

Proof and Dodgy Fixes

Usually the worth and value of anything requires proof. So where are you getting your proof from? What are your sources of validation? What evidence do you have that you are a valuable human being?

Here are some quick fixes that work in the short term, but to which you can easily become a prisoner, meaning that in the long run it can be very destructive and exhausting.

Manic Busyness: creates the feeling that we are vital to everyone and we can’t let up. This is just an illusion, is exhausting to keep in place and your own priorities never get met.

[caption id="attachment_4023" align="alignleft" width="300"] Busyness can be great - but you can also be a 'busy fool' (Image: Shutterstock)[/caption]

Role Playing: if we don’t value ourselves enough we can be tempted to pretend to be a super-human version of ourselves. The problem here is that people expect us to be super human all the time.  Just not sustainable.

People Pleasing: it’s nice to be liked but over-indulging in people pleasing dilutes our personality, confuses what we stand for and postpones our potential.

All of these work. I have clients who feel that they have to do all three. And all of these are exhausting. But you and I can’t future-proof ourselves if we don’t have the energy to do so.

By the way, have I just described the culture of your organisation? Manic busyness combined with obsessive positivity, and nobody is ever allowed to say ‘no’ to anyone or anything?  Perhaps this is a blog for another time.

Best Fix and Best Proof

The best fix for maintaining healthy levels of genuine self-worth works faster than the quick fixes, lasts longer and is wonderful to be around. It is personal integrity – our ability to do or say the right thing as often as possible. For example, tomorrow you may be put in a difficult situation by a client or colleague. In the moment you will have to choose your response. You can choose a response based on manic busyness, role playing or people pleasing. Or, you can take your courage in your hands, and say or do the right thing, and in that moment you will prove to yourself that you are a person of courage, conviction and integrity. There will be times when no one else will know what you’ve just done, but most importantly …..you’ll know.

A couple of closing thoughts for the week ahead: the best time to work on your self-worth was 20 years ago, the second-best time is today. Your Self-Worth Superpower for the future will be your ability to do what you don’t want to do, when you don’t want to do it. See you next week for the topic of confidence that will be future proof.

 ”
“Whose responsibility is it when you find yourself not using your talents to the full, or even at all?  In his third guest blog for us, mental fitness expert Neil O'Brien shares his reflections on natural talent and ability.  In it, he talks about the mismatches that arise when you don't get to express your innate abilities, and he also celebrates the magic that  happens when you do.  
 

Picking up on where I left off in my last blog, where I spoke about the idea of talent and ability, in this one I wanted to share further reflections on the topic, including the first time I encountered stunning natural talent and effortless ability.

The Magician

It was 1982 and I was working as a cashier in a small branch of a bank. In those days every cashier had their own queue. There wasn’t the one-queue system that we are used to now. The cashier beside me was named Bernard and he always had a shorter queue than me (why that was the case will be clear soon).

Bernard could do a kind of magic trick – with a flick of his wrist a screwdriver would appear in his hand, like magic! He always seemed to have a screwdriver with him wherever he went. It was always the same screwdriver. And with this tool, he could fix anything. Any mechanism that broke, Bernard could fix. He was always ready and available to fix things, never too tired or disinterested.

[caption id="attachment_4006" align="alignleft" width="300"] A kind of magic happens when you get to express your natural talent (image: Shutterstock)[/caption]

I witnessed Bernard fix the kettle, the photocopier, the printer, the security alarm, my car at lunchtime and anything else that a screwdriver could fix. No one ever showed him how to fix anything. He was never trained and never did a course in any of this. And when he was fixing something it was like watching an artist at work; every fibre of his being was involved.

Anyone could see that Bernard had a passion for fixing things, it came easily to him. He just understood machines.

The Mismatch

But here's the thing. Bernard was hired to be a cashier but Bernard disliked people and people disliked him, hence the shorter queue. On a daily basis I had to jump in and intervene in a stand-off between Bernard and a customer.

What we had here was a gross mis-match between him and his role, which resulted in stress and unhappiness for him and the people around him.

[caption id="attachment_4007" align="alignleft" width="300"] When we don't see our own talent, we risk ending up in roles where others don't see it either (image: shutterstock)[/caption]

There is a happy ending though.

Years later, Bernard moved to the computer department of the bank because they needed someone to fix stuff.  Not surprisingly, he thrived.  And after Bernard retired a few years back, he spent all his spare time fixing stuff for people in his neighbourhood. He was without doubt the first time I came across someone with the kind of natural talent and ability I outlined in my previous blog.

In my private coaching practice, I regularly meet people who are also mis-matched: their role does not call for any of their natural, effortless talent. Yes, they’ve developed really good skills, but the performance of these skills does not transform them into an artist at work and they are not thriving.

None of this is anyone’s fault. You might be one of those people who is still wondering what your natural talent is. If that’s the case then we can’t blame the organisation. If you don’t know, how are they supposed to know?

The Owner

So it’s no one’s fault when a mis-match occurs, but it does raise the question of who owns it? Who is responsible for discovering natural talent and ability? The answer, of course, is that you are. I believe it is your responsibility to find out what you are amazing at. I talked about how you might do this in the previous blog.

When you do discover or re-discover your amazing talent you are not under any pressure to turn it into a multi-million euro business. Not every talent will lend itself to financial success, and turning it into a business may suck the joy and energy out of it. So you can relax, and keep doing what you are doing if you want to.

The Poet

A financial services person said to me recently “what if it turns out I’m a poet! The bills have to be paid, I’ve a young family, what then?” So I said ‘yes, please don’t resign tomorrow and become a poet! But maybe you can be a poet on a Tuesday evening at a creative writing class. Maybe you can be a poet for an hour on a Saturday morning?’ And I couldn’t resist adding … ‘By the way you never know where an hour per week might eventually lead?’

Remember:  you own this. You have a responsibility to discover what you are amazing at, and you have a responsibility, at the very least, to have an outlet for it. In fact, if you don’t have an outlet, it will become a frustration and that frustration will surface in other ways. Some examples could be poor health, under-performance at work, a feeling of hopelessness about the future, lack of vitality, loss of joy and sense of humour and who knows what else.

[caption id="attachment_4011" align="alignleft" width="300"] When you get to express your talent, everything flows, and obstacles are more easily navigated (Image: shutterstock)[/caption]
The Value

One final thought for now on this. And this is such a simple but incredibly powerful trap that I refer to it as The Cosmic Trap of Human Potential.

Going back to my last blog for a moment, in it I mentioned that your talent is something that comes easily to you.  This is the trap. Because it comes easily to you, you undervalue it and you assume it comes easily to all of us.  Nothing comes easily to all of us and these days there is a market for everything!

Even Bernard didn’t value his talent. And for a long time that meant he didn't get to be the 'artist' he was in his own way.  It's important to remember that people who have discovered their amazing talent and are fully engaged with it still have doubts and uncertainties. These feelings of lack and of not being good enough are never going away.  It's how you deal with them that's important.  But that is the subject of next week’s blog.

The Homework

In the meantime, here's an exercise for you.  Imagine the type of parent, friend, colleague, team leader, or salesperson you’d be if you had a regular outlet for the talent you already possess?

I'm not saying here that you have visualise it.  Some of us struggle to visualise things.  But we all know how it feels when something feels good, natural, right. Thanks for reading!  I'll be back next week.  
Neil O'Brien has led workshops, designed programmes, and given keynotes on many aspects of human potential and mental fitness.  If you are interested in learning more about Neil, ring us on 01 475 0360 or email joanne@personallyspeakingbureau.com or frances@personallyspeakingbureau.com”
“In Part Two of his guest blog on future proofing ourselves in the Covid era, Neil O'Brien tells us that goal-setting is dead.  The process as we know it needs to be re-shaped to allow our talent to shine.  
In last week’s blog I wrote about the importance of hope and connection in times like these, which given the new lockdown seem even more important. In it, I referred to connection - the idea of connecting to something meaningful in the future that you’d like to achieve. This is because having an aspiration will create a sense of direction even in times like the ones we’re currently experiencing. I have an image in my mind’s eye of a rope that is anchored to something far out in the mist ahead of us, and we are using that rope to pull ourselves forward through choppy waters. This rope is our lifeline.
Goal setting is dead
[caption id="attachment_3982" align="alignleft" width="300"] We can navigate even when we can't see ahead (Image: Getty)[/caption] So this begs a few questions. What should your rope be attached to? What do you dare hope for? What should your hope or aspiration be based on? How can it stand the test of time? How can it be future proof? The good news is that it can be future proof, but first I would like to clear up something around goal-setting. We use the word ‘goals’ a lot when we talk about the future, but what I’m seeing in my recent work is that it’s likely that Covid has killed goal-setting. At least the type of goal-setting that we hear a lot about.  An example of goal setting might be this:  you decide what you want - what you really really want - and you turn it into a goal.  You give it a time-line, create mini goals to keep you moving, work hard, don’t deviate and you succeed. And yes, until recently this approach has worked really well for many people, apparently.  I have a couple of difficulties with this approach. One is that it creates a narrow field of vision when there might be other shiny, important treasures on the periphery that might be worth exploring. [caption id="attachment_3992" align="alignleft" width="300"] Don't allow yourself to be blinkered (Image: Shutterstock)[/caption] But my main difficulty with this approach is the very first step – ‘decide what you want’. This creates a process that is not grounded in reality. The whole thing might, for example, just be based on ego rather than authenticity. Sure, I accept that any plan is probably better than no plan but I think we can do better. 
Talent is a constant
I want to revisit - rejig - the process of goal-setting.  How about we change step one from what do you want, to what do you have to offer?  When I say ‘what do you have to offer?’ I am referring to your natural talent and ability. You have a talent for something. Some lucky people have a talent for more than one thing. You’ve always had this talent and you will always have it. It is one of the few constants in your life.  No pandemic or economic recession will lessen or devalue your talent. Which means that this talent provides a fantastic foundation for future aspirations, achievements and sense of direction. You can be as ambitious as you like because your goals or plans are grounded in authenticity and proven natural talent. And you also have in-built resilience in case of setbacks and disappointments.
Find your talent
So what is your talent? What is amazing about you? If you are not sure, how do you find out? What are the clues? Well, these questions bring us beautifully to your homework from this blog.  [caption id="attachment_3990" align="alignleft" width="300"] Put the spotlight on what you love and are good at (Image: Shutterstock)[/caption] Think back through your work life so far and recall when you were at your happiest at work. What was it about that that made you so happy? Think about activities that come easily to you, stuff you find easy to do that perhaps lots of other people don’t find easy. Think about activities that are rewards in themselves. What activities engage you so fully that you lose track of time? What topics or areas of interest trigger accelerated learning for you; that is, you absorb information much quicker than normal and you remember this info much longer. Finally, what if you asked 4 to 6 people who know you well to tell you what they think is your natural talent and ability? You might be pleasantly surprised by what you hear. And of course the deal is, you do it for them too.  
Be in your element
In next week’s blog I will tell you what to do with your thoughts and personal research around this process.  I’ll also talk about what happened to me, the first person I ever saw with unbelievable natural talent, and what I call the ‘cosmic trap’ of human potential.  And one last thing.  A really good book to accompany this blog is the international best-seller The Element by Ken Robinson. Some of you may know that Ken passed away recently. He will always be my hero and a part of my heart has gone with him.  Rest in peace Sir Ken.
Neil will be continuing his guest blog series with us, so stay tuned. ”
“In the first of a two-part blog series on future proofing ourselves in these Covid times, mental fitness expert Neil O'Brien  argues that we need to go beyond coping mechanisms. 
Since Covid began, the focus of the advice has been on habits, structure, routines, rituals, stay-in-the-day etc. And all of that has been fine, but now that the ‘new normal’ is normalising I believe it is time to go beyond coping mechanisms.  A good coach knows the difference between ‘process’ and ‘outcome’ and when to emphasise which. For example, when I was coaching one of our elite athletes, some days we just talked about gold medals (outcome) and other days we definitely did not talk about that; we talked about one extra thing that could be done that day (process). My job was to read her mood and know which one to talk about. Talking about both doesn’t work as it dilutes the attention and focus. We’ve been focused for too long on process. Now it’s time to think about gold medals. As elite sportspeople such as golfers, tennis players or free-takers will tell you, when they are disconnected from the target they feel rudderless, disorientated. Take football. The ball is not the target; the goal is. The upshot? Too much emphasis on the process disconnects us from the target.  So what’s the answer?   It might seem counter-intuitive in times like these to suggest connecting to something in an uncertain future. But the future has always been uncertain. Perhaps we just didn’t know too much about it; we had an innocence. Maybe these days we know too much. I believe we have too much information and not enough hope. It seems to me that information can overpower hope - that logic can bully emotion. So whilst it can seem that the logical thing to do is wait for more information, the waiting can actually rob us of our innocence and eagerness to get going. [caption id="attachment_3970" align="alignleft" width="300"] In work recently, I've felt that people are actively seeking hope[/caption] There’s no question that we are suffering at the moment. But suffering doesn’t lead to hopelessness. What does lead to hopelessness is the suffering that you think you can’t control. Suffering without control can produce symptoms of depression, and can alter our appetite, physical activity, sleep and concentration. The answer is to take back some control.  In recent conversations with clients, I’ve noticed that we would agree that if we just had a date when this current crisis would end, we would be able to cope much better; it wouldn’t seem as bad, as hopeless. We would then have something to work towards. And then I thought – ‘let’s just pick a date, make one up of our own!” Why not? Take some control back.  
A person once said that the secret to a happy and meaningful life is threefold:   have something to work on, something to hope for and somebody to love.  So your homework from Future Proof Me Part One is to pick a date. A date you like, a date that might mean something to you, but it should be more than a week away but less than two months away.  In Part Two next week I will suggest something for you to work on and something to hope for. I’m going to leave somebody to love up to you.  ”
“Knowing the right questions to ask, having and communicating a clear overview of what's being said, being able to think on your feet --- these are some of the core qualities of a successful MC.  And for thousands of events that have had to go online during the pandemic, the MC is now more in demand than ever. An experienced MC is fast becoming the key to a really successful online event, or at least those involving multiple elements and/or speakers. When briefed well, the right MC is able to keep things on track and on schedule, build and sustain forward momentum and squeeze every last insight from proceedings and then feed it back to both speakers and audience. But what is it about Covid that has brought this role to the fore?
Connecting the dots - and people too
I think it has a lot to do with that most innate human drive - the desire to connect with others.  With speakers, contributors and audiences now operating remotely, we're all missing the micro-interactions, energy and 'people power' of live events.  Online events demand a different kind and level of focus.  A skilled MC will craft a meaningful whole from the constituent parts of an event (comprising, say, a panel discussion, keynote and Q&A) that might otherwise feel fragmented.  More importantly, they bring people together by guiding them through the experience.  In this respect they're a bit like sherpas; they're so familiar with the terrain that their only focus becomes getting you to the summit, where you can share the view, together.
A host of skills 
Given the particular skillset involved, it's probably no surprise that  journalists, presenters and broadcasters with strong track records on TV and radio are some of the best at it.  Here at Personally Speaking we have a host of them (pun intended), including Mark Little, Matt Cooper, David McWilliams, Sarah Carey, Sarah McInerney, Shane Coleman, Ivan Yates, Aine Kerr, Colette Fitzpatrick, Richard Curran and Claire Byrne.  Outside of journalism we also have Susan Hayes Culleton, who has even been known to come up with a poem at the end of an event summing up the day!  Just search by name or for MC on our home page to view these and more.
I think that online events are here to stay, even if only as part of the mix of live/virtual.  So the MC role will continue to be important long after this pandemic ends (and please let it end, soon).  Amidst all the disruption and uncertainty that Covid-19 has brought, it's been both a  surprise and a bonus to observe this important role being reinvented and adapted for the 'new normal'. 'Every cloud......". Right?

If you are interested in using an MC, phone 01 475 0360 or email frances@personallyspeakingbureau.com or joanne@personallyspeakingbureau.com

       ”
“Mental Health for All: Greater Investment—Greater Access is the theme of this year’s World Mental health day (WHMD) on October 10th. And in a world of growing economic inequality where divisions and disruption are threatening to erode our mental well-being, the theme couldn’t be more timely.   Each year the theme for WMHD is decided by The World Federation for Mental Health, but this year they’ve taken quite a radical approach by stating clearly that mental health is a human right, and that it’s time that it’s available for all. A big vision!  [caption id="attachment_3952" align="alignleft" width="300"] This year the theme is mental health for all - regardless of income, gender, ethnicity or nationality. (Photo: Shutterstock)[/caption]
Just two years ago, the World Economic Forum noted that mental health illnesses are on the rise in every country in the world and could cost the global economy up to $16 trillion between 2010 and 2030.  That is a staggering sum.   But while the financial argument might grab the headlines, the more important question is the human impact behind the numbers. Because without doubt, whilst mental health problems are not new, inequality is arguably making them worse, and the fallout is impossible to ignore, as people struggle with stress, anxiety, depression or other challenges. 
So what are companies and organisations doing to address or support mental health?  Many have programmes in place via healthcare providers, but some are opting for other solutions - all of them online.  At Personally Speaking we offer tailored solutions designed to address the individual needs of our clients and their people. The inspiring, informative keynote is still very much part of our DNA, as a popular way to motivate staff and highlight people’s ability to tackle and overcome mental health problems.  But with everything now online, we’ve developed platforms that optimise tools like webinars, online courses, masterclasses, leadership support programmes, Q&As, workshops, ‘fireside chats,’ video etc. Or a combination of some or all of the above!  We also take care of the tech end, so you don't have to worry about anything.   Working closely with clients and speakers, we co-create solutions so businesses have exactly what they need to overcome the particular challenges they face, especially - right now - the disruption and uncertainty that Covid has brought.  WMHD 2020 is a wonderful opportunity to address these challenges, particularly in the context of a very uncertain world, but the reality is that many companies are already exploring innovative ways to support their people's mental health year-round, notwithstanding the unique context that the current pandemic presents.   [caption id="attachment_3950" align="alignleft" width="300"] Some of our many mental health speakers - they approach the topic from all angles[/caption] So if you are thinking of hosting an event of some kind, or a series of talks or workshops, give us a ring or email us and we will chat through your options.  Below are just some of our many mental health speakers.  For more information and to view more, visit here   Brent Pope - rugby pundit, mental health advocate Petra Velzeboer - mental health consultant, psychotherapist, executive coach, podcast host Neil O’Brien - mental fitness expert and motivational speaker Niall Breslin ('Bressie') - musician, mental health advocate, founder of Lust for Life  Dr. Mark Rowe - medical doctor, educator and Lifestyle Medicine expert Ruby Wax - psychotherapist, comedian and motivational speaker Dame Kelly Holmes - double Olympian and award-winning writer Dr. John Briffa - author, doctor, trainer If you would like to get in touch, email frances@personallyspeakingbureau.com or joanne@personallyspeakingbureau.com    ”
“Sorry, but we can't get away from the C word.  We had hoped that by now it would be on the wane, but instead, the disruption it brings is still wreaking havoc. So, how are companies adapting to this Covid-19 limbo, in which the only certainty is uncertainty?  What are speakers and thought leaders doing differently?  What are we doing differently? In this blog, we bring you news and resources from the world of thought leadership that will hopefully get you thinking or simply lift your spirits. Here goes.
Leadership Literature
Terence Mauri, best-selling author and a leading global disruption thinker, has written a new book called The 3D Leader, exploring how each of us can proactively change our mindsets to become a fully three-dimensional leader who is both empathic and effective. [caption id="attachment_3926" align="alignleft" width="300"] Terence Mauri's new book, The 3D leader[/caption] This is practical advice on how to lead faster, smarter and better in what he calls a VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity) world.  Terence is now also giving webinars and presentations in which he elaborates on the strategies highlighted in the book.
Revisiting the Past, Mapping the Future
The crisis has led people to revisit books from the past which are now proving prescient.  Amongst the most popular is Wilful Blindness (2012) by CEO and author Margaret Heffernan, whose 2020 book Uncharted:  How to Map the Future Together has already made the longlist for the Financial Times & McKinsey Business Book of the Year.  Bravo, Margaret! [caption id="attachment_3928" align="alignleft" width="227"] Uncharted, the new, much-praised book by Margaret Heffernan, speaks to the current crisis in unexpected ways[/caption] Margaret has long argued that we need to change our mindset in a world where our ability to forecast has become dangerously short term - something like 400 days at most.  Both of these books serve to frame the current crisis in ways that help you to adapt positively.  She has also developed two new presentations (live streamed from or pre-recorded in studio) based on Uncharted which are aimed at supporting leaders to rise to the challenges that Covid-19 - and uncertainty in general - presents.
Surprise learnings from the virtual world
With live events looking unlikely to return for quite some time and perhaps altered forever,  virtual events are now by necessity the norm for anyone seeking to do training, learning or development.  And while we all miss the buzz and banter of live events, our speakers who are now operating solely remotely have observed some really positive things come out of delivering their work in this way. Perhaps the most surprising observation is that where there is a Q&A, panel discussion or opportunity to interact, the conversations are deeper and the insights richer. [caption id="attachment_3930" align="alignleft" width="300"] Some really compelling insights are emerging from the world of virtual events (photo: Shutterstock)[/caption] Why is this, we wondered? Well, Mental Fitness expert Neil O'Brien was the first to notice it, but it would be no surprise to Susan Cain, whose seminal best-seller Quiet showed companies (and the rest of us) just what they are missing when they overlook introverts.  It seems that the virtual world is creating a 'levelling' effect that is encouraging those who might otherwise not speak up or contribute, to share their views and ask questions.  As a result, those who take part are getting a richer, more complex experience.  A win-win, we'd say! And an interesting trend that might just be here to stay.
New video series on Mental Fitness
And speaking of Neil O'Brien, he has been busy working with us to deliver a byte-size series of six videos on Mental Fitness which are designed to help individuals and teams deal with the current challenges and stresses.  [caption id="attachment_3931" align="alignleft" width="300"] Neil O'Brien's new Mental Fitness series helps companies build resilient teams[/caption] Neil shows how to establish new habits and ways of thinking that support people to become mentally well—and stay well, using straightforward, practical advice that makes sense.  These videos are available immediately and can be branded with your logo for the full personalised experience.  You can view a taster here, and if you would like to know more, Joanne is happy to chat on 01 475 0360 or you can email joanne@personallyspeakingbureau.com
Onto the airwaves:  The B Side podcast
As a teenager, I harboured what some might call 'notions' about being a radio presenter, and in the last six weeks this dream has been realised with the development and launch of my own podcast series, The B Side.  And I am blown away by the response! [caption id="attachment_3932" align="alignleft" width="294"] The B Side - conversations that make you think again (Design by Zayne Dagher)[/caption] I've always been curious about the world, and with proximity to so many incredible thinkers through my work, it felt like the most natural thing in the world to invite them to share their stories, influences and ideas in a more intimate setting. And so far, it's been equal parts fascinating, fun and inspiring.  These interviews allow listeners to get something of the back story, to get a feel for the personality, of some truly amazing guests.  So far, I've interviewed Margaret Heffernan, David Rowan, Caroline Casey, Mark Little, Min Kym and Sean Fitzpatrick.  This week it's Professor Luke O'Neill, and then Brent Pope brings the current series to a close just before September. [caption id="attachment_3935" align="alignleft" width="300"] Me in studio with Mark Little for The B Side[/caption] If you fancy a listen, The B Side is available on Podbean, Spotify and iTunes.
New website, richer experiences
And finally, to what we are doing here at Personally Speaking Bureau in this 'new' environment. The answer?  A lot.  We'd been flirting with the idea of a new website for a while and, with expert help, had been deep diving into our branding - things like our values, ethos and vision.  With Covid, that process of change has been massively (and at times, exhilaratingly!) accelerated. I had long foreseen that virtual events were going to become a more permanent feature of the speaking/events circuit, if only because of things like climate change and fast-evolving technology which allows functionality that was unthinkable five years ago.  And then Covid came along, live events went off a cliff (hopefully, not forever!), and suddenly, virtual is by necessity the default option. [caption id="attachment_3936" align="alignleft" width="300"] All things virtual is now the norm, from webinars to masterclasses (Photo: Shutterstock)[/caption] What I hadn't foreseen was just how quickly clients and speakers would adapt. Covid has brought much that is difficult, but there are good things too, not least the resilience and leadership being shown by many.  And there are some distinct pluses.  As well as the richer insights Neil has observed in virtual presentations, another unexpected benefit is that because they don't have to travel, some speakers who might have been unavailable before are now available. And the upshot of all this?  Our new website will launch in the next six weeks and will fully reflect not just our personality and ethos, but also the richness and diversity of the experiences we can offer our clients.  We've always had amazing people available to us, but now we're using technology to bring their knowledge and expertise to audiences in new and exciting ways. If you would like to learn more about any of the above, email frances@personallyspeakingbureau.com.  And in the meantime, watch this space.                  ”
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“Our Masterclasses are a great way of engaging and connecting by deepening the conversations around topical issues that impact your business and society as a whole.  ”
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“Even before Covid19 reached these shores and shed its viral load among us like kids doling out sweets at a birthday party, mental health was rising fast up the corporate agenda. And while the full impact of the pandemic is not yet clear, one thing is certain: our mental health is under threat, at home and at work. The good news is that we can do something about it. [caption id="attachment_3831" align="alignleft" width="300"] Workplace wellness is fast becoming a pillar for success in business (Photo credit: Shutterstock)[/caption]
Covid19 has highlighted the chink in all our armour: the risks posed to our psychological wellbeing if we don’t take the time to put in place measures to nurture it. There are plenty out there - from mindfulness to yoga - that we can use in our personal lives, if we take the time. [caption id="attachment_3821" align="alignleft" width="300"] When it comes to business strategy, our mental health can be the weak link we overlook[/caption]   But how do we optimise workplace mental health - our own and that of our colleagues, our team, our leaders? This is a question that last week we put to some of our speakers on mental health. The occasion was Mental Health Awareness Week, but the truth is that mental health needs our attention - and care - year round. Because one thing that Covid has laid bare is that uncertainty is a fundamental dynamic of modern culture. The virus is just the latest expression of it. Change is here to stay - and we need, literally, to get our heads around it. So, how do you build robust mental health in a situation where flux is the default setting? When we’re talking about human nature, we know that constant change, whether incrementally or in big strides like those happening right now, brings its own set of challenges. It’s not just about adjusting to change when it happens. You have to - or at least want to - stay ahead of it, anticipate it and then, if you’re lucky, ‘ride the wave’ instead of being subsumed by it, only to pop up the other side like a cork, ready to ride the next one. Because as every surfer knows, the waves keep coming. [caption id="attachment_3822" align="alignleft" width="300"] Ride the waves of change - don't go under (Photo: Shutterstock)[/caption] This is where change really puts it up to us in the mental health stakes. It’s like that schoolyard bully who just comes out of nowhere to give you a smack. You just stand there, a little dazed, while they come right up, taunting you with: ‘So, what are you going to do about it?’
In these short videos, each speaker gives us their take on what to do - and there’s great advice in there. Neil O’Brien, mental fitness coach, takes the pressure off by telling us to reimagine confidence as a mood rather than see it as an inherent character trait, and then develop our own triggers to generate confidence just when we need it. Watch it here:  https://bit.ly/2LEU6mg No. 2 in our series of 5 comes from former Olympian David Gillick. This is a man who walks the walk, from devising nutritious recipes that boost our brains, to delivering wellness talks in the workplace. No surprise then that in his video he takes a holistic approach to mental health that takes in exercise and that most human of desires, connection to others. Then there’s Brent Pope, rugby pundit, mental health advocate and, now, aspiring psychotherapist. Brent has been very open about his own struggles with anxiety, and in this video he urges us to ‘keep talking.’ [caption id="attachment_3827" align="alignleft" width="300"] Keep talking - better out of your head than in (photo credit: Shutterstock)[/caption] video No. 4 comes from Peter Ryan, para cyclist and motivational speaker, who highlights the ‘mad paradox’ that makes us think we are alone in our problems, when in fact the chances are sky high that someone else has suffered the same thing.  More than anything, Peter encourages us to open up about our problems and not suffer alone ‘in silence.’ [caption id="attachment_3826" align="alignleft" width="300"] Don't suffer in silence - talk to someone. (photo credit: Shuttertock)[/caption] The final video, from Petra Velzeboer, sums up the spirit of any workplace mental health initiative worth its salt.  Simply put, it's to ensure that any positive changes we make now become the catalyst for an ongoing, evolving process of change management so that cultivating good mental health becomes second nature rather than an afterthought.  Because really, we can't afford it to be anything less. And the upshot of all this? If change is to be our default setting then, let the cultivation of good mental health be its conjoined twin.”
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Brent Pope
Tell A Friend, Minding your Mental Health

Neil O'Brien
Mental Fitness and Finding Purpose During Uncertainty

David Gillick
Tips  from an Olympic Athlete on Managing Physical and Mental Fitness

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Margaret Heffernan
Leading through Uncertainty and Volatility

Terence Mauri
The 3-D Leader, Mindsets of Leaders

Mark Little
The Place of Technology in Building Trust

 

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David McWilliams
Escaping the Pandession, What we need to do now to help recovery

Jim Power
An Economic and Business Recovery Plan.

Dan O'Brien
Global economic impact of COVID-19

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Clare Dillon
Lockdown Your Learnings - Innovation in a Changing World

Kaihan Krippendorf
Driving Innovation from Within

Calum Chace 
The Future - The impact of AI on Society and Business

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Costas Markides
Disrupting Your Strategy

Nigel Barlow
Rethink, Rebuild and Rebound

Sonya Lennon
Lead with Integrity

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Peter Cosgrove
The Future of Work and how we will connect

Graeme Codrington
Same Planet, Different World

Amy Cappellanti-Wolf
Navigating Rapid Change & Driving Horizontal Accountability in a Turbulent Tech Environment

 

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THE UNCHARTED JOURNEY

CEO, TED speaker and business thinker Margaret Heffernan has designed this Masterclass in collaboration with Personally Speaking based on her latest book Uncharted: How to Map the Future Together.

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HOW TO WIN IN THE AGE OF DISRUPTION

We have collaborated with Terence Mauri, author of the global bestseller, The Leader’s Mindset: How To Win In The Age of Disruption, described as a “game changer” by Harvard Business School, to create this Masterclass.

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MENTAL RESILIENCE THROUGH TIMES OF TURBULENCE

Author of 'Time to Fly' Neil O'Brien specialises in Mental Fitness and Resilience with a particular focus on the unprecedented challenges that Covid19 brings.

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Each of our featured speakers offers a two hour facilitated Masterclass with a focus on a particular aspect of Mental Health:

Brent Pope – Staying Grounded in Anxiety
Peter Ryan – Coping with Adversity
Neil O’Brien – Staying Mentally Fit
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All our masterclasses are facilitated and we can customise each masterclass to suit your audience size and breakout group size preference. The facilitator and speaker work closely together to make sure that questions and topics that arise in ‘Chat’ function or in the Breakout Groups are appropriately addressed.


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“This is a two part Masterclass with Margaret Heffernan. She has based her Masterclass on her recently published book Uncharted. She  will challenge your leaders’ thinking and mindsets thereby increasing their capacity to lead through complexity and uncertainty. [address-col]

Masterclass part 1:

Why do we get addicted to prediction? Is forecasting passé? When is forecasting useful? Do we hold false certainties? Is ambiguity the new norm? And what does this mean for us as leaders? [/address-col] [address-col]

Masterclass part 2:

We need to accept the future isn’t knowable And ambiguity makes people anxious How should leaders relate to experts? So what are the skills leaders now need?

[/address-col]

Margaret Heffernan will curate content (reading, listening and watching) to deepen participants' knowledge of the subject areas touched on during the Masterclass.

[address-col]

”
“

Our guest blog this week is from the wonderful - and very witty - Nigel Barlow, who mines the rich rewards of creative distraction in these strange times.  Tons of great tips here!   Enjoy.        

[caption id="attachment_3280" align="alignleft" width="300"] Nigel Barlow - international speaker on Innovation, Creativity and Disruption[/caption]

            

The worst thing you can do during the virus crisis is watch too much streaming news. It’s nearly as bad as streaming noses: science tells us that stress damages the immune system, so the common-sense approach is to take in news on a need-to-know basis. Preferably in print or radio form; visual images seem to burn anxiety into our nervous system far more than  spoken or written media.

And then what?...After blanket coverage of Covid, there’s a segue like, “And now for the other news.” Except there isn’t any. An Irish friend describes her TV as, “That little demon in the corner of the room,” constantly pumping out the grimmest of predictions on the spread of the virus. Many are finding the need to free themselves from the fiends of despair and hopelessness, at least for a couple of hours a day.

I offer a Top Ten of ways to creatively distract ourselves in the era of isolation, some profound, and others downright silly…

1. Dinner Parties Online

While this isn’t entirely new, to have online suppers with friends around the world has been a great blessing. Okay, you will need to synchronise time zones, but assuming you have cooked or baked an interesting dish, it’s fun to share, toast and chat as if everyone was seated together at your table.

[caption id="attachment_3266" align="alignleft" width="300"]a couple sit at a table with food on it and a laptop between them showing a smiling friend online Online dinner parties- you only have to cook for yourselves![/caption]

There are also benefits over the real thing – you don’t have to dress up, and there’s no pressure on one host to provide a sumptuous feast. Surprisingly we’ve found we can have deeper and longer conversations with normally over-busy friends. We have the twin gifts of time and attention. And don’t need to worry about drinking and driving…

 

2. Games Online

Even the virtual supper party can drift into too much talk about you-know-what, so we’ve found it a great de-stresser to engage in games before dessert comes around. Our personal favourite, which works well online, is our viciously competitive take on Charades. Friends have dubbed it ‘Extreme Charades’ – I won’t bore you with the format, other than to say that it bears as little resemblance to the genteel parlour version as, say, Led Zeppelin does to Liberace. From Montreal, a friend’s graphic performance of ‘The Contraceptive Coil’ (don’t ask!) reduced a dinner guest in Spain to helpless tears. He’s recovering from the virus, and said this kind of silliness was very welcome.

[caption id="attachment_3267" align="alignleft" width="231"]A woman holds her phone up to her partner with the category Movies written on it, during a game of online charades Want a giggle? Online games almost guarantee it[/caption]

(There’s an App called Table Top Simulator, which allows you to play most of the games you thought you had to play physically -Monopoly, Scrabble etc.)

 

3. Count Your Regrets

Here’s a creative reversal of what we are usually urged to do – count our blessings – but it can lead to a positive outcome.

Edith Piaf was clearly wrong when she sang Je ne regrette rien - we all have things we’d rather not have said or done, or omitted to tackle.

Now’s the time to come to terms with a few of these ghosts from the past: not to wallow in them, but to see how many can be remedied a little. A phone call to someone you’ve neglected, or to whom you’ve said something hurtful.

The positive twist is then to make a list of the things you want to do when we come out of isolation: people, places and experiences. Regrets are only harmful when we can’t do anything about them, but there will be a number of desires on your ‘wish I hadn’t’ list that can be addressed with new vigour and clarity when you emerge.

 

4. Learning a New Skill

Acquisition of a new skill, whether it’s learning Portugese, embroidery or baking, in normal times is a classic case of ‘important but not urgent’. The activity trap of busyness steals our time and attention, and we are left with a wistful wish-list of noble intentions.

Fixing a drystone wall in our garden was an intensely satisfying project for me. Even though a more skilled neighbour gave my handiwork only 5 out of 10, I get a small surge of pride every time I walk past.

And don’t be put off that lifetime’s desire to acquire another language by the usual ‘yes, buts’: ‘we’ll never be able to travel there anyway’/ ‘Google translate is brilliant these days’/ ‘It’ll all be over soon’/ ‘we’ll all be dead,’ and so on. We’ve managed 20 minutes a day with online Italian, and although it won’t make us fluent anytime soon, it’s steadily building up our vocabulary.

My partner is also reaching out to her professional colleagues, arranging online sessions where they coach each other in skills each one feels they need sharpening.

Another friend plays guitar online every day with a virtual tutor, in between his webinar tuition sessions.

Hibernation is a more positive way of thinking of this time than ‘isolation,’ with its connotations of loneliness and being an island. Out of hibernation comes rebirth, as the seasons change…...

 

5. Listening to - or making – music

Almost everyone seems to be in a virtual choir. Great for the soul, but if you’re feeling inclined to music in a more passive way, now’s the time. One of my obsessions is that people are too busy to listen to music these days: at best it’s like a scented candle in the room, creating a flavour with no-one really paying attention.

[caption id="attachment_3268" align="alignleft" width="300"] With or without earphones, music is a tonic[/caption]

How about listening to Beethoven’s Emperor or Bach’s Goldberg variations, all the way through, without cell phone beeps and other siren calls of the digital age interrupting?

We live in a soundbite and staccato age when ‘content’ is consumed in byte-sized chunks. Here’s an opportunity to reclaim some of our neurons from the ubiquitous ‘distraction economy.’

Try this: speak to someone you know who is more knowledgeable about music, and ask them to recommend a piece they love, with some understanding of why it moves/excites/thrills them. It will deepen your appreciation of that aria, movement or 3 minutes of pop joy, as it did for us asking a composer friend about the inspiration behind his latest string quartet.

More low-brow – but great therapy – is to come up with a list of ‘Anti-Virus,’ songs. Currently on the list are:

*Get Back by the Beatles

*Keep Your Distance by Richard Thompson

*Don’t Stand so Close by The Police

*Long Distance Love by Little Feat

*98.6 by Keith

You get the idea. In normal times you would advise me to get out a bit more: fat chance at the moment!

 

6. Keep a Plague Diary

You don’t have to be a Samuel Pepys to create your own journal. Ours is added to sporadically, and although you might think there’s not been a whole lot of action – places to go, people to see – in the last few weeks, it’s amazing how moods change daily, and dealing with the inner life is just as rich as outer adventures.

[caption id="attachment_3269" align="alignleft" width="300"] Document your day - though it doesn't have to be every day[/caption]

Sketches, poems, jokes, reflections – looking back on a week ago I’m surprised how easy it is in ordinary times to miss and forget an experience in our desire to rush onto the next one.

And there’s time to read and appreciate the poetry. Here’s some prescient lines by Pablo Neruda that appear to have been crafted just for now:

Keeping Quiet

And now we will count to twelve

And we will all keep still.

For once on the face of the earth

Let’s not speak any language,

Let’s stop for one second,

And not move our arms so much.

It would be an exotic moment

Without rush, without engines,

We would all be together

In a sudden strangeness.

I suggest you read the rest – I love that phrase, ‘a sudden strangeness.’ That’s what we are going through right now…

 

7. Exercise

Who’d have thought that half the world would want to do online dance, yoga, pilates, jazzercize, tai chi, aerobics etc etc? Or that the other half feel qualified to teach it!

But it’s essential, especially if you don’t have access to the outside world, to turn your living room into some kind of gym.

[caption id="attachment_3270" align="alignleft" width="300"] Exercise helps with stress and keeps you fit[/caption]

And then there’s mental exercise, in particular the art of experiencing inner calm. I’ve taught the simple, effortless technique of Transcendental Meditation for many years now, and it’s given a wonderful frame to an otherwise unstructured day to do a group meditation in the morning and early evening with hundreds of other practitioners from around Europe. Although you can’t learn an authentic form of meditation online – distrust any who offers it – if you are thinking of acquiring an effective and evidence-based technique when the crisis abates, let me know and I’ll put you in touch with a good teacher.

Mental gymnastics are also useful. Dictionary.com has regular word quizzes to beef up your vocabulary, especially if you are not feeling mellifluous, and want your verbal skills to fall into desuetude.

 

8. Reading – out loud!

Lucky grand-kids: our neighbour reads to hers over the phone every night, and has the added joy of them reading some of their favourite stories back to her!

With your partner, try reading to each other – much better than listening passively to some famous actor, as you can edit and select the passages you will respond to. I’m being read the amusing parts of humourist and essayist David Sedaris’ autobiography, Calypso. Laughing out loud together is the best type of therapy, as is reading beautifully written prose. For this, try Leslie Jamieson’s latest, Make it Scream, Make it Burn, for wonderfully crafted and searingly honest writing that will make you think and feel.

An illustration of a young boy reading aloud whilst standing

Of course, now could be the time to finally tackle Proust, Dickens or Shakespeare’s sonnets. Fine, if you have the stamina, but I wouldn’t go for any dystopias or zombie apocalypse reading matter. You can get all that on the mainstream news.

 

9. Make Babies

Health warning: an activity only for successfully quarantined and asymptomatic couples. Having said that, now’s the time to resume forgotten intimacies with the only person on the planet you can actually touch: physically, like.

I expect for every couple who decide now is a dodgy time to bring a child into the world, there are three who believe we need to re-populate. In particular older men with younger partners, wishing to leave a legacy. I’m studying the finer points of ‘Home Delivery’ as I write.

 

10. Perfect Your Hand-Washing Routine

20 seconds is a surprisingly long time, and one of the ways we’ve been advised to time it is by singing Happy Birthday twice. Which is unfortunate, as this must be the most depressing dirge ever written.

More enterprisingly, someone (with time rather than blood on their hands) has set the ritual to those lines from Macbeth – “Out Damned Spot, etc.”

Good chance to learn the speech, but as a Liverpool fan, no song will do better than You’ll Never Walk Alone while scrubbing my hands virus free. It takes about one a half verses, and keeps me focussed by trying to hit that high note on ‘never’ in the repeat of the chorus. You know, the one that the fans sing with great gusto - but completely flat.

Yes, I should get out more. But unfortunately that’s not an option. So I hope that some of these distractions help you also to enjoy staying in.

Nigel Barlow

April 2020

”
“It was a day of bright sunshine and even brighter ideas.  With the theme of 'The Rise of Humanity at Work," Talent Summit 2020 was a triumph, with a packed agenda that drew to a close with a searing, cerebral keynote speech by Bob Geldof, delivered with his trademark wit and, of course, a few carefully chosen expletives. This is a man who doesn't mince his words. Or his message (more on Bob's speech later). [caption id="attachment_3237" align="alignleft" width="300"] Robert in deep conversation with Bob in the post-keynote interview[/caption] With hand sanitisers positioned right inside the door, the day also served as a potent reminder that we've entered an era in which the only certainty is uncertainty,  and Covid19 is just yet another massive disruptor, nor will it be the last. It was entirely appropriate, then, that the key themes that emerged over the course of the day were adaptability, agility, resilience, empathy, leadership and emotional intelligence.  In the future, and right now in fact, these attributes are going to be key to living and working successfully alongside, and together with, our fellow human beings.  (if you're looking for speakers on these topics, just search our site and you'll find them). [caption id="attachment_3239" align="alignleft" width="300"] Dr Jochen Mendes with a slide showing the high ranking that the WEF is giving EQ in business[/caption] The team at Sigmar Recruitment had crafted a schedule that promised a lively mix of panel discussions, presentations and in-depth interviews.  It was a blend that kept momentum going and, more importantly, got people talking, aided by the consummate MC skills of Sigmar founder Robert MacGiolla Phadraig, resplendent in a blue suit so sharply cut that, in a private briefing earlier in the day, Sir Bob pressed him for the tailor's number. The cumulative effect of that schedule proved to be the real success of the event, as over the day it built up a nuanced, complex and highly informed picture of the challenges and opportunities currently facing the HR sector across a wide range of industries, and how we can address them. Here is our summary of the hot topics and key insights you need to know about. [caption id="attachment_3235" align="alignleft" width="300"] Aidan McCullen highlighted the need for companies to bear in mind the need for constant reinvention[/caption]

On Leadership

We’ve made leadership into something out of people’s reach, but in doing so we deny the existence of leadership in our everyday lives.  We don't need to devalue the great efforts or successes of others, but we do need to celebrate the leadership we see very day - in the workplace, at home, amongst our friends.  Leadership is everywhere,  and in everyone. It can be cultivated, so let's do it ourselves and encourage it in others.  In a digital world, ethics, responsibility and empathy are the leadership competencies the workplace - and workforce - needs. Leaders must successfully inspire people to pursue collective goals and collaborate in ways that contribute to their productivity, well-being and happiness.
[caption id="attachment_3246" align="alignleft" width="300"] One of the panels of the day looked at the changing role of the CHRO[/caption]

On changes in HR's function

People today want to talk about getting the most out of people, helping them reach their potential.  The sector is becoming more transformational than transactional, but the EQ piece remains very tricky to get right.  When it is right though, it creates huge value.   There’s more of a focus on business; HR today needs to understand business more. It’s all about understanding the value chain of the business  Wellness is more important than ever, with 50% of people in one survey saying they are not happy in their job/work.  Workplaces need to put wellness programmes in place that can change this.   The great HR leader of today is predictive, not reactive. They anticipate trends in behaviour and thinking and act accordingly. In a world where disruption is becoming the default setting, trust is essential.  The Chief HR Officer (CHRO) is the Chief Trust Officer of the future; they need to be relatable, empathetic, responsible.
Matthew Kearney of EY on the changing face of HR responsibilities

On Purpose

Personal values and social activism have taken root in the workplace. Corporate and talent leaders need to do more to reflect their people’s desire to do more around climate action and sustainability. As a leader, you cannot lead with purpose if you do not cultivate - and communicate - empathy and compassion.
And finally, to Bob.  Bob Geldof is nothing if not a polymath.  He is curious about everything, challenges everything and has a worldview in which everything is first considered and then whittled down to the essentials. It's the polemicist's version of zero-waste. [caption id="attachment_3233" align="alignleft" width="300"]Sigmar Founder Padraig MacGiolla Phadraig and keynote speaker Bob Geldof sit on a sofa off stage doing a final briefing Robert giving Bob a final briefing, but true to style, Bob went far beyond the brief[/caption] Politics, activism, social movements, sustainability, human nature, leadership and, not least, technology and the threats and opportunities it brings - all of these were touched on in his speech and, afterwards, in a reflective interview with Robert MacGiolla Phadraig. More than anything else, Bob's speech was an invitation to us all to remember and cultivate our humanity now more than ever.  It was also a powerful call to action:   to be alert to the forces that seek to threaten and undermine that humanity, to inform ourselves using real facts and not fake news, to remember the profound importance and power of genuine human connection and, above all, to remain hopeful and purposeful in the face of continued uncertainty. What a message.  What a day.  Thank you, to all the speakers, and also to the team at Sigmar. [caption id="attachment_3245" align="alignleft" width="169"] The view as we descended the escalators and headed home[/caption]                    
”
“So, Davos 2020 is behind us, but it identified six challenges ahead of humanity that have to be addressed, soon. Here are the Top Six Topics prioritised in 2020’s Programme for the Annual Meeting at Davos, and a sample of some of the speakers who can talk about them with the authority, insight and talent to inform, spark debate and initiate lasting change.

Ecology: How to mobilise business to respond to the risks of climate change and ensure that measures to protect biodiversity reach forest floors and ocean beds.

It’s estimated that something between one-third and one-half of business activity on the planet relies on nature to be successful, be it clean, productive oceans, fertile soil or the humble bee which pollinates essential food crops. There’s also the very important issue of humanity’s reliance on the planet for its own health, physical and mental. The problem can seem overwhelming to the point where people feel unsure of next steps, even paralysed, but the key is to start now and go from there. Our speakers instill confidence, share knowledge and spark action. Here are some our best:

Sue Garrard Sir Bob Geldof Marga Hoek

Economy: How to remove the long-term debt burden and keep the economy working at a pace that allows higher inclusion.

Long-term debt has a corrosive effect on any economy, undermining confidence and constraining innovation and progress.

David MacWilliams Dan O’Brien

Technology: How to create a global consensus on deployment of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and avoid a ‘technology war’.

The technology sector is naturally - and some say, blindly - optimistic about the benefits of technological progress, but is it all as rosy as they say? Our speakers look at the nuts and bolts of the issue, identify the weak spots and offer solutions to the problems and doubts that face us.

Ben Hammersley David Rowan

Society: How to re-skill and upskill a billion people in the next decade.

Demographics are changing due to factors such as climate change (forced migration), an ageing population that is growing fast, falling birth rates, rapidly growing urbanisation and, not least, the exclusion caused by technology when people are left behind. This puts huge pressure on all our systems, from transport to housing and, of course, employment. With so much changing so fast, how can we ensure no-one is excluded from the workplace?

Caroline Casey Margaret Heffernan

Geopolitics: How the ‘spirit of Davos’ can create bridges to resolve conflicts in global hotspots. Informal meetings to set kickstart conciliation.

Politics and the conversation around it is growing increasingly polarised. We need a return to a belief in empirical proof and the expertise of scientists and specialists, rational debate, greater understanding and a determination to listen, carefully, to people whose views we do not share.

Dambisa Moyo Fintan O’Toole

Industry: How to help business create the models necessary to drive enterprise in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Our speakers can advise how to navigate an enterprise in a world exposed to political tensions and driven by exponential technological change as well as increasing expectations from all stakeholders.

Terence Mauri

Clare Dillon

  If you would like to learn more about any of these or our other speakers and how they can contribute to your event, please email joanne@personallyspeakingbureau.com or call us on 01 475 0360 ”
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With the traditional January 're-set' not too far away (we won't mention the C word), many organisations are looking to find out what the hot topics are and who's talking about them with authority and impact. So here's our Top Ten list of topics and some of our many speakers who are able and happy to speak about them to you and your team.  Read on.

Trust

[caption id="attachment_3157" align="alignleft" width="300"] Making the leap to trust others yields dividends[/caption] This is a big one. More and more research shows that the best business outcomes are delivered when trust between co-workers is optimal. Makes sense, right? But how exactly can you build trust, especially where it’s been damaged by poor leadership or communication, or even simply where the problem is fear of change. The best speakers on this offer not just inspiration but also actionable insights that will help guide you on your path to building a culture of trust in your organisation. +Margaret Heffernan +Dr Celine Mullins +Matthew Syed +Clare Dillon +Anita Sands +Deborah Rowland  

Courageous Leadership

[caption id="attachment_3158" align="alignleft" width="300"] Courageous leaders see how things can be, go for it, and bring others with them[/caption] It’s something everyone would like, but sadly there’s no magic recipe for courage. Real courage means tackling something despite your fear or doubt that your strategy won’t work, because, quite simply, doing nothing is not an option. Courageous leadership means many things, but we know it when we see it. We recognise it when leaders lead confidently in spite of doubts and uncertainty. And we see it when they get buy-in from stakeholders and team members alike because they believe in you and trust in the outcome. It’s easy to see why this topic is so ‘hot’ on the conference circuit right now. Perhaps it’s the ultimate reflection of these uncertain times, but people want leaders who are both human - open about their failings - and tenacious enough to realise their dreams, without trampling on others in the process. +Cindy Solomon +Christine Armstrong +Caroline Casey  

Sustainability

[caption id="attachment_3159" align="alignleft" width="300"] Sustainability is about seeing whole systems, not just the individual ones[/caption] Can there be a more urgent topic on the global agenda? As individuals we all seem better informed about what we can do in a private capacity to help create positive change, but when it comes to business and the bigger picture, we seem to draw a blank. In a world of finite resources but a rapidly growing population that is further depleting those resources, is it possible to reconcile business objectives (growth, profit etc) with values that prioritise and preserve our ecosystems and the people that depend on them? Our speakers on this topic help organisations to be more clear-sighted, positive, motivated and engaged on key issues relating to sustainability. +Marga Hoek +Sue Garrand +Dr. Niamh Shaw  

Human Capital

[caption id="attachment_3160" align="alignleft" width="300"] People are at the heart of everything[/caption] Our most important asset: people. And yet so many things can blind us to this simple fact:  the excitement (and sometimes hype!) about new technology, business’s inevitable focus on the future, the threat of AI, the myriad disruptors that, like a multi-headed Hydra, we feel just keep popping up one after the other. And yet fundamentally, we remain human beings, all trying to do our best, and sometimes - if we’re lucky and we’ve created the right conditions - actually achieving our best. Human Capital, especially in this technological age, has become a byword for maintaining our focus on the people that are at the heart of every business endeavour - as idea generators, visionaries, sherpas, doers and thinkers. +Magaret Heffernan +Susan David +Neil O'Brien +Susan Cain +Yves Morieux

AI

[caption id="attachment_3161" align="alignleft" width="300"] AI - it's not just a disruptor. We can embrace it to our advantage[/caption] Do we need more reminders about the possibilities and threats that AI presents? Well, yes, it seems we do, judging by the demand for speakers on this topic. The key is to find ways that integrate AI into an organisation’s activities so that it is embraced rather than reviled, and welcomed rather than feared and misunderstood, notwithstanding its capacity to displace certain roles. Our speakers unpick the problems and offer guidance on how to make the most of AI whatever your industry. +Clare Dillon +Terence Mauri +Anita Sands  

Geopolitics/Global Economics

[caption id="attachment_3162" align="alignleft" width="300"] Global events can now have local impacts[/caption] Whatever about most organisations needing more insight into and knowledge of geopolitics, as mere individuals we can often feel overwhelmed by the fast-changing face of politics and political regimes around the world. The answer? Find people whose passion it is to know, understand, analyse and predict the behavioural and psychological changes we can all expect to see or experience in this era of unprecedented uncertainty, political upheaval and polarisation. And here at Personally Speaking, we are proud to have many of them.  Here are just some. +David McWilliams +Alan Dukes +Alastair Campbell +Dr Dambisa Moyo +Shane Coleman +Matt Cooper +Yves Morieux  

Dealing with Uncertainty

[caption id="attachment_3163" align="alignleft" width="300"] The right speaker can inspire us to choose the right path[/caption] It will be no surprise to many that in this ‘age of anxiety’, more organisations are searching for speakers who can offer them the tools to live purposefully and joyfully in an era that often feels not just defined but also constrained by disruption. Faced with the very real fear of making a misstep or mistake, companies want speakers who tell it how it is and yet who can also inspire, motivate and move you to move beyond inertia and hesitancy to a place of confidence and promise. +Terence Mauri +Deborah Rowland +Tobias Degsell +Ian McClean +Nancy Rademaker  

Mental Health

Our understanding of what mental health is and means is changing. And thank God for that. Increasingly, we are coming to view mental health in the same way we view physical health. In other words, it’s not some fixed, pre-determined state. It’s a continuum, a spectrum, and we move along it as we evolve in and respond to the world around us. Most importantly, we can have some control over our mental health; what we do, eat and think influences it, for the good or the bad. And yet stigma, misunderstanding and even shame are still common. Personally Speaking has a panel of Mental Health speakers that is second to none, from those who have lived with and overcome mental health difficulties or illness, to those who work at the coalface in helping deliver solutions for people both professionally and personally. +Dame Kelly Holmes +Fiona Feeley +Brent Pope +Petra Velzeboer +David Gillick +Cathal Gallagher  

Wellness

[caption id="attachment_3165" align="alignleft" width="300"] The constituent parts of wellness vary from person to person, but there are key principles to follow to[/caption] What is wellness? Well, it’s different things to different people, and we have speakers who can talk eloquently about every aspect of it.  The psychological, spiritual, physical, emotional - it's all up for fertile discussion. What we do know is that when it comes to corporate social responsibility or human resources, wellness is seen as being of growing importance. Our speakers codify it and help guide audiences to a better understanding of what it is and how to support it in the workplace and beyond. +Dr. John Briffa +Debra Searle +Neil O'Brien +Sandy Joy Weston  

Resilience

[caption id="attachment_3166" align="alignleft" width="300"] We can train ourselves to develop resilience[/caption] Bounce-backability - that seems to be the most common interpretation of resilience. But in truth it’s rather more complex than that. While the word ‘bounce’ suggests a response that occurs naturally and almost instantaneously, like a reflex, in reality the process of regaining composure, confidence and stability can take time. Much depends, of course, on the nature and severity of the knockback - illness, loss, etc. The good news is that we have speakers who can identify the building blocks and key ingredients of resilience and communicate them to audiences in ways that inform thinking, inspire hope and motivate change. +Neil O’Brien +Nancy Rademaker +Caroline Casey +Sir AP McCoy OBE”
“It's 7.30 a.m. on the unseasonably mild morning of October 17th, and already people are arriving at the Merrion Hotel for our first collaborative event with GP Strategies, a leading global provider of learning solutions, technical training, and organisation and leadership development for diverse industries, often at large scale. [caption id="attachment_3124" align="alignleft" width="300"] All set up and ready to go[/caption] By the time registration is done, we have almost 50 people  joining us and our three guest speakers (Tech evangelist Clare Dillon, psychologist and author Dr. Celine Mullins and author, broadcaster and learning expert Nigel Paine) to explore why a #LearningCulture is important, and what organisations need to do to create one. [caption id="attachment_3123" align="alignleft" width="300"] Your Learning Culture is a reflection of your general culture[/caption] It's a topic of growing importance, not just now, but for the future. Almost everyone who took part in the event came to the same, stark, conclusion.  If you don't build a strong Culture of Learning, your organisation will, quite simply, die. The only question is how long it might take.

Give your company the edge

All the evidence (and many anecdotes too judging by our break-out sessions) shows that a robust Culture of Learning gives companies a definite edge.  This is especially the case today, when so much business seems defined and constrained by disruptions and distractions, retention challenges and what many see as the 'threat' of AI.

Concentration of knowledge = exchange of learning

Given the very considerable collective knowledge in the room, with people from Learning & Development, Leadership and Training across various industries, Personally Speaking and GP Strategies wanted this to be an event that got people really talking to each other.  So the morning followed an innovative format devised by the GP team, which was designed to do just that. [caption id="attachment_3119" align="alignleft" width="300"] One of the three 'exchange groups' in action.[/caption]

Open dialogue, positive energy

After short introductions from the speakers, participants broke into three groups (each chaired by a speaker) and went into separate rooms for 20-minute exchange sessions.  In these,  everyone who wanted to shared their own industry knowledge, ideas, concerns and experience around the topic. The dialogues saw people be hugely generous and open, and because guests had to physically move from one space to another, the energy kept flowing. [caption id="attachment_3120" align="alignleft" width="296"] The three speakers introduce themselves[/caption]

Making connections, delivering results

To conclude, everyone came back together for a feedback session to talk about what they learnt over the course of the morning.  It was a real pleasure to see that many stayed long after the event proper had ended, to chat to each other and the speakers.  Real connections were made and meaningful conversations had.  The buzz was fantastic, with great positive energy throughout!

Opportunities for growth

It was a fantastically open, honest exchange of ideas and a really interesting morning.  We really look forward to seeing the value and opportunities for growth that it brings to our clients.   Thanks to everyone who came, to the brilliant GP Strategies team and their colleagues at Bath Consulting Group, to the Personally Speaking team and, of course, to our wonderful speakers! Here are some of the comments we received from those who attended.
“Great speakers and great event!”

Justyna Wozniak Szoka, Business and Career Coach/HR Professional

“I really enjoyed it.  Thanks very much for organising it.”

Eoin McDonnell, Head of Learning Innovation in a dynamic Learning Services company

“Thank you GP Strategies Ltd team.  Challenging topics and loved the format and group discussion.”

Fiona Claridge, Head of Ireland @ Own the Room

“Enjoyed the session. Some interesting insights and experiences from a wide-ranging group of people. Thanks for having me”

Scott McInnes, Founder and Director, Inspiring Change, Consultant, Enterprise Ireland

****************************************** [caption id="attachment_3139" align="alignleft" width="300"] The GP Strategies team with Personally Speaking CEO Frances Keane[/caption] Afterwards, we grabbed the speakers for a quick video in which they shared their impressions of the morning, and offered their key take-aways. These videos sum up really well the energy on the day, and show how much can be achieved even in a 20-minute session, once people are really engaged on a particular topic. Here they are. First up, the impressions of Peter Dean, Business Lead, Strategy, Leadership and Culture, Europe, GP Strategies Ltd. [caption id="attachment_3135" align="alignleft" width="300"] Frances Keane, CEO of Personally Speaking Bureau, with Peter Dean, Business Lead, Strategy, Leadership and Culture, Europe, GP Strategies Ltd[/caption] Next, the impressions and take-aways from the speakers [caption id="attachment_3137" align="alignleft" width="300"] Dr. Celine Mullins (left) with Nigel Paine and Clare Dillon[/caption] Clare Dillon - reflections on the morning Clare Dillon - 1st take-away from the morning Clare Dillon  - 2nd take-away Dr. Celine Mullins - reflections on the morning Dr. Celine Mullins - take-aways from the morning  Nigel Paine - reflections on the morning Nigel Paine - take-aways from the morning        ”
“Most organisations know that they should be promoting a culture of learning, but do they really understand its importance? In this week's blog we look at this crucial issue, because as we all know,  without the acquisition of new knowledge - the right knowledge - companies lose their edge, under-perform and fall behind the competition. [caption id="attachment_3070" align="alignleft" width="300"] A Culture of Learning is Key to a company's success[/caption]
The Power of L&D
So, what does a culture of learning look like?  Well, most of us will know that it falls under the umbrella of Learning & Development, better known by its acronym, L&D.  And the first thing to understand about a learning culture is that it is a hallmark - and defining feature - of high-performance organisations.
New Knowledge/Skills = Better Performance
The most successful organisations actively cultivate and nurture an #organisationalculture where employees are encouraged - and challenged - to continuously seek out, share, and apply new knowledge and skills in order to improve individual and organisational performance.  And importantly, if the people in the know have created the right culture, those employees - at all levels -  will do so because they want to, not because they think they should. [caption id="attachment_3069" align="alignleft" width="300"] Understanding why a culture of learning is so important motivates companies to nurture such a culture from within[/caption]
Embed it in Your Company DNA
In companies where a culture of learning has become embedded in their DNA, there's a recognition of - and an excitement about - the individual's contribution to the 'collective' that is the organisation; everyone can see that the whole is somehow greater than the sum of its parts.  People take personal responsibility and actively seek out new knowledge, new experiences, in relation to their work and professional development because they know they are supported in doing so and because they understand and see the difference it makes to the bottom line.
Key to Retention
It's also widely recognised that in companies with a strong learning culture, staff are happier, work harder and will stay put for longer, which at a time when staff retention is a key issue for many, is worth highlighting.
Coming up:  Event on Culture of Learning
[caption id="attachment_3068" align="alignleft" width="300"] Breakfast Event October 17th at the Merrion Hotel, Dublin, on the Culture of Learning[/caption] In recognition of the importance of promoting a learning culture in organisations, Personally Speaking has partnered with GP Strategies, a global leader in this area, to host a complimentary breakfast at the Merrion Hotel on October 17th, where three speakers (Nigel Paine, Dr Celine Mullins and Clare Dillon) will offer their perspective on the culture of learning. [caption id="attachment_3053" align="alignleft" width="150"] Nigel Paine[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3052" align="alignleft" width="150"] Dr Celine Mullins[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3048" align="alignleft" width="150"] Clare Dillon[/caption]
Speakers on a Culture of Learning
If you have an event coming up where you would like someone to speak or lead a workshop or panel on this topic, we also have a host of other leading speakers who bring their knowledge, insight and expertise in this area to the stage as MCs, keynote speakers and panellists. Here they are.  If you would like to know more about any of these speakers for an event you're planning, get in touch by emailing joanne@personallyspeakingbureau.com.

Margaret Heffernan

Entrepreneur, TED Speaker, Business Author & Former CEO

Neil O'Brien Mindset Coach

Neil O'Brien

Healthy Human Systems Advocate & Motivational Speaker

 

Tobias Degsell

CEO of Combiner and Creativity Expert

 
Deborah-Rowland

Deborah Rowland

Founder of Still Moving, Author and Anthropologist

 

Susan David

Harvard Psychologist, Best-selling Author and TED Speaker

 
Susan Cain Author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

Susan Cain

Best-selling Author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

 
Matthew Syed Best-Selling Author of Black Box Thinking and Bounce

Matthew Syed

Best-selling Author of Black Box Thinking and Bounce

  Nigel Barlow

Nigel Barlow

Keynote Speaker on Innovation

 

Irene Murphy-Schwitzer

Facilitator & Team Coach

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This week's guest blog is from creativity expert Tobias Degsell, CEO and founder of Combiner, and a former curator at the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm, Sweden. Tobias, who has just joined our roster of speakers, travels the globe to talk to companies and organisations and help them to think and act in new ways in their efforts to innovate and grow.   [caption id="attachment_3020" align="alignleft" width="300"] Creativity expert Tobias Degsell[/caption]

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"Ideas are easy, execution is everything." Doesn’t that sentence perfectly sum up one of the biggest challenges professionals face - the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it.  

So how do we bridge that gap? I think it has everything to do with successfully communicating and collaborating with people different from us; diversity of thought delivers more ideas - and more different ideas - than you will get from a group of people who are more or less the same.   In 2016 I left my position as a curator at the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm, Sweden. Since then I have been travelling around the world helping companies and organisations to think and behave in new ways. 

We need ideas - and we need to execute them

I realised years ago that one thing shared by all Nobel Laureates is that they have all executed their ideas, from new discoveries to writing a book. I think we can learn a lot by looking at their creative processes, analysing their successes and failures, and explaining the dos and don’ts.  Much as we do with elite athletes, we often put Nobel Laureates on a pedestal, but it’s not always about being super smart or having the best ideas. Personally, I think it’s more about being able to communicate and collaborate with people who are different from yourself. This is why, in many cases, the Nobel Prize is in fact awarded jointly. 

Collaboration

If you want to increase your chances of success, collaboration is the key. And while this might sound easy, it’s not. Most collaborations fail. The problem can be boiled down to a couple of critical points. One of them is about trust. Another is about diversity. Trust is the most important business and brand asset you manage, especially in relationships with customers, clients, employees, and stakeholders. Our economy works because people trust each other and the businesses they support. Trust requires a relationship between two people, and all relationships are complex. Despite the whole “opposites attract” thing, most people tend to like people who are similar to themselves. We tend to trust those whom we like. As the saying goes, “great minds think alike”. [caption id="attachment_3017" align="alignleft" width="300"] Different ways of thinking lead to bigger, better ideas[/caption] I believe, however, that great minds thinking alike is often a problem. What we need today is as many good yet different ideas as possible, so we can pick the absolute best one. And that means coming up with different perspectives and different ways of approaching and meeting particular needs. Diversity, then, is about ROI (Return on Investment), not just about being ‘nice’.

It takes a team to win

If you were to look at universities that have contributed the most Nobel Laureates, you'd see a pattern emerge. By and large, these universities designed courses, spaces, labs, and other interventions that encouraged interaction between diverse groups of people. [caption id="attachment_3038" align="alignleft" width="300"] Good teamwork is everything[/caption] Building collaborative spaces and cross-functional teams probably feels doable, at face value, for most organisations. But ensuring that people like or trust one another? That doesn’t feel as easy, does it? Make no mistake, it can be done. It comes down to understanding and encouraging behaviours that build trust - things such as active listening, transparency, authenticity, empathy, helpfulness, recognition - and discouraging ones that break trust. This recipe works not just for universities. This is relevant for companies and organisations, for everyone in fact. I saw the same pattern when I studied Google’s Project Aristotle. In looking at what makes teams successful, Google also concluded that trust was the single most important factor.  [caption id="attachment_3039" align="alignleft" width="300"] Trust is the glue that holds things together[/caption] Without trust, collaboration simply doesn’t happen. And without collaboration, you can’t achieve innovation. In other words, you can have the smartest, most incredible ideas in the history of mankind, but if you can’t communicate them and collaborate well with others, you won’t be successful. The same is true for companies undergoing massive transformation efforts right now. If people can’t collaborate well across functions and teams, failure is inevitable.  Let me be clear. Without risk there is no reward. There is no innovation without failure. “Fail fast” is often associated with the lean startup methodology. I prefer another approach: learn from your mistakes. Sometimes you are a fast learner, sometimes you are slow. Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.

From Projects to Experiments

Words mean a lot to me. Many people talk about change. I prefer to talk about improvement. Everything can be improved. This year, for example, I updated my website. Instead of “Projects” it now says “Experiments”. I believe in learning by doing. Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.  “Human progress has always been driven by a sense of adventure and unconventional thinking.” Andre Geim, Nobel Prize in Physics 2010

Building bridges

People call me Change Maker, Collaboration Evangelist, Thinker-Doer, Thought Leader. Once one of the Big Five Tech Companies even called me a Gold Finder. Personally, I don’t care about titles. I like to inspire diverse teams to face reality, problem-solve, and contribute innovative solutions, no matter what. I believe in bridges. If I can add at least one 'brick ' to a bridge that helps span a gap somewhere, then I’m satisfied. It's back to that idea of bridging - or at least narrowing - the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it.   P.S.. I also believe that it not only takes a team to win, but also that winning teams can change the world.   ”
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David McWilliams is a leading Brexit commentator, and one of our most popular speakers on economic issues.  This week he gave us an exclusive short interview on what he thinks Brexit will bring for Ireland.

[caption id="attachment_2347" align="alignleft" width="150"]David McWilliams David McWilliams[/caption] Q. 1 Brexit, the upshot - good or bad for Ireland?   It's a huge medium-term opportunity for Ireland.  As well as trading together, Ireland and the UK are in competition for talent and capital and Brexit will unleash forces in the UK which will make Ireland look like the best place to invest in the EU.  Q. 2 You do a lot of talks on Brexit.  What do companies most want to know and why?   Companies trading with the UK need to know what supply-chain implications Brexit suggests. The international trading system makes a mockery of notions like the national economy idea; all economies are interdependent, and where the Brexit people have got it wrong is the idea that they can insulate their economy. Most companies want to know how bad the short-term disruptions will be and what the long term opportunities look like. Q. 3  What areas of trade will be most immediately impacted if there is a hard Brexit?  Manufacturing will be most hurt, plus importing or retail and some food. But it will not last too long. Q.4  We talk a lot about the downside of Brexit, but what are the opportunities if any?  The opportunities are enormous.  Brexit will see the UK enter a 10-year period of political conflict, particularly in Scotland and Northern Ireland . You will also have a situation where there is an economic chasm between a rabid Tory party and an extreme Labour Party; the former wants to destroy workers’ right, while Labour wants to destroy capital’s rights.   Business doesn’t like uncertainty, and the result is that Ireland Inc will look like a fantastic destination in this world. Q.5   What impact has the diplomatic fallout from Brexit had on Ireland’s ability to do business with the U.K.?   I don’t think this will be a big deal. Lots of anti-Irish stuff going around but this will cool down. See here.(you will need a Financial Times subscription to read this)  https://www.ft.com/content/eaae31b2-c004-11e9-9381-78bab8a70848 Q.6   Do you think there will be any long-term damage to relations between the two countries, or that the current tensions will ease once the shape of Brexit - and the Border issue - is finally clear?   See here (you will need a Financial Times subscription to read this) https://www.ft.com/content/7d5244a0-f22d-11e8-ae55-df4bf40f9d0d     Q.7     And finally, the million-dollar question.  If you had to devise a workable alternative to the backstop, what would it be? Wait for the next election. The DUP won’t hold the balance of power and NI becomes a special economic area.   ”
“Brexit is around the corner, and businesses and organisations everywhere are keen to know what it will bring and how they can approach it with confidence.    We've assembled a panel of economists, journalists, broadcasters, business figures and politicians who, as MC, keynote speaker or panellist, can speak with authority, knowledge and insight about the opportunities and challenges that it presents to Ireland - and indeed the island of Ireland - in terms of its trade with the UK and Europe. Here they are.    ”
“It’s almost here. Whether it’s hard or soft, and under the stewardship of Boris Johnson, Brexit is happening at the end of October. And while arguments rage about the scope and nature of its impact, there’s no doubt that it will impact trade and the way we do business with the UK and Europe. [caption id="attachment_2981" align="alignleft" width="591"] Whatever way it goes - no deal, or deal - it seems to be down to the throw of a dice[/caption] This week we got a vox pop of the opinions of some of the economists and business speakers on our roster who write and/or talk extensively about Brexit and what Irish business can expect if, as predicted, the U.K. leaves the EU at the end of October. Because whether they leave with a bang or a whimper, it seems the U.K. is certainly going, even if not in the way they originally imagined. And we need to adjust to the changes Brexit brings sooner rather than later if we are to make the transition to a different but still positive and productive relationship with our soon-to-be-former EU neighbour. So here are our speakers on Brexit - the people with something to say that is important, interesting, compelling and engaging. If you would like to get in touch with us to inquire about having one of them come in to talk, email joanne@personallyspeakingbureau.com.
David McWilliams

David McWilliams

Author, Journalist, Lecturer, Broadcaster and Documentary Maker

"Brexit is a great opportunity for Ireland......... Capital and talent will flow in here, as the UK loses its lustre for investors." David is well-known and highly regarded for his strong yet informed opinions on Brexit (and much else besides).  He has written widely on the topic in his column in the Irish Times, and also spoken about it to organisations and companies across the country.  For David, it's all about the facts, not the fantasies, of Brexit.  
Matt Cooper Broadcaster, Journalist, and biographer of Tony O'Reilly

Matt Cooper

Broadcaster, Journalist, Author

Matt, who has called Brexit 'a shambles', is an incisive MC and speaker who brings energy, wit and intelligence to the debate on this crucial issue.
 

Dan O'Brien

Chief Economist, Institute of International and European Affairs

Dan's unique selling point on Brexit is that he was the only Irish commentator to critique the backstop from the very beginning (Nov 2017), arguing that it risked collapsing the exit talks and bringing about that which it was designed to prevent. Unfortunately, as he argues, that analysis now looks as if it will be proved right.
 

John Stapleton

The Authentic Entrepreneur - Turning Uncertainty into Competitive Advantage

   
Ronan-Lyons

Ronan Lyons

Expert on Future of Housing and Cities

 
Ivan Yates

Ivan Yates

Broadcaster, Entrepreneur, and former Politician

Ivan is never less than entertaining and well-prepared and  is also provocative in the best meaning of the word - highlighting issues and angles that others are often unwilling to tackle and unpicking them with energy and his unerring sense of the political realities of Brexit.   Ian Kehoe

Ian Kehoe

Journalist, Author, Broadcaster, Editor of The Sunday Business Post

Ian brings his broad experience and journalistic nose for a story to the tricky topic of Brexit.  Expect a measured, knowledgeable talk full of insights.
 

Padraig O'Ceidigh

Aer Arann Founder, Entrepreneur and Independent Senator

Padraig looks at Brexit from the unique perspective of someone who is both a highly experienced businessman and a seasoned politician.  

Marc Coleman

Economist and Best-Selling Author who Predicted Ireland's Miracle Recovery

While with IBEC, Marc set up the first industry task force on Brexit and together with the City of London brought in industry leaders to identify the key challenges and opportunities for Ireland arising from Brexit.  He also set up the first task force to analyse the challenges and opportunities of Fintech and produced the first comprehensive budget submission and strategy report.  
Sarah Carey

Sarah Carey

Bright and Engaging Columnist, Broadcaster, MC and Speaker

 
Nick Webb

Nick Webb

Economist and Journalist

  Shane Coleman

Shane Coleman

Author and Current Affairs Broadcaster

"Business hates uncertainty and right now every business, large or small, that exports or imports goods is left in limbo because they cannot know how Brexit is going to play out. It makes planning impossible.  My worry would be if some of the predicted fall-out from a no-deal Brexit comes to pass - multi-month slowdowns at ports, medicine shortages, food supply issues etc. - then we are in uncharted territory and the impact on consumer confidence here and in Britain will end up being far more severe than anticipated. "
 
Gerard Howlin

Gerard Howlin

Public Affairs Consultant, Columnist with The Examiner, Commentator and Former Senior Political Adviser

"Boris Johnson’s real objective is to use Brexit to win a general election, rather than use a general election to secure Brexit"  
 
Paul Collier Economist

Paul Collier

Professor of Economics and Public Policy at Oxford University and world leading expert on developing markets

 

Pat Cox

President of the Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe

 

Mark Carruthers

Broadcaster and Political Scientist

 

Margaret Doyle

Reuters Economic Journalist

 

Jim Power

Chief Economist, and one of Ireland's leading and best-known economic analysts.

"In the face of this Brexit challenge, Ireland will have to display confidence and strength and make sure that we do what needs to be done to ensure future growth and prosperity. We need to understand what sort of future relationship we have with the UK, but we cannot be obsessed about it. As a country we need to be mature and prove to the world that being part of an economic and political union with the UK is not what defines us."
 

Jim Fitzpatrick

Journalist and Broadcaster for BBC Northern Ireland

 

Fintan O'Toole

Journalist with The Irish Times, Author and Broadcaster

Fintan's columns for The Irish Times are always conversation starters on the pressing issues of the day, but few topics have exercised him as much as Brexit - as much for the cultural fallout as for the economic impact.  This has made him a leading voice on the issue.  Expect thoughtful, well-reasoned arguments, strong opinions and smart insights.
 

Fergal Keane

BBC Special Correspondent and Author

Fergal has straddled Irish and British cultures for years as a special correspondent for the BBC, giving him a unique perspective on what Brexit might bring in its wake for both Ireland and the U.K., including - of course - Northern Ireland and the Border Area.
 

Alan Dukes

Chief Economist and former Politician

Alan has a unique understanding of the long and complex relationship between the U.K. and Ireland thanks to his years in politics and government during the historic period around the passing of the  Anglo Irish Agreement.  He is also an astute and highly experienced economist with a passion for the bigger 'world picture'.  

Alastair Campbell

Journalist, Broadcaster, Political aide, Author, Communicator and Strategist

Alastair has long experience as a commentator on, and participant in, the political landscape of the U.K.  He is not entirely convinced that the U.K. will leave the E.U by the October 31st deadline, despite the claims of Boris Johnson.  As a movement against Brexit, Alastair has talked much recently about the People's Vote campaign, arguing that "where we can make a difference, as we have shown, is in changing opinion."  
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“This week's blog is by the remarkable Marga Hoek, who recently joined our speaker roster. Marga is an award-winning author, a successful businesswoman and a global thought leader on sustainable business and capital.  This year her influence and impact were recognised when she was chosen to be one of the Thinkers50 - people in business who come up with the leading management ideas of our age. [caption id="attachment_2894" align="alignleft" width="211"] Marga Hoek, thought leader on sustainable business and capital[/caption] In this blog, her message here is that addressing climate change and succeeding in business are not mutually exclusive.  Sustainable business is possible. Now that's a message I think people want - and need - to hear more. _______________________________________________________________ Last year, more than 24 million people were displaced by weather-related disasters, affecting the economy, business and society at large. The number of such events has nearly quadrupled since 1970. It’s a trend, sadly, that’s likely to continue.  But if approached correctly, climate change represents a remarkable opportunity for business to succeed economically and become a powerful force for good -  one that works for the benefit of business, humanity and the planet.  

Climate change affects every aspect of life

Climate change has detrimental consequences - many more than meet the eye. Globally it’s creating energy inequality and resource scarcity, for example, which are intertwined: a negative impact on one has a negative impact on the other. Poverty is also closely related to these negative climate impacts, with many millions having no access to basic energy services, fresh water or sanitary provisions. [caption id="attachment_2903" align="alignleft" width="300"] Survivors walk amongst the ruins left in the wake of Hurricane Irma in Florida[/caption] Despite being faced with this, we are not slowing down the use of energy and resources; instead, use is growing — rapidly. Growing material and resource use is driven by expanding populations, consumption trends in mainly developed economies and the transformation of developing economies. Demand for resources has shifted from traditionally agriculture-based economies to modern urban and industrial economies.

Make business a force for good

Climate change adversely affects important aspects of everyday life. If we want to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement of 2015 as they are incorporated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), there is a turning point right here, right now. And business is poised to be a real force for good – if it chooses to be. [caption id="attachment_2906" align="alignleft" width="300"] The Sustainable Development Goals is a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 for the year 2030[/caption] As John Pearley Huffman says in a recent satirical piece in which he jokingly compares Earth to a car, "No one owns Earth, but 7.7 billion humans are supposed to do regular maintenance".  But the truth is, sadly, that many of us don't.

The power of business

For business, and capital, there is a major role to play — a role more impactful, crucial and meaningful than ever before. Just imagine, for one second, the power that business has. Fifty of the largest economies are in fact corporations, operating throughout the entire planet. And consider the investment potential of private capital, which today is a much larger percentage than public investment potential; for instance, the percentage of total capital flows of donor countries’ ODAs into emerging markets has decreased from over 50% to less than 10%, while private capital flows have increased in scale and volume.

Be part of the solution

“Climate change is not only a societal disaster but also an economic catastrophe”.   Business leaders like Feike Sijbesma, Gerard Mestrallet and Paul Polman point this out regularly.  And rightly so, since we cannot have business without a planet. When it comes to climate change, business has a choice about what to do and it needs be aware that it makes that choice:  be part of the solution or continue to be part of the ever-growing problem. Business and capital can be a huge power for good. And economically, there is no reason not to be.

Without a planet there is no business

We need the planet so much more than the planet needs us. This means that we have no option — even and also from a business perspective — other than to help solve the global climate and resource crisis that is now staring us in the face. [caption id="attachment_2901" align="alignleft" width="300"] One planet, but millions of people - and businesses[/caption] Business and private capital can thus be a huge power for good. It’s important to be aware that business solutions are as much needed as they are profitable. And that certainly applies to business solutions addressing climate change. Solutions for reducing food waste dramatically, for instance, prevent huge economic loss, gets more people fed — which is imperative since there are still nearly 800 million people going to bed hungry — and has an enormous impact on climate change since food and land-use systems account for over 25% of greenhouse emissions.

Real-life examples of innovation

Examples of such business innovations exist right now, around the globe. One case in point is the private equity fund InterEnergy, which has invested in the development and construction of the Laudato Si wind park in Penonome, Panama. As Central America’s biggest wind farm, the 215-megawatt Penonome plant will eliminate 400,000 tons of CO2 emissions a year — roughly the equivalent of taking 84,000 cars off the road. [caption id="attachment_2899" align="alignleft" width="300"] Wind farm. Photo: Stephanie Sawyer for Getty Images[/caption]  

Adopt a model that works for business and humanity

Creating business models that respond to both energy efficiencies and people’s everyday needs can deliver solutions with major societal impact. As the largest environmental cause of disease and death, air pollution has become one of the major health risks on the planet. Business can be part of the solution here as well. In Mexico City, one of the biggest and most polluted cities in the world, the hospital Torre de la Especialidades was designed to transform air pollutants into harmless chemicals such as water. The building’s outer layer is made up of a new type of tile called ‘ProSolve370e’, which has the ability to neutralise the pollution of 8,750 cars a day. A building that gives back to the environment and society, rather than draining either, is really quite something. [caption id="attachment_2900" align="alignleft" width="300"] Air pollution thickens the sky over Mexico City[/caption] Another inspiring example is that of the flooring company Interface, which has made CO2 their friend instead of their enemy. They discovered that the CO2 could be used as an ingredient for their carpet tiles. They now call that project ‘Climate Take Back’ and are scaling it up throughout the world.

Scale up radical solutions

The list goes on, but even more is needed. We need more solutions, at a larger scale to succeed.  So let’s get down to business. Which in the end is in its own best interest. And will save our planet.”
“Every now and then, a new business book hits a sweet spot. And in the last fortnight, I’ve been lucky enough to encounter two: US marketer Michael Hyatt’s Free to Focus, and WIRED UK former founding editor David Rowan’s Non-Bullshit Innovation, recently named by the Financial Times as one of its Business Books of the Month. In that tight space somewhere between topical and necessary on my reading list, I regularly – where I can – fit in books that spark the grey cells and lubricate my creative thinking. Now, for large swathes of the year ……..cue the sound of tumbleweeds ……that list remains shamefully under-resourced. I try not to beat myself up about it, but when I heard recently that the average (I’m presuming, successful) CEO reads at least 60 books a year, I thought I’d better up my game.

Make Your Reading Multi-task

And if I’m going to read a business book, if it can overlap with my private life and offer learnings there, well, so much the better. Two birds, one stone. You get the picture. [caption id="attachment_2869" align="alignright" width="300"] Free to Focus, by Michael Hyatt[/caption] So when Michael Hyatt’s hardback Free to Focus thumped onto the doormat last week I was thrilled to read that, just as he had promised, this is a book that does just that. No surprise that I found the strapline particularly inviting: "A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less". Who wouldn't like that idea?

Speak to Your Audience

For those not familiar with him, Hyatt is a U.S. author, blogger, speaker and leadership mentor with a nice line in best-selling books on planning, leadership and goal-setting.  Hyatt shares his knowledge widely and generously. A shrewd businessman and leader, in his books he has an ability to speak simply and directly both to the reader and to the problem at hand. [caption id="attachment_2875" align="alignleft" width="294"] Michael Hyatt, marketer, leadership mentor, CEO[/caption] In Free to Focus, the problem is a knotty one: in a world full of distraction and pressures – Hyatt calls it the ‘Distraction Economy’ - how can we focus on what matters and get it done well?  

Do away with the 'clutter'

Hyatt identifies and then strips away all the ‘clutter’ we fill our time with, whether through habit or in response to demands placed on us (including the unreasonable ones), and shows us how to set and reach the goals that matter, personally and professionally. I especially love the recommendation that concludes the chapter titled ‘Eliminate’: build a Not-to-Do List.   Now there’s a list I’d like to stick on the fridge! When you complete this list, he says, ‘you should be able to look back at it and recognize each of the items listed as being too low-leverage, unimportant or irrelevant to occupy your attention at all.” I’m not quite finished the book yet, but already I can feel ideas from it coming into my head when I am planning the week/month/quarter ahead. I like it because like all good business books, it gets me asking questions, like ‘What do I really need to focus on? Where or how can I create value, serve a purpose, build a great or better relationship, or generate goodwill or impact?

Innovation, but not as you know it

[caption id="attachment_2868" align="alignright" width="196"] Non-Bullshit Innovation, by David Rowan[/caption] The second book I came across is very different in content but is also guaranteed to get you thinking. Just like Hyatt’s book, David Rowan’s brilliant No-Bullshit Innovation has a deeply compelling byline: "Radical Ideas from the World’s Smartest Minds". In a breezy, engaging style, Rowan, in his search for approaches to innovation that really work, tours what he regards as some of the most innovative people and companies in the world.

It's not just the big companies that innovate

As the title strongly suggests, he deplores bullshit of any variety, particularly some of the titles used to describe a person or department charged with ‘innovation.’ Titles like ‘innovation sherpa’ (that one made me chuckle). Rowan invites us to look beyond labels and formulas to explore what really makes for true innovation: diversity of thought, resilience, collaboration across disciplines, ages, cultures. There are some familiar names in the books, like Google and Qantas, but it’s not all about the big guys. I found the example of a London bookshop particularly interesting, perhaps because the end of the bookshop has seemed imminent for so long (and I do love books). [caption id="attachment_2877" align="alignleft" width="300"] Heywood Hill in Mayfair, London[/caption]

Re-invent your business

Heywood Hill, in the very upmarket neighbourhood of Mayfair, found a way of reinventing itself as a high-end book-subscription or library-assembly service (piece of trivia: the shop was mentioned in John le Carré’s novel Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and is owned by the wonderfully named Peregrine Cavendish, 12th Duke of Devonshire). In one case, Heywood was even commissioned to assemble a vast library of books for a wealthy client’s overseas home. For a small business to make a leap like this takes not just courage, but real imagination. So inspiring! And that’s the main word I would use for Rowan’s book. Inspiring. This is a book that gets you thinking - and thinking hard - about what innovation really means and who really creates it best. The Financial Times reviewer puts it well, "Innovation can be encouraged, but it is a mistake to think that it can be planned, predicted or summoned to order. It is a thing that emerges from an ecosystem of experimentation, in unexpected ways, and it grows in a seedbed called freedom". So, how can we find ways to provide that kind of freedom?  I'd love to know your thoughts!                            ”
“A former professional rugby player who has recently joined our speaker roster, Aidan McCullen of Flow Consulting Group speaks around the world on topics like Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, Leadership, Innovation, and Sports Principles for Business. [caption id="attachment_2851" align="alignleft" width="300"] Aidan McCullen, consultant and champion for change[/caption] A champion for change, Aidan is also the host of The Innovation Show podcast.  At heart, in the topics it covers and the people he interviews, this show speaks to the human need to learn: how to adapt and love a changing world. And it was this very theme of change that we chose to feature this week in a piece adapted from a blog post that Aidan published last year. Enjoy! ________________________________________________________________ “The Phoenix Must Burn to Emerge.” — Janet Fitch I’m incredibly fortunate to have grown up in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland, where my father (now retired) was the Park Superintendent. He is largely responsible for renovating the Park to its current glory, but when we first moved there it was neglected and in need of investment. [caption id="attachment_2852" align="alignright" width="300"] Mature trees alongside saplings in the Phoenix Park[/caption] My father immediately saw that the beautiful mature trees adorning the main avenue would all die in the coming decades, so he set about securing budget to plant new trees in between; the older trees would shelter the younger ones as they grew to maturity. “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” — Chinese Proverb Something similar has to happen when it comes to business succession planning, or what I like to call “Phoenix Businesses”. These businesses consistently renew themselves by using the ashes of their previous incarnation as sustenance during their early fledgling years. Just like the mature trees in the Phoenix Park, the mature business protects its successor saplings to ensure the species’ survival, with minimal disruption to the ecosystem. [caption id="attachment_2854" align="alignnone" width="300"] The mythical phoenix bird, which arises, reborn, from its own ashes and thus regenerates over and over[/caption] The challenges we experience in personal transformations echo those experienced by any business. When we are operating in a certain paradigm or pattern, it can be very difficult to change our perspective, or so involved in protecting current profits that we cannot foresee possible disruptions. We (and forgive the analogy) cannot see the wood for the trees. But if we’re to succeed in life - and in business - we cannot stagnate. When we can achieve even marginal gains today compared to the person/business we were yesterday, then we’re progressing. It is when we’re blind to necessary evolution, wilfully or not, that we risk stagnation, decline and death.

First an Act of Destruction: Fire Regimes

“Every act of creation is first an act of destruction.” — Pablo Picasso A fire regime refers to wildfire patterns in an area over long periods of time. Since the 1900s, humankind has tampered with natural fires. However, wildfires are actually essential for the renewal of natural ecosystems. If too infrequent, plants may mature, deteriorate, or die without releasing their seed, but if too frequent, plants may be killed before they mature or release their seed.   [caption id="attachment_2853" align="alignright" width="300"] Lodgepole pine cones, which open when exposed to the heat from a wildfire or from direct sunlight[/caption] In forests prone to fire, plant life has adapted in fascinating ways. Some trees produce resin-coated cones containing mature seeds that are activated only when fire breaks out. Other plants’ seeds have a thick outer coating that needs to be burnt off by fire to release the seed. Just like the phoenix, they then rise from the ashes. Businesses can learn a lot from forest fire ecosystems (as can humans).

Decay Rate”S”

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” — Heraclitus 535 BC — 475 BC Just as forest life has adapted to wildfire, businesses must evolve to meet new market expectations. Disruption and/or evolution demands new skillsets and, crucially, new mindsets - before they are ever required. These can then be called upon when, say, an unexpected change in market conditions makes the old skills/mindsets obsolete or ineffectual. The key here is that the new skills involve unlearning as much as learning anew. Today, a company’s “competitive relevance” has an increasingly shorter lifespan, especially if that company does not believe in succession planning. The sheer speed of change means the linear lifespan of companies is declining rapidly. But it is not helpful to envisage businesses — nor lives for that matter — in a linear fashion. Linear suggests a start and a finish, a straight line until you die, but we’re not made for that, and nor is business. Instead, we need to visualise evolution in ways that are helpful, such as S Curves and Decay Rates. [caption id="attachment_2858" align="alignright" width="300"] S curves are a helpful way to illustrate continual innovation[/caption] S curves can be used to map company/product performance over time. There is flat growth at the bottom of the S, followed by rapid growth and then a dominant market position at the top of the S. After dominance, businesses or products start to plateau and experience stagnation, process optimisation, automation and job cuts.

Innovate, don't stagnate

While market dominance is desirable in any endeavour, success can be a terrible teacher. When we’re dominant in any field we often become complacent and so stop learning, seeking or being curious. We become fixated on maintaining growth by optimising, cost cutting and entering new geographical markets. If they’re to innovate, companies and leaders must ALSO (not instead) manage the - evolutionary - jump from one S curve to the next. This means succession planning. Think back to the mature trees and the saplings; they are grown simultaneously, side by side, well before the older trees expire. Similarly, businesses must invest in new directions long before their current business experiences any decline. One great champion of jumping the S curve and thus securing its future is IBM. For decades now, IBM has been dabbling in the world of AI, machine learning and algorithms. Those AI seeds have been incubating carefully and are now ready to bloom. Now, imagine if IBM hadn’t incubated, invested, or taken a punt? That would mean the end of the road for IBM, a long, painful kiss goodnight.

Be in Control

“Death is nature’s way of making things continually interesting. Death is the possibility of change. Every individual gets its allotted lifespan, its chance to try something new on the world. But time is called and the molecules which make up leaf and limb, heart and eye are disassembled and redistributed to other tenants.” ― Peter Steinhart Most of us, I imagine, would rather be in control of our destiny than leave it entirely to fate. So as well as managing the business as it is today, we need to lead the business of tomorrow. It makes for a powerful combination. Businesses simply must devote effort to the future of their business - the saplings - or the lineage will end with them.

Know your constraints

On an innovation show I recorded last October (EP 125: The Creative Curve: How to Develop the Right Idea, at the Right Time), I talk with Allen Gannett, Big Data entrepreneur, CEO of Trackmaven and author of “The Creative Curve”. [caption id="attachment_2859" align="alignright" width="300"] Allen Gannett, CEO of TrackMaven[/caption] In it Allen shares frameworks for creativity in everything from movies to ice cream. There is power in understanding frameworks, particularly constraints. When you understand your constraints, you understand what you’re working with. As a former professional rugby player, retiring at a young age was one such constraint. For me this was a tremendous gift - to understand that you have a decay rate. To rise from the ashes of that world, you must be willing to ‘kill’ that old version of yourself. You can then take the best bits from the ashes and merge them with your new skills to create a better, evolved version of yourself. This has become a framework to live by: killing yesterday’s version of yourself every night and rising anew every morning. Like businesses, humans have decay rates; the one great certainty is death (and taxes. Thank you, Marvin Gaye). Life is a framework. Knowing you are going to die makes living all the more exciting, and sometimes we need to be reminded of that. “Death twitches my ear. Live, he says, I am coming.” — Virgil”
“Are we doing enough to support inclusion and diversity? That’s a question that comes up often in my work on the conference circuit. I guess it’s because at heart, events are all about ideas, and to get the best ideas, we need to tap as wide and diverse a network as possible, which makes inclusion and diversity key concerns for all of us.   These days, these terms are buzzwords, and rightly so, with many formerly under-represented or oppressed groups finally finding their voice. And people are listening, too.

Effecting change from the top down

Caroline Casey has been speaking about diversity and inclusion for years through the prism of disability (she is legally blind), but today she is tackling it from a different angle – from the top down. [caption id="attachment_2832" align="alignleft" width="300"] Valuable500's slogan[/caption] With the slogan 'If disability is not on your board agenda, neither is diversity', The Valuable 500 is a campaign (led by Caroline) to get the CEOs of 500 leading companies to put disability at the heart of their business agenda, because doing so makes sense financially and ethically. As Caroline says, it simply makes good business sense to acknowledge, engage and tap into a cohort that makes up 15% of the global population (yep, that's one-five, fifteen).

Look past your limits

[caption id="attachment_2833" align="alignright" width="300"]Caroline smiles to someone in the audience from the main stage at TED Caroline during her 2010 TED Talk, 'Looking past limits'[/caption] Eight years ago, Caroline gave a TED Talk urging people to look past the limits we place on others when we see only their disability, not their ability. She spoke from the heart, from her own experience (she is legally blind). That talk has since been viewed over 20 million times.

Don't be 'divers-ish'

Her work today with Valuable also comes straight from the heart. And it’s striking a chord with people across the globe, from Colombia to Iceland. Caroline believes it’s because real inclusion and diversity are about something far bigger than box-ticking or using the right pronouns. As Valuable campaign puts it so well in its hilarious video, we need to do far more than being ‘diversish’.

Be yourself - and belong

Ultimately, we need to be fostering a sense of belonging - a belief that we are all part of humanity, but also that we are free to be ourselves, and are valuable just as we are. [caption id="attachment_2828" align="alignright" width="300"]Caroline lies with her back to the camera in a foetal position, napping Caroline grabbing a 'disco nap' before taking the stage[/caption] Caroline and Valuable are travelling the world to find remarkable people willing to commit to this new vision of diversity. She’s barely had time to sleep (except for a nap before a gig, caught on Instagram), but we did manage to get a few words from her as she waited on the runway for yet another flight. **************************************************************** I’m sitting on the plane to Canada ahead of a ten-day whirlwind trip that includes stops at Israel and Iceland via London and back. It comes after an extraordinary ten days in New York and London where it felt as if something had shifted. Finally, it feels as if the time is “now”. [caption id="attachment_2829" align="alignleft" width="300"]Caroline and Janet Riccio sit either side of a round desk in a Bloomberg study in New York City. They're both smiling broadly Caroline on Bloomberg in NYC with Janet Riccio of Omnicom, one of the Valuable500 Leaders[/caption]

Leading Valuable 

I have a deep sense that everything in the past 19 years has prepared me for this time. Every disappointment, failure, pivot, celebration, success, idea, heartache, mistake, reset - all of it has brought me to this extraordinary place where I have the capability and capacity to lead the Valuable 500. People who have watched my 2010 TED talk believe that my grit, my trademark characteristic, is a result of living with a visual impairment (I can't see beyond the end of my hand). But while it may play a part, it is a very small part.

My work, not my disability, is my story

My ferocious tenacity comes from surviving much more complex and painful life experiences. I have chosen not to make them my story, and instead channel the learning and survival of them to progress this work I feel so passionately about. No one can tell a survivor to “give up”, especially when they see their survival in the rear-view mirror.

Don't choose one category over another

The Valuable500 goes far deeper than our clear call to action to 500 global business leaders to put Disability on their board agenda. It is a roar from my belly about human belonging and the complete injustice that has made it acceptable to choose one category of humanity over each other. This tendency - and it's a common one - is played out beautifully in our #diversish film. [caption id="attachment_2834" align="alignright" width="300"] Caroline in NYC ahead of the first public screening of 'Diversish' - May 2019[/caption] Valuable is a cry for the invisible to become visible; a plea to acknowledge that we are all equal and have the right to be seen and understood as ourselves. It is about being believed and taken seriously.

Keep going, keep the faith

In the process of building this movement, I've learnt that it is all the “trying” and “failing” that has been a potent tool for change. I’ve learnt, too, that you cannot timetable change. You simply keep going, head down in the snowstorm, having faith.

Find the 'Head-Heart' leaders

[caption id="attachment_2835" align="alignright" width="300"] The best leaders combined a great head with a big heart[/caption] I’ve learnt that in the beginning, you don’t have to change everyone. You just need a handful of risk takers: visionaries who will bet on you, leaders willing to stand up in empty rooms and keep their word, those who will stick by you until the job is done, those willing to start, to say they don’t know, to admit when they’re wrong. I call them Head-Heart Leaders. And somehow The Valuable 500 have found them. But mostly I have learnt that I needed to let go of my ego - my disease to please; to trust my heart, instinct and intention; work on my demons; and dance with failure and joy in equal measure.

Do better with diversity - it's better business

I am on the most extraordinary journey of my life.  And have never felt so alive. I want to deliver The Valuable 500 more than anything I have attempted or done to date, and somehow I have the complete faith it will happen. [caption id="attachment_2836" align="alignnone" width="300"] Caroline with some of the Valuable500 team and others at St. James's Palace, London, May 2019[/caption] I have been training for this moment my whole life. It's been a long time coming, but it's happening.  And I believe we will all be better people - and do better business - because of it.  ”
“Mental health affects everything, including our work life.   This week is Mental Health Week in the U.K. so we thought we'd get the thoughts of some of our speakers on a complex subject that more and more companies are trying to address.  In this guest blog, Dr. Mark Rowe makes a powerful case for embracing stress if we are to become happy.   [caption id="attachment_2796" align="alignleft" width="506"]Dr Mark Rowe sits behind his desk, smiling broadly for the camera Dr. Mark Rowe. Author, speaker, expert in positive health and lifestyle medicine[/caption] ************************************************************************** John (not his real name) was at breaking point when I saw him - burnt out. Years of ‘all work and no play,’ combined with the physical and mental strain of trying to be all things to everyone, had eventually taken their toll. Negative equity and debt had left him emotionally wiped. With mild depressive symptoms, relationship issues and so much negative stress, his life was definitely on a downward spiral. To get back on track, John needed not just medication but ‘talking treatment’ (counselling). But to get back to his best, he needed to learn some habits that really supported his well-being and vitality.

Progress, not Perfection

Change rarely happens overnight, so I encourage clients to make small improvements, step by step, with the focus at all times on progress, not perfection. [caption id="attachment_2797" align="alignleft" width="600"]A sign with the word 'progress' on it points ahead Progress, not perfection, is the key[/caption] I encouraged John to keep a journal. Slowly he became more aware of how negative thoughts were holding him back, and how to reframe situations in a more positive light. By writing about things he felt genuinely grateful for, he learned to express gratitude regularly. He set goals for his physical health and personal development, built a great exercise habit and learned to reduce his exposure to negative ‘noise’ in the media and in his relationship by creating what I call micro moments of positivity – a short coffee break, a friendly call. More importantly, by being more present, John opens himself up to listen and to share himself with others.

Take Back Control

Today John is utterly transformed. Having had the courage to take back control of his life, he is healthier, off medication, more engaged with family and friends, more in touch with his emotions, happier and more fulfilled. In his own words, his breakdown became his breakthrough, enabling him to really grow as a person.

The Epidemic of Stress

The World Health Organisation calls stress the health epidemic of the 21st century and claims that learning to manage your own stress is one of the most significant health challenges of the future. This is because chronic negative stress can have significant harmful health consequences including increased blood pressure, heart disease, fatigue, impaired concentration and compromised immunity. [caption id="attachment_2798" align="alignleft" width="651"] Stress can tie us up in knots - photo by monkeybusinessimages[/caption]

Your beliefs can be the difference

What does ‘stress’ mean to you? Is it health depleting or health enhancing? The prevailing mindset is that stress is the all-pervasive destroyer of physical health, psychological fitness and emotional vitality. And this belief is backed up by a wealth of data highlighting the potential impact of negative stress.

Stress:  good or bad?

But what if the impact of stress was down more to your beliefs about stress than the stress itself? That's what a brilliant piece of research found in 1998 when 30,000 American adults were asked two questions.
    1. How much stress are you experiencing in your life?
    2. Do you believe the stress you're under is harmful to your health or not?
[caption id="attachment_2799" align="alignleft" width="592"] Not all stress is bad[/caption] Over the following eight years, those people who had said they were under a lot of stress had a 43% percent increase in mortality. But – and here's where it gets really interesting - these adverse effects were found to apply only to those people who answered the second question by saying they believed stress was harmful to them. The same research found no adverse effects whatsoever in those who had said they were under a lot of stress but didn't actually believe that stress was harmful! Perhaps the effect you expect tends to be the effect you get.

What if we embraced stress?

Eradicating stress is neither possible nor necessary. Rather, I believe we can – and should - embrace stress by developing resilience and by ensuring we recharge from stress. By choosing to embrace stress, you become more effective at seeing the setbacks, struggles and so-called failures as opportunities to grow and to learn something useful - and ultimately, to become stronger. Letting go becomes much easier, so you cope in healthy ways and grow psychologically. And finally, by recognising that a certain amount of stress is needed to move forward and perform at your best, you become resilient. [caption id="attachment_2800" align="alignleft" width="645"] Embracing stress can energise us, not drain us[/caption]

Six  Strategies for Embracing Stress

But as I said above, the process of embracing stress takes time. It can be a tricky enough idea to get your head around, so I’ve developed six strategies to consider as you embrace stress. Recognise The Need For Mindset Change Recognise that stress in and of itself is neither good nor bad. What’s important is your ability to recharge from stress. Instead of trying to eradicate stress, learn skills to embrace it. Reframe  Consider how can you use a difficult experience as an opportunity to grow. In medicine we talk about post-traumatic stress disorder, which can occur after serious life events, but post-traumatic growth is also possible, where adversity leads to a new perspective and to emotional and spiritual growth. Keeping a written journal is a powerful way to reframe experiences positively. Remember to focus on what you can control Choosing to focus more of your attentive awareness on those things you can control and positive actions you can take is empowering and builds autonomy, a key variable in well-being. Viktor Frankl puts it beautifully in his book 'Man’s Search for Meaning'. Despite the depravity of his incarceration in a Nazi concentration camp, he believed he was free to choose how to respond in any given moment. You too can choose how to respond.  Realistic Optimism I call realistic optimism the oxygen for opportunity in life: the belief that things can get better because you’re going to do something about it. Realistic optimism is your commitment to turn your ‘can I or can’t I, will I or won’t I?’ into ’when will I and how?’ In so doing, through your own efforts, you increase the likelihood of these events becoming reality. As you learn to reframe challenging situations in a more positive way, realistic optimism enables you to dissipate negative stress, helping to tip the scales of positivity back in your direction. You develop more grit and the determination to keep going, and cultivate real resilience. Remember Self-Care It’s so important to recharge, to build your own personal ‘well-being buffer’ that encompasses physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects. I prescribe a strategy I term radical self-care because it really is that important: regular exercise, restorative sleep, eating healthfully, ensuring enough time to unplug and unwind. Strengthening your mindset and investing in your ‘emotional bank account’ establishes a reservoir of psychological fitness and positivity that you can draw upon when you need it. We all need to connect to our sense of purpose, knowing that what we do and who we are in the world really does matter. Reach out to others Just as our stress response releases powerful stress hormones like cortisol, it also releases oxytocin, which builds a sense of compassion and the willingness to connect with others. Recent research from Harvard University has found that oxytocin can heal heart receptors damaged by stress hormones. So our bodies have a solution built in. It’s good to talk, to friends, family or a trained therapist, and build rich relationships that will support you to share the inevitable worries of life.

Embrace stress - enjoy success

[caption id="attachment_2801" align="alignleft" width="355"]a pair of hands hold a sign saying change your mindset Mindset change is possible - it just takes time - image, VectorStock[/caption] It's certainly a mindset change for many of us, but if we choose to view stress as something to be embraced, we can be more present and far more effective at what we do. The result is enhanced levels of success in relationships, work, creativity, energy and health. And isn't that what we all want?    ”
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“Just as in rugby, tactically in business you need to shake things up every so often if you’re to succeed. In conversation this week, former Irish rugby International turned performance expert Bernard Jackman tells me that while the Irish rugby team had an average Six Nations Championship, they are still our best rugby team ever and 2019 will be another year to remember in Irish Rugby. [caption id="attachment_2782" align="alignleft" width="290"] Bernard Jackman[/caption] Why is he so sure?  Because this team has a renewed focus on what Bernard calls 'The 4 Cs': Character, Culture, Cohesion and Coaches. This means they can bounce back and be better than ever. Once the players come back from holiday in mid June they will go into the Irish Camp with a laser focus on the Rugby World Cup in Japan this September. When I met him this week, I asked Bernard (who will be covering the tournament for RTE) to explain his thinking to me.

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[caption id="attachment_2778" align="alignright" width="300"] Scene from Ireland's historic win over the All Blacks in 2018[/caption] 2018 was an amazing year in Irish rugby. Provincially Leinster won the Double, whilst Ireland won a Grand Slam and beat the All Blacks for the first time in Dublin. We soared to number 2 in the World Rankings and bookings spiked for the World Cup in Japan. Yet after all that success, we had an average 6 Nations where we struggled for form. Despite this though, I feel that we will still have our best ever World Cup and if things go our way we could win it. Even better, I’ll be there to see it!

First up, Character

The #IrishRugby #HighPerformance system is now producing multi-skilled, robust, powerful athletes who also have the #mentaltoughness and maturity to handle pressure and expectation, and actually embrace the mantle of being favourites. These men see that pressure as a privilege - the privilege of being respected and feared - because it comes on the back of their dedication and hard work. [caption id="attachment_2775" align="alignleft" width="300"] Some of Irish rugby's many leaders: (clockwise from top left: Rory Best, Rob Kearney, Keith Earls, Conor Murray, Peter O'Mahony, Johnny Sexton[/caption] It's a team full of strong #leaders - Best, O’Mahony, Murray, Sexton, Earls and Kearney - who drive the standards on and off the field that in the long run deliver success. They help Joe Schmidt and his coaches create an environment where it has become second nature to know your role in every moving part of the game and then deliver effectively and consistently. #Accountability is just one area where they really push to extremes, holding themselves and their teammates to account if they fall short. Business can learn a lot from this.

Put #Culture Firmly on the Menu

In business they say 'Culture eats Strategy for Breakfast', and while the ideal scenario is to be strong in both, if you could have only one, then culture is the more important as it’s the motor that drives behaviours. And the culture in the Irish dressing room is very strong. They work incredibly hard on the rituals they feel are important to represent the type of environment they want to be part of.

Create 'social glue' - Cohesion

Ben Darwin, the former Australian rugby International, now has his own consultancy, Gain Line, which works with elite teams across a range of businesses and sports. Ben argues that great teams are more than just the sum of their parts; they’re the product of the connections within the organisation. Building those connections takes time, and requires buy-in from everyone. Schmidt has made sure that every player that he thought could go to Japan was involved in Irish squad sessions well before they were ever officially in the squad; guys like James Ryan, Jordan Lamour and Jack Carty would have been used as opposition in camp long before they made the squad. Taking the long view clearly pays off. [caption id="attachment_2776" align="alignleft" width="300"]Four men sit facing away from the camera are laughing and enjoying a view over a valley below Hanging out socially together creates stronger bonds[/caption] The Irish team also create ‘social glue’ – #Cohesion - by spending time at social events together, whether that’s having Christy Moore come to the team hotel for a trad session, or learning more about Irish history by visiting the Titanic Museum in Belfast. When playing for their country, players will act and behave differently than they do in their province as it’s vital that each team has its own way of doing things – one that’s true to their identity - but it’s clear, too, that the Irish team puts great focus on respect and humility.

Coaches: Lead, Communicate, Delegate

Lastly, Ireland has the Coaches to succeed. Joe Schmidt is one of the best coaches in the world. He is an incredible student of the game, ahead of the curve technically and tactically.  Schmidt is also a brilliant communicator and leader. He has the respect of every single rugby player in Ireland, and when he presents his game plan the players believe that if they deliver they will win. Joe doesn't leave anything to chance either, recruiting and then mentoring other quality coaches who also lead - people like Andy Farrell (Defence, who will replace him post World Cup), Richie Murphy (Kicking and Skills), Simon Easterby (Forwards) and Greg Feek (Scrum). The Irish team has all four Cs, and all were evident during the 6 Nations. Yet we didn't win the competition. Why? I think there were several reasons why we were not as good as we could have been. We had some key players either injured or coming back from injury and who were not match fit. Despite the focus on building depth over the last four years we don't yet have the luxury of replacing one world-class player with another, and unfortunately if Sexton and Murray are coming back from, or carrying, knocks we are going to struggle, plain and simple. England implemented a very smart kicking game but we had a rookie full back and Keith Earls went off at half time. Being exposed is positive once you learn from it, however, and I’ve no doubt that as a team Ireland will have learnt a lot from that loss and also the loss to Wales, who got an early lead and then defended high up that pitch and were very disruptive at the ruck.

Strong Brain, Great Results

Many believe that when Tiger Woods won his fifth Masters last month, nearly 11 years after his last Major win, it was the greatest sporting comeback of all time. Now, smarter and more qualified people than me can debate where Woods ranks compared to the likes of Monica Seles, Muhammad Ali or Nicki Lauda, but one thing I’m sure of: it proves once again that quality endures, and that as long as the brain remains strong, the body will follow. This Irish rugby team is full of players with great brains and fit bodies, but it has also has real heart. This makes them a force to be reckoned with. And Japan the place to be this September.  ”
“[caption id="attachment_2758" align="alignleft" width="665"]A human hand extends to shake that of a robot Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto[/caption] I can get overwhelmed by all the jargon and the many claims about its potential to change the world.  I am not a tech head but I really do want to understand more about #AI, particularly from a business perspective. What is it that businesses need to be considering? I’m very lucky at Personally Speaking to work with speakers who are experts on AI, and I learn a lot from my conversations with them. They are my favourite kind of experts, the type who can make the complex simple, who don't make me feel stupid, who talk to me in a way that I totally get what they are saying. And I like that. I really like that. Terence Mauri says Disrupt or be disrupted [caption id="attachment_2557" align="alignleft" width="202"]Terence-Mauri Author, speaker, futurist Terence Mauri[/caption] #TerenceMauri urges businesses to take their lead from tech companies and start-ups, who are natural ‘disruptors’ and are an example of new approaches and ways of working that succeed in this new age. He urges leaders to involve everybody in #innovation, to be brave, to move fast and adapt early. He makes me feel inspired by the possibilities - armed to deal with them rather than hesitant about what to do. Now I need to challenge myself about how I, in my business, can disrupt rather than be disrupted. Note to self: Be brave! Involve everybody! Move fast! Margaret Heffernan says When it comes to ethics, keep Tech out of Tech [caption id="attachment_2768" align="alignleft" width="200"] Author, CEO, speaker Margaret Heffernan[/caption] #MargaretHeffernan is passionate about #technology but she challenges the power of AI to fix everything. In a recent piece in the Financial Times, she talks about the importance and complexities of establishing ethics committees that can offer truly objective oversight of the implementation of AI. Tech companies, she claims, are simply not very well equipped to do it, because their passion for the possibilities – the Blue Sky stuff - can ‘blind’ them to potential problems. Such 'wilful blindness' makes social, political and even financial risks impossible to quantify, not least because technology is advancing at often-breakneck speed. And if we can't quantify risks, how can we prepare for them? Margaret's solution? To ensure that ‘ethics committees are made up of disinterested individuals who are capable of crafting a consensus of what is socially acceptable, not merely technically feasible.’ This really challenges the tech companies, but surely it’s better for wider society? Margaret also says Watch your #language! [caption id="attachment_2764" align="alignleft" width="300"] Be careful of the words you use[/caption] AI needs legitimacy if it is to be embraced fully by society, but often, the language that tech companies use is not one that builds trust. Tech companies, Margaret asserts, need to use a different language – one (in Plain English) that allows everyone to understand what they do, for good and bad. Margaret explores this brilliantly in a recent piece published on Jericho Chambers. ‘The only way that the public will trust AI is if the public is involved in debating and deciding where its limits and boundaries are’. Without that participation, she concludes, AI simply won’t be seen as legitimate. Engage your #CriticalThinking I think AI offers many exciting possibilities, particularly for health-care, retail, food production, education, manufacturing and travel. I especially like the idea of driverless cars that allow me to sit in the back and read a book! I feel the downsides are very real too though. We’ve become so accustomed to surveillance cameras, for example, that we forget they are everywhere - on our streets, in the workplace, even - some say - on our mobiles! Surveillance is of course AI; we just never called those cameras AI, but that’s what they are. And when we become so accustomed to something that we simply carry on regardless, our critical faculties can get blunted and we can forget to question things in the way we should. After chatting with Terence Mauri and Margaret Heffernan I feel much better equipped to engage in conversations about some of the things that businesses need to be considering regarding AI. Now that feels brave!          ”
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“Frances Keane and her excellent team at Personally Speaking are a pleasure to work with. They prioritise win: win relationships alongside finding the best speaker for the right client. What stands out for me is speed, quality and a relentless commitment to exceeding expectations at every turn. They truly value the personal relationship and getting to know you as a Speaker or a Client. - TERENCE MAURI, INC. MAGAZINE WRITER & Thinkers50 SPEAKER”
“Frances and her team at PS are a joy to work with. Utterly professional, completely reliable, they also care; I’ve never had the experience that any speaker or event is just another piece of business for them. They fully understand the work that I do and have an exceptional knack for matching audiences, clients and speakers. In this day and age, working with people who are both professional and human is a privilege. - MARGARET HEFFERNAN, TED Speaker, Business Author, Entrepreneur, former CEO  ”
“There can’t be many speakers who allude to the childhood habits of serial killers in order to make a point, but then, Margaret Heffernan – CEO, coach and mistress of the keynote – is full of interesting ideas.   [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="474"] Margaret Heffernan, CEO, Author, Speaker[/caption] Margaret, who has spoken at events around the world, is nothing if not a straight talker. And while the language she uses is beautiful – rich with texture – she doesn’t mince her words. It's this directness that audiences connect to; they appreciate the forthrightness, the humour, the authenticity, because if nothing else, they can see that Margaret Heffernan is a woman who walks the talk. In a business world where corporate ‘performance’ can at times mean all style and little substance, this makes her all the more compelling.

Mentor, Author, CEO

Margaret has done a lot in her life and worked with many people across different industries, including being a business coach to a rugby team (the Saracens, no less), authoring books on business and mentorship, and being the CEO of a number of companies. This not only makes her keynotes varied and entertaining, but her insights are all the more useful because her learning has come from so many fields and experiences; she speaks as insightfully about leadership as she does about AI, team building or playing to people's strengths. [caption id="attachment_2698" align="alignleft" width="474"]Frances Keane, CEO of Personally Speaking, and Margaret Heffernan, standing together and smiling at the camera in the lobby of the Dublin Convention Centre, ahead of her keynote at the Talent Summit in March 2019 Frances Keane, CEO of Personally Speaking, with Margaret Heffernan[/caption] Having heard Margaret speak at many events and seen such a positive response to her, I thought I’d share some of the ideas that have caught my imagination. I would love to know what others think of them. For starters - are we brave enough to bring conflict into the open?

Bring on the Conflict

An amazing statistic, this: some 85% of people have concerns about stuff that goes on at work but don't mention it. Margaret Heffernan’s advice? Catch and deal with problems early, and make room for tough conversations because change really happens only when that room exists. Irrespective of size, all organisations need to be building the kinds of teams where it is safe to have frank and #openconflict where team members air their differences rather than dwell on them in private. Which brings us neatly back to that serial killer allusion. Studies show that serial killers’ impulses are first nurtured by killing small animals. If this behaviour isn’t identified early and stopped, it doesn’t, to put it mildly, end well.

Beware of Silence

Margaret’s point, well made, is that in business it doesn’t pay to let things fester. As our grandmothers often said, clean up as you go along. Otherwise, businesses end up with a culture of what she terms 'Organisational Silence’, where everyone knows something is wrong but nothing is being done about it because no one feels they can say anything. In situations like this - and I think we have all experienced them at one time or another - silence is safer for the individual. But at what cost?

It's not the Bricks, it's the Mortar

Margaret is very strong on #socialcapital; what matters most in any organisation is what is happening between individuals. Because we’re human, we judge - we make assumptions. And because in many companies, particularly large ones, people often don’t really know each other well enough, these assumptions are often wrong. The best teams tend to spend time together outside of work, so one of the best ways to guard against assumptions is to hang out and get to know each other. In Margaret's time with Saracens, one of the reasons for the team's success was that they all mucked in together on jobs (like sweeping the changing room floors!) and they also knew each other and their families. This kind of social 'glue' means that people know what is going on for each other, and this sense of ‘having each other’s back’ nurtures social capital. Or as Margaret puts it: "A great team is made up of great individuals who care about each other". How good does that sound?

Size Does Matter

And then there is the size of a company. Many of the biggest companies in the world are now unwieldy behemoths, but that can hinder meaningful social interaction as team members can end up feeling a bit lost. As an example of how optimal size can help build social capital and the bottom line, in her keynote at the Talent Summit in Dublin this year, Margaret pointed to the company Gortex. On principle, Gortex doesn't allow any of its sites to get bigger than 120 people; that way, it finds, everyone knows each other. So, keep things small - a radical idea! Margaret Heffernan is certainly a woman who invites audiences to think differently about things, so if you want to book her to speak at your next event, simply contact us today to discuss your audience, budget, and goals. #leadership #organisationalculture #teambuilding #teamperformance #success #margaretheffernan #openconflict #socialcapital Follow us on Facebook  ”
“Paula Mee

Paula Mee

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“You could have heard a pin drop during Monica Lewinsky’s afternoon keynote at Wednesday’s Talent Summit in Dublin, but hers was just one of many compelling presentations in what was a really engaging event. Organiser Sigmar Recruitment and sponsor EY deserve hearty congratulations. The all-day conference in Dublin’s Convention Centre featured a varied programme of speakers who addressed a packed audience keen to hear insights into how companies can identify and nurture talent. [caption id="attachment_2616" align="alignleft" width="300"]Frances Keane and Margaret Heffernan Frances Keane and Margaret Heffernan[/caption] I had the pleasure of accompanying keynote speaker Margaret Heffernan, author and CEO and one of our most popular keynote and business speakers.  Margaret took the stage at 12 noon to a full room of senior executives interested in talent retention, engagement and how to lead in a time of constant change.

Making the Workplace More Human

Margaret’s take-no-prisoners, straight-talking style and evidence-based insights struck a chord with everyone I spoke to. Passionate about human capital and how we need to nurture it, Margaret believes that all organisations – irrespective of size - need to be building the kinds of teams where it is safe to have frank and open conflict. Change really happens only when there is room made for tough conversations, and Margaret’s examples certainly backed this up. Hers was a really compelling and popular talk, and the audience loved it.Margaret Heffernan

Great Flow

One of my bugbears with event organisers is that at times they don't think enough about flow: how energy levels, tone and content combine to maximum effect. Happily, Sigmar had not made this mistake, and the result was a full yet energising day with engaging panel discussions slotted seamlessly between fascinating and, most importantly, relevant keynotes whose content flowed and connected.

Rewarding Mistakes

I enjoyed hearing from Robert Gibbs, Chief Human Capital Officer with NASA. (I do love that job title). My biggest take-away from his talk was that at NASA they actually reward mistakes. People share their mistakes so they can learn from them in order to improve. Again, this linked in with Margaret’s talk, in which she highlighted how few good ideas come from successes; in fact, mostly, the best ones come from mistakes.

For Positive Change, Change Your Perspective

Neil Gibson, Chief Economist from sponsor EY, gave a very thought-provoking, intelligent and humourous keynote on the economy and the future impact on human capital. The big take-home for me was that unless we try to understand those who think differently to us (e.g Brexiteers v Remainers), we won't be able to effect change or work together to create better change that works for everyone.

Listen to those Conversations

Unfortunately I did not see Ian McClean from the Flow Group but I did hear from others that his presentation – about how every conversation matters - was great.

The Power of Empathy

And then came the final keynote from Keynote Monica Lewinsky. A complete hush descended on the room as she talked passionately and elequently about cyber abuse and its serious, sometimes deadly implications. She counts herself lucky that her parents knew what she was going through after the Clinton Affair just as the whole world knew what was happening, but she said that for other innocent people who experience cyber abuse every day, often no-one knows.

Clicking as a Moral Act

Speaking with passion and compassion about how public humiliation has become an industry, Lewinsky argued that today " Clicking is a moral act," and posed the question "are we aware we are public shaming when we click on some gossip or shaming stories"? T Throughout her talk, she highlighted the importance of fostering and showing empathy, maintaining that "Shame cannot survive empathy". Lewinsky made a big impact, and I think one of her closing comments will stay with me for a while: "There is power in small numbers when there is consistency over time".  Such statements certainly get you thinking and believing that even on your own, you can make a difference. Congratulations and thanks to EY and to Robert Mac Giolla Phádraig and Adrian McGennis of Sigmar Recruitment on putting on a really great event. Already looking forward to next year!”
“

Insights Galore at Talent Summit

You could have heard a pin drop during Monica Lewinsky’s afternoon keynote at yesterday’s Talent Summit in Dublin, but hers was just one of many compelling presentations in what was a really engaging event. Organiser Sigmar Recruitment and sponsor EY deserve hearty congratulations. The all-day conference in Dublin’s Convention Centre featured a varied programme of speakers who addressed a packed audience keen to hear insights into how companies can identify and nurture talent. I had the pleasure of accompanying keynote speaker Margaret Heffernan, author and CEO and one of our most popular keynote and business speakers.  Margaret took the stage at 12 noon to a full room of senior executives interested in talent retention, engagement and how to lead in a time of constant change.

Making the Workplace More Human

Margaret’s take-no-prisoners, straight-talking style and evidence-based insights struck a chord with everyone I spoke to. Passionate about human capital and how we need to nurture it, Margaret believes that all organisations – irrespective of size - need to be building the kinds of teams where it is safe to have frank and open conflict. Change really happens only when there is room made for tough conversations, and Margaret’s examples certainly backed this up. Hers was a really compelling and popular talk, and the audience loved it.

Great Flow

One of my bugbears with event organisers is that at times they don't think enough about flow: how energy levels, tone and content combine to maximum effect. Happily, Sigmar had not made this mistake, and the result was a full yet energising day with engaging panel discussions slotted seamlessly between fascinating and, most importantly, relevant keynotes whose content flowed and connected.

Rewarding Mistakes

I enjoyed hearing from Robert Gibbs, Chief Human Capital Officer with NASA. (I do love that job title). My biggest take-away from his talk was that at NASA they actually reward mistakes. People share their mistakes so they can learn from them in order to improve. Again, this linked in with Margaret’s talk, in which she highlighted how few good ideas come from successes; in fact, mostly, the best ones come from mistakes.

For Positive Change, Change Your Perspective

Neil Gibson, Chief Economist from sponsor EY, gave a very thought-provoking, intelligent and humourous keynote on the economy and the future impact on human capital. The big take-home for me was that unless we try to understand those who think differently to us (e.g Brexiteers v Remainers), we won't be able to effect change or work together to create better change that works for everyone.

Listen to those Conversations

Unfortunately I did not see Ian McClean from the Flow Group but I did hear from others that his presentation – about how every conversation matters - was great.

The Power of Empathy

And then came the final keynote from Keynote Monica Lewinsky. A complete hush descended on the room as she talked passionately and elequently about cyber abuse and its serious, sometimes deadly implications. She counts herself lucky that her parents knew what she was going through after the Clinton Affair just as the whole world knew what was happening, but she said that for other innocent people who experience cyber abuse every day, often no-one knows.

Clicking as a Moral Act

Speaking with passion and compassion about how public humiliation has become an industry, Lewinsky argued that today " Clicking is a moral act," and posed the question "are we aware we are public shaming when we click on some gossip or shaming stories"? T Throughout her talk, she highlighted the importance of fostering and showing empathy, maintaining that "Shame cannot survive empathy". Lewinsky made a big impact, and I think one of her closing comments will stay with me for a while: "There is power in small numbers when there is consistency over time".  Such statements certainly get you thinking and believing that even on your own, you can make a difference. Congratulations and thanks to EY and to Robert Mac Giolla Phádraig and Adrian McGennis of Sigmar Recruitment on putting on a really great event. Already looking forward to next year!”
“The Personally Speaking Bureau are delighted to welcome Petra Velzeboer as a guest blogger on our website this month.

How to Support Mental Fitness in the Workplace By Petra Velzeboer

As a mental health consultant, I frequently get asked about the business case for mental health at work. Finally we’re living in a time where businesses are waking up to the financial cost of not putting a prevention plan in their workplace. A prevention plan focuses on supporting issues such as long term absence, presenteeism and staff turnover. Reports such as Thriving at Work and Seizing the Momentum have been helping that cause.
What is a mental health at work plan?
A mental health at work plan simply pulls together all your initiatives to do with well being . It creates a plan that is strategic and can impact everyone. A great way to start is getting your senior leadership (CEO, President) to speak about their mental health. They should also speak about the importance of looking after their people. This has the single biggest impact in ensuring the company is leading by example and isn’t just ticking a box. While awareness days are great for challenging stigma and getting everyone involved, it’s often leadership training that has the biggest impact long term. Some of the biggest fears leaders and managers have when it comes to mental health are:
  1. Time – they simply don’t have enough time for all these empathetic conversations.
  2. Opening Pandora’s box – they’re worried that if they start the conversation no one will do any work.
  3. Skill – they’re worried they don’t have the skill to know how to fix the problem or may even make it worse.
  Our leadership training challenges all of these fears by teaching that empathy can be embedded in the conversations you have already. It doesn’t need to take more time. We teach active listening. This shows that we don’t need to have all the answers to make things better. Simply taking a minute and signposting to appropriate support can be enough to make the individual feel supported. And finally, mental health is about all of us. It’s about culture, engagement, team building, loyalty, productivity, success mindset and growth mindset. Furthermore, it's the ability to build something special together. The reports listed earlier can act as a guide on frameworks for creating a mentally healthy workplace long before crisis point.
How do we get started in changing our work culture?
We get started by simply being present and learning to really see each other again.  When I give keynote talks we think about the effect of technology on our society’s ability to connect. We show empathy and do simple challenges to remind ourselves of what eye-contact and human-contact are like. It’s amazing how disruptive a little exercise where we look into each other’s eyes and touch hands with our neighbour can be.  As Brene Brown says ‘it’s hard to hate each other up close’ . There are some really simple steps to learn how to connect which ultimately creates a mentally healthy culture.
What can mental health mean to me personally?
So just a reminder, we all have mental health just like we have physical health. During my Keynotes I’ll show images of how physical health is viewed in the media, (aspirational, victorious, cool etc.) and then show how mental health has traditionally been portrayed (despair, hopeless, broken). Then I show how in the past year this message is starting to change. We’re showing mental health as aspirational, a healthy mindset, success, good leadership etc. So really what we’re talking about is investing in our minds just like we invest in our bodies in order to be the best version of ourselves, at home and at work.  The way we can do this is through meditation, exercise, connecting authentically with people and practicing self-awareness. This allows us to notice the signs of burnout or poor mental health well before a crisis point. At work, we want to have conversations at this stage as ultimately, we save money, enhance productivity and retain staff long term.
Is mental health at work just a fad?
Mental health at work is here to stay. With momentum building in the UK and across the world, there’s talk of mental health guidance being added to health and safety legislation. There is an incentive and framework to support businesses to focus on their people. The world of work is changing. New businesses filled with the younger generation know that they need to prioritise mental health, invest in their people and provide a sense of team and purpose if they’re to retain talent.  Remote working means we need to utilise more skills than ever to ensure our connections are real and authentic. People need to feel like they're building something and not just showing up.  It truly is an exciting time to be part of this conversation, not just awareness raising but really being in a position to help businesses figure out how to put these initiatives into practice in order to create real change. Read more about Petra Velzeboer here. Contact us today to inquire about Petra's availability to speak at your next event!”
“Resilience.  Now there’s a buzzword. Whether you’re parenting a child or running a company, resilience is an attribute in much demand. As we see daily with clients looking for the best business speakers on the subject, people everywhere want to know what it is and how to get more of it. Practice makes perfect Evidence shows that while resilience is a quality you might not have been born with, it’s something you can certainly cultivate. It’s also a topic exemplified by one of the very first business speakers that we worked with, Caroline Casey. Caroline speaks passionately about resilience and other topics at events around the globe, including in Davos. In a live broadcast on Thursday 24th last, at WEF 2019, I watched with great pleasure and pride as one of our most in-demand keynote speakers declared on the world stage that after 20 years of hard work, and many setbacks, she had finally achieved her goal of getting disability inclusion firmly on the agenda of some of the world’s biggest companies. Twenty years is a long time. Call it what you will – bounce-back-ability, tenacity – but to me, that’s the very definition of resilience. Valuable Campaign Caroline was there as founder of Binc (inclusive business) and the increasingly influential Valuable campaign, which aims to get business to recognize the value of the 1.3 billion people on the planet who live with a disability – their value as workers, customers and members of society. But it was actually 20 years ago that Caroline’s personal campaign began, when after hiding it for years she finally admitted to her then-bosses in Accenture that she was (is) legally blind. Closing the Circle So there’s a lovely symmetry in the fact that one of the first six companies to sign up for Valuable is Accenture.  As Caroline says, ‘It’s closed the circle.’  She’s not stopping there though.  The Valuable 500 campaign is seeking to get 500 companies to put disability inclusion on their business agenda. And with the kind of resilience Caroline has always shown, I’ll bet they’ll do it too. Soon. Resilience in Business In business, resilience is often talked about in reverential tones. But while we know it’s something we want to have, it can feel unattainable. I think this is because it (wrongly) can have certain negative connotations. Resilience, to some, suggests ‘putting up with’ something we perhaps shouldn’t be tolerating.  And when we feel like this, it can trigger resentment, fear, insecurity.  Resilience also inevitably brings obstacles to mind.  So particularly when it comes to the workplace, when asked to be more resilient, often what people actually hear is ‘brace yourself’. True Resilience Brings Freedom With true resilience, in contrast, there’s a certain joy to it – a freedom.  Freedom from the fear that we won’t reach our goals or be able to overcome the obstacles.  Because come they will; that’s life. Use It or Lose It As Caroline will tell you, resilience is like a muscle; you need to exercise it. Over time then, that muscle gets bigger, leaner, stronger.  We become more energized and focused. We feel we can take on – and overcome - anything.  The converse of this, of course, that if we don’t use it, it atrophies. Start Small And just as Caroline has demonstrated with her work, with resilience, we start small.  And then practice, practice, practice. Know Your Enemies As a starting point, it’s useful to identify your stressors. Observe how you respond to them and remember, however trivial they seem, for you they are real.  Only then can you tackle them. You’re Not the Only One All of us have faced adversity of some kind and come out the other side, and it’s important to remember that. Celebrate your victories, however small.  And celebrate others’ victories too. Find Your Tribe We all need encouragement, and it’s important to tap your best resources when you’re stuck or struggling. That usually means friends, colleagues, mentors, business speakers, family. Make the best of what you have We’re all aware of at least some of our strengths.  So make the most of those while working on the skills you feel need improving.  And if you aren’t sure, seek advice from others – a mentor, a career counselor, business speakers, whatever it takes. These are just some of my thoughts on resilience.  I would love to hear from others because I know there’s plenty more to know.  Like Caroline and the Valuable campaign, I believe we all want to feel like we can conquer the world. Even if it takes more time than we think. Because, the most hard-won victories – the dreams we cherish and hold aloft the longest - are the sweetest. If you are interested in booking Caroline to talk about resilience at your event, please contact us today for more information about our business speakers.”
“Today we were very proud to hear that one of our esteemed speakers, Terence Mauri, has been listed by Thinkers50 as one of the Top 30 Thinkers to watch this year when it comes to management ideas. Great news! Described by Thinkers50 as an Influential and outspoken expert on the future of leadership, Terence Mauri was recognised for his idea Mindset 2.0.  ‘A future-proof leadership mindset and set of behaviours to turn disruptors into opportunities. Future leadership is the ability to reinvent the future today and embrace early trends and weak signals as an opportunity. It’s about having an eye on the future so that we might make better leadership decisions in the present.’

Keynote Speaker

Having worked with Terence as a keynote speaker over the last couple of years, I have seen how his insatiable curiosity about almost everything, and his ability to visualise the future and help leaders succeed in a world of constant change, have earned him a reputation as a leader in his field.

One of The Best

This reputation as one of the best means that since he joined our portfolio of keynote speakers, Terence has been hugely in demand as both a business speaker and innovative speaker, booked by organisations looking for thought leadership for disruptors, incisive thinkers and smart ways of staying one step ahead for the future. Terence’s content could not be more relevant for 2019, with The Fourth Industrial Revolution taking centre stage at the World Economic Forum this week in Davos, where the world’s foremost political, business and other leaders have come together to discuss global, regional and industry agendas, and to explore what each of us, personally and professionally, can do to survive and thrive in a fast-changing world. Other international business speakers and experts in this area to keep an eye on are: Claire Dillon Nancy Rademaker Ade McCormack Jamie Anderson Mike Walsh Kate Adamson If you would like information on any of these speakers, contact us today!”
“Excited to see Caroline Casey at WEF in Davos this week! And sharing the stage – and a packed schedule - with thought leaders from the worlds of philanthropy, business, news and culture.

caroline-casey-davos

(Pictured: Caroline Casey, with some of the many people she shares the stage with in Davos, among them Mike Fries, Shamina Singh, David Gergen, David Rubenstein, Mike McBride, Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Andria Zifarakou, Paul Polman).

About Caroline Casey

Caroline is one of our marquee keynote speakers. She never fails to deliver with her energy, passion, heart and vision. She speaks around the world on issues including leading with purpose, resilience and collaborative leadership. At Davos her focus is on her work with the Valuable campaign. The Valuable campaign seeks to place disability inclusion at the heart of the business agenda. And while at Davos, there will be a big announcement from Valuable, so watch this space!

About Davos

Davos is a high-profile global gathering of political, economic and cultural heavyweights. Perhaps the best thing about Davos is the sheer number and diversity of people and ideas to be experienced. Furthermore, the range and complexity of the topics addressed, from climate change and economic inequality to poverty, health and well-being all make this event memorable. For Caroline, as for so many others attending and participating, this means rich, fertile ground where different disciplines, fields of research/endeavor and cultures meet to form a potent mix. Davos never fails to yield new ideas and approaches to the problems and challenges facing the world, especially now, when there appears to be so much instability and uncertainty. And at least for the Valuable campaign, which is gaining momentum around the world, Davos presents many opportunities for discussion, dialogue and collaboration.

The Schedule

The first of these takes place today, Tuesday, at 3pm. At Storytellers: The Road to Resilience (to be streamed live from 3pm on TopLink and the Forum website), Caroline will share the stage with luminaries such as National Geographic photographer and filmmaker Pete McBride and award-winning teacher Andria Zafirakou. Next up, on Wednesday at 4.30, Caroline leads the discussion in the workshop Disability Inclusion: Making it Work, which explores how to unlock the potential of diversity in the workplace. But perhaps the highest-profile event is the Thursday 4pm workshop (preceded by a busy press conference), Fostering Inclusive Business. This workshop convenes leaders and experts to build consensus on inclusive business practices in the new economy and society. We are confident that whatever emerges, it will be interesting and stimulating. We will be watching! You can follow Caroline on twitter at @carolinebinc and on Instagram at @onthecasebinc. We will also be publishing an in-depth interview with her next week, after Davos. During the interview she shares her thoughts on her busy week there and a whole lot else besides. Read more about Caroline Casey here.”
“

I may be addicted to listening to Podcasts if such an addiction is possible. I have always loved talk radio but then along came Podcasts and I was hooked.  Podcasts are useful for me for work research, self development, business development, escapism, pursuing hobbies or just because…

With Christmas on our doorstep and time to chill out, walk or indeed escape, I thought it might be useful to share some of the Podcasts I have enjoyed this year.

The Adam Buxton Podcast is great with lots of humour, great conversations and interesting interviewees. If you log in there are plenty to choose from but one of my favourite interviews was Adam Buxton interviews Jon Ronson.  I am lucky enough to work with Jon a little as a keynote speaker and have always found is insights and research fascinating.

Recently I started listening to Karl Henry’s Real Health Podcast which offers some great simple tips to better health.  A great one to tune into for the new year.

I particularly liked his Improve your Mental Wellness with Neil O'Brien and Dermot Bannon. Neil O'Brien is one of the most in demand motivational speakers at the moment.

I love tuning into Alec Baldwin’s Here's The Thing where Alec skillfully brings listeners into the lives of artists, policy makers and performers.

As cooking is one of my main hobbies and is where I go to to de-stress or chillax I do like to listen to the BBC The Food Programme  and Ottolenghi's Simple Pleasures.

A friend recommended I tune into Blindboy this year and I am glad I did. Again that perfect combination of humour and intelligent conversation makes for great listening Blindboy Interviews David McWilliams.

For business development I get a lot from Sarah Green Carmichael interviews on Harvard Business Reviews HBR Ideacast. Sarah Carmichael interviews business people, world leaders, motivational speakers, economists and many more who offer interesting insights and advice for anyone in business.

When I am running or walking, I love a good thriller and it is good for my exercise routine too! Here are a few I got into this year.

1. The Los Angeles Times - Dirty John

2. The Australians - Teachers Pet

3. And on audible - West Cork

If you want to change habits, be happier, improve relationships, get on better at work I recommend tuning into Gretchin Rubin’s Happier Podcast.

Finally TED continue to bring their audience thought provoking and inspiring content. There are thousands of motivational speakers to choose from on TED.COM but one that I particularly like is Margaret Heffernan's TED Talk - Forget the Pecking Order in Work.

There are many more but I hope there might be something for everyone here. I would love to hear of any Podcasts you have enjoyed this year, please do let me know.

Happy Christmas!

”
“As the end of the year is fast approaching I am taking time to take stock of the year gone by.  In particular I am focusing on the trends and topics for keynote speakers and events. Like most businesses we have enjoyed a better market this year and have placed speakers in all continents.  We have been part of events for a board of 10 people and also events that had up to 30,000 in the audience. 2018 has seen Personally Speaking be part of corporate events of all shapes and sizes. Here are some of our observations that we noted this year: 1. Leadership Strategy Meetings are taking place more often. These meetings are moving from annual to quarterly for many of our clients. This year we had more requests than ever for Keynote speakers and facilitators to help put shape and flow to these two to three day events. 2. With the increase of smaller events this year, we wondered if big conferences would be out of fashion but they are still very popular and are very well attended. I wonder with more agile staff, are events now being used more as a place for people to connect with others, network and improve knowledge? 3. We noticed a lot more internal events in organisations especially in the area of Learning and Development.   Bringing in outside experts for leadership programmes, wellness and team development was definitely a big part of our business this year. 4. Wellness and Wellbeing are firm on the agenda for every organisation.  Keeping talent well and happy is not a tick boxing exercise for organisations.   Our clients are investing time and money, bringing programmes/talks/expertise to their staff.  This helps to manage their mental health, physical wellbeing, energy, sleep and happiness.
Most Popular Trends
The most popular themes and topics in 2018 were: Leading With Purpose Collaboration Agile Teams Robotics and AI - The Future of Work Wellbeing - Mental Health, Purpose, Resilience and Happiness Blockchain Brexit, Brexit and Brexit Globalisation Communication Talent acquisition and retention It is hard to pinpoint the highlight of the year or to choose a favourite talk but I think BCG Fellow Yves Morieux's talk on SMART SIMPLICITY is more relevant than ever as the world become more complex and we are in a constant state of change. If you are planning an event, contact Personally Speaking to discuss what Keynote speakers may suit your audience, budget and goals.   Keynote-Speakers”
“What’s the secret of choosing a great after-dinner speaker? That means a speaker who skilfully navigates from thoughtful reflection on the year gone by to excitement about the challenges ahead, all served up with a good dollop of humour and entertainment leaving the audience feeling really good about life, plus giving them something to think about. It felt like only yesterday I was writing about restarting after the summer break. Time seems to fly at this most busy time of year. Holidays are over and businesses are operating at full pace (or somewhere close to it). It may only be October but preparations for Christmas parties are well underway because finding the perfect after dinner speaker that suits your event is never easy. Years of attending after dinner speeches has taught me that it is definitely the most difficult speech to deliver. But when you find the right speaker, whether you are planning a small dinner for clients or a big company event, the impact is tremendous, and people will also talk about it for months and months afterwards! Back of an envelope and pen at the ready?

Here are questions to get you thinking:

1. Think of after dinner speakers you’ve heard speak and write down what you liked and what you didn’t. This 3-minute exercise is a good way of nailing the characteristics of the kind of speaker you want. 2. Who is your audience? What are they particularly interested in? For example, there are economists, business people, and sports pundits who can do humour and entertainment too and make for terrific after dinner speakers. Likewise, there are comedians and media personalities who can also cover the more serious territory of business. 3. What extra things has your company been trying to do this year? For example, if your company launched a Wellness Policy this year maybe an entertaining sports speakers would be a good fit? Also you could look for a speaker to endorse and amplify your efforts. We have handpicked a number of after dinner speakers who have proven track records of delivering really excellent after dinner speeches. David Mc Williams is hugely popular on the after dinner speaker circuit both in Ireland and internationally. His insights on all aspects of the economy, national and global, are both fascinating and entertaining in equal measure. I have heard David talk on numerous occasions. I always learn something new and go away thinking differently about how the economy and society function. Keith Barry is very much a Christmas favourite. An event with Keith is always great fun and a great way of rounding off a hard year at work. The audience participation keeps everybody involved. Keith reveals to the audience how to tap into their subconscious minds to break through barriers. Also, he disrupts unhealthy thought patterns and shows how to exceed expectations both in their business and their personal lives. If humour is top of your list then look no further than Oliver Callan. His impersonations of high-profile personalities makes for a memorable night. Check out some of his impersonations here. Conor O'Shea is a personal favourite. Conor speaks about how to build high performing teams and is a very natural presenter. He always seems to hit the right notes no matter where he is speaking. Furthermore, his combination of humour and experience in both the worlds of sport and business make him perfect for the after dinner speaker slot. Unusual in the world of rugby, Brent Pope speaks honestly and eloquently about his mental health issues, having suffered anxiety attacks for many years. Brent is an ex-New Zealand rugby player, broadcaster and author. Above all he is cheerful, easy-going and witty, and his talks focus on a mixture of wellness, team performance and lessons from sport. Other popular after dinner speakers include Nigel Owens, Sean Fitzpatrick, Paul Mc Neive, Jason O’Callaghan, Ruby Wax, Jon Ronson and also Erin Fornoff. Please do contact us with any queries you may have. We’d love to help you choose that after dinner speaker who is going to make your event truly memorable. After-Dinner-Speaker”
“It is 9 pm on a Friday night and I have just boarded my flight home to Dublin from Munich. I have had a very enjoyable week visiting customers in Munich to discuss speaker requirements for their L&D programmes and upcoming conferences. Before I settle into my weekend I check my emails one last time. Phew, only one mail from a customer who had one of our sports speakers at their annual conference today, like me, she just wanted to send off one quick mail before she closes down for the weekend. The email read something like: ‘ Hope you’re enjoying Munich. Conor was fantastic! Everybody really enjoyed the session and personally, I learned loads! He is a very natural presenter and the themes are truly translatable to business. And of course, very nice guy. Thank you so much for managing to secure him in such a short space of time. Let's meet up soon.’ Conor O’Shea, Manager of the Italian Rugby team and a former Ireland International is the speaker she was referring to and the feedback is consistent with all the feedback on Conor for any event but no matter how sure you are that a speaker will be a good fit nothing tops hearing this sort of feedback from customer and reminds me of the purpose of the business I set up over ten years ago. On the flight home as I sip a glass of red wine I think back about when I set up Personally Speaking after 10 years in public relations. The business grew from a place of passion rather than business acumen in the early days. Having come from a background in communication I truly believe that people who can tell stories are a wonderful resource and more compelling than most books or clips. A good storyteller with experience, expertise, knowledge or a funny story to share AND has is a good storyteller can change the shape of an event, excite, interest and challenge any audience, even the most cynical! The trick is in the selection of the speaker and then the briefing. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind if you are looking for a speaker for a big or small event, try to answer these questions before you go looking for the speaker;
  1. What is the main objective of this event? What would success look/feel like? Tip - I often ask my customers what would you want the audience to say about the speaker for e.g, that he/she was inspiring, thought-provoking, a change maker, challenging, funny, empathetic, passionate, gave useful tips etc.
  2. How can a speaker help you make this event a huge success?
  3. Who is the audience and what do they enjoy? Sport, music politics, travel, adventures, personal development.
  4. If you have booked speakers in the past who worked really well and who didn’t and why? Make a list
  5. Who are the other speakers at the event? Consider these when selecting your speaker and the time slot for the speaker.
  6. What is your budget? This is important and best to know from the beginning.
  7. Talk to you preferred speaker agency, they will be delighted to recommend some great speakers and will probably have some fresh and interesting ideas too.
  As we are heading into a busy season for conferences I hope this helps you in your search for external speakers. Aim to feel like my customer did after her recent event, she will not have been alone, the impact Conor made will have touched everyone in the audience and there lies the real brilliance of a great speaker. CHOOSE-THE-RIGHT-SPEAKER”
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“Thank you so much for organising BRIAN O'DRISCOLL to speak. It was an absolute pleasure working with you guys at PS. What we had anticipated to be complicated processes – was one of the smoothest and was certainly one of our most successful events to date! We have many events and launches coming up soon and will certainly be in touch should we require any speakers again. - AIMEE SCANLON, GLOBOFORCE”
“Hi Joanne, thanks so much for setting up the gig for DEBRA SEARLE last week.  She found the team at the Henderson Group lovely which is always a perk!  If they come to us directly for anything in the future we’ll refer them back to you at Personally Speaking. - STEF CLIFTON SPRIGG, OPS MANAGER, SHOAL PROJECTS Ltd.”
“

Personally Speaking Events

16 Nov 2016: Thought Leadership Roundtable on WILFUL BLINDNESS with guest TED Speaker Margaret Heffernan

AUDIENCE COMMENTS: "I just spoke to Audrey a little while ago – she (like me) was hugely impressed by Margaret … to quote … “one of if not “the” best speaker she has heard”. Personally I think this talk would be hugely  beneficial(to leaders and managers) given all of the challenges that the banking industry is facing with conduct risk / culture change required etc.  Thank you again for including me this morning" - Mary Kennedy, AIB

"Thanks a million for invite to yesterday morning’s talk with Margaret. You were so right; superb speaker and what a lot of sense she makes. All highly relevant to the IT at the moment too! And it looked like others in the room felt exactly the same." - Deirdre Veldon, Irish Times

"Again many thanks to you and your team for this morning's talk.  I don't think I have been at a talk like that where I saw so little use of the iPhone in a long time, which is quite an achievement in this day and age!  Margaret Heffernan was incredibly strong (though that didn't surprise me, I have seen a number of her TED talks on YouTube)." - Bryan Bourke, William Fry

In this provocative talk based on her bestselling book ‘Wilful Blindness’ named by the FT as one of "best business books of the decade” Margaret spoke about:

·        What blinds companies to their risks

·        Why most employees don't share their knowledge

·        How companies can kill creativity  - or stoke it

·        The power of noticing and acting on what you see

·        How diversity can make companies smarter

By invitation only. If you would like to get on the invite list for future Personally Speaking events please email irene@personallyspeakingbureau.com

6 OCT 2016: Speaker Breakfast  'WORK BETTER, GO HOME HAPPIER!' with guest speakers Neil O'Brien and Mark Downey

AUDIENCE COMMENTS: "It was great to hear from passionate and creative professionals – experiencing their energy and drive. Thank you." - Lisa Grace, Senior Business Engagement Manager, Redwood&Co. "Thank you again to you and Irene for including me at your Breakfast Event this morning in the Merrion Hotel. It was good to see Neil O'Brien again, and Mark Downey's approach is very interesting and entirely novel." - Barry Dempsey, Irish Heart Foundation "Thank you for the very enjoyable and informative session this morning. I really enjoyed it!"  - Mary Donohoe, Director of Learning & Development, CarTrawler By invitation only. If you would like to get on the invite list for future events please email irene@personallyspeakingbureau.com”
“We will be in touch very soon. We will do our best to contact you within the next 24 hours. Please note that we only reply to Commercial and Corporate Speaking enquiries. Due to the volume of emails we receive on a daily basis, we regret that we are unable to respond to other requests. Sorry about that. ”
“We will be in touch very soon. We will do our best to contact you within the next 24 hours. Please note that we only reply to Commercial and Corporate Speaking enquiries. Due to the volume of emails we receive on a daily basis, we regret that we are unable to respond to other requests. Sorry about that.”
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1 Landing Page inquiry for David McWilliams [your-name] frances@personallyspeakingbureau.com Contact Form YOUR NAME: [your-name] PHONE: [your-phone] COMPANY: [your-company] eMAIL: [your-email] YOUR ENQUIRY: [your-message] -- This e-mail was sent from a contact form on Personally Speaking Bureau - Making events memorable (http://www.personallyspeakingbureau.com/) Reply-To: [your-email] [your-subject] [your-name] <[your-email]> [your-email] Message Body: [your-message] -- This e-mail was sent from a contact form on Personally Speaking Making events memorable (http://localhost/psb) Your message was sent successfully. Thanks. Failed to send your message. Please try later or contact the administrator by another method. Validation errors occurred. Please confirm the fields and submit it again. Failed to send your message. Please try later or contact the administrator by another method. Please accept the terms to proceed. Please fill the required field. This input is too long. This input is too short. Date format seems invalid. This date is too early. This date is too late. Failed to upload file. This file type is not allowed. This file is too large. Failed to upload file. Error occurred. Number format seems invalid. This number is too small. This number is too large. Your answer is not correct. Your entered code is incorrect. Email address seems invalid. URL seems invalid. Telephone number seems invalid.”
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“Thank you for smoothly organising DAVID McWILLIAMS to join us for a 2 hour session to think about and discuss the big global trends in geopolitics and economy.  Simply outstanding! - TILL OLBRICH, PMI”
“Frances, thank you so much for coming to our rescue at the last minute. DAVID McWILLIAMS went down so well with the audience, he was outstanding. - ELEANOR BLOEM, THUNDERMARK”
“Frances, thank you for including me last Friday, I thought DR JOHN BRIFFA was fabulous, I liked his delivery and the way he wasn’t evangelical! I have already made a few food switches :) - GILLIAN OWENS, CPL RESOURCES PLC.”
“CAROLINE CASEY stole the show! The feedback has been fantastic, she opened a lot of people’s minds to new possibilities and ways of thinking. Thanks for your help in organising this! - ANTHONY WHITE, ALLIANZ, GERMANY”
“I really appreciate the creativity and flexibility you’re using to find me these opportunities Frances — your willingness to be imaginative encourages me to be likewise! Thank you so much. - MARGARET HEFFERNAN, TED Speaker, AUTHOR OF 'WILFUL BLINDNESS', former CEO”
“Thank you Personally Speaking for always exceeding our expectations, for replying to emails within minutes, even though there was a 7 hour time difference. This was our first time using a speaking agent located outside of the USA, but the Personally Speaking team made the whole experience stress free.”
Ryan Rowland, New England Logistics, USA. January 2015
“Margaret Heffernan, TED Speaker, was born in Texas, raised in Holland and educated at Cambridge University. She worked in BBC Radio for five years where she wrote, directed, produced and commissioned dozens of documentaries and dramas. As a television producer, she made documentary films for Timewatch, Arena, and Newsnight. She designed and executive produced a thirteen part series on The French Revolution for the BBC and A&E. She also produced music videos with the London Chamber Orchestra to raise money for Unicef's Lebanese fund. Leaving the BBC, she ran the trade association IPPA, which represented the interests of independent film and television producers and was once described by the Financial Times as "the most formidable lobbying organization in England." In 1994, she returned to the United States where she worked on public affair campaigns in Massachusetts and with software companies trying to break into multimedia. She developed interactive multimedia products with Peter Lynch, Tom Peters, Standard & Poors and The Learning Company. She then joined CMGI where she ran, bought and sold leading Internet businesses, serving as Chief Executive Officer for InfoMation Corporation, ZineZone Corporation and iCAST Corporation. She was named one of the Internet's Top 100 by Silicon Alley Reporter in 1999, one of the Top 25 by Streaming Media magazine and one of the Top 100 Media Executives by The Hollywood Reporter. Her 'Tear Down the Wall' campaign against AOL won the 2001 Silver SABRE award for public relations. Margaret was featured on BBC Radio 4 in Changing the Rules, which won the 2008 Prowess Media Award. She devised and led a programme for female entrepreneurs at Simmons College, one of the few all-female business schools in the United States. She continues to advise global businesses on effective global strategies and to support women’s networks and industry associations involved in diversity and inclusion. She teaches at the School of Management at the University of Bath and has been invited to speak at business schools around the world, including Harvard Business School, the Rotman School, London Business School and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. She also lectures widely at organizations as diverse as the Federal Bank of the United States, Accenture, Roche, KLA-Tencor, State Street, Khosla Ventures, Standard Chartered Bank, J.P.Morgan Chase and Procter & Gamble. Margaret Heffernan Business Author & Former CEO is amongst our most popular conference and keynote speakers. Margaret has been invited to speak at all of the world’s leading financial services businesses, the leading FTSE and S&P corporations as well as the world’s most successful sports teams. She advises private and public businesses, mentors senior and chief executives and writes for The Financial Times and Huffington Post. She was born in Texas, raised in Holland and educated at Cambridge University. She worked in BBC Radio for five years where she wrote, directed, produced and commissioned dozens of documentaries and dramas. As a television producer, she made documentary films for Timewatch, Arena, and Newsnight. She designed and executive produced a thirteen part series on The French Revolution for the BBC and A&E. She also produced music videos with the London Chamber Orchestra to raise money for Unicef's Lebanese fund. Leaving the BBC, she ran the trade association IPPA, which represented the interests of independent film and television producers and was once described by the Financial Times as "the most formidable lobbying organisation in England." In 1994, she returned to the United States where she worked on public affair campaigns in Massachusetts and with software companies trying to break into multimedia. She developed interactive multimedia products with Peter Lynch, Tom Peters, Standard & Poors and The Learning Company. She then joined CMGI where she ran, bought and sold leading Internet businesses, serving as Chief Executive Officer for InfoMation Corporation, ZineZone Corporation and iCAST Corporation. She was named one of the Internet's Top 100 by Silicon Alley Reporter in 1999, one of the Top 25 by Streaming Media magazine and one of the Top 100 Media Executives by The Hollywood Reporter. Her 'Tear Down the Wall' campaign against AOL won the 2001 Silver SABRE award for public relations. Margaret was featured on BBC Radio 4 in Changing the Rules, which won the 2008 Prowess Media Award. She devised and led a programme for female entrepreneurs at Simmons College, one of the few all-female business schools in the United States. She continues to advise global businesses on effective global strategies and to support women’s networks and industry associations involved in diversity and inclusion. She teaches at the School of Management at the University of Bath and has been invited to speak at business schools around the world, including Harvard Business School, the Rotman School, London Business School and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. She also gives talks regularly to organizations as diverse as the Federal Bank of the United States, Accenture, Roche, KLA-Tencor, State Street, Khosla Ventures, Standard Chartered Bank, J.P.Morgan Chase and Procter & Gamble, Hiscox, Standard Chartered Bank, Lloyds, ARM and Microsoft. ”
“TED Speaker, MDRT Main Stage Speaker 2017, Award Winning Social Innovator, Caroline Casey is one of our most popular speakers. Caroline believes that authenticity, vision, self-belief and resilience are crucial for business and personal success. With her energy and down-to-earth personality, this motivational TED speaker has an amazing ability to captivate, move and energise any audience. Her passion and ambition for leading a life without limits and labels are truly contagious. In 2017 Caroline successfully launched a global campaign with the Valuable500 to get 500 of the world's leading companies to put disability firmly on the business agenda, with the aim of sparking a global revolution of inclusion. In January 2019 at the World Economic Forum at Davos, representing Valuable500, she invited the world's CEO's to commit their companies to that agenda.  In January 2020 she returned to Davos with the news that to date, more than 240 companies have signed up, representing 3.6 trillion in revenue, 10 million employees, 24 countries and 42 sectors. And companies are continuing to sign up.  As Caroline said at Davos 2020, 'we're just getting started'.   Taking a life-changing decision at 28 to leave her successful career as a management consultant and travel across India on an elephant to raise money for a charity for the blind, Caroline has been committed to building a global movement on inclusive business to build an equal society for the 1 billion people in the world with a disability. Collaborating with some of the world’s leading organisations and CEOs Caroline has identified what she often refers to as “The New Green” – the new business imperative for success – Inclusive Business. An advisor, mentor, board member and international speaker, Caroline has a real ability to connect with people. Her extraordinary personal story of coming to terms with her own hidden disability and turning that perceived “weakness” into professional and personal success is relatable, funny, humbling and deeply meaningful. She is in her own words a ”dangerous dreamer” and someone who has learnt the art of never giving up and "failing fabulously”. Despite being the recipient of many awards and accolades, she believes true success only comes to those who can really be themselves! She is still working on it!”
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1 General Enquiry from Website Personally Speaking website@personallyspeakingbureau.com Contact Form YOUR FIRST NAME: [your-first-name] YOUR LAST NAME: [your-last-name] PHONE: [your-phone] COMPANY: [your-company] EMAIL: [your-email] BEST TIME TO CALL: [please-choose] YOUR ENQUIRY: [your-message] -- This e-mail was sent from a contact form on Personally Speaking Bureau - Making events memorable (http://www.personallyspeakingbureau.com/) Reply-To: [your-email] [your-subject] [your-name] <[your-email]> [your-email] Message Body: [your-message] -- This e-mail was sent from a contact form on Personally Speaking Making events memorable (http://localhost/psb) Your message was sent successfully. Thanks. Failed to send your message. Please try later or contact the administrator by another method. Validation errors occurred. Please confirm the fields and submit it again. Failed to send your message. Please try later or contact the administrator by another method. Please accept the terms to proceed. Please fill the required field. This input is too long. This input is too short. Date format seems invalid. This date is too early. This date is too late. Failed to upload file. This file type is not allowed. This file is too large. Failed to upload file. Error occurred. Number format seems invalid. This number is too small. This number is too large. Your answer is not correct. Your entered code is incorrect. Email address seems invalid. URL seems invalid. Telephone number seems invalid.”
“Many thanks to you Frances and your team for assisting us in organising this wonderful conference.  DAVID McWILLIAMS' speech was fantastic and very well received by the audience. - SURESH THYAGARAJAN, BANK MUSCAT”
“Frances, thanks very much for helping us to organise our dinner with Jon last night. Everyone had a great time and Jon was really superb. I look forward to organising some more events with you. - LIZ LEE, PUBLICIS LONDON  ”
“Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi. Nam liber tempor cum soluta nobis eleifend option congue nihil imperdiet doming id quod mazim placerat facer possim assum. Typi non habent claritatem insitam; est usus legentis in iis qui facit eorum claritatem. Investigationes demonstraverunt lectores legere me lius quod ii legunt saepius. Claritas est etiam processus dynamicus, qui sequitur mutationem consuetudium lectorum. Mirum est notare quam littera gothica, quam nunc putamus parum claram, anteposuerit litterarum formas humanitatis per seacula quarta decima et quinta decima. Eodem modo typi, qui nunc nobis videntur parum clari, fiant sollemnes in futurum.”
“If you are planning an event, why not contact us to discuss what speaker may suit your audience, budget and goals. We respect and value the privacy of everyone who visits our website www.personallyspeakingbureau.com and will only collect and use personal data in ways that are described in our Privacy Policy, and in a manner that is consistent with our obligations and your rights under the law. Please read this Privacy Policy carefully and ensure that you understand it. Your acceptance of Our Privacy Policy is deemed to occur upon your first use of Our Site (www.personallyspeakingbureau.com). If you do not accept and agree with this Privacy Policy, you must stop using Our Site immediately. [address-col]

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Please note the form below is intended for Corporate Speaking and Commercial enquiries only.  Due to the volume of emails we receive on a daily basis, we regret that we are unable to respond to other requests.[address-col]

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“This is an example page. It's different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this:
Hi there! I'm a bike messenger by day, aspiring actor by night, and this is my blog. I live in Los Angeles, have a great dog named Jack, and I like piña coladas. (And gettin' caught in the rain.)
...or something like this:
The XYZ Doohickey Company was founded in 1971, and has been providing quality doohickeys to the public ever since. Located in Gotham City, XYZ employs over 2,000 people and does all kinds of awesome things for the Gotham community.
As a new WordPress user, you should go to your dashboard to delete this page and create new pages for your content. Have fun!”
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I spend a lot of time looking at videos of speakers, change makers and influencers. I listen to Podcasts and surf the net searching for inspiration and fresh ideas that we can bring to our customers around the world.  There is some good content out there and an awful lot that is tepid, that is being generous! There are some excellent resources such has HBR IdeaCast, NPR, Desert Island Discs and many others however the one place I keep going back to and am endlessly impressed with, is TED.com and their range of TED talks!

In my opinion the folk at TED talks have nailed curation to a T. They have created a world class centre of excellence and thought leadership. From the design of the RED SPOT and black background set, the research put into finding interesting ideas to share and the grace that is given to the people sharing their stories. Whether you are in the audience or watching a talk on your mobile, the experience is always a memorable one. Chris Anderson and his team are brilliant curators and if you are interested in curation it's well worthwhile observing their methods.

The big TED conferences (TED Global, TED Women, TEDYouth) are events I depend on for finding talented speakers. No one gets on any of those stages without great content, thoughtful messages, ability to engage and personal journeys of interest - the perfect combination in my book.

The TED Mission

The TED Mission includes: "....welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world. We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world."

Recently one of my favourite speakers Mark Pollock and his fiancé Simone George were invited to speak at TED Global in Vancouver to share their journey and the outstanding work they're undertaking to cure paralysis. Feast your mind and take some time to take a look at their TED talk: A Love Letter to Realism in a Time of Grief.

Our Recommendations

Over the last ten years I have been lucky enough to attend many TED conferences.  Forget about the line of work I am in, the few days at TED is always a life enhancing experience. It is hard to select only a few talks as I work with many of the TED speakers. But for today I am selecting these five TED talks that I admire. I know from speaking with my clients that they admire these speakers too.

The Dangers of Wilful Blindness - Margaret Heffernan Looking Past Limits - Caroline Casey The Power of Introverts - Susan Cain As work gets more complex, 6 Rules to Simplify - Yves Morieux Brain Magic - Keith Barry

Finally a huge congratulations to Mark Pollock and Simone George on all they have achieved, and their sheer tenacity. The world is a better place because of people like them! Read more of our blogs here! [caption id="attachment_2417" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Ted-Talks TED talks[/caption]  ”
“With over 20 years' experience of leadership development, business strategy and technology evangelism, Clare helps organisations maximise the opportunities presented by the latest trends in technology, from AI to Virtual Reality. Passionate about how technology is changing and shaping the world we live and work in, she regularly speaks on topics related to digital transformation and organisational change. Clare Dillon was a key member of the Microsoft Ireland Leadership Team for 8 years as Microsoft transformed from a software product to a cloud services organisation, giving her first-hand experience of leading through times of change. Heading up the Developer Experience and Evangelism team, she was focused on establishing partnerships with software as a service (SaaS) companies to drive their success on the Microsoft platform, from both a technical and business perspective. She has also served on the board of the National Digital Research Centre, the Irish Internet Association and on the Industry Guidance Board of the Irish Centre for Cloud Computing and Commerce. Technology trends shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution The Fourth Industrial Revolution and changing shape of business in the 21st century Culture change required for a digital world Lessons learned from Microsoft’s digital transformation Introduction to AI for non-techies AI and the rise of the machines: should we be afraid? Ethics of AI – the potential pitfalls of implementing AI”
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Are you ready to survive and thrive in the age of AI, automation and algorithms?

Terence Mauri tackles the age of disruption that all businesses are facing and looks at smart ways to stay one step ahead. His role as an Inc. magazine Columnist and entrepreneur mentor at London Business School and Oxford University ensure you get new thinking to become the CEO of tomorrow.

Inc. Top 100 Speaker 2018”
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WHO WE ARE

At Personally Speaking Bureau, we’re listeners, problem-solvers and critical thinkers. We see what’s happening around the world and who has the most interesting things to say about it. And we bring them to you.

HOW WE WORK

Personally Speaking Bureau takes a highly curatorial approach based on our extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of the international speaking circuit. Our team promises never to partner you with someone just for the sake of it. Every client’s needs are different. We understand that creative solutions are needed to ensure those needs are met.  We offer just such solutions, and we endeavour, always, to do so with efficiency, integrity and a good dose of humour.

OUR SPEAKERS

Our roster of speakers spans the globe and includes thought leaders and innovators, disruptors and experts, new voices and old souls. We know who the most exciting speakers are right now, where the next generation is emerging, and what they have to say. Speakers who can move a room to tears, get an audience to their feet or inspire a team to reach new heights.  Above all, speakers who can make an audience - your audience - sit up and listen. 

Choose from: 

1. speakers from the worlds of business, economics, sport, philanthropy, science, broadcasting, current affairs, politics and much else besides. 2. keynote, business, motivational and after-dinner speakers. 3. MCs, hosts, panelists and chairpersons. 4. facilitators for corporate programmes in areas such as Wellness, Mental Health, Collaborative Leadership and Talent Development.

OUR STORY

In 2005, Frances Keane, CEO of Personally Speaking Bureau, founded the agency with just a handful of speakers.  After an international role in PR and communications, for Frances it felt like the logical next step to connect people and audiences with the key messages and innovations they needed to hear.  Today the Personally Speaking Bureau agency has offices in Dublin, London and Innsbruck, and a panel of speakers that stretches from New York to New Delhi.  Contact us today for more information on which speaker may suit your audience, budget and goals. EASB    ”
“Neil O'Brien is an advocate of Healthy Human Systems and a hugely popular motivational speaker on the subjects of Mindset and Mental Fitness. In his engaging and humorous talks Neil loves to take the audience out of their comfort zone and into their growth zone. He equips attendees with tools for a growth mindset and has built a stellar reputation for helping business leaders and their teams through transformation by teaching them to embrace the small steps that lead to big changes. Neil set up Time To Fly in 1998 to bring his skills and passion for human potential and growth to organisations. Prior to that he worked in banking for 23 years - in sales and then L&D where he realised his innate ability to motivate and coach others to be their best. Neil has built an award winning performance programme for the banking sector and continues to develop and deliver development programmes as well as speak at conferences throughout Europe. His clients include Accenture, Abbott Labs, Airtricity, AIB Bank and Group, Allianz Capital Partners, Bank Of Ireland, Google, Grant Thornton, IBM, 3M, Irish Life Corporate Business, Irish Life Investment Managers, KPMG, Microsoft, Pfizer, RBS, Sales Institute of Ireland, Institute of Bankers, Zurich Insurance and many others. Neil is also one of Ireland’s top sport coaches and he has worked with professional and amateur golfers including Ryder Cup and Walker Cup players. He has coached at inter-county and club level with GAA teams and he is currently coaching some of Ireland’s elite athletes. To summarise, Neil has helped psychiatrists with their stress management, psychologists with their personal development, directors with their sense of direction, sales people sell more, footballers score more and golfers score less!”
“Matt Cooper Broadcaster, Journalist, and biographer of Tony O'Reilly

Matt Cooper presents and edits the daily news, current affairs and sports programme The Last Word on Today FM from Monday to Friday, 4.30pm to 7pm.

He is the author of three critically acclaimed and commercially successful books: “The Maximalist”, his biography of the iconic Irish sporting, business and media figure Tony O’Reilly, was published in 2015; "Who Really Runs Ireland" was published in 2009; "How Ireland Really Went Bust" was published in 2011.

He is also an experienced television sports presenter. He hosted TV3’s Rugby World Cup coverage in 2007 and 2015 and will be hosting the station’s Six Nations Coverage from 2018 when it takes over as host broadcaster for the Irish market. He was previously anchor for the six years that TV3 broadcast championship GAA games from 2008 to 2013.

He is a former editor of The Sunday Tribune, having been appointed at the age of 30 in 1996. He left for a career in radio in 2003 but continues to write a leader page column for the Irish Daily Mail each Wednesday and also writes on business, economics and politics for The Sunday Business Post. He was twice National Journalist of the Year and twice Business Journalist of the Year.

He is a partner in the television company Playmaker-media, which devised and made the rugby series Area 22, and which made the acclaimed Olympics documentary “No Earthly King” in 2012. He also made current affairs documentaries for RTE and TV3, most recently “Ireland’s Housing Market – What’s Next?” (TV3, November 2014) and “The Brexit Dilemma” (TV3, June 2016).

He was the narrator on the British made documentary “Dennis Rodman’s Big Bang in Pyongyang” about a controversial international basketball game staged in the “hermit kingdom” of North Korea in January 2014 and which was attended by its dictator Kim Jong-Un. Matt travelled to North Korea as part of Rodman’s group for the filming of the documentary and had a ringside seat to the proceedings, making him the first Irish journalist to ever have such extraordinary access. The documentary is available on Netflix US.

In the landmark biography on Tony O'Reilly 'The Maximalist', Matt Cooper draws on an abundance of new material, including interviews with many of O’Reilly’s closest family, friends, associates and rivals, to uncover the man behind the myth. An Irish epic, it documents in unflinching detail and with great subtlety the meteoric rise and slow unravelling of an Irish icon.

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“It is the end of a long and warm summer, kids are going back to school, folk are returning from holidays and sun dresses are being packed away. While it is the end of the traditional holiday season that most of us love, it is also the beginning of a new semester and the upcoming season for ‘Think Tanks’. This is a time of great positivity, motivation, decision making, putting new plans in place, innovation and lots more. For me the break over the summer with family and friends spent exploring new places, eating different food, speaking different languages and letting go in general really energises me. I feel I can now make bold decisions which might just result in monumental shifts in the right direction in work and at home. Some of my biggest decisions have been made in the month of September, that can't be a coincidence can it? Does this sound familiar? Over the next few months businesses will get their Leadership Teams together for their annual Think Tanks. These are a great opportunity for the Leadership Team to review the business on micro and macro level and make big decisions to help the business grow, indeed flourish, in the next year and longer. Experts in Economics, Collaboration, Innovation, Culture, Organisational Psychology and so on are brought in deliver keynotes, facilitate round table discussions and workshops to help inform, inspire and help the leaders in their task to build road maps that meet their business goals.
Some factors really help to get the most from Think Tanks.
Here are some of my observations:
  • Make sure you put the date in all participants’ diaries at least 6 months in advance.
  • Pick a good location; for me the following are important: outdoor space, natural light, tasty & healthy food, creative spaces, activity, fresh air, & excellent event customer service.
  • Engage a facilitator - so everyone gets to make their point and people are encouraged to listen· (Current hot favourites include Margaret Heffernan, Yves Morieux, Dambisa Moyo, Costas Markides, Dr. Pippa Malmgren, Terence Mauri, Nigel Barlow, Viktor Mayer Schönberger, Stephane Garelli and David McWilliams)
  • Get feedback as the event progresses, if something is not working don't be afraid to change course.
  • Make sure topics that are not relevant to a Think Tank are parked for another time.
  • And don't forget to have a bit of fun! Play is good - build in at least one activity or/and fun thing to do together, this is about a team working together as much as anything else.
  Contact us today to discuss what speaker may suit your audience, budget and goals. Think-Tank”
“From delivering a keynote to emceeing an event to training your team, Emmy-winning former CNN anchor and global campaign strategist Gina London knows how to encourage, motivate and inspire people to life-changing action. Gina creates a custom experience which both highlights your organization’s goals and truly uplifts and connects with your audience. Gina London is an Emmy winning former CNN correspondent and anchor who now serves as an internationally recognized speaker, facilitator and communications expert based in Ireland. Her predominantly Fortune 500 clients include SAP, McKesson, Heineken, Deloitte, Daimler and the United States Department of State. She has facilitated or compèred hundreds of events - interviewing high profile speakers including Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford, Jr; Huffington Post CEO Jared Grusd and Nobel Peace Prize winners Oscar Arias and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In a more humanitarian role, Gina has also chaired a two-day event for UNICEF at the United Nations in New York, worked with the first Iraqi women running for Parliament, women’s civil rights leaders in the Persian Gulf, and issues activists in Ghana, Egypt, Tunisia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Macedonia and Romania. A published author and regular news analyst on radio and TV, Gina currently writes a weekly business column for Ireland’s largest newspaper, The Sunday Independent titled, “The Communicator”. She has also featured in a wide range of global media outlets including (Italy): Le Notizie; La Repubblica (Nigeria): The Nation, Your View, TVC, Channels TV; (Romania): In Business Today; (Egypt): The Rose; (UK): BBC; (US): CNN, Fox News, The Orlando Sentinel, The Denver Post, and Fast Company.”
“Áine is a teacher turned journalist and entrepreneur who can talk education, media, business and technology. She is an expert in moderating lively discussions and professionally MC-ing memorable events, having taken part in some of the biggest media industry events in the world. Áine Kerr is the Co-Founder and COO of Neva Labs; a new start-up venture with Mark Little. Previously, Áine led global journalism partnerships at Facebook in New York, overseeing a team focused on building products, tools and services for the news industry. She was instrumental in creating the Facebook Journalism Project and the News Integrity Initiative (NII). Before joining Facebook in March 2016, she spent five years at Storyful, where she served as head of content and political editor before being appointed managing editor in at the time of the company’s acquisition by News Corporation. Prior to that, Áine spent over seven years working as a political correspondent and news reporter with The Irish Times, The Irish Independent and The Irish Examiner. Áine is on the board of the NII, an advisor to the Institute for Future of Media and Journalism (Fujo), and co-founder of Online News Association (ONA) Ireland. She is currently undertaking the Sulzberger Leadership Program in Columbia University, New York. The Future of Journalism Role of Technology in Journalism Women in Leadership Social and New Media The News Industry Leadership and Management “I have worked with Áine since Web Summit 2014 and she has never let us down. She’s always super enthusiastic, incredibly willing to be involved in any capacity and brings a unique spin on any session she’s involved in both as a speaker or moderator. Together with her experience across traditional and new media, she’s a wonderful addition to any talk in this area and more insightful than most when it comes to challenges and opportunities facing this industry. I’d recommend Áine for any event and look forward to having her join us again soon at future Web Summit events.” - Stephen Twomey, Speaker Director, Web Summit "Áine Kerr was the opening keynote address at our most recent #GetStarted2017 entrepreneurship conference, attended by over 700 delegates at the Helix, DCU (November 21st, 2017).  Her engaging and open manner as well as her clarity and authenticity set the tone perfectly for the entire event, capturing the audience from the moment she stepped on stage.  Both as an internationally recognised thought-leader on the future of news, journalism and content consumer behaviour and as courageous and innovative business leader, Áine was the perfect choice to inspire our audience of both established and aspiring entrepreneurs." - Centre Director IC4”
“Designer and entrepreneur Sonya Lennon is a tiny bundle of fearless passion who loves to tell a good yarn. All her experience is woven into story of style, creation and starting from scratch to build value. A seasoned speaker with clients including Google, Accenture, Citi, AIB, Eversheds, UKTI, Irish Life and Dublin Chamber.”
“Mark Little, Digital Entrepreneur, Broadcaster and Innovator Mark Little is a journalist and digital media innovator. He spent more than 20 years in broadcast news, as an award-winning foreign correspondent and TV anchor for Irish public service broadcaster, RTE. In 2010, he founded the world’s first social news agency Storyful, which pioneered new models of verification and collaboration. He was most recently Twitter's VP of media partnerships in Europe and is now exploring new business models to sustain trust in media. Mark Little is a journalist and digital media innovator. He spent more than 20 years in broadcast news, as an award-winning foreign correspondent and TV anchor for Irish public service broadcaster, RTE. In 2017  Mark co-founded Neva-Labs a Digital Media company to help publishers beat the problem of “information overload” and deliver personalised news to paying users. In 2010, he founded the world’s first social news agency Storyful, which pioneered new models of verification and collaboration. He was Twitter's VP of media partnerships in Europe before he started Neva-Labs. Mark has more than two decades of experience in journalism. He was an award-winning foreign correspondent for the Irish national TV station RTE. He also presented the network’s top-rated current affairs programme, Prime Time, and was its first Washington correspondent. He has covered some of the biggest stories of our age, including the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and the election of Barack Obama.  ”
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David McWilliams Economist is an uncompromising thinker, with a relaxed, confident and entertaining style. He was voted the most influential economist in the UK and Ireland in 2015.  

He is a regular conference and keynote speaker at international financial conferences where he speaks about trends in the global economy and how we might profit from them. He speaks to businesses and industrial groups on how the trends in growth, currencies and financial markets will uniquely affect them. Consistently accurate in his forecasts, David McWilliams was the only economist in Ireland who accurately forecast a strong UK Brexit vote. He was also the first economist to identify the Irish boom as nothing more than a credit bubble, warning of its collapse and the consequences for the country. His objective is to make economics as widely available and easily understandable on as many platforms as possible. David is currently hosting a weekly chat David McWilliams Ireland on TV3 where he explores the big issues facing Ireland's society and economy He is the co-founder of the world’s only economics festival 'Kilkenomics', an eclectic combination of economics and stand-up comedy, described by The Australian as “Davos without the hookers”. "David was brilliant as he always is, couldn't have been better, he's a legend, had everyone eating out of his hand as usual! We'll do it again, will be in touch." - John McDonnell, Cathedral Finance, April 2016 "David joined us for a 2 hours session - smoothly organized by Personally Speaking - to think about and discuss the big global trends in geopolitics and economy.  Simply outstanding!  This is a guy who is simultaneously a deep thinker on substance and totally entertaining in the way he engages his audience.  It was inspiring, informative, provocative and hilarious.  So: Thanks, David!" - Till Olbrich, PMI, August 2015 "David went down so well with the client, he was outstanding!" Eleanor Bloem, Thundermark, July 2015 "David's delivery was super. His content was thought-provoking as always of course!" Andy O'Callaghan, PwC, June 2014 "David's speech was fantastic and very well received by the audience. Many thanks to you and your team for assisting us in organising this wonderful conference." Suresh Thyagarajan, FX & Interest Rate Sales, Treasury & Capital Markets, Bank Muscat, Nov 2013 "Your presentation to the Annual Investment Summit was perfectly pitched and brought exactly what we had hoped: a clear articulate view of the world with which we have a great deal of sympathy, delivered with wit and intelligence in an engaging and entertaining style. Our best Summit yet, and your contribution clearly helped’” - Neil Woodford, Head of UK Equities, Invesco Perpetual, July 2013. “Your insightful presentation on ‘The European Outlook’, as well as your contribution as moderator on the Economists’ Panel Discussion at the 5th Global Financial Markets Forum 2013 was extremely well received and significantly contributed to the overall success of the forum. We sincerely appreciate your efforts in joining us for the 2nd time at this event and making yourself available for the private lunches and round-table sessions with our key clients.” - Michael H. Tomalin, Group Chief Executive, National Bank of Abu Dhabi "We would like to express our sincere appreciation and delight in your attendance. Furthermore we are thankful to you for sharing your unique expertise on internationally sensitive topics. The ideas presented surely will leave a lasting impression on us all." - Abdullah Al-Ahmadi, ICA Chairman, November 2012 "It was a huge success...The event was a compete sell out and David responded generously. If David is in town again please let us know!" - Eamon Eastwood, The Landsdowne Club, Sydney Australia, November 2012 "Last Thursday went very well and was a success for us. David’s presentation went down very well to the audience of about 150" John Lucey, INVESCO, October 2012 "Everything went very well and we were absolutely delighted with David. He was just what we needed for the day." - Ciara Pelly, ICOS, May 2012 "I would like to thank you for your efforts in participating in our Fourth Financial Markets Forum 2012. The Event was remarkably successful with over 600 attendees and it would not have been possible without your efforts and contribution. Your participation certainly enhanced the profile of our line-up of international speakers" - Mahmood Al Aradi, SEVP - Financial Markets Division, National Bank of Abu Dhabi - 1st March 2012 "I would like to thank David for speaking at the event. His contribution very much helped to ensure a successful conference that has since been the focus of a great deal of positive feedback from the participants" - Venessa Heywood, Conference Director, IIR Abu Dhabi - 1st March 2012 "The conference in Rome was indeed a success and David's speech added great value to our plenary session" - Olivier Bedois, Director - Marketing & Communication, SDV - 13th February 2012 "Our event was a great success, we have received such positive feedback from our guests who attended. We were all very impressed with David, his speech was very entertaining, humorous and easy to listen to. He interacted very well with our guests and with our own Actavis team and he seemed very knowledgeable of our industry. It was great to see our guests so animated throughout David’s speech." - Debbie McDonald, Marketing Executive, Actavis Ireland, October 2011 "The entire audience was pleasantly shocked to see an economist could be so connected with reality and also were delighted that he delivered a clear message that we can control our destiny despite all that is going on around us especially sales leaders and business owners (who were the audience). The overall feedback was very positive.” - Charlie Mernagh, Managing Director, Ask Solutions, September 2011 "David's relaxed, yet confident style, coupled with the ability to debate with him and frankly discuss matters of huge importance, both to our advisers and their brokers, was really well received. We consider this small event for our key clients a great success." - David Walls, Axa Financial, June 2011 "On behalf of the board and the members of the FPP I would like to thank you most sincerely for chairing the FPP Annual conference in the Westbury Hotel, Dublin on February 25th. YOur expert contribution on the day was much respected by both speakers and delegates to make the conference a great success." - Lionel McCarthy, CEO, Forum on Public Procurement in Ireland "The Event went really well last night, we were delighted with David; he was a delight to deal with and an excellent and very entertaining speaker. He related very well with the audience, he was enjoyable to listen to and very insightful" - Nuala Martyn, Financial Solution Skillnet "Thanks for your support in securing David McWilliams for our conference. He was fantastic and has had superb feedback!" - Geraldine D’Arcy, Irish Primary Principals’ Network "On behalf of the chairman and the national Council of ISME may I thank you very much for your excellent and valuable contribution to our national conference, it was very well received" - Mark Fielding, Chief Executive, ISME, The Independent Business Organisation. "I am writing to thank you on my own behalf and on the behalf of Cork City Council and the University of Ulster for your participation in the recent conference of the Isles. We have received an amazing number of letters and emails congratulating the conference on the quality of the speakers and their presentations" - Stephen Kearney, Director Housing and Community Cork City Council "We were most fortunate in having you as our guest speaker on the occasion of this celebration. It was a great success and we were thrilled with the feedback from our guests. All in attendance found you most entertaining and some people were talking about you for days afterwards…again David, thank you very much and continued success for the future." - Conor McCarthy and David Kiely, Directors Jennings O’Donovan & Partners Consulting Engineers "Provocative, entertaining, stimulating------A man who dares to differ---That’s David!" - Frank Mc Donagh, Commercial Branch Manager, Bank of Ireland”
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“Don't you just love easy to follow instructions? I say that as a person who normally rebels against all forms of process in favour of #creativity, #spontaneity and freedom, or so I like to think! It is my daughter's 4th birthday today and I have spent the last 30 minutes assembling a Play Corner Shop and I feel such a sense of accomplishment as I look at it all bright and shiny in our kitchen waiting for her return from crèche. My feeling of accomplishment is totally overkill of course as the instructions were literally Child's Play. However as someone who runs a business and spends a lot of time making decisions, troubleshooting, marketing and selling I really enjoyed the experience of following the clearly laid out #Step-by-Step instructions, each step bringing me a little nearer to completion, #motivating me to finish the task at hand. Ta ta ... job complete, lovely, and my daughter Ruth will be beyond excited. Result! This simple experience gets me thinking, in my quest for an exciting life full of spontaneity and freedom could I possibly be blocking some of my own #potential through my more haphazard approach at times? Full disclosure I am exaggerating slightly, I am a little more organised than I am letting on but there is huge room for improvement. More and more I understand the value of having the basics in place, to have #clearprocesses that everyone in the business can simply understand. It not only removes the need for me to be always available but more importantly gives employees and partners the ability to feel ownership of their own achievements entirely. Even though I am on a steep learning curve, I now truly believe being organised, having systems and processes in place and working to a plan not only helps us be more productive and frees up time and headspace for #innovation and #creativity but also leads to reduced stress, increased happiness and a sense of pride. Now that's #motivating. I recently listened to the #E-Myth, a business book written by Michael E. Gerber over 25 years ago based on the principle that business are set up by technicians rather than business people. The book takes us through a list of examples and helpful tools to move from a #TechnicianMindset to an #EntrepreneurialMindset. He wholly encourages clear processes to build a successful business of any type. I recommend this book to anyone running a team and looking to improve #productivity and #profitability. Personally-Speaking Also extremely useful is David Allen's book 'Getting Things Done'. I was given this book by my husband when I was going through some changes in the business a few years ago. Reading David Allen’s book fundamentally changed the way I do business and lead others and probably was the beginning of me realising the value of having #clearprocesses, being organised and having the fundamentals in place to allow a business grow. I was so delighted with what I learnt from #DavidAllen that I added him to my portfolio of #MotivationalSpeakers so my clients can book him to speak at events around the world so that they too can gain insights into his methodology and adapt his tools in their own organisations. Today I had set myself the task of completing this blog (rather than just procrastinating) and having done so I now feel free to call it a day and go collect my daughter so we can come home and do some 'play' shopping together. Let the fun begin. I am looking forward to discovering what I learn from her as she runs her new business. It should be #ChildsPlay! Business-Personally-Speaking”
“Dr Niamh Shaw is an energetic, witty and lively speaker. Engineer, scientist and performer, Niamh’s future endeavours include a trip to space. A role model for STEM careers and the empowerment of women in business, she is passionate about awakening people’s curiosity and dreaming big. Niamh is a skilled, warm and engaging speaker, drawing on her experience as an improvisation artist and performer. Dr Niamh Shaw, Irish engineer, scientist and performer, is passionate about Space and awakening people’s curiosity. She is actively pursuing her dream to get to space, having recently participated in a simulated Mars mission in the Utah desert, and zero gravity flight at Star City in Russia. She is Co-Chair of Humanities at the International Space University’s 2018 annual Space Studies Programme, and was Core Lectures Associate Chair of this programme in 2017. Recently voted one of Ireland’s leading science communicators and STEAM specialists (merging science, technology, engineering, arts and maths), she regularly contributes popular science topics on national radio and TV and at public science and arts festivals. She has interviewed/moderated and hosted a variety of science-themed events in Ireland and abroad. She collaborates with research and science institutions, arts and media centres, private corporations and NGO’s to attract new audiences of all ages to science and space. Niamh provides specialised communication workshops in the private sector and academic/research institutes and is a keynote speaker on thought leadership and creative mindset in the workplace. Niamh believes that we can be many things at the same time. She is curious, always and embraces failure every day. Recently hired by A&L Goodbody, HP, ESB, Johnson & Johnson, and Inspire Fest 2017, she is a competent and experienced keynote, interviewer and moderator for your event. Space Exploration and Ireland's Space activities Niamh's personal journey to Space Connecting science with the general public Dreaming Big”
“Dr. John Briffa, a practising doctor, author, journalist, speaker and trainer”
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“Take a Spoonful of Lifestyle Medicine Dr. Mark Rowe is a thought leader in the emergent area of health, happiness and high performance in life. Rather than approaching every illness as something to be cured with a prescription and pills, Dr Rowe advocates for lifestyle medicine. Change your habits to remove the root cause of the symptoms. Less stress and pressure in the workplace could have drastic positive effects on health. His goals are burnout prevention and lasting wellbeing, hoping for culture change in business and medical settings alike, in people’s mindsets as well as their organisations. horse Be a Dangerous Dreamer and Fail Fabulously If disability activist Caroline Casey had a super-power, it would be self-belief. A social entrepreneur leading a life without limits and labels, who describes herself as a “dangerous dreamer” who is “failing fabulously”, Casey manages to be both truly inspirational and relatable. In August 2017 she launched #valuable and started to engage in conversation with over 500,000 businesses to transform their approach to business inclusion to advocate for inclusive business practices. An in-demand speaker, her TED talk has more than 2 million views, and she has the ability to get people acting on their bold ideas. fun Spinning Plates? You should try Juggling! Dusty Gedge is a professional juggler and circus performer. His speciality is “organised chaos” in order to create accelerated learning opportunities. With his inclusive, hands-on approach, Gedge shows how easily behaviours and habits can be changed through coaching. Not just any coaching, Gedge uses juggling as a coaching method. He reckons fear of failure is the biggest block to experimentation and progress. No one wants to drop a ball, yet it's a necessary requirement when learning to juggle. Educating high achievers to take a risk and accept that they may fail, can be a challenge in itself. It’s often learning through failure that enables us to progress to the next level. Spinning plates What’s the Difference between an Astronaut, an Athlete, and You? Having worked as a performance coach with top athletes, Jamil Qureshi knows all about motivation and ambition. As well as coaching 6 individual athletes to number 1, Qureshi has worked with Premier League Football teams, an Ashes-winning Cricket team, and a Formula One racing team. He is also one of only a handful of external psychologists ever to be allowed to study astronauts on the NASA Space Programme. His expertise with high performing teams combined with his skills as a speaker and stand-up comedian make Qureshi an excellent choice for team motivation days. look in my eyes Look in my Eyes, Look in my Eyes, Look in my Eyes. Jason O'Callaghan, also known as Ireland’s only motivational psychologist, specialises in retraining the unconscious mind for success in life and work through hypnotism. The results are astounding, and often amusing to witness! O’Callaghan knows how to work a room, and how to make an impression. Participants might find themselves looking for lost shoes, or unable to drink a glass of water, or quitting smoking while they sleep. He also uses these skills to foster team building and increase motivation. Spontaneity Become an Adventurer in Spontaneity & Creativity Steve Chapman is not your average speaker. He invites the audience to come on an adventure into spontaneity, creativity and innovation with him, asking what it means to be part of an organisation, or part of a team. Chapman approaches any exploration with a deep and abiding sense of curiosity and playfulness, while still retaining a thoroughness that speaks to his academic and business credentials. No team can go through this kind of experience without coming out the other side different, and closer for it. ”
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“David Rowan is founding Editor-in-chief and now Editor-at-large of WIRED’s UK edition, and technology columnist for The [UK] Sunday Times. He’s taken 125 flights in the past year to investigate the companies and entrepreneurs changing our world, recently spending time with the founders of WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Google, Spotify, Xiaomi, Nest, Twitter and countless other ambitious startups from Tel Aviv to Shenzhen. For a book, he’s currently on a global quest for successful examples of corporate innovation in the face of technology-led disruption. His recent keynote talks have included events for banks, governments and Fortune 100 companies, and recent stage interviews have ranged from will.i.am to James Murdoch and David Cameron. David has been a columnist for The Times, GQ, Condé Nast Traveller and The Guardian. At WIRED he has extended the brand into conferences and a consulting business. He's an early-stage investor in 40 tech companies and co-founder of FlowJourneys.com, taking amazing people for weekend adventures in the world’s most extraordinary locations. And he is still searching for the future.”
“New Zealand born rugby player, coach and TV commentator Brent Pope played rugby with top New Zealand side Otago University before finally settling in Ireland in 1991 and lining out for three seasons with St Mary's RFC. Later Brent coached Clontarf RFC for two seasons, leading them to promotion to Division One of the AIL. Brent has worked as a TV rugby pundit for nine years and can regularly be seen on RTÉ with George Hook & Tom McGurk. Brent also writes children's books for charities. The proceeds from 'Arnold the Anteater' went to Children's Hospice Homecare while 'Bones' was written for the Irish Osteoporosis Society. Brent has worked for RTÉ Sport for over 15 years and has also appeared in many crossover programmes such as 'The Restaurant' (Irish TV series), and in 'The Den', 'The Afternoon Show', 'The Hook and Popey Roadshow', 'The Late Late Show', 'The Saturday Night Show', and various travel programmes. Brent also starred as a singer in 'Charity You're a Star' in 2007. In 2012 he learned and played the clarinet for the RTÉ reality music show 'Instrumental'. Brent was listed at number 4 in a recent poll for Ireland's hottest male television stars, and in 2012/13 he was nominated as one of Ireland's best dressed men. He is also the curator of a popular art gallery for mental health artists called The 'Outside In Art Gallery', and has a movie script entitled 'Coming out to Play' listed with a major movie production company. Brent is involved in several mental health charities, and is an ambassador for St Patrick's Hospital 'Walk in My Shoes', 'Cycle Against Suicide', and RTE's 'People Of The Year'.  ”
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“ Do you feel like you’ve heard it all when it comes to managing teams? In this month’s blog, our speakers offer alternate ways of enhancing team collaboration and cohesion, including how to deal with conflict. Building high performing teams is always going to be a question of trial and error as you discover what works best for the individuals in your team, but here are some ideas to get you started. Talk it out Even in the best of teams, workplace conflicts are common under pressure. Here are broadcaster and confidence coach Gina London’s tips on how to deal with them. First of all, be assertive: have the confidence to speak up, but don’t alienate colleagues in the process. Don't use extreme language or absolutes. Love and hate are divisive, while ‘never’ or ‘always’ are accusatory and probably inaccurate. Ask open-ended questions - don’t assume you’ve understood their position on something, ask for clarification, or reasons for their reaction or opinion. It may be that you share a similar outlook and this is all a misunderstanding. If not, at least you’ll get a clearer idea of what they think before calming outlining your opinion. Work together to find a solution by offering ideas yourself and asking the other person how they would like the issue to be resolved. The Generation Game It’s important to spot potential problems before they arise, so you can deal with them smoothly. Nigel Barlow, so-called “business rocker”, highlights the generation gap between millennials and baby-boomers as point of misunderstanding. One thing that goes out the window for millennials in the workplace, is deference to hierarchy. While baby-boomers might feel they have earned their place, millennials are a disruptive force, who think of office relations as a network rather than a pyramid. This is dynamic and can lead to change, but in order to avoid conflict, employers need to maintain the shared values of the different generations. Knowing that their work is worthwhile matters to baby-boomers and millennials alike, and feeling valued within the company is vital for workplace wellbeing. Highlighting the positive differences that each generation brings will reduce resentment, while transparency and communication will mean less resistance to change. Millennials also value collaboration, which is where Nigel’s “garage thinking” comes into its own. Having a space for intense collaboration creates a strong team and leads to innovation. In the short term, innovation doesn’t make much sense: it’s messy, prone to failure, inefficient, and high risk. However, in the long term, innovation is vital for a successful business. Whether located in bricks and mortar, or a virtual space, garage thinking overcomes boundaries and encourages problem solving. Rather than thinking of employees as units of production, think of their collective potential for innovation. How can they, and your business, become more than the sum of their parts? Culture Clash Steve Chapman, author and coach on organisational change and development, describes organisations as “improvised complex social processes… influenced through active participation”. This means that change within an organisation comes from the daily interactions of the people working there. If a company wants to be more collaborative, but the culture isn’t set up to support collaboration, then it requires individuals to be counter-cultural. The risk is transferred to the individual who sticks out, even if theoretically, more innovative and creative behaviour is being encouraged. There needs to be an openness to new ideas at the highest level, especially if those ideas are uncomfortable! Follow the Beat One way to become more flexible in the workplace is to listen to a choreographer. Marguerite Donlon offers workshops teaching business teams techniques and tools from the world of dance to increase cohesion and allow them to work together in a novel way. She aims to bring teams together beyond the borders of language, and teach them that being flexible doesn’t always mean compromising; it can be part of an exciting process of innovation. Music is another powerful way of bringing teams together. Consultant and French Horn player, Ben Hines, promotes reflection, collaboration and team bonding around a business goal through music. Cutting across entrenched workplace barriers, music is an effective form of communication, enhances emotional intelligence, and can get your brain working in a new way. For more insights on how to build and manage high performing teams, simply contact us today to discuss your audience, budget, and goals. ”
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“BIG DATA  BIG DEAL BIG DATA  BIG DEAL? .....  Yes, a very big deal. Your products or services are no longer the be-all and end-all of your company’s identity. You also have lots of raw information that is flowing into your organisation every day, data. Perhaps you analyse a small amount of it? But maybe you could be making much better use of all of it. It’s your Big Data after all. So what do our speakers say about it?

Big Data Blind Spots

The amount of data produced is huge but there are “blind spots” as WIRED’s Executive Editor, Jeremy White, points out. The biggest is that once people have access to big data, they don’t necessarily know what to do with it. You have to be able to interpret the data and implement the insights into your business model.

Your Company is a Data Company

As Mark van Rijmenam, founder of Datafloq, puts it, “any company, regardless of the industry, should see itself as a data company”. Datafloq connects companies with big data providers, as well as offering insights and training on emerging technology. Having more data means being able to improve your business strategy and chose the most efficient way to deliver to consumers.

Design  your Company like Software

Futurist Mike Walsh agrees with this position, clarifying what it means to see yourself primarily as a data company. According to Walsh, the “most valuable thing we can create, protect, and leverage is data.” Designing your company like software means it will be data-driven, innovative and efficient - all things that ultimately benefit customers.

Data is a tool, use it

Economist and Professor of Finance Dr. Constantin Gurdgiev thinks that having more data is actually leading us to realise the limits of our data analytics capabilities. Increases in the amount of data and its accessibility can be an advantage, but we should be wary of an “overconfidence bias”. While the data can give us a clearer picture of where we are, it cannot give us an idea of where we’re going. Gurdgiev warns against an over reliance on big data, saying that “Data is not the end of it all. Data is just one of the tools.”

Use Disruption as Fuel

The data also needs to be contextualised, so having a lot of data about search trends doesn’t tell you why people are currently searching for those things. Jonathan MacDonald, digital strategist and thought leader who founded Thought Expansion Network and Balance Ventures, asks whether the way we look at data is more important than the data itself. Back in the nineties, MacDonald was part of a music industry group attempting to sue the internet for sharing music files as it was copyright infringement. They sent a 160 page fax to someone they thought was the executive of the internet. Putting aside how strange this sounds today, there’s another reason he now acknowledges it was not the right move at the time. Instead of suing the disruptor, they should have innovated faster and better to compete with them. Data is a powerful tool which works best when the organisation uses disruption and “perpetual change as fuel”.

The Powerful Players will be creating Markets

Viktor Mayer-Schönberger, Professor at the Oxford University Internet Institute, says when data drives markets, rather than relying primarily on price, financial institutions and traditional companies have less impact. Companies that encourage internal competition to drive innovation are likely to thrive. Instead of just creating products, the powerful players will be creating markets. This is the focus on his new book ‘Reinventing Capitalism in the Age of Big Data’ co-authored with Thomas Ramge, writer for The Economist.

Putting Big Data at the Centre of your Business Model

Last but not least someone who truly understands what it means to put big data at the centre of his business model is Mark Little, founder of the world’s first social news agency Storyful which pioneered new models of verification and collaboration. Storyful mines the social web, taking user-generated content and shaping it into journalism. As digital journalism rebuilds trust, the transparency from Big Data is crucial. So if you need a Big Data expert’s insights, simply contact us today to discuss your audience, budget, and goals. Follow us on Facebook”
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“Jim McGuinness Performance Consultant to Glasgow Celtic was born in Glenties, County Donegal. He was only a teenager, when part of a Donegal squad that claimed the county’s first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 1992. McGuinness was also a star of Third-Level Colleges football, winning Sigerson Cups with  Tralee I.T. GAA in 1998 and 1999 as captain, and again as captain in 2001 with the University of Ulster at Jordanstown (U.U.J.). Jim was player coach when his club captured their first ever Donegal Senior Club Championship title in 2005. He has represented his Province on a number of occasions winning two Railway Cup Medals, and has also represented his country in the International Compromise Rules Series against Australia in 1998, a series which Ireland won. In 2010 Jim was manager of the Donegal Under-21 Football Team that won the Provincial Championship for the first time in fifteen years and reached the All-Ireland Final. In July of that year he was appointed Donegal Senior Football Team Manager. His time at the helm with the senior team has been a major success; in his tenure he has overseen a Donegal team that has won two consecutive Ulster Senior Football Championship titles and this year he guided his native county to win the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, the county's first since 1992. Donegal's victory in 2012 under McGuinness's management is only Donegal's second ever All-Ireland Senior Championship win in more than 120 years. McGuinness' achievements have also been recognised internationally, earning the admiration of, among others, the golfer and Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and the Glasgow Celtic football manager Neil Lennon. On the 9th of November 2012, the Scottish soccer giants Glasgow Celtic  confirmed the appointment of McGuinness as a performance consultant, while Paul McGinley has confirmed that McGuinness will have a role to play in the 2014 Ryder Cup. Having been invited to assist Glasgow Celtic in Scotland, McGuinness is the first Gaelic football inter-county manager to have been offered a role at a professional sports team abroad. Jim holds a Master’s of Science in Sport Psychology from Liverpool John Moores University, School of Sport & Exercise Sciences. He previously gained a BSc (hons) Degree in Sport, Exercise and Leisure from the University of Ulster Jordanstown, and a Higher Certificate in Health & Leisure studies from Tralee Institute of Technology. He has previously lectured in Sports Coaching and Sport Psychology at Limavady College, Co. Derry, Northern Ireland.”
“Conor Pope Journalist, Broadcaster, Author, Consumer Affairs & Personal Finance Expert”
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“FinTech touches not just the financial services sector, but every single business the financial services industry deals with. Your business is surely one of them? FinTech stands for Financial Technologies, in other words technologies used and applied in the financial services sector, mainly used by financial institutions themselves on the back end of their businesses.   However, FinTech is increasingly being used to describe technologies that are disrupting traditional financial services, including mobile payments, crowd-funding, money transfers, loans, fundraising, and asset management. Here at Personally Speaking Bureau we have a range of expert speakers who talk passionately, engagingly and most importantly with great clarity about FinTech. They appeal to both expert audiences as well as to the less expert amongst us, making them ideal for any FinTech focused event. Here are two FinTech hot topics everyone is talking about: Blockchain This revolutionary technology cuts out the need for third parties to facilitate transactions. It is a new way to store and record transactions, similar to that of a traditional database, although in a blockchain each block is computer coded with some sort of information  e.g. a contract or statement of authenticity, and is securely connected or ‘chained’ by digital signature to ensure they are tamper proof. Blockchain can be applied to any multi-step transaction where traceability and visibility are required. Blockchain is changing the way business is done. ChatBot This is a form of artificial intelligence. Basically, it is a piece of software you chat with. Think of it as a replacement for all the apps you have downloaded. Imagine that instead of opening up your bank account to see if you can afford to buy something, you could ask your personal financial assistant (i.e. a ChatBot) and it will tell you what you can afford to spend based on your income, pattern of spending and your saving goals. This is just one of the ways in which ChatBots are shaping the way financial institutions operate. Here at Personally Speaking Bureau, we have a range of expert speakers who are available to speak at your next Fintech focused event. Featured speakers include: • David McWilliams • Calum Chase • John Fingleton • Professor Noreena Hertz • Dr. Dambisa Moyo • Dan O'Brien • Dan Cobley • Constantin Gurdgiev • Mark Blyth Making Sense of FinTech Simply contact us today to discuss which presenter, MC, or speaker would suit your audience, budget, and goals.”
“Dambisa Moyo Global Economist, TED Speaker, & Author Her work has taken her to more than 70 countries over the last decade, during which time she has developed a unique knowledge on the inherent conflicts facing developed economies, as well as the interaction between politics, international finance and developing markets. In particular, her work examines the interplay of international business and the global economy, while highlighting the key opportunities for investment, capitalizing on her rare ability to translate trends in markets, technology, politics, regulatory matters and economics into their likely impact on global business. Dambisa Moyo serves on the boards of Barclays Bank, the financial services group, SABMiller, the global brewer, Barrick Gold, the global miner, and Seagate Technology. She was an economist at Goldman Sachs and a consultant to the World Bank in Washington, D.C. Dambisa is a contributing editor to CNBC, the business and finance news network. Her writing regularly appears in economic and finance-related publications such as the Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal. She completed a PhD in economics at Oxford University and holds a Masters degree from Harvard University. She completed an undergraduate degree in chemistry and an MBA in finance at the American University in Washington, D.C. She is an avid tennis fan and has run numerous half marathons and marathons. She received The Gold Medal of Honorary Patronage of the University Philosophical Society at Trinity College Dublin in Oct 2106. In nearly 10 years of practical board experience, Dr. Moyo has been engaged in many key aspects of company oversight and operations including: Board & Management Succession: • Selection process and appointment of numerous CEOs • Oversight of the upgrading and staffing of the executive committee • Corporate governance liaison with shareholders Compensation/Remuneration: • Oversight of the structuring of the company Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) • Alignment of compensation in the context of market trends • Approval of management bonus plans Global Perspective • First hand knowledge of economic and political conditions in all major emerging markets • Understanding of recent changes in fundamentals • Able to assess strategic potential Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A): • US$100 billion acquisition of SABMiller by Anheuser Busch; US$10 billion acquisition of Fosters by SABMiller • Oversight of multi billion dollar asset sales • Equity raise:  Rights issues • Balance Sheet Management: Capital allocation, Dividend Regulatory Affairs: • Oversight of multi billion dollar regulatory fines and redress • Implementation of control environment • Implementation of cultural change agenda • Rollout of corporate restructuring: Spans & Layers, Organization centralization/de-centralization Risk: • Approval of company risk appetite: versus cost of capital, ROIC/Return targets, mandate and scale, liquidity • Assessment and management of Macroeconomic, market (including interest rates, FX, Commodity volatility), credit, geo-political risk • Monitoring of Operational risk • Monitoring Technology and Cyber risk Strategy • Overseen changes in strategy owing to changes in market conditions • Approved new business model in light to industry changes after financial crisis • Overseen changes in business model to reflect structural and regulatory challenges
Board Experience: • Barclays: (2010 – Present); Audit Committee, Risk Committee, Remuneration Committee; Reputation Committee • Barrick Gold: (2011 – Present); Audit Committee; Corporate Governance & Nomination Committee; Risk Committee • SABMiller: (2009 – Present); Chair of Corporate Accountability & Risk Assurance Committee • Seagate Technology: (2015 - Present): Audit Committee, Finance Committee Education: • PhD, Economics, Oxford University (2002) • MPA, Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government (1997) • MBA, Finance, American University (1993) • BS, Chemistry, American University (1991)
  • Work Experience: • Goldman Sachs, Capital Markets, Economist (2001-2008) • World Bank (1993-1995)
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“In recent decades, STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) have driven economic advancements, yet there is now a recognition that STEM fields are missing one vital ingredient which would make them more effective, and that is the Arts. The inclusion of this more creative discipline has been shown to boost other STEM skills and encourage innovation and engagement. Introducing Arts into the equation transforms STEM into STEAM. If you are hosting an event that focuses on the topics of STEM or STEAM, it is imperative that you choose the correct master of ceremonies or keynote speaker to effectively communicate the key message of introducing the Arts into the existing STEM fields. Here at Personally Speaking Bureau, we have a handpicked selection of Keynote speakers for you to choose from who can really engage your audience and bring the themes to life. If your event is in need of an engaging, witty speaker who can really hold the attention of both lay and expert audiences, then Dr. Niamh Shaw is for you. Dr Niamh Shaw is an Irish engineer, scientist, performer, and was recently voted one of Ireland's leading science communicators and STEAM specialists. After she had a successful career in academia, she felt that despite her success, she was still failing. This sense of failure derived from the fact that her artistic desires were not being met by the traditional education system. Clare Dillon has over 20 years of know-how in leadership development, business strategy, and technology evangelism, as well as  first hand experience of developing and implementing some of the latest technology trends in Microsoft Ireland. Clare was part of the Microsoft Leadership team as they transformed from a software product to a cloud services organisation. She has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things technology and is the perfect Keynote speaker for any Tech event. Aine Kerr is a teacher turned journalist, and specialises in the areas of media, technology, business, and education. She was instrumental in creating the Facebook Journalism Project and the News Integrity Initiative (NII) which focuses on the reporting of suspicious or false news articles within Facebook. Prior to her time at Facebook, Aine worked at Storyful for five years where she was the head of content and political editor. These projects are brilliant examples of what can be achieved with scientific rigour, emerging technologies and a little bit of creative storytelling. Aine has had an impressive career thus far, having  also been a political correspondent and news reporter at The Irish Times, The Irish Independent, and The Irish Examiner. Kate D Adamson is an expert in how mega-trends in technology will impact the way humans safely, sustainably, and profitably protect our oceans, rivers, ports, and canals. Kate offers a visionary perspective on both the future threats and opportunities that technology will deliver to shipping, maritime and the wider blue economy. Her unparalleled understanding will keep your audience on the edge of their seats. If you are planning a conference or event to highlight the importance of introducing the Arts to the existing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths fields, contact us to discuss which presenter, MC, or speaker would suit your audience, budget, and goals.   ”
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Dr Jolanta Burke Positive Psychologist specialises in Positive Psychology. She is a senior lecturer and associate programme leader for Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology at the University of East London, which is the first and largest third level positive psychology qualification in Europe. She is a highly engaging and passionate speaker who has delivered talks and keynotes at many conferences in Ireland, UK, other European countries, Canada and the US. She is published in various psychological and popular magazines and appears in the Irish media regularly (e.g. RTE, Today FM, Irish Times, Irish Independent). She’s also hosted her own radio show about the science of well-being.

Dr Jolanta Burke has extensive business experience and has collaborated with many organizations such as Google, IBEC, Big Lottery Fund, DTZ, Primerica. She is an Irish representative of the European Network for Positive Psychology. She is a visiting lecturer for Trinity College Dublin Business School where she regularly speaks at the MBA programme and has created and delivers a module in Psychology of Management (Managing a thriving organisation) for Masters in Management, ranking the third best general management degree in Europe.

Her last book about “Happiness after 30: The Paradox of Aging” is based on the latest research indicating that our well-being improves with age. Her new book  “Flourishing employees: The psychology of people at their best” is coming out soon.

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"One of the world's most influential thinkers" (Fast Company)
David Allen is an author, consultant, executive coach, and international lecturer. He is widely recognized as the world's leading authority on personal and organizational productivity. David is the founder of the David Allen Company, which provides services designed to increase performance, capacity and aligned execution through its global partners. Clients include some of the world’s most prestigious corporations, including over 40% of the Fortune 100. His thirty-five years of pioneering research, coaching and education of some of the world's highest-performing professionals has earned him Forbes' recognition as one of the “Top five executive coaches” in the United States, and as one of the "Top 100 thought leaders" by Leadership Magazine. Fast Company hailed David Allen "One of the world's most influential thinkers" in the arena of personal productivity, for his outstanding programs and writing on time and stress management, the power of aligned focus and vision, and his ground-breaking methodologies in management and executive peak performance. The American Management Association ranked him in the top ten business leaders in 2014. David is the author of three books; the international bestseller, 'Getting Things Done: the Art of Stress-Free Productivity' (popularly known by the brand shorthand of GTD ® ), 'Ready for Anything', and 'Making It All Work: Winning at the Game of Work and Business of Life'. Getting Things Done has been a perennial business bestseller since it's publication in 2001, and the 2015 revised edition is now published in 30 languages. TIME magazine heralded Getting Things Done as "The defining self-help business book of its time". GTD has an international following of adopters in corporate enterprises, institutions and entrepreneurs. It has given rise to a thriving GTD industry of websites, blogs and software applications. Internet searches bring up tens of millions of references. David Allen is a rarity in the Twitter world, as one of the few non-celebrities with over a million followers hanging on his informative wit and inspiration. PC Magazine noted him as one of the “Top One Hundred to Follow” on Twitter.”
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics are trending. According to analysis from PWC  AI will boost Ireland’s GDP by 2030 by 11.6% or €48 billion. It is expected that 3.7% of that growth will emerge from Augmented Intelligence, which is where humans and machines work together to find solutions to problems. Machines, through a process of learning by experience modelled on our own early learning system, will suggest solutions to problems that humans may not have thought of yet. AI advancements will lead to significantly increased productivity and automation in the workplace. This means employees will be less stressed, more productive, and happier. Here at Personally Speaking Bureau we understand the importance of choosing the right MC, presenter or expert speaker for your tech event, as they play a vital role in communicating the key benefits of investing in AI. That’s why we have a variety of tech experts for you to choose from to fill that important role. If your event revolves around the latest technology trends, then David Rowan is the presenter for you. David Rowan is WIRED’s  UK Editor-at-large, and a tech company advisor. David travels around the world speaking to companies about how they can innovate to keep up to speed with, or to profit from tech-led disruption. David is a storyteller, and speaks enthusiastically and engagingly about Big Data, technology trends (such AI), 3D printing, and mobile opportunities. If your event focuses on the likely impacts of AI on people and societies, then Calum Chace is a perfect choice. Following a successful 30-year career in business, Calum became a writer and speaker, specialising in the likely effects of AI. He believes that organisations should be thinking about how they deploy AI in their business, and has an innate talent for communicating the importance of investing in AI early on. Ben Hammersley is a well known author, futurist and technologist, and specialises in explaining complex technological and sociological topics to non technical audiences. Ben is the author of ‘64 Things You Need to Know Now For Then: How to Face the Digital Future Without Fear’, which explains the 64 things that are driving our world forward, from business to politics, and even culture. Ben inspires and motivates audiences, and gives them the confidence to face the digital future and whatever it brings. If you’re looking for a true leader to present at your event, global expert and best-selling author Terence Mauri is the ideal choice. Terence is an Inc. magazine Columnist, and entrepreneur mentor at London Business School and Oxford University. He specialises in tackling the new age of disruption and tells organisations how they can win in a digital world by utilising AI. Ade McCormack is a former technologist who studied Physics and Astrophysics and offers a fascinating perspective on how organizations and people can thrive in the post industrial age. His unique perspective makes him the perfect opening keynote speaker. Ade is a near futurist, and teaches audiences about upcoming technological trends, and how to stay economically relevant in the digital age. If you are planning a conference or event to highlight the importance of investing in AI, contact us to discuss which MC, presenter or speaker would suit your audience, budget, and goals. Artificial Intelligence”
“International Rugby Referee Nigel Owens Nigel Owens is a Welsh International, World Cup and Heineken Cup rugby union referee. Born and raised in a small village in South Wales he was appointed as an international referee in 2005, and that year officiated his first international between Ireland and Japan in Osaka. He was the only Welsh referee at the 2007 and 2011 Rugby World Cups and is regarded as the first openly gay man to referee at the highest level.  He made his World Cup debut in Lyon, France in September 2007 refereeing the Argentina vs. Georgia game. He is only one of two referees ever to be appointed to referee two consecutive Heineken Cup finals: Munster v Toulouse at the Millennium Stadium in 2008 and Leicester Tigers v. Leinster at Murrayfield in 2009. Nigel is also one of the presenters on S4C’s ‘Jonathan', a rugby-themed Welsh language chat show hosted by former Welsh international Jonathan Davies.  He also co-presents the sports-themed Welsh language chat show 'Bwrw'r Bar'. In 2007, Owens was named ‘Gay Sports Personality of the Year‘ by gay rights group Stonewall at their annual awards ceremony in London. In 2011, Nigel was made a member of the Gorsedd of Bards at their National Eisteddfod in Wrexham. Owens was appointed as the referee for the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham.”
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“Norah Casey Entrepreneur Broadcaster former Dragon - Until July 2013, Norah was anchor of the successful daily radio Breakfast Show on Newstalk and co-hosted The Today show on RTE 1 every Friday during the 2012/2013 season. In 2013, she decided to leave the successful business entrepreneur show Dragons’ Den to pursue a full time career in radio and television. Her investment portfolio is diverse and includes online and traditional media businesses. Her new television series Norah’s Traveller Academy was aired on RTE in Spring 2015. She presented 13 episodes of The Takeover with RTE 2 – transforming business through staff mentorship. Her documentary titled Way to Go, exploring issues around death and the Irish, aired on RTE 1 in July 2014. Norah is owner and Chairwoman of Ireland’s largest magazine publishing company Harmonia, printing over four million magazines annually for the Irish, British and USA market and selling on average 2.6 million in the Irish market annually. She founded the company and was CEO until October 2013. Harmonia publishes the top three best-selling women’s magazines in Ireland – Irish Tatler, Woman’s Way and U Magazine – along with a range of lifestyle and consumer titles such as Woman’s Way, CookBook, Food&Wine Magazine, Irish Tatler Man, Ireland of the Welcomes and Auto Ireland. With a strong portfolio of brands and events from having run many successful publishing companies in London, Norah bought her own business, Harmonia, in 2004.  A journalist and former nurse, Norah was awarded Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year 2007/8, and has been Ireland’s Publisher of the Year no fewer than four times. She has served on numerous boards, and is currently a member of the Press Council of Ireland, the London-based Women’s Irish Network and The International Women’s Forum.”
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“International Women’s Day is fast approaching, conferences and events will be held all over the world to celebrate the societal and political achievements of women, while simultaneously calling for gender equality. On this day of all days, you need an engaging female speaker to inspire your audience to think differently and make changes. Here at Personally Speaking Bureau, we have wonderful women who as motivational speakers will inject life into your event and mirror the themes of both power and equality for women by opening up and sharing their stories. If your event focuses on motivation and empowering women, then Caroline Casey is the motivational speaker for you. Caroline is legally blind and an award-winning social entrepreneur. She is a keen advocate for equality in the workplace and believes that people should not be defined by their disabilities. Caroline is renowned for her engaging speeches on globally recognisable platforms such as TED Talks and One Young World, just to name a few. In fact, owner of TED Chris Anderson recently held Caroline up as an example of inspirational talks done right, saying “The talk should convey something personal about the speaker in order to give the audience a window into the issue, such as activist Caroline Casey's 2010 talk on overcoming life's obstacles, ‘Looking past limits’. And it should offer hope that a bad situation could still get better.” Caroline is someone who will inspire your audience to engage with and act on bold ideas. If your event needs a bold, energetic and passionate speaker, then Sonya Lennon is the perfect choice. Sonya is a designer and entrepreneur who owns three fashion orientated business. She has an innate talent for storytelling. Sonya’s story is one of inspiration and motivation, in which she merges creative thinking with strategic development. She also runs a non-profit organisation which aims to help women to get back into the workforce. If you are in need of the ultimate business woman for your event, look no further than Chanelle, Lady McCoy. Chanelle is a Dragon’s Den investor and has built her success in the areas of pharmaceuticals and fashion. Chanelle is the co-founder of Chanelle Medical and Chanelle Veterinary which develop and manufacture generic drugs. Chanelle is responsible for over 400 people, turning-over in excess of €100m. With this reputation, it comes as no surprise that she was recently ranked no 23 in the ‘50 incredible people shaping modern Ireland’. Rita Clifton is best known for her expertise on branding. Rita has had a very successful marketing career thus far. She was Vice Chair and strategy director at Saatchi & Saatchi during their most successful period, and London CEO for over fifteen years. Rita was then Chair at Interbrand, a world class brand consultancy, and was shortlisted for the Credit Suisse Outstanding Business Woman of the Year. If you are planning a conference or event to mark International Women’s Day contact us to discuss which speaker would suit your audience, budget, and goals. International Women's Day”
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“Constantin Gurdgiev is currently ranked second on the UK & Ireland Economists Top 100 list by CityAM. Joining high level view of technological, demographic and consumer trends with original data analytics, he provides a unique long-range analysis of evolutionary trends shaping economies and key markets. His thought leadership crosses the boundaries of individual sectors and countries to bring truly global business and economics perspective to boardrooms and conference halls. Dr. Constantin Gurdgiev is the Adjunct Professor of Finance with Trinity College Dublin and acts as an adviser to a range of financial services companies. Constantin is an internationally recognised expert and speaker on topics relating to global business and economic development. His main expertise is in spotting key data-driven trends across economies and sectors, and linking these trends to investment and business strategy. His clients include: Google, IBM, Alltech, KPMG, PwC, IG, Bloomberg, Reuters, CFA Institute, Eon, Allianz, McKinsey, and others. He is a frequent contributor to international media and writes a regular column for Cayman Financial Review. His blog is syndicated to Seeking Alpha and is carried by a number of investment markets platforms. In the past, Dr. Gurdgiev served as the Partner and Head of Research with St Columbanus AG, the Head of Macroeconomics with IBM, and Director of Research with NCB Stockbrokers. Current risks and opportunities in the global economy (European, MENA, Asia Pacific and North American markets; BRICS) The future of financial services (retail and institutional investors perspective, banking, insurance and aggregators) Behavioural and macroeconomic drivers for consumer services and financial services development (on-line and off-line) Big data v Small data and data analytics The role of human capital in economic development and Smarter Cities Current and future trends in financial markets (European and Russian markets)”
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“With January just around the corner, this is a critical time for businesses all around the world. Motivational Speakers at January Conferences set the tone for the upcoming year and selecting the right speaker should be a key priority. Choosing the right Motivational Speakers for your event can be difficult. Although it can be an onerous task, there is nothing quite like knowing you have the right keynote speaker who you can trust to inject life, positive energy, and passion into your event. With that being said, here at Personally Speaking Bureau, we have a diverse range of Motivational Speakers for you to choose from, people who can raise the profile of your event, whilst exciting your talent about the year ahead and convey your key messages. If you are looking to motivate your staff and kick-start the year with a positive Mindset and can do attitude, Caroline Casey is the perfect speaker for you. Legally blind, Caroline is an award-winning social entrepreneur and a keen adventurer. She has just returned from trekking 1000 km across Columbia on horseback while igniting her business inclusion and diversity movement #valuable, completing the journey on the mainstage of One Young World in Bogota. Amongst her achievements, she is a TED Speaker, Ashoka Fellow and Young Global Leader. Caroline has a reputation around the world for connecting with her audience, she speaks from the heart and is passionate about making a difference. If your event focuses on team building and bringing people together, look no further than Irish sporting legends Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Heaslip. Brian is the most-capped player in Rugby Union history. Jamie’s commitment, focus and drive not only guarantees he delivers the best of himself but also gives him the ability to get the best out of the people around him. Their experiences enable them to insert themselves into teams, strengthen and unify them. Nigel Barlow and Terence Mauri will focus on inspiring your audience, encouraging them to look to the future. Nigel has been described as one of the world's most dynamic speakers, inspiring individuals as they face pressing business challenges. Terence helps individuals stay one step ahead by finding smart ways to challenge the age of disruption. Dusty Gedge has the ability to inform, amuse and challenge his audiences. Encouraging them to break out of their comfort zone and focus on the future of their environment. His style is highly active and great fun. If you are planning an event, why not contact us to discuss which speaker may suit your audience, budget, and goals. ”
“Hayley is passionate about inspiring business leaders to adopt the principle that diversity isn’t about difference, it’s about excellence.  She tackles issues surrounding unconscious bias and inclusiveness with humour, ensuring that her ideas have real value for audiences’ working lives.

One of our most popular speakers on Diversity and Inclusion, Hayley Barnard is the Managing Director & Diversity Strategist at MIX Diversity Developers Ltd.  MIX helps organisations become more innovative and profitable through developing both a more diverse workforce and diverse customer base. MIX’s clients include HSBC, Diageo, T-Systems and Walmart.

After quickly rising to become General Manager of Sir Chay Blyth’s ‘Challenge Business’ at just 23, Hayley took the decision to start her own communications and sponsorship business with her twin sister, which they run to this day.  After over a decade of successful trading, their second business was born – MIX Diversity Developers Ltd. 

Hayley is a professional speaker, consultant and media commentator on subjects including gender balanced workplaces, inclusive leadership, unconscious bias, harnessing greater ethnicity in business, Autism in the workplace and Age and Employment. She is passionate about inspiring business leaders to adopt the principle that diversity isn’t about difference, it’s about excellence.  She tackles issues surrounding unconscious bias and inclusiveness with humour, ensuring that her ideas have real value for audiences’ working lives.

One of the most innovative projects that Hayley has headed up is the LeasePlan Women’s Arctic Challenge in which she co-led a team of women on a traverse of Baffin Island, trekking and camping for 11 days at minus 40 degrees C. MIX worked with LeasePlan to develop this unique platform to communicate the gender balance issue and challenge unconscious bias within their company.

When not at work or at home Hayley can usually be found swimming in the nearest stretch of open water in preparation for a 45Km swim around Manhattan Island in August 2018 and her solo English Channel swim attempt in 2019.

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“Siobhan Byrne Personal Trainer and Specialist in Women's Fitness Business Owner and Irish Independent Health & Fitness columnist Siobhan is passionate about helping women of all ages make positive realistic changes in their eating and fitness regime to improve their health, self-esteem and energy. She specialises in training for weight loss and maintaining fitness through pregnancy.”
“Noreena Hertz Economist looks at global culture — financial and otherwise — using an approach that combines traditional economic analysis with foreign policy trends, psychology, behavioural economics, anthropology, history and sociology. Hertz is a bestselling author, economist and strategist who advises some of the world’s top CEOs and Presidents on economic, geopolitical and technological trends and business decisions. She graduated from university at the age of 19. By the age of 23 she was advising the Russian government on its economic reforms and investors on M&A transactions. At the age of 29 she was working with the governments of Israel, Egypt, Palestine, and Jordan on the Middle East Peace Process. Described by the Observer as “one of the world’s leading young thinkers”, by Vogue as “one of the world’s most inspiring women” and on the cover of Newsweek’s September 30th 2013 issue "Noreena is known for her visionary ideas". Noreena’s ongoing research on what she calls Generation Katniss (14 – 21 year olds) was launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos and at the Women in the World Economic Summit in New York City and has already been featured in publications including The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Daily Telegraph, El Pais and The Financial Times. A much sought-after commentator on television and radio Hertz contributes to a wide range of publications and networks including The BBC, CNN, CNBC, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Daily Beast, the Financial Times, the Guardian, The Times of London, Wired, and Nature. She is regularly sought after as a Keynote Speaker and has given Keynote Speeches at TED, The World Economic Forum and Google Zeitgeist as well as for leading global corporations, sharing platforms with such luminaries as President Bill Clinton, Professor Stephen Hawking and David Beckham. Her work was the inspiration for Bono’s (RED) campaign. She is a Board Member of Warner Music Group, on the Advisory Board RWE AG and sits on various charitable boards. Professor Hertz is based at University College London.”
“Susan Cain Author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking   Through her writing of Quiet, Cain shows how dramatically we undervalue introverts, and how much we lose.  Introverts make up a third to a half of our workplaces and classrooms, and whose natural talents we can no longer afford to waste. Quiet was the subject of a TIME magazine cover story, and her writing has appeared in the The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, and many other publications. Cain’s TED Talk received a standing ovation and smashed a first-week record with over a million views. It has since passed 5 million views and was named by Bill Gates as one of his all-time favourite talks. She is the recipient of several awards, including Toastmasters International Golden Gavel Award for Communication and Leadership, and Harvard Law School's Celebration Award for Thought Leadership. Amongst some of the organisations Susan Cain has addressed are Google, Microsoft, Harvard, West Point, the SEC, the U.S. Treasury and countless others. Quiet has won favourable comparisons to the best works of Malcolm Gladwell and Dan Pink, and Cain has been featured or appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Harvard Business Review, Scientific American, Forbes, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, CBS This Morning, NPR’s All Things Considered, NPR’s Diane Rehm and many more. Fast Company writes that Cain is “inspiring a reexamination of corporate structure and processes, spurring change through the classic public intellectual approach: by encouraging us to think.” She is an honours graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law School. She lives in New York with her husband and two sons.”
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“We would like to introduce one of our most exciting and dynamic keynote and motivational speakers, Caroline Casey. Caroline’s own story makes her an inspiration, and this week she hopes to inspire much more when she brings her call for inclusive business to the world stage. One Young World Caroline, a motivational speaker from Dublin, Ireland, is the founder of the business inclusion company Binc., which focuses on people with disabilities and aims to catalyze a global movement for inclusive business. And on October 6th, Caroline will be at the One Young World Summit in Bogota, Colombia, to urge business leaders around the world (and the young leaders they nurture and mentor) to take the lead on making the powerful world of industry and business a model of inclusion. A Life Without Limits - For Everyone Caroline believes that people with disabilities should not be afraid to live a life without limits or labels to reach their true potential, especially in business, as both consumers and employees. Caroline was diagnosed as being legally blind at the age of 17. After discovering this, she swore to herself that no-one would ever find out that she was visually impaired as she didn’t want to appear weak. For the next 11 years, she would live her life without anyone knowing that she was legally blind. A Turning Point Then, at the age of 28, something happened. While at work, Caroline’s eyes unexpectedly took a turn for the worse, causing her (temporarily) to lose the ability to see all together. After a discussion with her boss, she decided that it was time for a change: she was going to be true to herself, including the fact that she had a disability, and she wasn’t going to let anything stop her. But she also wanted to show other people that they could do the same, so Caroline decided to trek 1,000km across India by elephant to prove that she could still do anything she set her mind to. This trip raised enough money for 6,000 cataract operations, which allowed 6,000 people to see. Raise Awareness of Inclusive Business The India trip ignited Caroline’s passion and ambition to lead a life without limitations and to raise awareness of the importance of including people with disabilities in business. Caroline wants to inspire the business world to be inclusive, not just in terms of people with disabilities but around difference more generally. She does this through public speaking, calling on all of us to be more inclusive whenever and however we can, and to accept that being different, in any way, is the norm and should be celebrated. We’re all #Valuable On the 4th of September 2017, Caroline embarked on another 1,000km trip, this time from Colombia to Bogota on horseback, where she will arrive at the opening ceremony of the One Young World Summit on the 4th of October. Two days later, on the 6th of October, Caroline will take to the main stage with #Valuable (Binc.) to make a call to action to corporate leaders all around the world, urging them to recognize that everyone is #valuable and to put in place strategies and tools to help put inclusiveness at the heart of a business. Caroline’s trip is being documented by #Valuable.global where you can keep up with her as she makes this daring journey! You can also follow her on Instagram as @caseybinc. If you are planning an event, why not contact us to discuss what speaker may suit your audience, budget, and goals. personally speaking”
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Jeremy White has spent the last five years as Product Editor for Wired seeking out and evaluating products at the very cutting edge of innovation and design. Now, as an Executive Editor, he edits Wired's GEAR section, which highlights and tests the very best in 'Wired' products from smartphones to wearables, nano drones to supercars, interiors to architecture.

His expansive knowledge of the product world and forecasting design and tech trends has seen him be commissioned for consultancy services to some of the world's largest consumer brands on industrial design and user experience.  He has been writing about technology and design for more than 10 years and is also currently the technology expert for Telegraph Luxury and Harrods.

Before Wired, Jeremy was digital editor for 'How To Spend It' at the Financial Times, and prior to that was technology editor at Esquire magazine. Jeremy appears regularly on the BBC and Sky News representing the magazine.  

Jeremy curates the live product experiences at Wired's events, charged with bringing together exclusive displays showcasing the latest developments in automotive, technology, design and art.

The future as it happens – as Executive Editor in charge of all product coverage (both in print and online), Jeremy travels all over the world sourcing the latest design and technology innovations before they come to market. Technology trends Internet of Things, and the possible future Luxury technology and the Future of Luxury Brands Artificial intelligence 3D printing and maker culture Product innovation

Quantum computing​

FinTech​

Retail disruption​

Wearables and Health tech​

Autonomous cars and transport​

Cyber security

Industrial design

​Crowd-funding culture​

Fashion technology

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“Jonathan MacDonald is a Digital Strategist, founder of the Thought Expansion Network (TEN) and an internationally renowned speaker. His core messages focus on expanding people's thinking about change, and how that impacts the future, exploring the opportunities that this perpetually changing, digitally and technologically enhanced landscape create. T hrough all of his work, Jonathan MacDonald enables people and organisations to modify their approach from one-off change management to the management of perpetual change, thanks to his deep knowledge of future trends, disruptive innovation, the world of business, human behaviour, and how to use change to fuel outstanding business and personal success. He also draws upon his extreme depth of thinking to answer the most complex questions from the stage, adding immense consultative value that translates into tangible, bottom-line business benefit. Jonathan has been creating and advising businesses for over two decades, and his various accomplishments include Ministry of Sound’s digital strategy, launching a Sky TV channel and becoming the youngest ever Chairman of the British Music Industries Association. He has recently co-founded a highly disruptive Australian FinTech company that is radically innovating origination using blockchain technology and is also helping to accelerate a similarly disruptive American LegalTech blockchain startup. He is trusted by the senior executives of the most successful global companies including Google, Microsoft, Apple, P&G, Unilever, Nestlé, Lego, Heineken and IKEA to expand their thinking and provide new perspectives and avenues of thought, and is a contributor to Google’s Think Insights and Forbes. Jonathan is charismatic, personable and highly impactful, meaning he is consistently the best-rated speaker at any event, leaving a lasting impression on every audience who hears him. He opens up the minds and the thinking of a diverse range of people; facilitating strategic discussion and dialogue with the most senior level executives, or inspiring an entire workforce to embrace new opportunities for a brighter future, leaving audiences with a clear roadmap of the actionable steps to take to achieve success and competitive advantage. He looks at current and future trends, explores what innovation really means, what disruption looks like, how technology is influencing every part of business, the impact of a disintermediated landscape, and how to use change as a mechanism that can power outstanding business success, rather than something to resist, especially when it comes to 'future-proofing' our businesses and workplaces.”
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A GUEST POST by TERENCE MAURI author of The Leader’s Mindset

[caption id="attachment_1751" align="alignright" width="149"]Terence Mauri Terence Mauri[/caption]

About six weeks ago I received an email from somebody called Amy Ingram. It was a friendly, professional email to schedule a meeting with the CEO of an exciting new start-up I was writing about for my column in Inc. Magazine.

Not who I thought she was

After a couple of email exchanges the meeting was confirmed and I thanked Amy for her time. When I got to meet with the CEO in person later that week, he looked at me with a glint in his eye and asked, in a rather curious tone, “What did you think of Amy Ingram?” A little confused, I replied that she was very professional and efficient at her job. The CEO smiled again, paused and said that he had a confession to make: Amy was not a human being. She was in fact A.I (#ArtificialIntelligence). And the clue was in her initials (Amy Ingram). ‘Will you forgive me?” he asked with a grin.

A new age

Of course I forgave him, because everywhere around me I am seeing that science fiction is fast becoming science fact. The take-home message is that we’ve entered a new age of AI, automation and algorithms, where the speed and scale of change create tremendous risk but also tremendous opportunity. I call it ‘exponential change’ and it’s happening now. It took 75 years for the telephone to reach 100 million users, WhatsApp 3 years and the game Pokémon Go just 3 weeks. This new age is the Fourth Industrial revolution, and it’s one where data is the new oil and information is the new currency.   

[caption id="attachment_1763" align="alignright" width="275"]Artificial Intelligence Brain Artificial Intelligence Brain[/caption]

In this new reality, it’s no longer about big or small. It’s about fast or slow.   According to a recent McKinsey study, 80% of CEOs believe that in this new reality, their current business model is at risk and only 6% are satisfied with their innovation performance.

Now more than ever, we need to use brains, guts and an action-oriented #growthmindset to ensure our businesses don’t become a footnote in corporate history. The twin forces of #CloudComputing and #MobileConnectivity are creating massive yet hard-to-predict opportunities, and as ever in business, there will be winners and losers.

Here are three shortcuts for how to not just survive but thrive in the age of AI, automation and algorithms.

Ensure Your Failure is Intelligent Failure

Stop worrying about the rate of failure because as long as those failures are cheap, you can afford a lot of them. As the saying goes, “fail fast, fail cheap and move on”. To fail ‘intelligently,’ you need to focus on three simple rules.

First, know what success looks like and doesn’t look like. I’m always surprised at the lack of focus on a clear outcome. Deciding what not to focus on can also limit any uncertainty.

Second, convert any assumptions you have into knowledge and learning. This is a much smarter use of time than trying to prove how right you are.

Finally, codify and share what’s been learned via a process known as ‘After Action Reviews’ (AAR). Pioneered by the military to ensure continuous learning, the AAR process involves asking three key questions.

1. What did you intend to happen?

2. What actually happened?

3. What are the lessons learned?

Recognise the need to develop “#RippleIntelligence” 

Can you navigate the myriad different trends, changes, and contexts that can disrupt an industry or business, for better or worse? It may be, that in order to do this well, you need to develop something that entrepreneur Elon Musk possesses in abundance – a quality called #RippleIntelligence:  the ability to see the interactions of business contexts play out like ripples moving across a pond.

Musk, a South African-born Canadian-American business magnate, investor, engineer, and inventor, has a vivid imagination, obsessive focus, and a deep curiosity about the world and business in particular. He is brave not just in his words but also in his actions, and he uses #RippleIntelligence in a systematic way for moving fast.

One of the best ways to develop this intelligence is regularly to step outside your normal orbit and develop a point of view not just about the ideas, trends and issues that excite you, but also about the ones that keep you awake at night. Done well, this can help you anticipate hidden opportunities and catch the next big wave before others do.  Early adoption will ensure you stay agile and ahead of the pack.

Think 10 [x], not 10%.

When was the last time you set a challenge for yourself that pushed you to deliver more than you thought was humanly possible? Most people think about how they can grow by 10% or 20%, not by a factor of 10.  But what if you conceived of a growth rate in many multiples of that? ‘10 [x] thinkers’ are hardwired to think bigger and bolder, whether it’s wiping out malaria in the next ten years or making space tourism a reality. They have an eye on the future and can spot an unmet opportunity quickly before others.

You don’t have to be a CEO or run a startup to think 10 x.  This is a #mindset that involves taking control of your vision rather than having someone else hire you to fulfil theirs. Get started, have a clear destination, fail fast, test ideas lightly and often, and know that those who think 10 [x] hold two beliefs: 1. problems can’t be solved with yesterday’s thinking, and 2. you have the resources to achieve your goals.

Conclusion

Next time you receive an email, don’t assume it’s from a human being. The future has already arrived. To lead in this brave new world, you will have to find the courage to upgrade your #BusinessModel and your #mindset multiple times in order to remain viable. The bad news is, you’re probably not going to learn this at business school.

As a CEO said to me recently, “if it’s not broke, break it.” 

Terence Mauri is a keynote speaker, Inc. Magazine Columnist and entrepreneur mentor. His new book The Leader’s Mindset: How To Win In The Age of Disruption is a global bestseller – described by MIT as ‘a fine read for anyone looking to take their leadership skills to the next level’.

The Leader’s Mindset is out now on Amazon and Amazon UK

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“Margaret E Ward
Diverse teams create more innovation, improve organisational culture and add to the bottom line but why are they so hard to achieve? What social, cultural and corporate barriers keep us from achieving our optimum teams?
In this short talk, communications and diversity expert Margaret E. Ward defines the most common types of bias in organisation, talks about ways her clients and boards have overcome them and tells her personal story to highlight how culture can block progress within organisations. She explores how new approaches combining behavioural economics, data analytics and communications are “nudging” some organisations toward real cultural change.
The talk will help Boards, Managers and staff think about which levers they need to press in their organisations to ensure diversity becomes part of the corporate DNA and not just a box ticking exercise. A Q&A will follow the talk.
This talk has been delivered to great acclaim at: the European Central Bank, the Central Bank of Ireland and Google. Other highly regarded industry specific talks on diversity have been given in HP (tech), Connecting Women in Technology (tech and media), RTÉ (media), US Embassy (film, TV and theatre), Connecting Women in Pensions, Network Ireland, Department of Justice, IBEC, Northern Irish Assembly, and to many other organisations and networks.
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“Chris Bashinelli has interviewed some of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People on the Planet. His keynotes embody themes of service, productivity and cultural understanding. He helps audiences realize their potential to become Global Citizens, inspired members of their organization, their family, and ultimately- the world! Chris Bashinelli has also interviewed some of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People.”
“Ade McCormack Near futurist, Author, former FT journalist

Ade McCormack is a former information technologist who studied Physics / Astrophysics and has worked for the European Space Agency. He has worked in over 30 countries, across many sectors with many of the world’s leading brands. He is a former Financial Times and CIO magazine columnist, and has lectured at MIT Sloan School of Management on digital leadership.

Ade speaks to primarily a leadership audience on how the world is changing, its impact on business and people, and how leaders need to respond both personally and strategically.

Ade has a unique ‘bits to boardroom’ understanding of the issues. He has developed an anthropological hypothesis to explain what is happening as we enter the digital age, and how we might best respond.

Ade is considered original, engaging, provocative and insightful. His zoom out approach makes him an ideal opening keynoter or ‘big ideas’ speaker.

Recent speaking clients include:

  • Google
  • WorkDay
  • European Forum for New Ideas
  • Tata Consultancy Services
  • FT
  • EY
  • Salesforce.
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“Ian Kehoe Journalist, Author, Broadcaster, Editor of The Sunday Business Post Ian Kehoe is an award-winning journalist, author and broadcaster. In 2014, at the age of 34, he was appointed Editor of The Sunday Business Post newspaper, one of Ireland’s most respected titles. He is a former presenter and reporter with RTE’s Prime Time programme, where he chronicled Ireland’s economic collapse. He has twice been named as Ireland’s Business & Economics Journalist of the Year. Kehoe has made several major television documentaries, including Namaland and Who’s Buying Ireland. His most recent documentary, The Great Irish Sell-Off, exposed the scale of vulture fund activity in post-crash Ireland. He is the co-author of Citizen Quinn, a bestselling book about the rise and fall of the industrialist Sean Quinn.  ”
“The Top Ten reasons to use a great MC at your conference: 1.They anticipate the participant mindset and 'frame' the conference, establishing content relevance from the start. 2. They add a sense of occasion and professionalism. 3. They set the scene for the speakers: introducing them, supporting them as needed (e.g. if nervous) and thanking them. 4. They engage the power of the audience, drawing on their experience, provoking thinking and involvement through insightful and relevant questions. 5. They keep the conference 'on message' by highlighting key points. 6. They summarise, taking the pressure off the audience to remember everything. 7. They use their energy to keep a brisk pace and they know how to elegantly bring a speaker to a close if they are overrunning or going off-message. 8. They make connections and links between the content of different speakers' talks, and draw the threads together in a meaningful way. 9. They can deal with anything that comes up and they know how to make everything flow smoothly even if there is a hitch (e.g. technical, or someone is late or doesn't turn up). 10. They make sure all viewpoints are heard.”
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“Ivan Yates Broadcaster, Entrepreneur, and former Politician Ivan Yates has had unique life experience in politics, business and media. A former government minister and Wexford TD for more than 20 years; an entrepreneur who founded and developed Celtic Bookmakers to employ 400 people, with €200 million turnover. He bounced back from bankruptcy in Wales in 2012 to become a highly successful national broadcaster. He presents the radio show The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk  weekdays 4-7pm and The Tonight Show on TV3 with Matt Cooper four times weekly at 11pm.  He is also  a leading columnist with the Irish Independent newspaper. In 2014 he published his best-selling autobiography, ‘Full On’ with acclaimed reviews. He resides in Dublin and Enniscorthy, is married to Deirdre with 4 adult children. His original forthright style of entertaining punditry and analysis on the full range of current affairs and sport has made him a much sought after motivational public speaker at corporate and formal events. He also acts as a versatile conference facilitator/moderator, MC with a flair for asking the questions that need answering. Ivan is a memorable and compelling after-dinner speaker. Ivan’s attention to detail, preparation and client focus ensures your event runs smoothly and efficiently, with humorous asides. He adds value to your occasion by making it special.”
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“[caption id="attachment_685" align="alignright" width="170"]Neil O'Brien Motivational Speaker Neil O'Brien[/caption]

Let’s be careful that wellness at work doesn’t become the ultimate touchy feely nice thing to do.  We should ensure that wellness at work is good for business too. In this regard Neil O’Brien’s definition of wellness at work is ‘working better and going home happier’. Let's not be coy about wanting to work better but let’s also ensure that the culture and systems support this objective while keeping enjoyment at work near the top of the agenda.

Neil’s Top 3 things that will transform your wellness at work today:

  1. DO THE RIGHT THING– Today do the thing you’ve been avoiding lately. You know what it is; it may be a tricky conversation, a difficult report, a difficult person. Today is good.
  2. DO A GOOD THING – Today give someone a ‘thank you’, an acknowledgement, a compliment, an appreciation. Maybe you have one already or you could simply offer a spontaneous random act of kindness.
  3. SUPPORT SOMEONE ELSE'S RIGHT THING – Encourage someone else to do their ‘right thing’. They may not like you for it but they will thank you for it.
These 3 edge-of-comfort-zone-acts will increase your confidence, boost your energy and send you home happy! ”
“Matthew Syed Author of Black Box Thinking and Bounce
Matthew speaks to companies, sports teams and other organisations on psychology, performance and continuous improvement. Recently, Matthew has been booked by many of the most innovative and forward-thinking organisations in the world including Goldman Sachs, Arsenal FC, Vodafone, Rolls Royce, BP, McKinsey, Alliance Bernstein, Oxford University, Saracens, McLaren, Deutsche Bank, Morrisons, Cliffod Chance, Genentech, Orange, the Premier League, United Bank of Switzerland, Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays, the England and Wales Cricket Board, Westminster School, Freshfields, Proctor and Gamble and INSEAD.
He has given keynotes about Black Box Thinking to pioneering organisations around the world including a specially convened meeting of global finance ministers at Harvard University, the commanders and admirals of the British surface fleet, Britain’s chief constables, the Presidents of the medical Royal Colleges, the General Staff of the British Army, the global partners of Goldman Sachs, as well as the Arsenal first team and other top sports organisations. He is passionate about young people and education. His Mindset for Education conferences are about providing brilliant, often busy teachers and school leaders with the latest research and tools to unleash curiosity, creativity and growth mindset in their students. He also provides tailored events for businesses and a learning course on the principles of high performance.
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“By sharing his personal stories and unique insights, Mark uses his vast expertise in human behaviour and medicine to create meaningful experiences tailored specifically for each audience. By incorporating his new philosophy of wellbeing with down to earth practical take home messages, he facilitates lasting positive change in people and their organisations. He is a member of "Leading by Design ", an invitation only international collaboration of leaders committed to improvements in health through a more effective design of the environment. He founded the Waterford Health Park as a new paradigm for sustainable improvements in community health. The building was a short listed finalist for World Building of the year at the World Architecture festival awards in 2010. In 2013 , the Waterford Health Park received the Global Health Improvement Award, " A Place to Flourish ". He is author of ‘The Men's Health Book- A Guide for the Irish Man’ which was published by Blackhall Publishing in 2009 with all royalties going to a Cancer Charity. He has also contributed to books on Leadership in Ireland and Healthcare Management. He has a longstanding interest in medical education, as a trainer of young family doctors with the South East G.P. Training Programme in Ireland, as Senior clinical lecturer with the University of Limerick Graduate MedicalSchool, and formerly as an ICGP examiner. Dr. Mark Rowe has a background as a Family Physician based in Waterford City, Ireland. He graduated from U.C.D. Medical School in 1991 and went on to specialise in family practice , becoming a member of the Irish College of General Practitioners in 1995 , having achieved first place ‘Ellerd Eppel’ award. He has worked with national and local media consistently over the years as an advocate for health. He delivers seminars on "health leadership" and is an international keynote speaker on the topics of "New Philosophy of Wellbeing", "Health Leadership", "Generative Space" and "A Prescription for Happiness" He also holds the position of Chairman of the board at Garter Lane Arts Centre in Waterford City.”
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“Sarah famously combines her insatiable curiosity and intellectual ability with an engaging, witty style that draws in audiences and brings out the best in expert guests. With a background in broadcasting, there’s no one more comfortable in front of an audience and making them feel part of any event. Sarah Carey is a well known columnist and broadcaster. She’s written for major broadsheets from The Irish Times to The Daily Telegraph on everything from economics to politics, technology and media, and is a highly experienced radio and television presenter. A thorough researcher of big subjects with an open mind, Sarah is highly regarded for her professionalism and warmth. Whatever your subject – be it technology, energy, economics or the business of media and culture - Sarah will bring a lively intellectual curiosity to the proceedings, putting other guests at ease and making sure your audience will be entertained and engaged in your event. An authoritative and charming chair, she can keep conversations moving along but make sure all key points are explored. Acutely sensitive to the moods of an audience she’ll make sure your event stays on track. Sarah is popular in academia, politics and business and of course, with general audiences who love her personal insights and open manner.   "Sarah Carey spoke at a DPER conference on contemporary politics, society and economics and made a very strong impression.  Sarah is an articulate, witty and engaging speaker with an unrivalled mix of experience as a presenter, broadcaster and commentator.  We hope to have Sarah back for our 2018 conference both as a Chair and contributor.  We would highly recommend her for high profile and demanding speaking and chairing engagements." - Robert Watt, Secretary General, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Ireland "Sarah was the hit of the First Startup Wake with her highly entertaining insights into life at a fast growing but doomed Tech Company. Having been interviewed by her many times I know she has great abilities to expound on and explain Tech issues in a way that brings them alive for any audience" - Paul Hayes, Beachhut PR and Flounders "Sarah Carey interviewed me onstage at the WebSummit in 2014 and was very thoughtful and prepared. She figured out what was unique about the panel from WebSummit’s perspective. Worked with PR and Communication at Google to figure out the areas of my expertise and worked on a possible set of questions so that I was accordingly prepared [...] She is an engaging interviewer and we all had a great time getting to know her." - Dr. Anna Patterson, Vice President of Engineering, Google Inc., Founder and Managing Partner Gradient Ventures”
“There is no cure for paralysis and I am paralysed. So my motivation to connect people around the world to create a cure may simply seem like a personal desire to walk, to feel, to be my old self again. The fall that broke my back in 2010 leaving me with no movement or feeling below my waist certainly pointed my compass towards this frontier that I now explore, but that alone could never sustain what this expedition requires. By day, I am a lab rat. I am shaved and willingly, joyfully caged in my robotic legs. I am wired to technology that unfolds the map of the inside of my body like the uncharted cosmos and with scientists, amateurs and other pioneers we explore it. By night, I connect. I try to bring foundations, investors, scientists, engineers and paralysed patient advocates together to be part of the solution. I can do all this because I believe that my real motivation, (the intrinsic motivation that comes from deeper within me than the extrinsic reward of walking, feeling, being my old self again), is to find what lies beyond this unconquered frontier of paralysis, to find what is on the other side of the hill. And it is vital that we understand what really motivates us and why. Otherwise we could never sustain the effort. The scientific research programme we have created in which I am a subject is producing incredibly useful data, but it may well lead to a breakthrough that benefits my fellow paralysed. So something more than the inarguable self-interest keeps me in the lab, keeps me working. The heroic age of polar exploration has long been a font of insight for me. And even more so now as I figure out how these explorers faced their frontiers. So, I travelled as close as I could to a man who is to me one of the most fascinating of those explorers, a man called Tom Crean. He was a titan. Born in Annascaul, County Kerry, in my home country Ireland, he returned and opened a pub there in 1916 after his polar exploration ended. Simply called, The South Pole Inn, it is still open and is a memorial to his incredible life. Simone, my fiancée, and I toasted Tom with a beer named after him. Simone described the 18/35 logo on the pint glass, but I couldn’t recall the significance of those numbers even though I had listened to the audiobooks of almost all the stories of polar exploration before my own Antarctic adventure back in 2009. Having lost my sight when I was 22 I turned from international rower to a blind adventure athlete and I competed in the first South Pole Race since Scott and Amundson had competed for the prize of being the true first to the pole over a hundred years before. It was how I had marked my 10-year anniversary of going blind. [caption id="attachment_1313" align="alignnone" width="225"]Mark Pollock - Motivational Speaker, Explorer, Innovator & Collaboration Catalyst ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT MARK POLLOCK TRUST. Mark Pollock reaches the South Pole February 2009.[/caption] Surrounding us on the walls of the pub were articles detailing Antarctic exploration. Crean was on teams led by both Sir Ernest Shackleton and Captain Robert Falcon Scott. As Michael Smith, author of “An Unsung Hero”, points out, Crean spent more time on the ice than either of those two Polar heroes; he was pivotal to three of the four major British expeditions to Antarctica. Initially he served under Scott on the Discovery from 1901 to 1904, then on his fatal Terra Nova expedition to the South Pole from 1910 to 1913 and finally on Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition on Endurance from 1914 to 1916. It was during Scott’s ill-fated Terra Nova expedition that Tom Crean made the numbers 18 and 35 his own. At only 168 statute miles (270 km) from the Pole, Scott ordered Tom Crean, William Lashly and Lieutenant Edward Evans to return to base. Scott recorded the sorrowful moment in his diary: “Poor old Crean wept”. Scott went on to reach the South Pole only to find Norwegian Roald Amundsen’s flag planted there first. Scott and his team then perished on the return journey. Crean, Lashly and Evans made it off the polar plateau one month after leaving Scott and the others, but Evans began to display the debilitating symptoms of scurvy. In the harness for up to 13 hours a day, Crean developed snow blindness and hauled the sledge, his eyes bandaged with a tealeaf poultice. Risking crevasses, broken bones and certain death, the three lashed themselves to the sledge and slid 2,000ft onto the Beardmore Glacier to save three precious days of marching and food. But then Evans collapsed and with two weeks of travel out from the safety of Hut Point, Crean and Lashly began hauling Evans on the sledge. On 18 February 1912, they arrived at Corner Camp with food supplies running low. With one or two days’ worth of rations left, they still had four or five days to travel. So, facing death, Crean volunteered to go for help. He had no sleeping bag or tent and was already physically exhausted. Lashly held open the round tent door flap to allow Evans to see Crean depart. Evans remembered: “He strode out nobly and finely – I wondered if I should ever see him again.” Yet, with only two sticks of chocolate and three biscuits (keeping one in his pocket in case of emergency) Crean completed the 35 statute miles (56 kms) in a punishing 18 hours. The rescue was successful and Lashly and Evans were both brought to base camp alive. Crean more than earned his Albert Medal, then the highest award for gallantry. Crean’s own survival, the rescue of his companions and his desire to return to Antarctica, despite this experience, still intrigues me. I can understand the motivation for Amundsen, Shackleton and Scott - the adventure, the recognition, the money and the influence. My own 43 days in Antarctica racing to the South Pole was fuelled by my desire to compete, to do something bigger than me, bigger than my blindness, maybe to take a small place in polar history. Everyone else, including me, seemed to have an obvious reason to be there. But why did Tom Crean keep going back? He was not an officer or a leader on any of the expeditions; he gained very little public recognition or wealth. So, what drove him to go? What allowed him to survive? I asked Crean’s biographer, Michael Smith. He said: “Crean was the type of man who wanted to see what was over the other side of the hill”. So, maybe curiosity and adventure were the drive. It also may have been that the other side of the hill was a great deal better than life in rural Ireland in the late 19th Century; maybe joining the British Navy was just a job? But this was a job that required him to endure torturous conditions, to put his life on the line. The compelling but probably apocryphal story goes that the men who joined Shackleton did so in response to his newspaper ad for the Endurance expedition: “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success.” It is unlikely that Shackleton would have created an advertisement with any pessimism in it, but I am interested in the type of people who would have joined any exploratory Polar expedition, because I think motivation is rarely about the extrinsic factors, it’s rarely about money, recognition or status. They are all so easily granted and so easily taken away. People like Crean have a drive that comes from somewhere else, somewhere deep within, something intrinsic. Norwegian explorer, Fridtjof Nansen, whose name and face were on my skis that took me to the South Pole, wrote about this very notion. “It is within us all, it is our mysterious longing to accomplish something, to fill life with something more than a daily journey from home to the office and from the office, home again. It is our ever present longing to surmount difficulties and dangers, to see that which is hidden, to seek the places lying away from the beaten track; it is the call of the unknown, the longing for the land beyond, the divine power deeply rooted within the soul of man; it is this spirit which drove the first hunters to new places and the incentive for perhaps our greatest deeds - the force of human thought which spreads its wings and flies where freedom knows no bounds.” Explorers have a desire to make sense of the unknown. I believe that that spirit of exploration is held deep within us all. Perhaps Nansen articulates what we must try to find as we explore our own frontiers when he says: “It is within us all.” Whatever the challenge, the motivation to keep going must come from somewhere deep inside us. External motivators are always temporary. The answer to the question of why we do what we do is an internal one, often held privately, but one that if answered honestly will be the one that gets us there. I know that Crean must have had an answer to that question when he walked those 18 hours to cross those 35 miles of ice, uncertain if help would be waiting at the end. If he didn’t, he would never have made it. Author: Mark Pollock, Explorer and Collaboration Catalyst, Mark Pollock Trust. He is participating in the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos.”
“Dusty Gedge has had a deep and active love of nature since he fell out of his baby chair aged two to chase a robin. A cracked skull did nothing to dull his appetite. During his childhood and youth in Kent, he was actively involved in the Seabird Group and the Kent Ornithological Society. It wasn’t that he hung up his binoculars, he merely put them on reserve whilst he trained as a theatre performer and pursued a precarious life as an actor/street entertainer and circus performer. In the mid 1990s he established off his own back a circus class for disadvantaged children in West Greenwich, London. When it was realised locally that he was a knowledgable ornithologist he began a 5 year study of Deptford Creek. The rest is history. These days he spends most his time in disguise and undercover, wearing a grey or pinstriped suit. Jim Mcclelland, editor in chief of SUSTAIN magazines once referred to Dusty as a “…content terrorist…” Current President of the European Federation of Green Roof Associations (EFB and founder of Livingroofs.org, Dusty Gedge is a recognised authority, designer and consultant on green roofs and green infrastructure. He works with Gary Grant for the Green Infrastructure Consultancy Ltd. He is also co-author with John Little of the Small-scale green roof guide that has help lots of small roofs sprout across the globe on sheds, garages and other small buildings. Dusty has been a TV presenter on a number of programmes including Channel 4’s television series ‘Wild Thing – I love you’ He has been a birdwatcher since he fell out of his baby chair aged 2. His interest in birds, bugs and butterflies led to his green roof career. Although birds are his first love, he has a particular interest in invertebrates (especially on green roofs) and solitary bees. There is nothing he likes better than posting reams of things on Twitter, Facebook (he runs a number of pages) and G+. – anything to do with the environment, nature and wildlife. He regularly gets asked to promote things on his social networks. If they are worthy, they are willingly shared.”
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Cut the Crap

1. REGULAR EXERCISE: ideally daily and vigorous – this is the number one weapon in your crap cutting arsenal. Why? Because everything that gets worse as we get older. Our moods, energy levels, sleep, weight gain, heart strength, bone density – all of these are improved by regular exercise.

2. EAT LESS CRAP: Open to interpretation of course, but here is an acronym to help you get around the minefield of dieting and food faddy advice out there, which changes daily.  It’s SAPS: Sugar – eat much less of this. Activity – do much more of this. Processed foods –eat much less of this Settling down weight – abiding by the above leads to this. 3. STOP WHINGEING: This is often expressed as ‘being grateful’. But adopting a positive ‘gratitude’ mindset begins with stopping complaining about other people, our jobs, our weight, our partners, whatever it is. It is amazing how much we all whinge and complain about stuff, which saps us of much needed energy reserves, breeding only resentment and inertia. 4. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY: If you are currently whingeing about point 2 because I failed to tell you what you should eat, stop right there. Part of the whole point of adopting a healthier lifestyle is working out for yourself what works for you. There is no point trying to make yourself eat kale if you hate the taste. Fish, green veg, wholegrains, fresh fruit, stuff without crap added to it is an obvious way forward. The closer said foodstuff is to nature the better. So pies, cakes and cookies etc. are all fine - in moderation - providing they are made from scratch. If you are unclear about whether your eating of said treats is moderate enough, get on the scales, work out your BMI and you will have your answer. 5. GET IN PEOPLE’S FACES: In other words communicate openly and honestly. In the flesh ideally, or over the phone. Text messaging, FaceBook and the like, while useful and convenient is no way to keep a relationship alive and email takes forever and can be misinterpreted. 6. GET TO MASS: As a country of churchgoers, brought up on this ritual, it is a good habit worth nurturing. An hour on our knees listening to stories about those worse off, while breathing in incense is humbling and life affirming. It doesn’t matter if you don’t believe in it. I’m not sure that I believe in God, but I believe in going to Mass on Sundays. Meditation, yoga, any and all spiritual activities that take you away from any form of ‘me-wanking’ are just as good. It’s all about being present (and crucially away from screens); if we don’t make time to practise this, it just won’t happen. 7. LAUGHING: At yourself most especially, and at life, is a brilliant life skill to adopt. It stops us feeling sorry for ourselves and from taking ourselves too seriously. Laughter has magical properties: relieving tension and anxiety, strengthening and renewing bonds, lightening the load. And it has absolutely nothing to do with happiness. Take on the belief that we choose our moods, so smile and laugh whenever you can. 8. CLEAN UP YOUR SHIT: Feeling content begins with getting on top of our chores, our admin and cleaning up life’s daily mess. An instant feel good factor is injected into our day by the simple act of making our beds each morning. Tip: tackle one shelf or cupboard in your home and clean it thoroughly. Most invigorating. 9. ACCEPT THE GRIT: …that hard is the new black. Avoiding the hard stuff, shirking grit only makes it grow. This applies every bit as much to the pile of laundry un-tended to as it does to a relationship break-up and death. Life is hard – suck it up. 10. COMPASSION: To be practised daily. Towards yourself and others. This means forgive yourself, which is not the same as letting yourself off the hook for failing to take the above points seriously and being responsible for all your choices. But within whatever we aspire towards, we will fail, we will fall short. Failure is implicit to the human condition. So forgive yourself, forgive forgive forgive and move on. Holding a grudge serves nothing and nobody. Give it up, and laugh about it instead. Go on, I dare you.”
“Brian O'Driscoll Former Captain of the Irish Rugby Team and Leinster Rugby Team”
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“Mark van Rijmenam can inspire your audience by telling what it takes to pursue your dreams and achieve such an incredible adventure. Often, he links his adventure to helping organizations achieve a business strategy, which after all also requires focus, discipline, perseverance, a positive mindset and the ability to plan for the unexpected.

Mark van Rijmenam is Founder of Datafloq.com. Datafloq is the One-Stop Source for Big Data, creating the Big Data ecosystem by connecting all stakeholders within the global Big Data market. Datafloq connects data and people. 

He is an entrepreneur with a drive for (disruptive) innovation and to make a difference and inspire others. His objective is to be a catalyst for global innovation and to enable organizations and societies to tackle some of the world's biggest challenges. He has been named a global top 10 Big Data influencer. Mark believes in sustainable, social and economic responsibility when doing business or creating companies. He calls for companies to use the latest trends in technology to change and improve the world and create a better place for all.

Currently, he is a PhD Candidate at the University of Technology, Sydney. He has received two scholarships to do so. His research question is how organizations can use Big Data, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence to remain competitive.

He is the author of the book 'Think Bigger – Developing a Successful Big Data Strategy for Your Business', which was published globally in 2014 , with a Chinese translation coming out in 2016. He is a frequent blogger on Datafloq and other platforms.

He is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker on big data and disruptive innovation. Mark has given lectures at the Business University Nyenrode and has spoken in Australia, France, China, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, South Africa, Colombia, United States, Dubai and The Netherlands among others. He is founding partner of think tank The Digital Leadership Initiative in Sydney.

In 2011 he circumnavigated Australia on a bike for charity. 14.122 km in exactly 100 days. This experience taught him everything about perseverance, focus, discipline, a positive mind-set and how to plan for the unexpected. After this adventure, Mark became an entrepreneur with a drive to have an impact on the world. 

The main goal, aside from the mental and physical challenge of the tour itself, was accumulating as much money as possible for KiKa, a Dutch foundation committed to pioneering and innovative research in the area of children’s cancer. 100% of the funds (€ 25.000) collected were donated to this incredible foundation.

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“Rugby is not played 'on paper' but 'on grass'; the Irish housing market doesn’t take place in charts and in textbooks but in real life, in real time, involving real people  - David McWilliams  I lifted this line from an article David McWilliams wrote at the weekend for the Sunday Business Post on the Need for Rent Control in Ireland. It is typical of David's ability to draw on everyday analogies to help us understand or realise what is really happening in the economy and more to the point what we can expect if we don't make changes. On a similar note I listened to a Podcast a while back that David did with Roisin Ingle.  He named Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as the first Finance Minister predicting seven years of greed followed by seven years of famine. Seven years of bumper crops are on their way Years of plenty, endless wheat and tons of hay Your farms will boom, there won’t be room To store the surplus food you grow After that, the future doesn’t look so bright Egypt’s luck will change completely overnight And famine’s hand will stalk the land With food an all-time low  This made me laugh out loud but I also thought how right he is, how clever he is to draw on this example. Not only does it make us sit up and think ' what the heck' but also it is economics in layman's terms. David is a brilliant economist. I have had the pleasure of working closely with him for almost 10 years now, placing him as Keynote Speaker with business and political world leaders in Abu Dhabi, USA, Canada, London, Sydney, Barcelona, and Ireland.  He is asked back time and time again because of his content and his unique ability to communicate it. On the feedback form we constantly get "David was fantastic and very funny". Even at 9am David brings in humour as part of his talk and the audience thank him for it. Because of his own personal experience in front of live audiences I know David recognises when there is a hunger for more discussion and knowledge on economics but he always marries it eloquently with humour - the perfect balance as such. Along with his co-founder Richard Cook, they have again attracted an amazing selection of talent for this year's Kilkenomics Festival where they bravely and artfully mix comedians with world class economists and opinion leaders.”
“One of the world’s most dynamic speakers, Nigel has the singular ability to innovate in the face of the most pressing business challenges. Nigel has been described as a "business rocker".  He was the creator of Garage ThinkingTM and has written several books about creativity in business. The key is that he can deliver a vital message and change mindsets in a way that is inspiring, interactive, memorable, and fun. Nigel Barlow is a keynote speaker, facilitator, creative conference designer and host. He was a founding director of the Tom Peters Consulting business in Europe, and runs his own international consultancy. Until recently, he was an Associate Fellow at Oxford University's Said Business School, focusing on innovative change.  He has worked in over 30 countries in most sectors of industry and recent clients include Apple, Hewlett Packard Printing, Lilly, Shell, and Tetra Pak. He is also a Trustee for the David Lynch Foundation, whose mission statement is to reduce stress in vulnerable populations through education and meditation.  "You were a big hit with our customers – really giving them some clear ideas on how to move forward. Just what we wanted!" - Apple Education, UK "Our event centered around inventing a most successful future . . . . putting the future in the hands in each and every one of us. That day in Toronto was a turning point event!" - Boehringer-Ingelheim, Toronto "The feedback was excellent. Nigel gave a very entertaining speech mixing his knowledge with specific messages related to our business. So it was a great success." - Candriam, Paris "I wanted to say thank you for your session at the conference. I found it very inspirational as did many others who spoke to me afterwards [... ]It was very proactive, thought-provoking and motivational." - De La Rue, UK "Nigel scored the highest marks of the three-day event. He took great effort to make contact with key stakeholders to ensure he was able to create a relevant and engaging workshop." - Danone Baby and Medical Nutrition, Spain "I would like to thank you for taking the time to speak at Averda’s 100 conference, your intervention was truly inspiring to our leaders. The stories and experiences you shared throughout the session connected with an innovative and creative passion not usually witnessed at such events." - Averda, Abu Dhabi”
“Nick Webb Economist and Journalist Nick Webb is one of Ireland’s best known business journalists. Back page columnist for Sunday Times and Today FM’s “The Last Word”. Interviewed some of the biggest names in business and has terrific - if sometimes irreverent - insight into the major events facing business and global economies. Recently hired by Event Strategies for Property developers conference, Supply Chain conference, Onezerocon sports conference and Kilkenomics.”
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“Mark Downey Communication & Presence Expert, Voice & speech coach, trainer for those seeking to deliver live energy online

Mark Downey believes that it is the birthright of every person to be seen and heard in the most powerful version of themselves: in confident compelling presence, grounded with gravitas yet open and playful, alive with emotional connection freely expressed. Right now,  amid the Pandemic, he is also offering webinars supporting clients seeking to communicate virtually and remotely with real presence and assurance.  

One of just a handful of voice teachers worldwide to have been handpicked by world-renowned voice and presence guru Patsy Rodenburg for her Master Teacher Certification Program, Mark now brings Gold Standard Communication and Presence training to Ireland. Recently returned after 27 years of living and working internationally, he brings the wealth of his multi-faceted world-class experience to play in all of his interactions.

Communication & Presence Expert, Voice & speech coach, charisma motivator & trainer

His clients are leaders from business, politics, broadcasting, professional speaking, theatre, film, radio and television. Since returning to Europe Mark has brought this work to clients such as Google, OVH, Samsung, Kainos, MunichRe, Seimens, Jameson, Musgrave, Eir, Arval and Ibec. He is Voice Tutor at the National Theatre School of Ireland, GSA.

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“I am a self confessed Talk Show - Chat Show - Podcast geek. I usually listen to a Podcast or TED Radio Hour over lunch, or cooking dinner or when I am out walking. I listen both for pleasure and work. I love hearing other people's stories or eavesdropping on a great conversation but also I am always on the look out for interesting speakers on all topics. I am lucky that my work can sometimes be my hobby too. One of the Chat shows I am thoroughly enjoying at the moment is  Here's the Thing with Alec Baldwin.  Anyone who enjoys good interesting conversation should tune in here. One of the reasons it is great is the calibre of guest, but what makes it really compelling and brings me back time and time again is Alec Baldwin's wonderful interviewing style. He asks good questions and listens to the answer, he doesn't rush, he knows what we want to hear, he engages with the interviewee and brings the listener along on the journey. And you can hear he's really enjoying himself too. Alec Baldwin Here's the Thing Similarly, a good chair, MC or interviewer can change an audience's experience of a conference entirely. Remember - people turn up at conferences because they want to hear the speakers, network, learn something new and ENJOY it . That enjoyment factor is often overlooked in the planning but it is what gets people talking, and this is where the 'MC factor' can make a big difference. With the right MC or Chairperson, an event or conference can go from being just a series of speakers to a terrifically engaging, compelling and memorable conversation. And what event organiser doesn't want that? Having experiencing first hand what works and what does not work at conference and events, having a professional MC or Chairperson leading is something I feel passionate about . Six things to consider when choosing an MC for your event: 1. Has he/she experience chairing similar events? e.g. the scale of the event, the type of audience, the format 2. If there is a panel discussion, are they good at hosting Q&As? 3. Does the MC's profile fit the event profile?  e.g a business conference may be best led by a business broadcaster 4. If there are statesmen/women or dignitaries attending, does the MC know the official protocol? 5. Are they good at managing time at events?  This needs to be managed very skilfully. 6. Make sure to have a briefing call or meeting so that the MC knows the objectives of the event, what success means to you, learns about the speakers and has the opportunity to think about how they can help build momentum and audience engagement on the day.”
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Alan O' Neill The Change Agent

With over 30 years of experience from the board room to the front line, Alan O’Neill mba, The Change Agent -  has supported iconic brands to achieve amazing results. In a dynamic world, he knows what it takes to drive change  in a business – from top to bottom… and back to front. It’s about having a Customer-centric Culture, Engaged People,  and a Supercharged Sales effort.

Across B2B, B2C and the Public Sector, his clients include global brands like Selfridges, Bank of Irl, Harrods, Eli Lilly, Intel, Lufthansa, Mercedes, Moet Hennesy, Ramada Hotels, Scottish Power, Sherry Fitz, St. Gobain, The UN, Vodafone, and more.

Up to 2004, Selfridges for example was a sleeping giant - but in recent years has achieved two significant accolades… it’s officially the best department store in the world … and one of the most profitable (per m²). Alan was their lead consultant for many years.

A consultant, trainer, non-exec director, an author, and a visiting professor with Ashridge, he is also a trusted mentor to many CEOs and board directors who seek his advice on various issues. Alan has a reputation for making the complex simple… being down-to-earth and practical… with a commercial focus that brings everything back to the customer.

It is this unrivalled business acumen that has seen Alan chair and speak at conferences around the world and conduct master-classes with C-level executives. He asks hard and uncomfortable questions, e.g. How do you change an old culture to prepare for emerging global challenges? How do you overcome cynicism and resistance to change? How do you overcome complacency and lack of accountability? How do you differentiate with customer-experience culture?

How do you retain the best talent? How do you increase sales in a challenging and disruptive global market?

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“Brian Cody GAA Kilkenny All Ireland Hurling Final Brian is open, engaging and very entertaining on the subjects of leadership, teams and change in sport.  He knows all about building and managing successful teams, what it takes to be a true leader and how to successfully motivate and inspire a team to win again and again and again. In his speeches, Brian reveals what it takes to make Kilkenny so successful under his leadership and what keeps him motivated and moving forward. In his speeches, Brian reveals what it takes to make Kilkenny so successful under his leadership and what keeps him motivated and moving forward. Every sport has a great sporting hero. Someone who stands head and shoulders above other champions of their sport. Ireland has few, if any, sports stars or managers that have seen the success and been as dominant in their trade as Kilkenny’s Brian Cody. Mention hurling and you think Kilkenny. Mention hurling managers and it is Cody that is first in peoples’ minds. Following a stellar playing career for Kilkenny in the 70’s and 80’s which saw him win, among other things, three All Ireland Senior Hurling titles and two National Hurling League titles, Cody eventually moved into management. Taking the helm as Kilkenny manager in 1999, there began what can only be described as a dynasty of success. In the seventeen seasons that have followed, so too have the accolades and silverware. Cody tasted success as a player and as a manager he has rewritten the record books, with an astonishing eleven All-Ireland hurling championship titles.”
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“Yesterday I was reminded of the importance of looking after our mental fitness so that we are ready to deal with the stresses and challenges we regularly face in work. A friend facilitated a 3 day off-site for senior business leaders in Singapore this week. The feedback from the participants was excellent. The client said it was a ‘huge success’. The organisation really likes this facilitator’s style. They trust her, they fly her all over the world, they pay her very well. What’s not to like about this scenario? You would imagine the facilitator and her client have a good positive relationship except that is not her experience at all. If it were not for the consistent positive feedback from workshop participants, along with repeat bookings, she would think her client does not rate her at all. The client is very abrupt in his communications, picks holes in everything, never praises or thanks, and constantly tries to control the outcome of the workshops, interrupting the flow and generally interfering in something he has asked and paid someone else to do. Of course if we were to get under the skin of their working ‘relationship’ we would probably discover all sorts of things to do poor ‘contracting’ and unrealistic expectations, different communication preferences, fears that belong to past experiences, and old unhelpful patterns of behavior being triggered and repeating themselves, but frankly most of us are not equipped to even start having these kind of conversations at work. If it were not for the resilience, self-awareness and essentially good mental fitness of this facilitator I think the consequences of her client’s behavior could be very damaging to her confidence and work. Sound familiar at all? Perhaps it says something about what we are prepared to tolerate by way of ‘organizational behaviour’, but in our business we are experiencing a big demand for expert advice, training and strategies on building resilience and ‘mental fitness’ for staff at all levels in organisations. Neil O'Brien, one of our top speakers on Mental Fitness has worked with individuals, sports people and organisations for over 25 years helping them improve their mental fitness and overall performance. Here are some of my favorite tips I have picked up from working with him over the years: 1. Simplicity is better than motivation at changing behaviour 2. Discipline is a necessary ingredient to good mental fitness 3. Practice makes ‘nearly’ perfect 4. Effective habits are less exhausting and consistently more successful 5. Panic is the New Comfort – The rate of change in life and work demands that we leave our comfort zones more than ever before 6. When you know what you are, you know what to do”
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“This is the title of Margaret Heffernan's latest TED Talk and I was reminded of it at the weekend as I sat in my hairdressers. To be specific I was reminded of the importance of great customer service or as I prefer to call it customer treatment. The salon is currently under renovation so in the meantime they are using a far less sophisticated venue where the units are not as pretty, there are no lovely massage chairs and the lighting is too bright, however the staff are as welcoming, happy, talented, polite, friendly, and professional as ever. At every ‘station’ there is are artists' impressions of what the new salon will look like which I thought was very smart idea. And the salon is as busy as ever with customers like me who share their excitement for the new premises. This experience got me thinking about how an organisation builds this sort of great customer service. Customer service does not stand alone, it is part of the overall culture of an organisation. I can see that the staff at my hairdressers don’t just treat their customers well, but they also treat each other this way. So how do organisations build these sort of corporate cultures? I was in London recently catching up with one of our speakers Margaret Heffernan, Author of ‘Wilful Blindness’ and ‘Beyond Measure’. I love meeting Margaret, she makes me think, reflect and she inspires me to do things differently. I don't suppose she knows she has this impact on me as we are not talking about me or my business but rather about her experiences in other organisations. Her belief in the importance of strong open cultures rubs off on me. I am sure I am the luckier one coming out of these meetings. Margaret travels around the world sharing her knowledge and helping organisations with corporate culture challenges and changes. She truly believes in open communication to enable innovation, creativity and organisational development. In her latest book 'Beyond Measure' she discuss how organisations can create seismic shifts by making deceptively small changes. In my opinion she talks complete common sense and I would recommend anyone who is interested in this topic to take a look at her latest TED talk 'Why it's time to forget the pecking order at work' which you'll find on Margaret's profile under videos.      ”
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I have never been more convinced that there are so many useful lessons organisations and sports people can learn from each other. Even as a casual spectator of sport I can’t help but notice the amazing drive and resilience of the players in this year's Rugby World Cup, not to mention the variety of  leadership styles used to  build  such high performing teams. I don’t know an organisation that wouldn't benefit from such leadership and teamwork.

I recently had a coffee with Jim McGuinness, Performance Consultant to Glasgow Celtic Football Club and former Donegal Senior Football Team Manager before he spoke at the Irish Management Institute's Annual Conference. Although passionate about performance, his philosophy of leadership is to challenge and support every member of his team to do their personal best rather than focusing solely on winning. Jim stressed the importance of building a strong culture of openness and honesty where you can constantly give clear developmental feedback, adding “sometimes this will mean hearing something you don’t want to hear but it will only help improve your game”. It did make me think do most organisational cultures allow for such openness? such honesty? such opportunities to give clear developmental feedback? I see a move in this direction in some organisations but I know there are many others that would say they have some way to go. During his interview Jim talked about his time with Donegal, taking over the management of a team always at the bottom of the league to leading them to win two All Ireland medals. I, like many others in the audience, scribbled notes throughout his 40 minutes on stage and these were my take-aways: 1. Culture is everything. Culture is the backbone to all the behaviour and stretches as far as the fans. Building a culture means behaving the same way consistently so that the team, supporters, management and everyone involved know they are dealing with loyalty and honesty. 2. Balance collaboration and competition. 3. Planning is a necessity to success. Have a plan in place with a clear measurement matrix. 4. Focus Focus Focus. “Focus is the connection between two things” 5. Reflect and Review - make time to think. Reflection is key for continuous improvement and to understand what might be holding back success. He recommends scheduling at least two hours as week to reflect and review. 6. Know Your team - McGuinness got to know the team really well, he understood their personal circumstances, knew intimately how they played so he could work on individual improvement plans and tactics for each team member. This commitment was part and parcel of the culture Jim embedded during his time with Donegal. 7. You learn more from defeat than you do from victory McGuinness like all the motivational speakers at the IMI at last week's conference left the audience of CEOs, Managing Directors, HR Directors, and Talent Managers amongst others with a copy book of ideas and strategies and lots of food for thought.”
“An expert in high performing teams, Jamil Qureshi is one of only a handful of external psychologists ever to be allowed to study astronauts on the NASA Space Programme. Ranked among the most influential figures in British sport in 2009, Jamil has worked with 22 golfers all inside the top 50 in the world, with Formula 1 racing teams, with 3 English Premier League football teams, the winning 2009 English Ashes cricket team, and he has helped six people get to number one in the world. He is a world recognised speaker, taking the stage at a range of venues including the Groucho Club, the K Club in Ireland and NASDAQ in Times Square. Just ten years ago, Jamil Qureshi was homeless. By changing his thinking and deciding what he really wanted out of life,  he managed to completely turn it around. Currently, he holds the position of Director of Consulting Services, focusing on leadership and cultural change, for Shirley Parsons. He has been an Advisory Board Member for 3seven9, and now for Kwikpay Limited. Jamil co-founded the change agencies We Do Things Differently, Loudhouse and JQED, and has worked with business leaders and companies in over 24 different countries last year alone helping teams to fulfil their potential. He also used to be a regular at London’s prestigious Comedy Store and spent two years working with TV’s award winning mind reader, Derren Brown! Fear of failure Mindset for success Changing your perspective and being open-minded Creating purposeful and meaningful change Making choices Motivation and ambition "Fabulous speaker! What a hit. We couldn't have asked for more. The best feedback we've recorded." - Boots Plc "A speaker of immense skill! Informative & tremendously entertaining." - Honda "Brilliant speaker & hugely talented communicator!" - IBM EMEA "Jamil can help anyone on their way to success!" - Graeme Swann, England Cricketer "Jamil truly knows how to get the most of people. He is a genuine expert in his field." - Ian Woosnam, European Ryder Cup Team 2006”
“We have posted the video highlights here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOcr9dPr24k&feature=youtu.be "Frances - that was a great session this morning. Thank you so much for the invitation. Both myself and Deirdre got a lot out of it both personally and also some ideas for what we could do here in work." Debbie Barry, AXA Insurance Limited. "Just a note to thank you very much for extending an invitation to our Company to attend this morning’s event by Dr. John Briffa. I found it most interesting and all the more convincing and engaging when delivered by such a professional." Joan Carey, HR, Servier Pharmaceuticals "Thank you Frances, I thought Dr. Briffa was fabulous, I liked his delivery and the way he wasn’t evangelical! I have already made a few food switches – but I’ve a lot more to do.…" Gillian Owens,​ ​​Cpl Resources plc. "Just wanted to say, thanks so much for the invite to this event last week. I found it extremely interesting and Dr John Briffa a very engaging speaker." Grace Walsh​, ​Human Resources Business Partner​, ​Davy "Thoroughly enjoyed this morning, already made some small changes to my work space! Well done for organising, and for inviting us along." Patrick Delaney, Recruitment and Talent Development at Irish Life 'Grow' "Thanks again for the invitation to this morning’s talk by Dr. Briffa. I really enjoyed it and took away plenty of good advice." ​​Yvonne Sheridan Director – Tax Function Support ​KPMG ​ Many thanks for this morning, John’s presentation was very stimulating and interesting. A nice mix of interesting fact based information with humour and a real sense of his expertise too. Brían Sutton​, ​Client Relationship Manager​, A Great Place to Work "Thank you for inviting me to join you on Friday, I found the session informative and engaging – very enjoyable." Organisational Development, Datalex ​ "I wanted to send a quick note to say thank you for last Friday, it was a great morning and I really enjoyed the talk." Aisling Ryan, HR, Matheson​​

Frances, many thanks for the invite I found John very interesting and he dispelled some well founded myths. Thanks again to yourself and Vivienne.   Conor Hayes, Londis

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“Educated at McGill & Oxford University, with degrees in economics and finance, Diego Zuluaga specialises in consumer finance and banking, capital markets regulation, and multi-sided markets. Diego Zuluaga is a US-based economist and author. He was educated at McGill University in Montreal and Keble College, Oxford, from which he holds degrees in economics and finance. Diego is a policy analyst at the Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, where he focuses primarily on financial technology, consumer credit and prudential regulation in banking. Prior to joining Cato, he was Head of Financial Services and Tech Policy at the Institute of Economic Affairs, Britain’s most salient free-market think tank, which was instrumental in the Thatcher free-market reforms of the 1980s. At the IEA, Diego wrote on a range of subjects including the taxation of capital, the regulation of online platforms, and the economic contribution of offshore finance in a globalised world. Diego has frequently appeared on international media, including Newsweek, BBC World, The Times, L’Opinion and CNN. His research has often featured in print and broadcast media, and he has been asked to give evidence to official bodies on a range of economic issues.”
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“The better you know your audience, their likes and dislikes, the easier it becomes to choose the right speaker for your event. Ask yourself: 1. Are they coming to the event to be informed about something? to share their own insights? or to be entertained? 2. Will they be engaged by personal stories of failure and success? 3. Do they want an outsider's view on their business issues? 4. Are they interested in discovering what the future of their industry looks like? 5. Will they respond better to a speaker who focusses on the power of the individual rather than business issues?”
“Tip 1: Be clear about the theme of your event. Should the speaker have expert knowledge on this subject or not? Tip 2: Be clear about the speaker's role. Is the speaker central to your event e.g. MC, or chair? Or will they turn up for a specific time slot such as the After Dinner speech? Or to deliver a motivational speech during the event? Tip 3: Be clear about the impact you want the speaker to make. Should the speaker give the audience a deeper understanding of a particular subject? or a different perspective on a tricky issue? Should they motivate the audience to do something? Should their style be lite-hearted or serious? Should they provoke questions and encourage discussion? Or should they tell personal stories stimulating admiration and amazement, or should they entertain the audience and make them laugh?”
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“An experienced and authoritative current affairs broadcaster and writer, Shane brings out the best in other speakers and his audience alike. Shane has extensive experience of moderating and chairing debates with an inclusive and informed, yet at the same time informal, style. He has particular experience as a interviewer, presenter and moderator. Shane Coleman is the presenter of Newstalk's flagship Breakfast programme. He is a former Political Editor of the station and previously presented The Sunday Show on Newstalk for five years. He was a nominee and bronze award winner for Speech Broadcaster of the Year in the 2016 PPI radio awards (now IMRO radio awards). He is also a regulator contributor to both the Irish Independent and the Sunday Independent. He was previously Political Editor and Business Editor of the Sunday Tribune. He is the author of four best selling books on Irish politics, including 'Bertie Ahern and the Drumcondra Mafia' and 'Scandal Nation'. Business Economics Future Trends Politics”
“Chanelle Lady McCoy is a popular business, leadership and motivational speaker due to her experience of co-heading up Ireland’s largest Pharmaceutical Company, being responsible for over 400 people and turning-over in excess of €100m. She is also a huge supporter of women in business and mentoring young entrepreneurs. Her key-note and after-dinner speeches, Q and A sessions and leadership workshops cover a wide number of subjects such as growing a business on a global scale, time management, career pressures, life balance, team work and using initiative. Chanelle Lady McCoy is the newest dragon on the TV series Dragon’s Den in Ireland. She is married to Sir AP McCoy OBE, Champion Jump Jockey for 20 consecutive years, voted BBC Sports Personality of the year in 2010. When he retired in 2015, AP was awarded with the BBC’s Lifetime Achievement Award and was knighted by the Queen for his Services to Horseracing. Chanelle also reveals during her speaking engagements what it’s like to live with such a highly driven and determined sportsman. She co-founded Chanelle Medical, part of the multi-million pound global company Chanelle Pharmaceutical Group based in Galway. Chanelle Medical and Chanelle Veterinary develop and manufacture generic (copycat) drugs, holding more than 1,500 medical product licenses in over 80 countries. They have won many awards, including Exporter of the Year 2016, Life Sciences Exporter of the Year 2016, Export Innovation of the Year 2016, Winner of ‘Project of the Year’ at the Pharma Industry Awards 2016 and the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Award 2015. Having been recognised as a successful businesswoman in her own right, Chanelle joined Dragons Den in Ireland earlier this year. She enjoys sharing her experience of scaling up a business and taking it to global markets as well as giving opportunities to entrepreneurs who are the future of industries. Chanelle co-presents for other TV stations such as the BBC, and is also an Ambassador for a number of race days and for the charity Tiny Tickers. Chanelle’s love for business has also seen her branch out into the fashion industry. In 2014 Chanelle and 5 partners opened the doors of Mojo &amp; McCoy, a successful boutique in Berkshire.”
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“Entrepreneur and Former MD Google UK & Ireland and All Round Marketing Whizz Dan Cobley served as Google’s Vice President of Brand Solutions and as the company’s MD in the UK & Ireland. After almost a decade at Google Dan started a new venture, a FinTech fund and incubator, aimed at building new, disruptive companies within financial services. As MD of Google UK, Dan was responsible for over $5Bn of revenue, and for helping companies large and small harness the power of digital to generate insights, increase sales and transform culture. Prior to his branding role he was the search giant’s VP of Marketing for the EMEA territories, and before that Marketing Director for Northern & Central Europe, responsible for all aspects of European business and consumer marketing at Google. Before joining Google Dan held senior marketing roles at Capital One Europe, where he helped make the company the UK’s leading new card issuer, and Ask Jeeves, Pepsi and Walkers. He began his career in consulting and oil exploration after studying Physics at Oxford. Dan is an advisor to and investor in tech start ups, is on the board of The Marketing Society, is a trustee of the Charities Technology Trust and on the advisory boards of Telegraph Media Group and eHarmony. His TED speech on physics and marketing has been watched over one million times, and he has been rated as one of the influential digital people by both Wired magazine and the Evening Standard.”
“Experienced in government and business, Gerard is a credible and incisive commentator. He can distil knowledge from information and convey both while keeping the attention of his audience. A speechwriter who has written for great occasions at Westminster and Washington, he is a speechmaker and debater at home in the cut and thrust of live debate. Gerard Howlin is a public affairs consultant since 2008, and a columnist with the Irish Examiner since 2012. He is a regular contributor to political debate in the media. He was a Special Adviser at the Department of Tourism and Sport 1997-1999, the Department of Taoiseach 1999-2007 and was Government Press Secretary June - August 2007. He has a master’s degree in history from Trinity College Dublin. His public affairs practice includes MNCs, and a range of NGOs and government bodies who themselves seek to influence public debate and policy outcomes. Being informed and connected is his credential. Being able to crystallise his understanding into strategies that are feasible for his client and to deliver on them is his business. His opinion is frequently sought on radio and television. Programmes he has recently contributed to include Prime Time, Marian Finucane, Yates on Sunday, Drivetime, The Last Word and The Week in Politics. He is a regular speaker at the MacGill Summer School. Politics Policy making Public administration Budgetary strategy "The Irish League of Credit Union is a national and volunteer led body. Gerard has presented to and addressed a wide range of credit union fora. He has a clear command of current affairs. He has a very interesting way of presenting and is enthusiastic for the cut and thrust of the lively Q&A sessions that characterise our meetings. I can definitely recommend him as a conference speaker." - Ed Farrell, CEO, Irish League of Credit Unions "Gerard chaired the first session after lunch at our annual national conference. He really brought it to life. There was no lull and he succeeded in getting a great conversation going between the panellists and the audience. He was lively, dynamic, and ensured that the speakers did most of the speaking and our members had a great input from the floor."  - T.J. Flanagan, CEO, ICOS "Gerard has a real command of current affairs. He knows the people, and he has lived the life. As a speaker he can synthesise, get to the point, and make it interesting. He added knowledge and interest to the occasion." - Siobhán Masterson, Head of Corporate Affairs, Ibec ”
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“A story of adversity that few will go through, many will come in contact with, and everyone can take away from. Peter Ryan is a 27 year old visually impaired Paralympian. When Peter was 18 he began losing his sight. Now, nearly 10 years on, Peter speaks on a number of subjects and leaves audiences with a new outlook on their own lives. An extremely charismatic person, the audience can really feel a connection with Peter when he speaks. His honesty on his journey over the past near-decade offers an extremely insightful and in-depth look at mental health and the end results of not coping properly with life’s adversities. And his journey is far from over as he targets Tokyo 2020. Peter Ryan’s sporting dreams once revolved around playing hurling for Tipperary in Croke Park. However, in 2010 he started missing balls he should have caught in training. He tired to get contact lenses and instead his whole world shifted as he was diagnosed with Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy [LHON], a rare genetic disorder that left him with between five and ten percent peripheral vision in both eyes. He was legally blind. Without sport or a job, Peter hit bottom and ended up in rehab at the Aiséirí Centre in Cahir,  where he began to take his first steps towards rebuilding his life. In 2012 he attended the Paralympics Open Day at UCD where he undertook a test on a watt bike which was to prove that he was a capable cyclist. Dial the clock forward to today and Peter is the stoker of a formidable two man cycling team with Sean Hahessy as the pilot. The two, having been paired together via the national para-cycling programme since 2015, have already made their mark on the Irish Cycling circuit having competed in the Paralympics in Rio in 2016.”
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A popular speaker on Health & Fitness, and founder of BodyByrne Fitness, Paul competes in Fitness and Bodybuilding at world class level. As a Personal Trainer he loves helping others achieve their goals through practical and attainable methods.   

A popular speaker on health and fitness, Paul has delivered talks for groups including The Westbury Hotel Dublin, Waterford County Council  for Harvest Festival and is the is the feature fitness Guru on Keith Barry’s Stop Smoking Now Seminar. He is head of the Professional Division in NABBA the Natural Amateur Bodybuilding Association and also President.

Paul has been working out now for about 25 years and has been training others for almost as long. He has studied and tested in all areas including physical training, nutrition and recovery. Theories are great, but what counts are real results in the gym and your body, and that is why after testing practically every method there is, he has kept only the techniques that consistently produced positive results time and time again, which have helped him and others win many physique titles.

From a competing background coveting such titles as Mr. Ireland and Titan UK Paul has a 10-year background in competing at national and international level. From there he built bodybuilding and fitness events from the ground to the success they are today in Ireland. As the President of NABBA Ireland  (National Amateur Bodybuilding Association) he has built a reputation as running the best shows taking the Mr. Ireland event to a sold out capacity level show over the last 14 years with over 130 competitors per event. In 2015 Paul was made President of the Professional division of NABBA Worldwide he is also President of The World Fitness Federation Ireland.

Married to Siobhan Byrne, they recently collaborated with the Market Butcher to bring out a healthy range of meat products

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“Sarah is presenter of ‘The Sunday Show’, a politics and current affairs program on TV3. She also regularly writes columns for The Sunday Times. Before moving to TV3, Sarah hosted Newstalk’s drivetime show with Chris Donoghue, which was named IMRO Current Affairs Show of the Year, 2017. She also won the IMRO News Broadcaster of the Year award 2017. RTE TV   Virgin Media One Sarah McInerney is a broadcaster and journalist with extensive experience in print, radio and television. She is presenter of The Late Debate on Radio , The Sunday Show on TV3, and is a regular columnist for The Sunday Times. Before her move to broadcasting in 2016, Sarah worked as political correspondent with The Sunday Times for eight years, covering politics during the worst years of the economic crash. During that period she was also a regular stand-in presenter for Vincent Browne on his late night TV3 current affairs show. In 2008, Sarah published a best-selling true crime book about women who were killed or went missing in the Dublin/Wicklow mountains. Sarah McInerney is a broadcaster and journalist with extensive experience in print, radio and television. She is presenter of The Late Debate on RTE Radio One, The Sunday Show on TV3, and is a regular columnist for The Sunday Times.

Previously, Sarah presented Newstalk Drive, which won IMRO Current Affairs Show of the Year in 2017. Sarah was also awarded IMRO News Broadcaster of the Year 2017. Before moving to broadcast, Sarah was Political Correspondent with The Sunday Times for eight years, having previously worked as news reporter in The Sunday Tribune. 

She is the author of ‘Where No-One Can Hear You Scream’, a book about women who were killed or disappeared in the Dublin/Wicklow mountains, published in 2008.

https://www.virginmediatelevision.ie/ Sarah is a lively and passionate MC, who uses her experience as a current affairs broadcaster and journalist to command the attention of audiences, ask the right questions, and host events with consummate professionalism.”
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Steve Chapman Adventurer in spontaneity & creativity

Steve’s talks have a reputation for being something rather special.  Rather than lecture, he invites the audience into his world, to join him on an adventure to explore some important and profound questions as to what it means to be a human being, particularly in these things we call organisations. He brings playfulness, curiosity and creativity to any subject.

Steve is an independent speaker, coach, facilitator, consultant, writer and artist who specialises in spontaneity, creativity and social change in the workplace.  Previously he held numerous senior, global roles in the corporate world.  He has worked with an incredibly wide variety of organisations in many sectors and is visiting faculty at the Ashridge Business School and Metanoia Institute Organisational Change MSc programmes.

Steve has a reputation for totally embodying his subject matter and, instead of offering a standard plenary lecture, he invites the audience into his world on an adventure to explore some important and profound questions as to what it means to be a human being, particularly in these things we call organisations.

Steve speaks regularly at in house and public events to audiences ranging from 10-2000 on the subjects of creativity, culture change, spontaneity, innovation, identity, shame & the inner critic.

His client list for consulting, coaching, teaching, as well as speaking is huge and includes Google, gsk, Aviva, Siemens, Marks & Spencer, Unilever, Standard Life, Pret a Manager, npower, Nissan, Pentland, Calor, O2 and PwC amongst many others.

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“Mike Walsh is the CEO of Tomorrow, a global consultancy on designing companies for the 21st century. He advises leaders on how to thrive in the current era of disruptive technological change. Mike’s bestsellling books include Futuretainment, published by Phaidon and The Dictionary of Dangerous Ideas. He hosts the weekly podcast, Between Worlds, and travels worldwide over 300 days a year researching trends and giving keynote speeches on the future of business and innovation. Rather than focusing on the distant future, Mike takes an anthropological approach - scanning the near horizon for disruptive technologies and consumer innovations on the verge of hitting critical mass, and then translating these into usable business strategies. Mike previously ran Jupiter Research in Australia, and held senior strategy roles at News Corporation in both the Australian and Asian markets. In his current role at Tomorrow, Mike has advised the CEOs and senior management teams of a wide range of companies including BBC Worldwide, Fujifilm, Richemont, Bentley Motors, Star TV, Televisa, Globe Telecom, Philips and HSBC.”
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Jason Smyth Fastest Paralympian on the Planet

“he can cover 100 metres in 10.22 seconds, a feat rendering him the fastest Paralympian in history.” The Telegraph“The Olympics has Usain Bolt -- the Paralympics has Jason Smyth.” CNN
'On the track it has been my mission to push the boundaries of what is possible by bridging the gap between Para sport and mainstream sport. It is off the track that my experience has the greatest impact as I assist others bridge their own gaps' - Jason Smyth
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“Orlaith Carmody Business Woman Author and Leadership Coach

As a well known communications expert in Ireland and overseas, Orlaith Carmody's day job is working with leaders in the world’s top companies delivering executive training programmes, and preparing leadership teams for frontline communications. As a keynote speaker she has addressed Ireland’s most influential business people, networks and political groups, and has also presented at conferences in the USA, UAE, Canada and throughout Europe. 

Following a career as a broadcast journalist with RTÉ, Orlaith became a serial entrepreneur, and is the Managing Director of Mediatraining.ie, which specialises in communications training and leadership development. She is a director of a number of SMEs in media, recruitment and education, and she served on the board of RTÉ from 2010 to 2015.

She is a founder member of the Irish Chapter of EO, the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation, and was President 2014/15.

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“Everything you wanted to know about artificial intelligence but were afraid to ask. Following a successful 30-year career in business, Calum has developed a new career as a writer and speaker about the likely impacts of artificial intelligence on people and societies.  He has been hired by all kinds of companies, including firms in professional services, financial services, technology, retail, healthcare, defence, entertainment, education, marketing and advertising. Since graduating from Oxford in PPE, Calum Chace has worked as a journalist for BBC World Service, as a director for AMR International and KPMG, for BP in both the UK and UAE, and was the CEO of Weeding Technologies.  Currently Calum is a consultant on AI through 3cs, a company he founded. He is also the author of 'The Economic Singularity', a non-fiction book about the prospect of widespread technological unemployment; 'Surviving AI', a non-fiction book about the likelihood and impact of strong AI and super-intelligence; and techno-thriller 'Pandora's Brain'. “Thank you very much for the presentation you gave – it was exciting, and generated a lot of conversation afterwards – which is always a good sign!” - Kindred, October 2017 “On behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank you for participating at EmTech France this year.  Your talk was enjoyed by the audience and we heard amazing feedback!” - EmTech, October 2017 “Thank you so much for your presentation last night and for participating in a very interesting and lively panel discussion.  I thought it worked really well, and all the feedback I had was very good indeed.  I thought you set the context for the discussion really well and warmed up the audience to think more deeply about and around the topic.” - ICAEW, September 2017 “He was absolutely fantastic!  All the delegates gave very positive feedback on Calum’s contributions, and he added a great deal to the day, and not just in his allocated sessions. We really appreciated him staying around. We’d like to extend a huge big thank you to him. He was excellent.” - Hymans Robertson, September 2017 “Calum did a fantastic job engaging the whole audience and was very well received. The feedback on was absolutely spot on.” - Barclays, June 2017”
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“As a pioneer of Professional Coaching in Rugby, Matt Williams has many years of experience coaching in both Australia and Europe. He is a gifted raconteur and has a unique message that he not only articulates but has lived. During his time coaching, Matt Williams became fascinated with the makeup of individual and team performance. In elite sport, coaching is made up of 3 key areas: Technique, Tactics and Performance - which is the drive to play at one's maximum. Matt takes the "Performance" aspect of sports coaching and applies the enhancing techiques to business teams and executives. In 2006, after seven years in Europe, Matt returned to Australia and linked with the Sydney based HR company EXCEL HR. In partnership they have produced the 'Peak Performance Business Program'. In the media Matt has contributed articles to the Sydney Morning Herald, The Irish Independent and The Irish Times. He has appeared on the Irish radio Newstalk 106 and has been a commenter with the ABC, Setanta Cable TV and RTE Television. He is now the rugby writer for The Irish Times and works as a commentator for Tv3 Group. Matt started coaching in the New South Wales Waratah’s system in 1990. In 1995, after playing an inside role of the winning of the Rugby Wars for the Rugby Union, he rose through the coaching ranks to become manager and Assistant Coach, before becoming Head Coach of the New South Wales Waratah’s from 1997 to 1999. During this time Matt was at the forefront of establishing professional coaching in rugby. Matt was instrumental in mentoring and coaching such great players as David Campese, Matt Burke, Tian Strauss, Phil Kearns and Jason Little. Matt then pioneered the now familiar rugby ‘trek' of Australians coaching in Europe. He was the first Australian Super 12 Coach to move to Europe. He travelled to Ireland coaching the now powerful Irish provincial side, Leinster. In Matt’s three years at Leinster he “was part of a great group of men” who rose through the European rankings from thirty five to second. Leinster won the inaugural Celtic League Final and were Semi Finalists of the European Cup. Matt coached the British and Irish Lions Captain Brian O’Driscoll, as well as Gordon D’Arcy, Shane Horgan, Malcolm O’Kelly and Dennis Hickey. Matt also was appointed Head Coach of Ireland “A” and won the Six Nations title with the “A” team. This led to Matt being head-hunted and appointed Head Coach of Scotland. This unique challenge saw Matt as only the second Australian in over a century to be appointed as a Head Coach in the Six Nations Championship. Matt Williams also has business experience as the current General Manager for RCNM, a software company for sports clubs enabling elite athlete management based in France. He has a background in Education and holds a Masters Degree in Education from Sydney University specialising in Coaching.”
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“Liam Griffin hotelier entrepreneur and former hurling manager is available to speak at corporate and industry events on Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Team Building, Customer Service, amongst other topics.  "Fantastic - Liam Griffin's presentation really went down well with the group. An extremely interesting and accomplished speaker." - Eamonn Burke, Chairman, IT/Automation Healthcare”
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Gavin Duffy Entrepreneur, Dragons Den Investor, Broadcaster and Motivational Speaker is one of Ireland’ top entrepreneurs and most sought after motivational speaker. His witty, engaging and entertaining speaking style is guaranteed to inspire any audience or group.

Gavin is publicly known for his work with entrepreneurs on all seven series of RTE’s Dragons’ Den. Gavin’s career in media started at age seventeen, setting-up a local radio station in County Louth. He was the presenter of the first RTE television business programme, Marketplace, and two years before that in 1985 was one of the first broadcasters on Morning Ireland on RTE Radio One.  He won the franchise for regional radio station LMFM in 1989, later sold to UTV.

Gavin’s extensive experience, both in radio and on television coupled with his knowledge and expertise in business ensure that he is a naturally engaging MC and Speaker.

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“2“What I’m certain about is that Big Data will be the defining text in the discussion for some time to come.” Forbes Viktor Mayer-Schönberger is Professor of Internet Governance and Regulation at the Oxford Internet Institute, part of Oxford University. He is also a faculty affiliate of the Belfer Center of Science and International Affairs at Harvard University. After successes in the International Physics Olympics and the Austrian Young Programmers Contest, Mayer-Schönberger studied in Salzburg, Harvard and at the London School of Economics. In 1986 he founded Ikarus Software, a company focusing on data security and developed the Virus Utilities, which became the best-selling Austrian software product. He was voted Top-5 Software Entrepreneur in Austria in 1991 and Person of the Year for the State of Salzburg in 2000. He has chaired the Rueschlikon Conference on Information Policy in the New Economy, bringing together leading strategists and decision-makers of the new economy. In 2014 he received a World Technology Award in the law category for his work. He is a frequent public speaker, and sought expert for print and broadcast media worldwide. He and his work have been featured in (among others) New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, The Economist, Nature, Science, NPR, BBC, The Guardian, Le Monde, El Pais, Die Zeit, Der Spiegel, WIRED, Ars Technica, and Daily Kos. He is also on the boards of foundations, think tanks and organizations focused on studying the information economy, and advises governments, businesses and NGOs on new economy and information society issues. He has published eleven books, including the international bestseller 'Big Data' ( co-authored with Kenneth Cukier, translated into more than 20 languages) and the awards-winning 'Delete: The Virtue of Forgetting in the Digital Age'. He is the author of over a hundred articles and book chapters on the governance of information. In his spare time, he likes to travel, go to the movies, and learn about architecture.”
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