The Leading Speakers Bureau

Professor of Information Management & Strategy , IMD, Switzerland

Dr. Donald Marchand is a world authority on demonstrating the business value of using information technology. His special research and teaching interests include how organizations and leaders use information and knowledge to collaborate and compete, how companies develop business models to leverage standardization and flexibility in processes and information systems locally, regionally and globally, and how leaders create organizations where people can fully share and act on what they know and discover what they do not know to learn and change closer to real time.

Champion of the formula for competitive advantage and superior business performance.

[expand title=”In detail”] A former Dean and Professor of Information Management at the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University; before that, he founded and directed the Institute for Information Management, Technology and Policy in the College of Business Administration at the University of South Carolina. From 1997 – 2000, while Director of the IMD / Accenture Navigating Business Success research project, the largest externally funded Partnership Research Project at IMD, a new business performance predictor was discovered namely, ‘Information Orientation’, IO. He is Founder, Chairman and President of enterpriseIQ®, a leading business analytics company.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Donald Marchand is an international expert and popular speaker on the centrality of information management and technology to the competitive strategies of industries, companies and managers. He has been in the unique position of taking his ideas from research directly to management practice. He is a frequent and acclaimed speaker on a variety of compelling business topics at corporate seminars and conferences worldwide. Over the years, he has been an advisor and consultant to over 100 companies as well as public and not-for- profit organizations globally.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]With over 30 years experience gained in research, teaching and executive program development at IMD, he speaks in a clear and concise manner using real case studies to demonstrate the business value of using IT. [/expand]
Continue Reading »

Bosnia Bob – Former UN Commander

Bob’s extensive experience of managing in the most challenging circumstances and his experience in policy-making at highest level during his two years as Chief of Policy at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe make him ideally positioned to inspire today’s business leaders about strategic planning, effective leadership and teamwork.

[expand title=”In detail”] “Bosnia Bob” became a familiar face to television viewers around the world as he handled the intricacies of Balkan politics- crossing borders when he wasn’t supposed to, negotiating and manoeuvring his way to keep the peace, delivering much needed aid to the most lawless country that Europe had seen in many years.Commissioned into the British Army in 1969 after officer training he was sent to University where he took a First Class degree in International Politics and Strategy. Service as an intelligence officer in Northern Ireland led to his return for a further tour as an infantry company commander. He was the officer tasked with control and response to the Ballykelly bombing in 1982, gaining the personal commendation of the GOC Northern Ireland for his actions.

For the next seven years his appointments covered aspects of Operations at the Ministry of Defence and a spell at the Joint Services Staff College. He then became Military Assistant to the highest ranking NATO officer at NATO Headquarters. In 1991 he became the first British United Nations Commander in Bosnia.

He left the Army in 1995, joining a major London firm in their Political Affairs and Corporate Policy Division. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]From 1998 until 2001 Bob was Senior Vice President Europe for WorldSpace Corporation.

He is a frequent commentator on radio and television and captivates audiences around the globe with his insights on team management and effective leadership.[/expand]
Continue Reading »

Senior Maverick at Wired Magazine

Kevin Kelly a technology visionary who has been reporting on the information technology revolution for the past 20 years. He was the founding Editor of Wired Magazine and is currently their Senior Maverick. In addition he is Editor and Publisher of the Cool Tools website, which gets one million visitors per month and Chairman of the Board of All Species Foundation.

“The Internet like a mirror. It reflects us rather than reforms us” Kevin Kelly

[expand title=”In detail”] From 1984-1990 he was publisher and editor of the Whole Earth Review, a journal of unorthodox technical news. He co-founded the ongoing Hackers’ Conference, and was involved with the launch of the WELL, a pioneering online service started in 1985. He helped launch Wired in 1993, and served as its Executive Editor until 1999. Kevin Kelly has no college or university degrees; however his writing appears in the New York Times, Esquire, The Economist and other periodicals. Among Kelly’s personal involvements is a campaign to make a full inventory of all living species on earth, an effort also known as the Linnaean enterprise. Earlier in life, he was a photographer in remote parts of Asia (instead of going to college), publishing his photographs in national magazines and recently in the photo art book Asia Grace.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]

In his content rich and groundbreaking presentations Kevin Kelly encapsulates and demystifies the future of business and economics. He talks in depth about the ways in which new technologies and the Internet are impacting the global economy and the opportunities they are also providing. Organisations around the world are reaping rich rewards by following his visionary and innovative strategies.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]

Kevin’s cutting edge presentations often bridge the gap between technology and philosophy. Unconventional in his approach, he has the ability to convey fascinating facts and his visions on the world of technology in a unique and highly thought-provoking manner. [/expand]
Continue Reading »

One of the Greatest Music Producers of All Time

Tony Visconti has worked with some of the most dynamic and influential names in pop history producing as well as occasionally performing on many of the world’s most respected albums.
With decades of working to the highest levels in this truly innovative field, Tony Visconti is an expert on successful talent management and channeling creativity to produce outstanding results.

“My policy is to interfere as little as possible, but to draw out the best in the artists”

[expand title=”In detail”] Since the late 1960s, Tony has worked with such names as Paul McCartney, Brian Eno, Thin Lizzy, U2, The Boomtown Rats, Manic Street Preachers, Mercury Rev and Morrissey.
He is most celebrated, however, for his remarkable and longstanding working relationships with David Bowie and T.Rex. He has worked with David Bowie on eleven albums to-date.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Tony Visconti shares his invaluable experiences of working with top creative minds in often pressurized conditions to achieve astoundingly innovative results. He offers first hand insights into the creative process and how to get the best from talented individuals and how to stay at the top.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Armed with an abundance of incredible stories and anecdotes and an enthralling presenting style, Tony captures the imaginations of audiences with his highly entertaining and fascinating talks.[/expand]
Continue Reading »

Founder & CEO of Cobra Beer and keynote speaker

Karan (Karan Bilimoria Speaker)started his career at Ernst & Young in 1982, where he spent four years working in audit, tax, training and accounting. In 1989 he founded Cobra Beer, realising his ambition to develop a premium lager to complement Indian cuisine. He then extended into other markets with the launch of General Bilimoria Wines in 1999, and by founding Tandoori Magazine of which he remains Publishing Director. He has also founded curryzone.com and is the Founder and Chairman of Cobrabyte Technologies.

An entrepreneur with the Midas touch

[expand title=”In detail”] Additionally, Karan is a member of the Government’s National Employment Panel, and is Chairman of The Panel’s Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Board. He is also Vice Chairman of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Asian Business Association.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Karan Bilimoria shows audiences the secret behind his success and reveals how to be straightforward in business. He believes that the product always comes first and by striving to be different and better it is possible to change the marketplace and become a brand leader.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An entertaining lecturer and brilliant speaker, Karan is able to draw upon his own experiences to offer decision makers invaluable lessons in designing effective business strategies to increase product sales. He is also part of our Top Indian keynote speakers.[/expand]
Continue Reading »

Foremost Thinker on Human Resource Strategy

Dr. Lynda Gratton is Professor of Management Practice at London Business School where she directs the school’s executive programme, “Human Resource Strategy in Transforming Organisations”. Over the last decade Lynda has led The Leading Edge Research Consortium, a major research initiative involving companies such as Hewlett Packard and Citibank. A global authority on the people implications of strategy Dr. Lynda Gratton writes, teaches and consults across the world on human resource strategy.

“People are our most important asset”

Dr Lynda Gratton has been ranked among the top 50 most influential business thinkers. In 2009 Thinkers 50, the global ranking of management gurus, placed her among the list of most influential thinkers

[expand title=”In detail”] In 2005 Lynda was named by the Times as one of the top 50 thinkers of the world (one of only 4 women). She is acknowledged as one of the world’s most influential thinkers in HR Strategy, and was recently ranked in the Top Ten of HR Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential poll. In 2004 Lynda was appointed a Research Fellow of the Advanced Institute of Management in the UK and is Director of the Lehman Centre for Women in Business.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Lynda is a leading expert in the field of human resource strategy, sought after by a wide range of clients for her ability to translate complex ideas and strategies into easily digestible presentations, which show that people matter more than their roles in today’s businesses, and how to make more of their talent and energy.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]A leading voice, with a charisma and an infectious confidence that motivates and energizes her clients to put into action the messages she communicates[/expand]
Continue Reading »

Co-founder of Lastminute.com & Governmental Champion for Digital Inclusion

Martha Lane Fox is a highly successful self-made business entrepreneur.  She is best known as the co-founder of lastminute.com.

Martha is currently a Non-Executive Director of Channel 4 Television, a Trustee of the charity Reprieve and Patron of CAMFED. She has also helped launch a chain of upmarket karaoke clubs called Lucky Voice.

“Martha Lane Fox has hit the two zeitgeist buttons: youth and internet.” The Guardian

[expand title=”In detail”] Martha started her career as an associate at Spectrum Strategy Consultants, where she met Brent Hoberman.  She then worked for a year as business development manager of Carlton Communication’s initiatives in pay TV and digital channels. Brent Hoberman eventually persuaded Martha to join him as chief operating officer of lastminute.com. She remained on the board until the company was purchased by Sabre Holdings in 2005 for £577million.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]In her presentations Martha explains what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur and the ways in which she focuses on delivering service and value to customers. She offers practical advice and incredibly useful information based on her experiences with Lastminute.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]With a charismatic and engaging personality combined with her inimitable style of management, Martha’s presentations are highly enjoyable and always informative.[/expand]
Continue Reading »

Founder and President, Foundation on Economic Trends

Jeremy Rifkin is a Professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania where he lectures to CEOs and senior-management from around the world in the famed Advanced Management Program. Currently, Mr. Rifkin is advising the European Union and other governments as well as Fortune 500 companies, on actions that should be taken immediately to address the triple threat of the global financial crisis, energy crisis, and climate change. He also is an advisor to heads of state including Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Prime Minister Zapatero of Spain, Prime Minister George Papandreou of Greece, and Prince Albert II of Monaco.

One of the leading big-picture thinkers of our day

[expand title=”In detail”] Mr. Rifkin is the Chairman of the Third Industrial Revolution Global CEO Business Roundtable, made up of 100 of the world’s leading corporations and trade associations that are creating the infrastructure for a new low-carbon energy era and accompanying economic paradigm. As the founder and president of The Foundation on Economic Trends he examines the economic, environmental, social and cultural impacts of new technologies introduced into the global economy.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Mr. Rifkin remains one of the most highly sought-after and highest rated speakers on the topic of globalization, sustainability and shifting to a new energy era and low-carbon economy. Mr. Rifkin believes that it is imperative to begin pursuing a bold long-term Third Industrial Revolution economic game plan that can establish a new framework and architecture for remaking the globalization process along more sustainable lines. A master of speech, he addresses the impact of scientific and technological changes on the economy, workforce, society and the environment. Unprecedented consequences are emerging out of the shift from industrial to cultural production, and his informed insight on this is unparalleled. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Highly engaging and fluid, his style is nonetheless very well punctuated allowing time to absorb his powerful messages.[/expand]
Continue Reading »

Wireless, Internet and e-Business Specialist, European Director of the TED Conferences

Bruno Giussani is a technological innovation specialist and an award-winning blogger who speaks frequently at innovation and technology events. He is currently the European Director of the TED conferences, the producer of TEDGLOBAL (Oxford) and the host of several other gatherings and brainstormings focusing on innovation. Bruno is also a member of the Board of Tinext in Switzerland, a software company he co-founded. Through his consultancy, Giussani Group LLC, he advises private and public organisations.

A futurologist with his feet firmly on the ground.

[expand title=”In detail”] Bruno is a regular commentator on Swiss Public Radio. Previously he was an executive at the World Economic Forum, an Internet columnist for the New York Times and the Director of Innovation at 3G Mobile, a Swiss wireless company. He co-founded two other firms and authored several books on the social impacts of new technologies. He was made a 2004 Knight Fellow at the Department of Communication at Stanford University and is now a member of the Board of the same Fellowship. The intersections of politics, economy, and technological innovation have kept Bruno busy for almost twenty years.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Concentrating on the social impacts of technological innovation and on the emerging socio-political trends, he uses his vast wealth of experience to show you the tangible potential of wireless technology. He also demonstrates how tapping into company information resources and databases remotely, allows organisations to receive information earlier and act on it accordingly.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]You will be engaged by his refreshing approach to wireless and Internet issues, e-business and m-business strategy. He favours a pragmatic, no-hype approach.[/expand]
Continue Reading »

Head of Sotheby’s International Wine Department

Serena Sutcliffe is one of the world’s most admired and respected wine experts. Joining the wine trade in 1971, she passed the Master of Wine examination at first attempt, only the second woman to obtain this qualification. From 1977-1990 she was in the international wine consultant business in conjunction with husband, David Peppercorn. In 1991, she joined Sotheby’s as a senior director, a member of Sotheby’s European Board, and Head of Sotheby’s International Wine Department.

“Chevalier dans L’Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur” France 2006

[expand title=”In detail”] Serena Sutcliffe has been a member of the Wine Committee of the International Wine & Food Society, the Education Committee of the Institute of Masters of Wine, the International Committee of the British Gastronomic Academy, and a committee member of the Journal of Wine Research published by the Institute of Masters of Wine.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]An award winning wine expert and recognised contributor to the global wine industry, Serena Sutcliffe offers audiences wonderful candid observations on wines from around the world.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]With meticulous preparation and a wealth of personal experience and expertise, Serena is an ideal host and her presentations are both stimulating and highly enjoyable.[/expand]
Continue Reading »