Brad
Howarth
Speaker Profile
Do you remember the last time you had a roll of photographic film developed? Thanks to the rise of digital photography, the answer is probably going to be some years ago. If the story of the photo printing industry teaches us anything, it is that technology can have a dramatic impact on existing business models. We have seen similar changes hit the media and retail sectors, but in truth no industry is immune to the impact of the digital revolution.
The first requirement for adapting to change is understanding what is possible. The second requirement is to put in place a plan to deal with it. Brad Howarth has expertise in both.
For the last two decades Brad has been examining and communicating the impact that technology is having on business and society. Through his work as a journalist, author, and speaker he has focused his attention on understanding technological change and the challenges and opportunities that arise from it. As a result he has become sought after as a catalyst for discussions around the evolution of industry and business models. In 2012 he was selected to participate in the Prime Minister's Digital Economy Forum alongside leaders from Australian industry and academia, and has subsequently contributed to government policy development.
The pace of technology change is accelerating, and Brad is a strong believer that we are only at the beginning of this digital revolution. The digitisation of products and services will have an increasing impact on how we conduct business and organise our societies, smashing traditional barriers of geography and creating new markets and new competition while redefining notions of community.
As a professional communicator, Brad has written and spoken extensively on these topics, and more. His presentations serve to highlight the changes that are possible while providing practical advice on how to negotiate the challenges while profiting from opportunities. Much of his thinking is contained in his 2011 book, A Faster Future, co-authored with Janelle Ledwidge (February 2011). His message is simple - technology is changing the world and, therefore, we must change with technology.
As a working journalist Brad spent the mid to late 1990s reporting on the rapid growth of Australia's IT industry as it rode the dotcom bubble. In 1999, at the age of just 26, he joined the editorial team at BRW, initially as Information Technology Editor, and subsequently took the role of Marketing Editor. While at BRW, Brad authored his first book, Innovation and Emerging Markets (2004), a study of the process of commercialisation for innovative Australian high-tech companies.
Brad Howarth left BRW in 2004 to pursue a career as a freelance journalist and has since travelled extensively, reporting on a range of topics across North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. He has penned articles for Australian and international publications including AFR Boss, BusinessWeek, CIO Australia, GQ Australia, The Guardian, Rolling Stone Australia and SmartCompany.com.au.
During his career Brad has interviewed many of the world's leading thinkers on technology, digital media, innovation and entrepreneurship, including Seth Godin, Vint Cerf, Larry Ellison and Michael Dell. Much of his career has focused on the intersection of technology and business, and he has written extensively on topics including innovation, marketing and advertising, global affairs, and Australia's start-up community.
Brad's presentations take complicated topics and future scenarios and present them in a straightforward and compelling manner. He brings a global perspective and demonstrates the interconnectedness of many developments. Each presentation is tailored to the specific needs of his audience, to deliver information that is relevant, entertaining and thought-provoking.
Client Comments for Brad Howarth
Brad Howarth travels from New South Wales
Client Comments
Client Comments
- Brad is an exceptional presenter who understands the intricacies of the ever-changing world of technology and also manages to actively involve the audience throughout his presentations. Brad presented on the 'Next Big Things' that will happen in the online/interactive industry at the end of year wrap up panel for Interactive Minds in November 2010. He also participated in our expert panel discussion. His insights and knowledge are exceptional and his easy rapport with the other panellists and audience made him a standout guest speaker.
Interactive Minds - I have worked with Brad for over 10 years. All my interactions with Brad as writer, reporter and more recently as Panel Host or Master of Ceremonies have been positive. And whether it was the public face of Oracle, Intel or currently TIBCO that I manage, I can rely on Brad to assist and guide me.
TIBCO Software Inc. - Brad did an excellent job as MC of our HR Technology Conference. He was very well received by the audience and guest speakers. Brad has an easy going communication style and is professional and easy to work with.
Australian Human Resources Institute - I was looking for a new face in regard to the subject of the future and technology. Not just another futurist talk about stuff that people would never use, something more hands on for business owners as well as having the knowledge at a far greater level. Brad was perfect. His presentation was pitched right at the required level. He took the time to talk to the Members of our Industry to find out their thoughts and needs and he also took the time to not only talk with me on the phone but also in a face to face meeting about the theme of the conference and what I was trying to achieve. He was actually interested!
Some of the comments from his session included...
- Extremely worthwhile.
- Very insightful and relevant.
- I'm from the IT industry and have followed Brad. I thought he did a brilliant 'futurist' presentation to get us thinking.
- Made a usually bland subject very interesting.
- Relevant to lovers of global workforce and internet workers. I guess we need to know this stuff to keep current in a changing world. Not my cup of tea however I was engaged and found the session exceptionally informative.
- WOW, did Brad shift us into the future and what can be possible? His presentation was edgy, he obviously is passionate about his topic and this was evident throughout his presentation. He opened my mind to what can be created, if we use our imagination and embrace technology, and apply it in those areas that work best.
RCSA
Topics
Speaker Topics
- Adapting to a Technology-Driven World
- The Evolution of Online Applications and Services
- The Impact of Technology on Business and Society
- The Impact of the National Broadband Network and other High-Speed Broadband Technologies
- What the Next Ten Years Hold for the Development of Internet Applications and Services, and What That Means for You
Related Categories
Topic Synopses
Adapting to a Technology-Driven WorldHistory has shown us that the speed at which business and society adapt to new technology can have significant and often unexpected consequences for many business owners. Even when those consequences are obvious, it is not always easy for traditional businesses to adapt in time. Can business owners truly remain in control of their own destiny with technology evolving at a rapid rate? And can they even hope to take advantage of many of the new opportunities that are opening up for them?
The Evolution of Online Applications and Services
Think about the online services that you were using 10 years ago. Now look at what you are using today. Internet services are evolving a breakneck speed, but it is easy to forget that many of the services that we take for granted today, such as online banking and YouTube were only in their infancy a decade ago, if they even existed at all. Where will the next online service innovations come from, and how can you position yourself to take advantage of them?
The Impact of Technology on Business and Society
History is littered with technological breakthroughs and new services whose consequences have been barely noticeable. But every so often a new idea is born that has ramifications for all of business and society. Electricity, refrigeration, the automobile, and the Internet are just some of the technological breakthroughs that have revolutionised the way that we operate in business and as a society, and unlocked a myriad of possibilities and related innovations. Where will the next breakthroughs occur, and what will they mean for business, society and individuals?
The Impact of the National Broadband Network and other High-Speed Broadband Technologies
The Internet has been a massive driver of change in both business and society, but we are only at the beginning of what is possible online. As society moves to faster and more ubiquitous network technologies new developments and trends will arise that can barely be glimpsed today. Concepts such as information abundance, instant gratification and mass collaboration and connectivity are only just beginning to be understood, but already they are evolving quickly. The building blocks of the future are being laid today, and the decisions that we each take today will go a long way to determining the role that we each will play in that future.
What the Next Ten Years Hold for the Development of Internet Applications and Services, and What That Means for You
It's easy to forget that the Internet is just over 30 years old, and the World Wide Web is barely 20. In that brief period we have witnessed an unprecedented flurry of innovation that has unleashed a vast range of applications and services that have truly changed the way we work and socialise. But we are only at the beginning of the transformation. Internet applications and services are growing both in their sophistication and simplicity, and working their way ever deeper into our society. New developments in Internet services and related technologies have created a platform for even more advanced innovation, which promises to deliver new capabilities and experiences to the way that we interact with the world around us. And it is possible to glimpse some of that future today.
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