Has disruption - from COVID-19, employee burnout, global uncertainty, and more - shaken up your world? Are your people looking for leadership in this time of massive change? Do you want to be
more confident in chaos and uncertainty?
Gihan Perera is a futurist, conference speaker, online presenter, and author who shows you how to be fit for the future in a fast-changing world. For more than 25 years, he has worked with organisations and leaders throughout Australia, as well as in New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and North America - helping them to thrive in a fast-changing world. Since the pandemic, he has helped people lead in uncertainty and act with clarity and confidence.
He is the author of Disrupted, Disruption By Design, The Future of Leadership, and ten other books. Through his keynote presentations, masterclasses, and in-depth programs, he shares future trends
and thought-provoking insights - delivered with interaction, engagement, and humour - that leave people feeling positive, empowered, and optimistic about their future.
Forbes magazine rated him the #5 social media influencer in the world (and #1 in Australia) in his area of expertise.
Gihan is one of Australia’s leading online presenters, and has been delivering online presentations since 2009. Citrix (the company behind GoToWebinar) engaged him to teach their clients around the world how to run better online presentations. Garr Reynolds, author of the world-renowned bestseller Presentation Zen, asked him to write the online presentations section for the book.
He has always taken the lead in embracing emerging technologies and trends, from his university thesis in robotics and artificial intelligence, to leading a software development team building the infrastructure for the early Internet, founding one of Australia’s first Web development companies in 1996, teaching thought leaders how to create e-learning platforms, and helping business leaders with scenario planning to lead their teams into the future.
He is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), the only internationally recognised designation for professional speakers. His formal background is in science and technology, with a Bachelor of
Science degree from the University of Western Australia. But he’s always been interested in people and the way they communicate - and how to become fit for the future, so they embrace change, act on opportunities, and live happier lives.
Talking Points
Fit for the Future
Thriving, Not Just Surviving, in a Fast-Changing WorldFit for the Future
COVID-19 transformed our world - at home, at work, and in every other area of our lives. But even before the pandemic, we could see change and disruption from many other directions - such as artificial intelligence, social media, climate change and sustainability, new generations entering the workforce, more people working from home, and a focus on diversity and inclusion.
We don’t know what the future will look like, but we know it will be full of change, uncertainty, chaos, and even more disruption. What can you do to be fit for the future?
You might think the future is outside your control, but that’s just not true. We can’t be future-proof, but we can be future-ready. We all have the opportunity to shape the future - for ourselves, our family and community, and our workplace.
In this engaging, inspiring, and entertaining presentation, you will explore the biggest trends shaping our future, understand the skills and mindset we most need now, and learn how to thrive in a fast-changing world.
Key Messages:
- The most important short-term and long-term trends shaping our world
- Being an active learner and possibility thinker
- Tapping into the diversity of others in your team and community
- Focus on the most important thing in your professional role
- Take more control of your own future
Future Ready Leaders
From Chaos and Confusion to Clarity and ConfidenceFuture Ready Leaders
COVID-19 changed our lives in ways we couldn’t imagine, and the real disruption is still to come. The future of work will be even more disruptive and uncertain - influenced by climate change, working from home, diversity and inclusion, Generation Z in the workforce, AI and automation, changes in global economic power, and more.
If your people are burnt out, fed up, falling behind, and pushing back, you’re not alone! More than ever, we need leaders to step up and lead the way - providing clarity and confidence when they face chaos and confusion.
The future of work is about skills, not jobs; diversity, not a hierarchy; and meaning, not just money.
If you think there’s been a war for talent, you ain’t seen nothing yet! The best people can - and will - choose where, when, how, and for whom they work. Will you create the sort of workplace that will attract and keep them? And are you the sort of leader they want to follow?
In this keynote presentation for leaders and managers, you will understand the key elements of the future of work, discover the most important skills for the future, and learn what it takes to create the best workplace on earth.
Key Messages:
- Understand how COVID-19 changed employee priorities, expectations, and power
- Discover how smart, savvy leaders are thriving through crisis, recovery, and growth
- Learn how to leverage individual skills and talents to create a more agile, resilient, and ‘antifragile’ organisation
- Know the five things the best employees want from their workplace
- Adopt a mindset of an active learner and possibility thinker
Customers on Your Side
Engaging The Post-Pandemic CustomerCustomers on Your Side
It’s a fast-changing world - do you know where your customers are?
COVID-19 has changed everybody’s priorities, and the new customer has different wants, needs, goals, and aspirations. If you don’t know what matters to them now, they will choose somebody else who does.
Many businesses start with a clear view of their ideal customer, take the time to understand their problems and goals, and create products and services to fit. But over time, they drift apart. Far too often, the customer - who should be the primary focus of the business - is forgotten.
In the past, it was easier to see the warning signs and re-engage with customers. But in a fast-changing world, that’s not so easy, and it’s easier than ever for competitors to swoop in and take your customers and market share. Especially when customers face ongoing chaos, disruption, and uncertainty.
The organisations that succeed are those that can adapt to the changing customer, with leaders who can lead in uncertainty, team members who put the customer first, and a culture that embraces change and a customer-first mindset.
In this engaging and eye-opening keynote presentation, we turn our attention to the post-pandemic customer: what makes them tick, what makes them loyal, and what you need to do to stay ahead of the game.
Key Messages:
- The five key trends shaping the post-pandemic customer
- How your customer’s journey has changed
- Real-life examples of businesses that changed (and some that didn’t!) in response to customer needs
- Creating stronger ties with your customers
- Engaging your customers in creating better products and services
- Tapping into the diversity of team members when solving customer problems
Bright Sparks
Building a Culture of Change AgentsBright Sparks
Disruption and innovation are two sides of the same coin: They are both about change, but it’s disruption when change happens to you and innovation when you create the change yourself. We have all faced massive disruption, and it’s now time to start being proactive. The teams and organisations that will succeed in the future are those who create a culture that welcomes and embraces change and innovation.
Innovation is everybody’s business now, but innovation doesn’t mean you have to invent the next iPhone, find a COVID-19 vaccine, or plan a mission to Mars. The best teams engage in everyday innovation - with an environment that encourages change, respect and trust for the diverse experience and expertise of everybody in the team, conversations that matter for the future, and systems and processes that make change and innovation part of everyday work.
Key Messages:
- Understand the five key mindsets for future success
- Learn what leaders often say that block change and innovation (you’ve probably said them yourself!)
- Boost trust, judgement, and independence in hybrid teams
- Encourage a learning and growth mindset
- Make innovation and change an everyday habit, not an optional extra
- Take more control of your own future
Video
Gihan Perera | Futurist, Conference Speaker, Author | Saxton Speakers
Gihan Perera is a futurist, conference speaker, author and consultant who gives you a glimpse into what’s ahead - and how you can become fit for the future, in your professional and personal life. Since 1997, he has worked with business leaders, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and other change agents - helping them with their strategy for thriving in a fast-changing world. He has clients throughout Australia, as well as in New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the USA and Canada. He is the author of “The Future of Leadership”, “Disruption By Design”, and 10 other books. Forbes magazine rated him the #5 social media in?uencer in the world (and #1 in Australia) in his area of expertise.Gihan Perera - Futurist, Conference Speaker, Online Presenter, Author
Has COVID-19 shaken up your world? Are your people looking for leadership in this time of massive change? Do you want to be more confident and decisive in chaos and uncertainty? Gihan Perera is a futurist, conference speaker, online presenter, and author who shows you how to be fit for the future in a fast-changing world.Gihan Perera | Fit For The Future | Keynote Showreel
Thriving, Not Just Surviving, in a Fast-Changing World COVID-19 transformed our world - at home, at work, and in every other area of our lives. But even before the pandemic, we could see change and disruption from many other directions - such as artificial intelligence, social media, climate change and sustainability, new generations entering the workforce, more people working from home, and a focus on diversity and inclusion. We don’t know what the future will look like, but we know it will be full of change, uncertainty, chaos, and even more disruption. What can you do to be fit for the future? You might think the future is outside your control, but that’s just not true. We can’t be future proof, but we can be future ready. We all have the opportunity to shape the future - for ourselves, our family and community, and our workplace. In this engaging, inspiring, and entertaining presentation, you will explore the biggest trends shaping our future, understand the skills and mindset we most need now, and learn how to thrive in a fast-changing world.Gihan Perera | Future Ready Leaders | Keynote
From Chaos and Confusion to Clarity and Confidence COVID-19 changed our lives in ways we couldn’t imagine, and the real disruption is still to come. The future of work will be even more disruptive and uncertain - influenced by climate change, working from home, diversity and inclusion, Generation Z in the workforce, AI and automation, changes in global economic power, and more. If your people are burnt out, fed up, falling behind, and pushing back, you’re not alone! More than ever, we need leaders to step up and lead the way - providing clarity and confidence when they face chaos and confusion. The future of work is about skills, not jobs; diversity, not hierarchy; and meaning, not just money. If you think there’s been a war for talent, you ain’t seen nothing yet! The best people can - and will - choose where, when, how, and for whom they work. Will you create the sort of workplace that will attract and keep them? And are you the sort of leader they want to follow? In this keynote presentation for leaders and managers, you will understand the key elements of the future of work, discover the most important skills for the future, and learn what it takes to create the best workplace on earth.Gihan Perera | Customers On Your Side | Keynote
Engaging The Post-Pandemic Customer It’s a fast-changing world - do you know where your customers are? COVID-19 has changed everybody’s priorities, and the new customer has different wants, needs, goals, and aspirations. If you don’t know what matters to them now, they will choose somebody else who does. Many businesses start with a clear view of their ideal customer, take the time to understand their problems and goals, and create products and services to fit. But over time, they drift apart. Far too often, the customer - who should be the primary focus of the business - is forgotten. In the past, it was easier to see the warning signs and re-engage with customers. But in a fast-changing world, that’s not so easy, and it’s easier than ever for competitors to swoop in and take your customers and market share. Especially when customers face ongoing chaos, disruption, and uncertainty. The organisations that succeed are those that can adapt to the changing customer, with leaders who can lead in uncertainty, team members who put the customer first, and a culture that embraces change and a customer-first mindset. In this engaging and eye-opening keynote presentation, we turn our attention to the post-pandemic customer: what makes them tick, what makes them loyal, and what you need to do to stay ahead of the game.Gihan Perera | Bright Sparks | Keynote
Building a Culture of Change Agents Disruption and innovation are two sides of the same coin: They are both about change, but it’s disruption when change happens to you and innovation when you create the change yourself. We have all faced massive disruption, and it’s now time to start being proactive. The teams and organisations that will succeed in the future are those who create a culture that welcomes and embraces change and innovation. Innovation is everybody’s business now, but innovation doesn’t mean you have to invent the next iPhone, find a COVID-19 vaccine, or plan a mission to Mars. The best teams engage in everyday innovation - with an environment that encourages change, respect and trust for the diverse experience and expertise of everybody in the team, conversations that matter for the future, and systems and processes that make change and innovation part of everyday work."Gihan’s professional, thorough and collaborative approach were evident in all our dealings with him. Framed by Gihan’s entertaining presentation style, his relevant knowledge of key issues ... keep reading Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers
"Gihan’s candid style and humour won over the packed house from the moment he began speaking. It came as no surprise when he received the highest rating of all the guest speakers we had on the day. If you get a chance to bring him into your organisation or conference, I strongly recommend you do so before someone else books him."
"Gihan's presentation was a great opening session at our recent senior leaders forum. He cleverly integrated his knowledge and facts about technology evolution and other global disruptions into a compelling story about the change occurring in our working lives, and how we can best respond to it as leaders and individuals."
“We were extremely happy with Gihan as were our delegates for the Australian Association of Practice Management conference held in Perth 2017. Not only was I personally impressed with his professionalism and thoroughness but Gihan received an extremely high rating from the attendees (in fact one of the highest for our 4 day conference) and I would recommend him to anyone wanting to be informed, entertained and impressed! We need more Gihan’s in the world!”
Engaging, funny and witty, with an insightful global view of business
Funny and entertaining while at the same time gave us the inspiration to think ahead.
