Patrick Schwerdtfeger is a business futurist specializing in change management and technology trends. His keynote programs cover topics including artificial intelligence, big data, digital marketing, blockchain, and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. These exponential technologies fuel disruptive innovation, and that translates into accelerating change for organizations and business executives alike. Patrick is the author of the award-winning book Anarchy, Inc.: Profiting in a Decentralized World with Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain (2018, Authority Publishing) and a regular speaker for Bloomberg TV. He has lectured at various academic institutions including Purdue and Stanford Universities. Today’s business leaders need to navigate increasing disruption and unprecedented societal change, all while fostering an inclusive and equitable corporate culture for their employees. Change readiness requires new leaders with bigger visions for their respective businesses. Patrick’s focus on disruptive innovation and exponential technologies gives him a unique perspective on the leadership styles most likely to succeed in tomorrow’s economy.
Past speaking clients include:
Recent speaking destinations include:
Expert on Organizational Change and Technology
Managing change and adopting new technologies go hand in hand. The pace of change is accelerating, and it’s impossible to stay abreast of all the technological developments along the way. The advantage of hiring a change management speaker is their singular focus on these new technologies. Executives need to understand the latest use cases, proofs of concept, and pilot programs. They need to hear what’s happening in the venture capital and private equity markets. These are all leading indicators of future change. Patrick introduces a variety of models to help understand impending change and anticipate disruptive innovation. Models are incredibly valuable in the change management process, because they give business leaders additional lead time to prepare for the future.
Successful organizational change requires (1) support from the top of the organization, (2) clear communication to the rest of the team, (3) ownership and accountability throughout the organization, and (4) an instinct to always expect the unexpected. The days of stability and predictable earnings forecasts are over. Businesses need to adapt to changing marketing conditions quickly, or risk being displaced themselves. The net result is that plans are not enough, because plans will change all the time. The essential ingredient is an alignment of incentives across the organization, including company values, employee compensation, operating procedures, and technology investments.
Change Readiness Keynote Speech
Patrick builds his keynote programs with case histories and success stories. In the field of organizational change, there are countless examples that are well documented. Here are a few classic change management case histories:
- RBS and Direct Line: recovering from the financial crisis
- Y2K Scare: ensuring the clocks keep running on 01/01/2000
- Santander: transforming financial institutions in the UK
- Shell Oil: tough love after a crisis of oil reserves
Patrick Schwerdtfeger is a keynote speaker who has spoken at business conferences in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
