Steve Vamos is a speaker, advisor and Director with over 40 years of experience in the global technology and digital media industries. He has lived and worked in Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Asia.
Steve was CEO of ASX-listed tech company Xero from April 2018 to February 2023, where he led the business’s growth and performance with a team of more than 4,500 employees. Born in the cloud, Xero is a beautiful, easy-to-use platform for small businesses and their advisors, with over 3 million subscribers in over 180 countries.
Steve has served as a non-executive director of Telstra, Fletcher Building, Medibank Private and David Jones and as a non-executive director and advisor to a range of Australian organisations, which span from start-ups through to large established companies.
Steve has also been Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Australia and New Zealand, ninemsn, Vice President and Managing Director of Apple Computer Asia Pacific, and Managing Director of Apple Computer Australia.
In his role at Microsoft as Vice President of worldwide sales and international operations for Microsoft Corporation's Online Service Group, he was responsible for the organisation's international business in more than 30 countries around the world.
Steve was the founder and President of the Society for Knowledge Economics (SKE), a not-for-profit think-tank that operated from 2005 to 2014. SKE aimed to encourage and promote new and better leadership and management practices, which would enable innovation, productivity and sustainability.
Steve holds a degree in Civil Engineering (with Honours) from the University of New South Wales.
Talking Points
Leadership in Times Like No Other & Creating and Enabling Innovation at Work
The world is now a highly connected and fast-changing economic and social system, as are the organisations within which we work.Leadership in Times Like No Other & Creating and Enabling Innovation at Work
Information and communications technology has amplified the potential of people (and the organisations they work for) as the internet, low-cost computing devices and communications networks connect people with others of common interest and new sources of knowledge and information.
People, their knowledge, relationships and the extent to which management encourages and enables them to create and innovate increasingly determine how value is created for their organisation. This is a big change to embrace because traditionally, we hired people to do what they were told, and now we want them to create, collaborate and innovate.
Technology doesn't innovate - people do! Technology isn't disrupting your business; people are!
As a result, organisations that don't focus on enabling their people to create the future and innovate will find it tough to succeed in the future.
Steve Vamos will discuss the leadership and management consequences of the changes in the world and outline approaches business leaders and their teams can employ to drive creativity and innovation in their organisations.
Video
Digital Disruption is a human thing - Steve Vamos at TEDx Melbourne
Steve believes that now more than ever the old way of doing things is hurting more than helping. Digital disruption requires new ways of thinking. Here he explains why. Steve advocates that we need to think about how much of our conditioning at work is about doing what we’re told rather than about how to create the future. He believes having an adventurous mind means being willing to try new things and perhaps failing and to be a “learn it all” not “know it all”Steve Vamos, Xero - Five traits of a powerful culture | #BBDSummit 2020
Straight from the stage at Better by Design's CEO Summit 2020. Watch talks from some of the brightest minds in the most innovative businesses in the world.ACS INDUSTRY INSIGHTS LEADERS SERIES - STEVE VAMOS
TECHNOLOGY DOESN'T INNOVATE, PEOPLE DO! TECHNOLOGY ISN'T DISRUPTING YOUR BUSINESS, PEOPLE ARE! The world is now a highly connected and fast changing economic and social system, as are the organisations within which we work. Information and communications technology has amplified the potential of people (and the organisations they work for) as the internet, low cost computing devices and communications networks connect people with others of common interest and new sources of knowledge and information. People, their knowledge, relationships and the extent to which they are encouraged and enabled by management to create and innovate, increasingly determine how value is created for their organisation. This is a big change to embrace because traditionally we hired people to do what they were told, and now we want them to create, collaborate and innovate. As a result, organisations that don't focus on enabling their people to create the future and innovate will find it tough to succeed in the future.I would like to thank you for your inspirational and engaging presentation. The feedback from the staff about your presentation has been fantastic. They really enjoyed hearing about your per ... keep reading Randwick City Council
Delegates thought that Steve Vamos was incredibly down to earth and very dynamic.
Steve was the stand-out speaker of the day, we have had fantastic feedback about his presentation and content and style.
Steve Vamos has a remarkable presence when connecting with a group. He has the ability to relay his stories of his career with a candour and ease that gets people's attention. He is a truly authentic leader and that came across in his panel participation. Steve was generous with his time in terms of connecting with participants during and after the Forum - more than willing to share his experience and expertise. Working with him beforehand to prep and form the panel discussion was very easy - he's a delight to work with and made a huge contribution to this being one of our most successful events yet.
Steve is an exceptional speaker and thought leader. He is spearheading a new school of thinking around leadership that enables others to reach their potential, and challenges us to think differently/adopt a new, collaborative mindset that is critical to the success in a rapidly changing and connected world. A perfect message for anyone leading today and into the future. Steve is ahead of his time and leaders of today need to catch up if they wish to remain competitive in the future.
Steve was great. His talk hit the mark and was both insightful and delivered in comfortable style that was perfect to engage the audience. There were plenty of takeaways for the team to think about.
