Simon Waller

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 machine- learning algorithms that threaten to make many of our current jobs irrelevant…

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.

ALL YOUR POSSIBLE FUTURES
INTERACTIVE SCENARIOS THAT BRING THE FUTURE INTO THE PRESENT

Understanding the future is the ultimate competitive advantage. Defining strategies and making decisions become a whole lot easier if you already know where the future is taking us. So, how can we possibly know the future?

A distinct lack of hoverboards and robotic assistants reminds us that the future is not entirely predictable. But our inability to accurately predict the exact future doesn’t stop us from defining the possible futures we will face.

Using scenario planning, the approach made famous by Royal Dutch Shell, Simon investigates the drivers of change in your operating environment and develops vivid, memorable stories of your organisation’s possible futures.

These stories are delivered through an interactive and immersive experience that leaves participants with rich memories of the future that will shape decisions and create impact long after your event is over.

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. Beyond that, we can also find ways to use technology to free our time from mundane tasks and invest in the uniquely human qualities that enrich our lives.

CAN TECHNOLOGY (AND A.I.) MAKE US MORE HUMAN
WHEN YOU WANT TO SET THE SCENE FOR SOMETHING BIG

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. And with a new generation of generative AI tools now flooding the workplace, 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 simple actions that we can take to improve our long-term relevance. But beyond co-existing with our technology, this keynote explores what it really means to be human and how we can ultimately use technology to enrich our lives.
(And for the more adventurous amongst you, please ask whether we can get Simon to bake some of his infamous AI designed biscuits for your audience to try)

NAVIGATING UNCERTAINTY

INSIGHTS FOR THRIVING IN UNPREDICTABLE TIMES

How can you build and operate a successful organisation in an environment defined by unpredictability and uncertainty? Between global pandemics, regional wars and a growing climate crisis, organisations of all shapes and sizes are finding themselves navigating uncharted waters.

In 2004, Simon had his own experience of navigating uncharted waters when he competed in the 2004 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race — a race in which only half the fleet made it to the finish line. As a result of a lifelong association with the fishing industry, what concerned Simon the most was about the lack of planning, preparation and seamanship that led to so many of the sailors abandoning the race…and in some cases, abandoning their boats.
In this keynote, Simon shares his reflections on the race and a series of unique insights that the experience has inspired. And perhaps most interesting, Simon shares a number of leadership lessons from professional fishers that can help organisations thrive, rather than just survive in uncertainty.

THE ART OF FUTURE THINKING
HOW TO THINK THROUGH UNCERTAINTY AND FIND BETTER ANSWERS TO BIG PROBLEM

Futurists are engaged by organisations to help them find better answers to their big, long-term strategic challenges. However, in an era defined by unpredictability and rapid change, organisations are finding the ability to think through uncertainty is now a skill every decision-maker needs to develop.

With nearly two decades of work as a futurist, Simon will take you and your audience through the tools and techniques that he and other futurists use to create, explore, and engage others in their visions for the future. In this super practical session, he will show you how with the right mindset and a clear process we can all think like futurists. By doing so, we can identify emerging trends, uncover risks, discover new opportunities, and ultimately, find better answers to our biggest problems.

Also delivered in longer workshop formats, this session is also ideal for upskilling leaders as part of a board retreat, team off-site, or strategy day.

THE SCIENCE OF DECISION MAKING

HOW DIVERSE PEOPLE WITH INCOMPLETE INFORMATION CAN MAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS UNDER PRESSURE

Every decision you make, subtly or sometimes drastically, shapes the future for yourself and others. But how do we make the best decisions when we’re operating in an uncertain environment with incomplete information?

This keynote will bring the latest in decision-making science to your next event. We explore the different types of decisions we make and how to best approach them. We look at the environmental conditions and cognitive biases that can undermine our best intentions, and we reveal how treating decision-making as a conversation rather than a debate can improve the dynamics between diverse decision-makers.

This unique keynote brings together the science of decision-making, the art of storytelling, and the power of interactive experience to show how good decision-makers can become great ones.

WELCOME TO GENERATION AI

HOW WILL GENERATIVE AI IMPACT THE FUTURE OF US?

Throughout human history, we have been engaged in an increasingly intricate dance with technology. And although the connection between ancient stone tools and generative AI models might not appear obvious, there are recurring patterns in how technology has impacted both our work and our humanity.

So, before we get swept away with the hype (and hyperbole) surrounding generative AI, now is the best possible time to step back and reflect. To take a look at both the incredible opportunities that these new tools represent, but also the significant hurdles that will need to be overcome to realise those opportunities.

Part historical reflection, part futurist presentation, and part philosophical inquiry, this session provides a sophisticated and thoughtful exploration of generative AI and what we can learn from the past to make the most of our future.