The Leading Speakers Bureau

World-Renowned Leadership Expert and Author of ‘The One Minute Manager’

Few people have impacted the day-to-day management of people and companies more than Ken Blanchard. A leading management expert whose impact has been felt for over three decades. In addition to serving as chairman of The Ken Blanchard Companies, Inc., the nation’s largest training firm, Ken is a visiting lecturer at his alma mater, Cornell University, where he is a trustee emeritus of the Board of Trustees.

Creating Organizations Where Everyone Wins

[expand title=”In detail”] Ken is a contributing editor of Quality Digest, Personal Selling Power, and the Executive Excellence newsletter. He earned his BA in government and philosophy from Cornell University, his MA in sociology and counselling from Colgate University, and his Ph.D. in educational administration and leadership from Cornell University.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Ken Blanchard identifies the needs, issues, and challenges of organisations and offers the solutions to create high performance teams and greater motivation and commitment from the workforce.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Ken Blanchard is a compelling storyteller with a unique gift for being able to inspire and rejuvenate his audience.[/expand]
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Former Chairman and Chief Executive of GE

John Francis “Jack” Welch Jr.’s twenty years as CEO of General Electric created history. He is now recognized as one of the greatest business leaders. During his leadership the company’s market value increased an incredible $387 billion, with his innovations and ideas making him their most influential CEO. Jack retired from General Electric in 2001 and now serves as a consultant to a small group of Fortune 500 business CEOs.

“Manager of the Century”
– Fortune magazine (1999)

[expand title=”In detail”] After 10 years with GE Jack was elected the company’s youngest Vice President and was named Vice Chairman in 1979. He became the eighth Chairman and CEO in 1981. Upon publication in 2001 his autobiography lead the bestseller lists from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Amazon.com, USA Today Non-Fiction and the Association of Independent Booksellers. In 2006 Jack Welch gave his name to Sacred Heart University’s College of Business.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Jack’s genius is his natural capacity to communicate with people and is acclaimed for his insights on how businesses and people can achieve excellence. His tremendous leadership and inspirational skills made him into one of the most successful business leaders of all time.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]In anecdotal detail and with self-effacing humour, Jack Welch delivers his message in interviews with a fire and pragmatism honed through his vast experience as the leader of the world’s biggest business. His down to earth, direct and powerful style make him highly sought after at events worldwide.[/expand]
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One of Europe’s Most Acknowledged Futurist

Vito Di Bari is one of Europe’s most acknowledged futurists and the leading futurist in Italy. Mixing Italian strengths of creativity and design with strong scientific analysis, he explains future mega-trends and scenarios of our fast-pace changing world. He is the official Innovation Designer of Expo 2015 Milan’s Candidate City.

“Future is all we have, the rest it’s just spilt milk”

[expand title=”In detail”] Vito Di Bari has been Executive Director at UNESCO’s IMI and is Scientific Director of the International Research Laboratory LabNext, quoted as “Milan’s M.I.T.” by L’Espresso magazine and “the Milan’s think tank” by Wired magazine. He is professor of Design and Management of Innovation at the Polytechnic University of Milan and of Corporate Communication at the Bocconi University, where he also chairs the “Laboratory of Cross Media Communication”. He is a weekly columnist for the Italian newspaper Il Sole 24Ore and TV anchorman for Rai and Mediaset.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Exploring the future of technology applied to everyday life, Vito shows you how our lives will change and why. Connecting recent discoveries in media, nanotech and robotics, he explains how corporations and individuals will change their behaviours and attitudes.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]With a wit and provoking style, Vito hits directly to the hearts of each person. Effective, direct and out-of-the-box, his presentations are impressive.[/expand]
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World Authority on Corporate Stress

Carole Spiers is a charismatic, motivational speaker, popular BBC guest-broadcaster and best-selling author of industry’s bible Tolley’s ‘Managing Stress in the Workplace’. With 20 years as a top industry guru on stress management and organisational change, Carole’s energy and dynamism extends to providing professional comment to the media, print and countless radio interviews and is a weekly columnist for Gulf News. A successful international entrepreneur herself, she is well-equipped to inspire others with entrepreneurship in her popular empowerment keynotes.

“The value Carole added was immeasurable. Her presentation was intelligent, interactive and energetic” Leaders of Abu Dhabi, Family Business Forum

[expand title=”In detail”] Carole’s credibility is rooted in twenty years success as CEO of the UK’s No.1 consultancy on Stress Management & Employee Wellbeing. Her focus is on developing a healthy workplace culture through the successful management of stress and organisational change underpinned by a compelling philosophy reinforced by her own experience as an Expert Witness before the UK Courts. In the UK, Carole launched National Stress Awareness day on behalf of the International Stress Management Association of which she is a Vice President. She is also Past President of the London Chapter of the Professional Speakers Association.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Carole is a high-energy speaker able to combine inspiration with insight. She has a unique ability for empowering people to change attitudes and mindsets that hold them back from unlocking their untapped potential. From the small lecture room to the major auditorium, audiences are left spellbound and wanting to bottle Carole’s energy and passion. She can carry a full-day event with confidence, either as speaker or conference chair.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Carole’s inspirational style and range of topics are equally suitable for a curtain-raiser, closing speech or a major conference. With her vibrant personality and unique flair for establishing rapport with any audience, she handles sensitive issues with an empathy and understanding born of experience, encouraging that crucial two-way dialogue that brings about positive change in people’s lives.[/expand]
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International Design Manager

Alberto Alessi has been described as the ‘godfather of Italian product design’.

Now Managing Director of Alessi Spa, using his entrepreneurial flair he has successfully explored the frontiers of design and technology. As a result, he has repositioned the company as a design leader partnering world class designers.

Deservedly, his risk management skills are sought by prominent technology and design led organisations around the world.

More and more people are buying objects for intellectual and spiritual nourishment.”
Alberto Alessi

[expand title=”In detail”] In its third generation Alessi took the company helm in 1970 and has radically extended the product offering from the fundamental household and trade fare to include innovative yet practical products.Not surprisingly, he received the MBA Design Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Brooklyn Museum, New York. He also holds a number of honorary titles from various academic institutions.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Exploring the often fine line between opposing forces – like success and failure – he tempts you into a new world of possibilities. Based on the Alessi story he shows you how stretching your approach to embrace the borderline between traditional and avant-garde thinking you can increase your potential.Exploring the often fine line between opposing forces – like success and failure – he tempts you into a new world of possibilities.
Based on the Alessi story he shows you how stretching your approach to embrace the borderline between traditional and avant-garde thinking you can increase your potential.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Stylish by name, nature and profession this distinct personality will lift your spirit.[/expand]
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Expert on Corporate Strategy and the Learning Organization

Arie de Geus is widely recognised as the originator of many of the principles and practises underlying the “Learning Organisation” concept, and is one of the world’s most effective business strategists. He spent 38 years on three continents helping to lead Royal Dutch Shell through tumultuous times in the oil industry. After a remarkable career in scenario planning and organisational learning, Mr de Geus now helps organisations of all kinds reorganise and prepare for where their futures lead.

‘A global statesman of business change’

[expand title=”In detail”] Today, Mr de Geus continues to work closely with Peter Senge and SoL (the Society for Organizational Learning). He is also involved with the London School of Economics, has been a Visiting Fellow at London Business School and has advised many government and private institutions. He is a founder member of SoL (the Society for Organizational Learning) and of GBN (the Global Business Network).[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Mr de Geus’ extraordinary experience and his strategic thinking and research have given him a depth of content that matches his style and has made him one of the most sought-after speakers in the world. He talks authentically about what he himself has lived through and he applies the lessons of the past to today’s business issues with relevance and verve.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A master storyteller, Mr de Geus uses business parables to give audiences messages that stay with them long after the event has finished. [/expand]
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Practitioner, Scientific Advisor, Technology Intelligence Expert

Prof. Andrea Aparo is a practitioner, scientific advisor and technology intelligence expert.

Having joined Finmeccanica Spa., the major Italian Aerospace and Defence Industrial Group, in 2002 he currently holds the position of Scientific Advisor and Responsible for Technology Intelligence.

From 1999 to 2000, he was Assistant to Professor Ferrante Pierantoni, Board Member of AIPA, the Information Technology Authority of the Italian Prime Minister’s Office.

“A leader in technology”

[expand title=”In detail”] Andrea Aparo holds a Doctorate degree “summa cum laude” in Physics. He started work in experimental physics and then became a researcher at the International Patent Office in Den Haag, Netherlands. In 1995, he founded com.e srl, an Internet company based in Rome. In 1999 he was appointed Director General of the City of Barletta, Italy. Since 1973, Andrea has edited and written science articles and books published by numerous newspapers and magazines. From 1998 to 1999 he was Executive Coordinator at the World Economic Forum in Geneva, Switzerland.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Andrea Aparo offers vast experience in the technological sector and has taught/lectured in high schools, academic institutions, private companies in Italy and abroad. He is in an enviable position of being able to explain to worldwide audiences the far reaching ramifications of new developments of key technologies, showing the complex ways in which they will interact, and explore the economic, political, social and ethical challenges they bring.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Highly engaging and fluid, his style is nonetheless very well punctuated allowing time to absorb his powerful messages. He is a stimulating and engaging speaker whose qualities are endorsed by his international audiences.[/expand]
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Creative Entrepreneur

Lapo Elkann is the grandson of Gianni Agnelli. Together with his brother and sister he is the majority shareholder of the private parent company controlling Fiat Group. In 2007, he launched his own company, Italia Independent which creates unique objects, clothing and accessories. Prior to that he was in charge of Worldwide Brand Promotion for Fiat Group. In 2001, he was Dr. Henry Kissinger’s Personal Assistant.

“To be independent means to write your own story everyday”

[expand title=”In detail”] Having previously worked for Ferrari and Maserati in the Marketing Departments, Lapo moved to Fiat Auto S.p.a. in 2003, where he was in charge of the Fiat Europe Operative Marketing. Whilst in charge of Worldwide Brand Promotion for Fiat Group, he succeeded in winning back the attention of long gone younger clients bringing them to perceive Fiat as a “buddy brand” and “love mark”. He was in charge of the launch of Fiat Punto and has been involved in promoting the relaunch of the Iconic Fiat 500 Car. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Lauded in fashion for not only inheriting his grandfather’s great sense of style, Lapo has proven to be a visionary and dynamic entrepreneur creating his own companies. Based on his success with Fiat winning back the attention of the younger generation and the launch of the Fiat Punto he can demonstrate true entre-preneurial spirit and the importance of innovative marketing and branding.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Lapo Elkann is an enigmatic, inspiring and versatile speaker who is highly sought after by clients eager to hear first hand the fascinating secrets of his success.[/expand]
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Leading Expert on the Future of Organisations & Leadership

Margaret Wheatley writes, teaches, and speaks about radically new practices and ideas for organising in chaotic times. She works to create organisations where people are known as the blessing, not the problem. She is president of The Berkana Institute, a charitable global leadership foundation serving life-affirming leaders and has been an organisational consultant for many years, as well as a professor of management in two graduate programmes.

Meg Wheatley has given the world a new way of thinking about organisations with her revolutionary application of the natural sciences to business management”.

[expand title=”In detail”] Margaret Wheatley holds an M.A. in Communications and Systems Thinking from New York University. She has been a research associate at Yale University, a fellow of the World Business Academy and an Associate Professor of Management at the Marriott School of Management, Brigham Young University, and Cambridge College, Massachusetts.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Margaret is a recognised expert at helping organisations who are wrestling with a common dilema — how to maintain their integrity and effectiveness as they cope with relentless pressures for speed and change in chaotic environments. She provides new insights into the nature of how people interact and shows companies exactly how to create stronger leaders and build better organisations.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]An outstanding communicator and stimulating speaker, Margaret addresses the most critical questions in today’s increasingly volatile business environment as she enlightens and challenges audiences around the globe. [/expand]
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General Counsel and Senior Vice President, Legal and Government Affairs at Apple

Bruce Sewell is highly successful lawyer who specialises in global business development, international competition and intellectual property. He is currently the General Counsel and Senior Vice President, Legal and Government Affairs at Apple. He was previously Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Intel Corporation where he supervised a team of roughly 600 attorneys and policy professionals located in over 30 countries around the world. He was recently profiled in Fortune and is also a regular contributor for the Wall Street Journal.

“One of the 100 Most Influential Lawyers” California Lawyer magazine and the legal Daily Journal (2006)

[expand title=”In detail”] Mr Sewell joined Intel in 1995 as a senior attorney assigned to counsel various business groups in areas such as antitrust compliance, licensing, and intellectual property. In 2001, he was promoted to vice president and deputy general counsel. In that role he managed Intel’s litigation portfolio, and handled corporate transactions, including M&A activities. He took over as only the third general counsel in Intel’s history in November 2004 and was appointed Senior Vice President in 2005.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Dynamic and focused Bruce Sewell offers audiences valuable insights into the intricate world of corporate responsibility. He also uses his considerable expertise to explain in plain English the legal complexities of intellectual property rights and the ins and outs of international competition issues. He shows organisations how to create and retain wealth in today’s innovation economies.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Mr Sewell enjoys using new media (audio and video) in his engaging presentations and dots the landscape with interesting visual aids.[/expand]
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