Simon Waller Speaker Guide 2017 web

Simon Waller
2017 Speaker Guide

Who is
Simon Waller
“Simon Waller delivered one of the best keynotes I’ve
ever seen, and I’ve seen a heap”
- Dr Jason Fox, Bestselling author of How to Lead a Quest
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Born on the beach and raised on fishing boats, Simon’s affinity for
technology is somewhat unexpected. He hasn't spent his life
studying or working in big tech. Instead, what drives Simon is his
deep curiosity for making things work. Better. Faster. Cheaper. His
ability to make the abstract accessible is his advantage, he can turn a
technophobe into a digital native in just a few clicks.
Self-proclaimed as inherently lazy his intent is to use technology to
make his life and the lives of those around him easier so they can get
on with the work and play that really matters.
Simon is the author of Analogosaurus: How to avoid extinction in
a world of digital business and The Digital Champion:
Connecting the dots between people, work and technology.
As part of his personal commitment to showing others how to ‘live
the dream’, he resides on the Mornington Peninsula nestled between
the beach and the vineyards...whilst through the wonders of modern
technology, only milliseconds from the rest of the world.
His clients include multinational organisations such as John Holland,
AMP, Bank of Queensland and OpenText, industry associations such
as CPA Australia and The Law Society as well as government
agencies and departments. The breadth of impact that digital
technology is currently having on organisations means that his work,
and his keynotes, are applicable across a huge variety of audiences.
Sound interesting? If you want to find out more you
can head to
simonwaller.com.au
Rather than just amuse and entertain, his keynotes provide a deeper
level of insight into the impact of digital technology on people at
work. He gets audiences to question the status quo and find
opportunities for meaningful improvement in how they work. His
sessions are especially relevant for skeptical audiences who want
insights and advice on what they can do today, rather than just being
inspired by what might be possible tomorrow.
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CONTENTS PAGE
Simon Waller
A little bit about Simon 2
Some books he has written 5
Keynotes and Events
This was supposed to be the future 11
The opportunities are in the cracks 13
Not another app recommendation 15
Can technology make us more human 17
Customised events 19
Let’s do this thing
Create an immersive digital experience 22
Ready to get started? 23
Who I’ve worked with 24

Recommendations for Analogosaurus
“Critical reading for anyone who
uses technology in business.”
Peter Cook
“Excellent for those wishing to
use digital at work and don't
know how to start.”
Walter J. Adamson
“Simon gently walks us through
the case for building digital
intelligence, employing a mix of
logical arguments, interesting
stories and easy to grasp
metaphors. His passion for the
topic is obvious.”
Anneli Blundell
“Simon’s conversational style
makes this book easy and
enjoyable to read. His case is
compelling - understand and
use the digital tools available to
you or face extinction! Now
there's a stark choice…”
Corrinne Armour
“I would say the author’s
experience is the main reason
why I found this book interesting
and though it has more than
200 pages I was kind of sad
when it came its end because of
its themes and accessible style
it was written in.“
Denis Vukosav
“This book is a timely warning about how the modern
world is going further and further into the digital realm,
and how out of touch many people are to where the
future is heading.”
Book details
John Green
Individual, hand signed copies of Analogosaurus are available
from simonwaller.com.au/analogosaurus.
Bulk orders are available with a generous discount for orders of 24
copies & above. Email sunny@simonwaller.com.au for more
details.
Don’t like pink? For orders of 1,000 books or more we can work
together to create your own unique cover and customised
content. Once again email sunny@simonwaller.com.au if you
would like to find out more.
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Recommendations for The Digital Champion
"This book is an absolute
imperative if you want your
business to stay relevant.”
Dr Jason Fox
“Many businesses either have
the technology but no idea how
to leverage it, or have no idea of
the technology that they could
be leveraging if only they knew!
Simon Waller approaches these
issues in an innovative,
practical and inspired way. The
Digital Champion is the book
that will help your organisation
develop possibly the most
valuable role in your team – a
Digital Champion.”
“Simon has written the bible for
Digital Champions. Simon is on a
mission to help people prepare
for the future of work by engaging
people in the technology of the
present. Simon is fluent in both IT
and business, and teaches Digital
Champions how to successfully
implement digital projects by
building a bridge between both
(and bringing along users and
vendors for the ride).
This is an imminently readable
book that teaches how to select,
validate and execute digital
projects that matter. Essential
reading for anyone who wants to
don the cape of a digital
champion and successfully
implement meaningful digital
projects.”
“This book shows why organisations have been doing
technology all wrong. The digital champions approach and
the use of stories is exactly what we need to engage people
in the next wave of digital opportunities.”
Book details
Patricia McMillan
Individual, hand signed copies of The Digital Champion are
available from simonwaller.com.au/the-digital-champion.
Bulk orders are available with a generous discount for orders of 24
copies & above. Email sunny@simonwaller.com.au for more
details.
Want to make a collectable version? For orders of 1,000 books or
more we can work together to create your own unique cover and
customised content. Once again email
sunny@simonwaller.com.au if you would like to find out more.
Dermot Crowley
Peter Cook
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Keynotes & Events

These days having a technology speaker at your event is somewhat de rigueur though I imagine it’s
sometimes difficult to know which one to choose. There are plenty of technology speakers out
there who can entertain audiences with footage of the latest selfie drone or app connected suitcase
(yes, both of those are real) but in an age where digital technology is driving massive business
disruption across almost every industry sector, well, you might be looking for something a bit more
meaningful.
If there was one theme that runs across all my keynotes it would be the need for us to reflect on
how we use digital technology and what we can do to be more effective in the future. My keynotes
are not designed to reassure your audience that everything is going to be OK (because it's probably
not) but rather to engage your audience in a way that inspires them to take action.
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Keynote #1
This was supposed to
be the future
For those who’ve let technology happen to
them for too long.

Keynote #1:
This was supposed to be the future
The accelerating nature of technology change is starting to make people
feel a little uncomfortable. The shiny tech infused dream of flying cars,
hoverboards and robotic assistants is yet to come to pass and instead we
are now staring down the barrel of artificial intelligence and machinelearning
algorithms that threaten to make many of our current jobs
irrelevant…
...and in the middle of all this, we are finding ourselves
surgically attached to our smartphones and struggling
to get our email inboxes under control. Clearly
something is amiss.
It is time to acknowledge that the future is never as simple and easy as it
appears, and ultimately, if we want a better technology future we will need
to create it.
The strategy of just letting technology happen is clearly broken. The time
has come for us to happen to technology (or something to that effect).
What it covers
#technology #productivity #innovation
#futureofwork
Audience
Organisations who wish to inspire action
amongst their senior leadership teams and
middle managers.
Timing (when in the program)
A thought provoking conversation starter, this
keynote is best scheduled just before a break.
Especially useful when looking to inspire
meaningful discussions around the coffee
station.
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Keynote #2
The opportunities are
in the cracks
(Or why the IT department needs to die)
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Keynote #2:
The opportunities are in the cracks
We all know that thinking strategically about IT means more than just
pinning vision statements to the wall and conceiving an endless stream of
cascading goals and objectives. But given the disruptive changes we are
currently seeing in the digital landscape perhaps the whole model of IT
delivery requires a rethink.
The truth is that most IT departments were conceived in a very different
era (under very different circumstances) and are often failing to respond
adequately to the needs of more technology savvy users.
It is time to look at how we might do things differently. What would it mean
to create an IT function designed to genuinely empower the people it
served? How would we structure it, how would we operate it and what
might the benefits be?
What it covers
#technology #strategy #IT #leadership
Audience
For leadership teams who acknowledge that in
a world of digital disruption every option needs
to be on the table.
Timing (when in the program)
A mind opening keynote that is a great way to
begin your conference and set the scene for
great things to come.
In a world where technology is increasingly pervasive and every business
is turning out to be a technology business, this is a challenge that can no
longer be ignored.
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Keynote #3
Not another app
recommendation
(Or how to gear up your people for success
in a digital world)

Keynote #3:
Not another app recommendation
The right set of apps in the right hands can dramatically improve
productivity and personal effectiveness…but with over one million apps on
both the Apple and Android app stores it is difficult to know where to start.
It is no wonder that we are constantly seeking out app recommendations
from friends and family (and even the Qantas magazine), but just for once
it might be nice to get recommendations from someone actually qualified
to do so.
This keynote is completely customised to your audience. Not only will they
get key insights on the impact of emerging digital technologies on their
specific industry or role, they will also get a set of recommended apps that
have been researched and road-tested just for them.
What it covers
#technology #productivity #efficiency
#futureofwork
Audience
Perfect for industry groups, associations and
forward-thinking leaders who want to
empower their staff to work better with digital
technology. Also great for smaller audiences in
a longer workshop format.
Timing (when in the program)
On the lighter side, this is the type of keynote
you might consider for that post lunch time slot
when you need to re-engage the audience.
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Keynote #4
Can technology make
us more human?
When you want to set the scene for
something big

Keynote #4:
Can technology make us more human?
We are constantly being blindsided by technology. Activities that were
previously considered the sole domain of humans such as driving vehicles
and helping diagnose cancer are now being done (often more
successfully) by machines. As the rate of technology-driven change
continues to increase a very legitimate question arises: what type of work
will be left for us?
It turns out that the progress of technology is more predictable than we
think and there are actions that we can take to improve our long term
relevance. In this keynote we will explore the strengths and weaknesses of
our digital tools, the types of work currently under threat and the approach
we need to take to work in the 21st century.
What it covers
#technology #futurist #futureofwork
#leadership
Audience
Given the breadth of impact we are currently
seeing with digital disruption, this keynote has
broad appeal across all levels in an
organisation and is relevant to many different
industry sectors.
Timing (when in the program)
Ideally this keynote would be best
accompanied by a glass of red around an
open fire at the end of the first day. If this isn’t
one of your speaker spots you might otherwise
consider using it towards the beginning of your
program to help open people’s minds.
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Keynote #5
The custom job
For when you need something truly unique

Keynote #5:
The custom job
The breadth of impact that digital technology is having on society is quite
positively...huge. And although there are common threads, themes and
ideas, the experience your organisation is having will always be somewhat
unique. Sometimes it just requires a different perspective to help make
sense of it all.
The custom job is what happens when you put your audience in the
middle and we design the keynote around them. We will take the time to
understand your current challenges and the impact you are wanting to
make and I will then go away to craft a keynote that delivers the messages
and ideas you want them to take away.
If you have some ideas that you would like to explore with me, best get in
touch.
What it covers
#technology #business #leadership
#productivity #futureofwork
Audience
This can work for a diverse range of business
audiences.
Timing (when in the program)
A mind opening keynote that is a great way to
begin your conference and set the scene for
great things to come.
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Let’s do this thing
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Create an immersive digital event
I love to speak at the events where the technology bit is done awesome (it’s a congruence thing) and I
work with a limited number of event organisers to help make this happen.
I believe the very best use of technology is when we can smudge the line between the physical and the
virtual, to give people a rich and sensory experience that can only come from being physically present
(at least for now) but combine it with a longer term engagement and broader reach that only digital can
provide.
I know this is easier said than done and so I am happy to provide some free, independent feedback on
your current digital approach. If, on the other hand, you need something more in depth please get in
touch about the Interactive Digital Design services I provide.
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Ready to get started?
The very first thing to do is call or email my wonderful business manager Sunny. She will
be able to advise on whether the dates for your event are available and arrange a time for
us to talk*.
*it’s never too soon to do this as I’m regularly booked 6-12 months in advance. The best way to secure
your preferred dates is to get in touch.
We will then arrange a phone or Skype call so I can get a bit more background on your
event and the outcomes you are looking to achieve for your audience. We can then
discuss which of the keynotes might be most suitable and other things that will help
make the event a success.
Assuming there are general nods of agreement (obviously more appropriate if done on a
Skype call) then we are on our way...
hello@simonwaller.com.au
1300 66 55 85
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Some enterprising organisations I’ve worked with
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Rest at ease, I come recommended
"Simon Waller recently presented
on the topic of how digital
technology can be applied to
improve leadership performance to
a group of CEOs and business
leaders at one of our ‘by invitation’
breakfast briefings. He had the
room abuzz with discussion and
questions. His manner of
presenting is straight to the point
whilst being accessible and
engaging – which is no easy feat
on a topic that could easily
intimidate. I highly recommend
Simon to bring your leadership
team up to speed on what they
need to know and do to stay ahead
of the game."
"At Simon’s presentation he
had us captivated right from
the beginning. His
knowledge and
understanding of digital
technology was amazing
and his presentation made it
so easy to understand. I
have and will highly
recommend Simon to
members of my network as
an exceptional guest
speaker who is very
enthralling and will certainly
bring you into the current
digital technology period
and prepare you for the
next!!!"
"Simon delivered a superb
keynote around the “Need
to make Technology
Personal” for increased
relevancy and success in
today’s digital world. His
message was simple, clear
& crisp. Simon strongly
connected with the
audience while making the
session lively & entertaining.
I’d happily recommend
Simon for anyone looking
for a customer centric point
of view on how to succeed
in today’s digital world."
"Simon delivered a
compelling presentation to
our top 100 leaders on
digital disruption and the
future of work. Simon’s
depth of knowledge and
expertise shone through as
he shared many relevant
and interesting insights and
examples from across
different industries and
times. Simon’s interactive
approach was refreshing
and helped our leaders
better understand the
impacts and opportunities
available to us."
Mae Lee Sun,
The Executive Connection
Jenny Plapp,
Australian Automobile
Association
Chetan Yardi,
OpenText
Bronwyn Pearce,
Bank of Queensland
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Simon Waller
hello@simonwaller.com.au
simonwaller.com.au
1300 66 55 85
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