Keynotes
Rik as speaker
Rik is a very unique speaker, a great storyteller, who knows how to captivate his audience throughout an event with a lot of passion, a good sense of humour and dazzling imagery. Rik tells the audience how companies, organisations and even governments can remain relevant to people and society in the turbulent times between now and 2035. Rik generously shares his knowledge, skills, years of experience in the business sector and the learnings from his many travels to the tech innovation hot spots. In doing so, he inspires his audience (on how) to get started with these new insights.
THE NET CURIOSITY SCORE
THE NET CURIOSITY SCORE is a highly anticipated keynote based on the soon-to-be-launched book. This session explores the often-overlooked superpower of curiosity, delving into what curiosity truly is and why it is essential for businesses. Attendees will learn about the vast impact of curiosity on sales, marketing, innovation, employees, internal and external branding, leadership, and culture. The keynote highlights how curiosity serves as the link between traditional silos within organizations and how boosting curiosity can enhance innovation, agility, efficiency, competitiveness, and profitability. Additionally, the session explains how to transform curiosity into a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) through the Net Curiosity Score and provides strategies to boost this score.
MASTERCLASS: BUILD YOUR OWN FUTURE
MASTERCLASS: BUILD YOUR OWN FUTURE is an inspiring keynote derived from my London Business School lecture. This session provides a comprehensive insight into the forces shaping the future and emphasizes the importance of proactive leadership. Attendees will learn why and how companies should take control and design their own futures, starting immediately. This masterclass empowers leaders to understand emerging trends and leverage them to create a strategic and sustainable path forward.
THE GUIDE TO THE ECOSYSTEM ECONOMY
THE GUIDE TO THE ECOSYSTEM ECONOMY is an engaging keynote based on my best-selling book of the same title. This session delves into the concept of ecosystems, explaining what they are and why they are pivotal in shaping the future. Attendees will gain insights into how to build an ecosystem or become a participant in one, exploring the essential building blocks and the critical do’s and don’ts. This keynote is designed to equip leaders with the knowledge and tools to navigate and thrive in the evolving ecosystem economy.
TALKING SUSTAINABILITY
TALKING SUSTAINABILITY is a keynote that delves into Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. This session focuses on how to effectively embed these goals into both internal and external communications, as well as into the very DNA of the organization. Attendees will learn strategies for integrating sustainability into their corporate culture and operations, ensuring that ESG principles are not just a part of their messaging but a core component of their organizational identity.
HOW TO BECOME A GAMECHANGER
HOW TO BECOME A GAMECHANGER is a compelling keynote that explores how times of dramatic changes, both in impact and speed, create the perfect environment to change the game and create new markets. This session delves into what it takes for companies to become gamechangers, focusing on innovation, leadership, mindset, culture, governance, and more. Attendees will learn the essential strategies and qualities needed to transform their organizations into pioneers in their industries.
HOW TO STILL BE RELEVANT FOR PEOPLE AND SOCIETY BEYOND 2035
HOW TO STAY RELEVANT FOR PEOPLE AND SOCIETY BEYOND 2035 is a highly popular keynote tailored to specific industries such as automotive, food, agriculture, banking, insurance, healthcare, FMCG, retail, manufacturing, airliners, technology, and many many more. This session addresses the dramatic changes industries will face in the coming decades due to various colliding forces and the blurring of industry lines. Leaders will learn how to stay relevant for people and society beyond 2035 and why they need to start acting on this now.
THE ART AND CRAFT OF CUSTOMER CENTRICITY
THE ART AND CRAFT OF CUSTOMER CENTRICITY is a foundational keynote that marks my journey as a keynote speaker. In this session, I emphasize that the guiding star in navigating the dramatically changing business environment is the customer. Understanding and predicting how technology and other forces will reshape customer behaviors and the societal landscape is crucial. This keynote addresses the pivotal question: What would customers and even people miss if your company or brand no longer existed? Attendees will gain insights into the importance of customer-centric strategies and how to effectively implement them to ensure lasting relevance and impact.
THIS IS NOT A TALK ABOUT AI
I’ve decided to rename my AI keynote!
Why? Because I’m not here to be the 1,367th keynote speaker untangling the technicalities of machine learning versus reinforcement learning, only to spiral into my own intellectual labyrinth. That’s not my game. I’m also not your go-to speaker for painting a future that’s shinier than a Vegas stage show. You know the script: flying cars, hyper-personalized shopping, miracle cures for cancer—it’s all entertainment, and frankly, AI is far too serious to end up as Vegas glitz. And let me be clear, I won’t be your fearmonger either. We’ve all heard the apocalyptic sermons: AI is unethical, it’s stealing jobs, it’s an existential threat, it’s guzzling energy like there’s no tomorrow. Both utopia and dystopia—the “Church of Wow” and the “Church of Augh”—are equally useless.
LEADERSHIP IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE
LEADERSHIP IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE is an engaging keynote designed for leaders of teams, both big and small. We have entered the Twilight Zone, a period between a fading old world and a new world in the making, marked by dramatic changes. This session explores how to develop strategies in an unpredictable environment and how to engage and inspire teams, both now and in the future.
CUSTOM MADE
Can’t decide between all the exciting keynote topics? No problem! You can create a custom combination that perfectly fits your needs. I love the challenge of figuring out what works best for each unique situation. Plus, I’m always thrilled to craft brand new keynotes that explore different angles, points of view, or specific topics. Let’s work together to make your event truly special!
For more insights and inspiration, check out my columns, articles, and whitepapers on my website. You can also subscribe to my newsletter or follow my LinkedIn newsletter for the latest updates and exclusive content.
KEYNOTE THE GUIDE TO THE ECOSYSTEM ECONOMY
We can tread a new path to solve the problems we’re now facing – it’s time for ecosystems.
KEYNOTE BUSINESS AND LIFE IN THE DAY AFTER COVID-19
COVID-19 changed the economic context and customer expectations. Rik shows you how your company can turn this tipping point into a strength.
KEYNOTE MANAGERS THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW
As a manager, you shouldn’t respond to all trends. Instead, set your sights on how certain advances can take your company to the next level.
What others say about Rik
