The Leading Speakers Bureau

The World’s Preeminent Authority on the Economic & Technological Impact of Virtual Worlds

Cory Ondrejka is the co-creator of the Digital World, Second Life. In life after Linden Lab and Second Life, he was a visiting professor at University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Communication. He is currently the Executive Vice President of Digital Strategy for EMI Recorded Music. He is an expert on the interrelation between innovation and learning, as well as the technological and social requirements of product development.

“A relentless innovator”

[expand title=”In detail”] Cory Ondrejka received his BS in Weapons and Systems Engineering from the United States Naval Academy, graduated from the Navy Nuclear Power School, and served as an officer in the United States Navy. As co-founder and CTO of Linden Lab, Cory Ondrejka has long been an evangelist for the power of virtual worlds. He constructed the core code and built the multinational team that created the award-winning Second Life. He has also driven Linden Lab’s unique distributed culture for geographically-diverse software development, establishing tools and practices for building the right internal teams for specific tasks, independent of the geographic location of the people.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Cory Ondrejka offers an exciting look at what’s ahead in Virtual Worlds and how it will affect business and society. He conveys the excitement about this new frontier where entrepreneurs are already exploring ways to generate real-world profits. He is passionate about showing how virtual worlds can be used to create a more connected workplace, the deep connection between learning and innovation, their impact on national power and much more.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A skilled and exciting speaker, Cory Ondrejka expertly brings unique experience and current insight to the business challenges and opportunities inherent to these new technologies.[/expand]
Continue Reading »

Expert on Employment and Workforce Diversity

Amin Rajan is Chief Executive of the Centre for Research in Employment and Technology in Europe (CREATE) – a pan-European network of prominent researchers undertaking high level advisory assignments for the UK government, City institutions, multinational companies and international bodies such as the EU, OECD and ILO. He is also a visiting professor at the Cass Business School, London Guildhall University and at the Centre for Leadership Studies at Exeter University, and also President of the Scientific Committee at Audencia-Nantes, Ecole de Management.

“ Amin’s work has proved so influential that he now provides leadership coaching to top executives and investment specialists”

[expand title=”In detail”] Amin Rajin was formerly an economic advisor at the National Economic Development Office, Cabinet Office and HM Treasury. He has also carried out numerous studies for the UK Government and international bodies, and acted as a consultant to companies such as BP, British Telecom, IBM, ICL, Legal & General, Motorola, Merrill Lynch, National Westminster Bank, Fiat, Rolls Royce, SunAlliance and Shell.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]As a prominent researcher Amin Rajan offers audiences valuable insights into the business benefits of and practical challenges involved in the promotion of workforce diversity. Amin Rajan also uses his experience to coach decision makers and offer essential advice on leadership and emerging business strategies. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Appearing regularly on business television as well as at numerous events around the world, Amin Rajan’s high content presentations are filled with invaluable information from his research perfectly tailored to suit individual client’s needs.[/expand]
Continue Reading »

Founder of GrameenPhone & Global Leader for Tomorrow

Iqbal Quadir is the Executive Director of the Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship. He founded GrameenPhone and Gonofone, profitable ventures which provide universal telecommunications access in Bangladesh. Iqbal’s work has been recognised by leaders and organisations worldwide, with invitations to speak at many forums, including the World Bank, United Nations, World Economic Forum, and Aspen Institute.

“Iqbal has opened the world’s eyes to expanding the use of modern telecommunications technologies in the world’s poorest places”

[expand title=”In detail”] In 2006, he became the 12th recipient of the prestigious Science, Education and Economic Development Award from the Rotary Club of Metropolitan Dhaka, for initiating universal telephone coverage to Bangladesh. He appeared on CNN and PBS and was profiled in feature articles in the Harvard Business Review, Financial Times, The Economist, and The New York Times, and in several books. In spring 2007, Wharton Alumni Magazine selected Quadir for its list of 125 Influential People and Ideas. He has previously taught at Harvard University.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]With experience of having attained revenues close to US$ 1 billion annually with GrameenPhone, Iqbal has a wealth of knowledge and unparalleled expertise in telecommunications and economics. Iqbal Quadir offers audience’s great insights and useful guidelines on the future of these fields.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An empowering and engaging speaker, Iqbal Quadir talks passionately about his goals and dreams and leaves audiences inspired with his simple yet effective ideas.[/expand]
Continue Reading »

Chair Professor of Communication Technology & Society

Manuel Castells is Professor of Communication and the holder of the Wallis Annenberg Chair in Communication Technology and Society at the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Southern California. He is a Research Professor at the Open University of Catalonia in Barcelona and Professor Emeritus of Sociology and of City and Regional Planning at the University of California, Berkeley. He is currently the co-editor of the International Journal of Communication.

“Governments can no longer govern; they can only negotiate”

[expand title=”In detail”] Between 1967 and 1979 he was associate professor of sociology at the School for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences at the University of Paris. In 1979 he was appointed Professor of City and Regional Planning and of Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley. He has lectured in over 300 academic institutions in 46 countries and is the author of 22 academic books and editor or co-author of 21 additional books, as well as over 100 articles in academic journals. He has been knighted for scientific merit by the Governments of France (Order of Arts and Letters), Finland (Order of the Lion of Finland), Chile (Order of Gabriela Mistral), Portugal (Order of Santiago da Espada), and Catalonia (Cross of Saint George).[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]A pro-bono advisor to the governments of Chile, Portugal, Spain, Mexico, Ecuador, Nicaragua, China, Brazil, Russia, Finland, and South Africa, Manuel Castells is the most influential urban theorist of our time and has revolutionized modern thought on the processes of advanced capitalism and the generation of inequality. His forward thinking views reflect the panoramic breadth of his knowledge, the clarity of his approach, and the scholarly rigor and intellectual depth of his theoretical methods. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Manuel is a brilliant speaker who brings great depth to his immaculately researched presentations in which he skillfully demonstrates his analytical prowess.[/expand]
Continue Reading »

Editor in Chief of MoneyWeek Magazine

Merryn Somerset Webb is the Editor in Chief of the respected weekly financial magazine MoneyWeek. As well as editing Moneyweek she now has regular columns in the Sunday Times, the Spectator and Saga Magazine and has written for a variety of other publications including Harpers and The Week. Merryn is also a frequent radio and television commentator on everything to do with money.

“Make your money and buy your freedom”

[expand title=”In detail”] In 1992 Merryn moved to Japan to continue her Japanese studies and to produce business programmes for NHK, Japan’s public TV station. In 1993 she became an institutional broker for SBC Warburg, where she stayed for 5 years. Returning to the UK in 1998, Merryn became a financial writer for The Week. Two years later, in 2000, MoneyWeek was launched and Merryn took the job of editor. She became Editor-in-chief in November 2008.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Combining years of financial expertise with a healthy dose of scepticism and an easy sense of humour, Merryn provides insights into the UK and current global economic outlook and also the bigger issues which affect financial markets.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Merryn’s presentations are delivered in an articulate and relaxed manner. Merryn is an ideal speaker to address a wide range of audiences.

[/expand]

Continue Reading »

Professor of Investment Banking at Harvard Business School

Dr. Josh Lerner recently led an international team of scholars in a study of the economic impact of private equity for the World Economic Forum. He founded, raised funding for and organizes two groups at the National Bureau of Economic Research: Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy and the Economy. He is a member of a number of other NBER groups and serves as co-editor of their publication, Innovation Policy and the Economy. At Harvard, his research focuses on the structure and the role of private equity organizations.

“Renowned Harvard Business School professor”

[expand title=”In detail”] Josh Lerner graduated from Yale College with a Special Divisional Major which combined physics with the history of technology. He worked for several years on issues concerning technological innovation and public policy, at the Brookings Institution, for a public-private task force in Chicago, and on Capitol Hill. He then earned a Ph.D. from Harvard’s Economics Department. In the 1993-94 academic year, he introduced an elective MBA course on private equity and venture capital that has consistently been one of the largest elective courses at HBS. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]An advisor to a select group of private equity funds and major institutional investors, Josh Lerner helps his global audiences identify and respond to key trends in the private equity industry. He also examines the impact of intellectual property protection, particularly patents, on the competitive strategies of firms in high-technology industries. He presents at conferences and meetings organized by numerous accounting firms, investment banks, intellectual property trade associations, law firms, other intermediaries, private equity groups, publications and national venture capital and private equity associations.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]With a warm and genuine style, Josh Lerner skilfully does away with some of the myths surrounding private equity in his highly informative presentations.[/expand]
Continue Reading »

Leading Authority on Business Strategy and Professor of Management

Professor Henry Mintzberg is Professor of Management at McGill University in Montreal, Canada and a Visiting Scholar at INSEAD in Fontainbleau, France. His entire career has focused on understanding how big business make decisions. In 2009 and 2007 Thinkers 50, the global ranking of management gurus, placed him among the list of most influential thinkers.

“Management is where art and craft and science meet”

[expand title=”In detail”] Henry Mintzberg holds a Ph.D. from the Sloan School of Management, M.I.T., where he studied Policy, Organisational Studies, Information and Control Systems and Political Science. During his career Henry Mintzberg has written and published numerous articles (i.e. in Harvard Business Review, Sloan Management Review, California Management Review), monographs, reviews and books.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Henry Mintzberg’s interests focus on issues of General Management and Organisation, including the process of strategy formation, the design of Organisations as well as the impact of design on Organisations and the roles of intuition, insight and inspiration in a world of “thin” Management. It is not about empowerment; it assumes that you are already empowered and engaged too. It goes beyond, enabling you to improve yourself, your team, and your organization.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Henry Mintzberg’s presentations provide the opportunity to enhance managerial and leadership skills.[/expand]
Continue Reading »

World’s Leading Historian of the Global Economy

Niall Ferguson is widely acknowledged as the world’s leading historian of the global economy. He is a prolific commentator on contemporary politics and economics and a regular contributor to television and radio on both sides of the Atlantic. He is also a contributing editor for the Financial Times. In 2010 Niall takes up the chair in History and International Affairs at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

“the most talented British historian of his generation”

[expand title=”In detail”] Niall Ferguson is Professor of History at Harvard University and Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. He is also a Senior Fellow of the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. In 2009 the London School of Economics appointed Niall to chair History and International Affairs. For a documentary series based on his book ‘The Ascent of Money’, Niall received the International Emmy for Best Documentary. He is currently researching the life and times of Henry Kissinger for a new book.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Named as one of the world’s hundred most influential people by Time magazine, Niall believes that money is the cornerstone of human progress but can also be the catalyst for catastrophe for individuals, companies and nations. Through his in-depth analysis and research into historical events as well as current economical and political trends, he offers invaluable advice for leading businesses world wide.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An experienced television and radio presenter, Niall Ferguson is an accomplished and dynamic speaker. His thought-provoking presentations are delivered with the perfect balance of wit and analytical clarity to challenge conventional thinking.[/expand]
Continue Reading »

Nobel Prize Laureate in Economics 2009

Prof. Oliver E. Williamson was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics for “his analysis of economic governance, especially the boundaries of the firm” in 2009, sharing it with Elinor Ostrom. He is the Edgar F. Kaiser Professor Emeritus of Business, Economics and Law and Professor of the Graduate School, both at the University of California, Berkeley, USA. He is a prominent author in the area of transaction cost economics and related disciplines and is credited with the development of the term “Information Impactedness”, which applies in situations where it is difficult to ascertain what the costs to information are.

“Oliver E. Williamson is one of the leading economic theorists of our time”

[expand title=”In detail”] Oliver E. Williamson received his B.Sc. in management from the MIT Sloan School of Management, M.B.A. from Stanford University, and his Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University. He is recognised for developing a theory where business firms serve as structures for conflict resolution, and has argued that hierarchical organisations, such as companies, represent alternative governance structures, which differ in their approaches to resolving conflicts of interest.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Author of one of the most important books on the corporation, Prof. Williamson has been instrumental in establishing economic governance as a field of research. His focus on the cost of transactions has led him to distinguish between repeated case-by-case bargaining on the one hand and relationship-specific contracts on the other. He is highly sought-after by government organisations and corporations eager to reap the benefits of his considerable expertise, in-depth research and proven economic strategies.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Oliver E. Williamson is an engaging, enlightening and highly informative speaker with an unparalleled level of knowledge of today’s economic markets.[/expand]
Continue Reading »

Professor of Political Economy at Harvard University

Alberto Alesina is a leader in the field of Political Economics and has published extensively in all major academic journals in economics. He is also a member of the National Bureau of Economic Research and the Center for Economic Policy Research. He has been a co-editor of the Quarterly Journal of Economics for eight years and Associate Editor of many academic journals. He has published columns in many leading newspapers around the world and has visited several institutions including MIT, Tel Aviv University, University of Stockholm, The World Bank, and the IMF.

“One of the eight best economists under the age of forty in the world and most likely to win a Nobel Prize in the future” The Economist (1990)

[expand title=”In detail”] Alberto Alesina obtained his Ph.D. from Harvard in 1986 and served as Chairman of the Department of Economics from 2003 – 2006 and was the Taussig Research Professor of Economics from 2006 – 2007. He is a member of the Econometric Society and of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Alberto Alesina’s offers a unique perspective on a variety of topics. He expertly points out how Europe should handle labour productivity, labour market regulation, globalization, support for higher education and research, fiscal policy, and its multiethnic societies. His wake-up call will ring loud and clear for anyone concerned about the future of Europe and the global economy.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Alberto Alesina is a highly respected, knowledgeable and provocative speaker with the ability to engage audiences worldwide. He has an informative presenting style – he is clear, direct and thought provoking.[/expand]
Continue Reading »