talks – Page 3 – Hello, I'm DK – creative producer and speaker coach

There And Back Again | Rounding The World

amelia earhart adventure quote

Delivering some kick-ass gigs whilst adventuring for AMA, BBC, Hasbro and The Friday Institute.

“When a great adventure is offered, you don’t refuse it.”Amelia Earhart

A couple of months ago I returned from a six week (felt longer) round-the-world adventure via Singapore, UK, Ireland, USA and back to NZ—an intense trip of family, reunions, love, illness, meetups, tragedy, reconnections, friendship, plus the following gigs:

Arts Marketing Association Annual Conference

Was the closing keynote for the three day Arts Marketing Association annual conference in Birmingham to 650 arts and cultural folks. Also did a panel on ’embedding digital experimentation’—good times:

Bringing the biggest AMA Conference to date to a close, DK delivered an absolute blinder of a keynote. Of course we knew he would—that's why we asked him to do this particularly important job!

Our theme was “Stay Curious” and DK urged and inspired us to think and do differently: To use social not just for marketing but to create uniting explosions of wonder; to seek not just improvement but innovation – embracing disruption, failure and risk; to consider all three ROIs (Return on Investment; Ripple of Impact & Risk of Ignoring); to adopt the number one social media strategy – comment on other people's content; to think about our audiences' audiences. DK was a total hit with our delegates and ended the conference on a real high.”
Jo Taylor, Chair of the Board for Arts Marketing Association

BBC Wales Internal Innovation Staff Lunchtime Sessions

Every month the BBC Wales innovation team sets up an internal staff lunchtime session to hear from three speakers (each getting 10 minutes to speak on their chosen topic). Was humbled to be given all three spots to share my thoughts on social media and digital innovation.

Afterwards, I got invited to be a judge on the Welsh Media Awards (specifically focussed on online):

What a thought provoking and entertaining presenter! DK delivered three superbly succinct talks for us, helping inspire staff here at BBC Wales and give them a glimpse of where we should be going on Social Media.
Robin Moore, Head of Innovation & Connected Studio, BBC Wales

Hasbro Social Media Days

Created and facilitated a two day off-site for the innovation and wider supporting team to explore developing a social media strategy for a new initiative. A mashup of design thinking and my own brand of discovery and exploration created an intense and challenging (in all the right ways) experience:

“DK crafted and facilitated a two-day off-site for a cross-departmental group of folks to explore the digital and social media opportunities / consequences of a new initiative. He steered the discussion and activities superbly, sensitive to the levels of literacies whilst igniting the latent talent in the room to a great set of outcomes.”
Phil Sage, Senior Director : Global Product Acquisition & Inventor Relations, Hasbro

North Carolina Digital Leaders Coaching Network

Keynoter for a two day event plus did a workshop on digital curation for the North Carolina Digital Leaders Coaching Network in Raleigh, organised by the wonderful The Friday Institute:

“DK recently spoke at an event we held in Raleigh, North Carolina where he was well received by all who attended. Prior to the event, DK spent time talking with the planning team to identify the needs of the audience to make sure that he would meet the needs of the participants. His presentation style was engaging and fast-paced and he took time to answer questions from participants afterwards. DK is a wealth of knowledge and a great presenter!”
Nancy Mangum, Digital Learning Lead, The Friday Institute

Always grateful for the opportunities to collaborate with amazing people who are passionate and good at their core.

Sandbox Summit 2015 Closing Keynote | Getting MIT Dancing

As the closing keynote speaker for Sandbox Summit 2015, I wanted to go out on a high.

The above was me taking a chance with the understanding I might not ever get another chance to speak at the prestigious MIT – Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston.

What the client thought (although feel free to form your own opinion from the above):

“DK’s closing keynote for Sandbox Summit at MIT had everyone standing on their feet and dancing. As usual, he struck just the right balance of intelligence, imagination, and inspiration.”
Wendy Smolen, Cofounder, Sandbox Summit

An another view of the end:

This is how we end a conference! Thanks @justadandak for rocking MIT. #Sandbox15 pic.twitter.com/33pQzZyage

— Sandbox Summit (@SandboxSummit) March 24, 2015

Please watch some of the other fantastic talks from the Sandbox Summit 2015 conference.

CatalystCreativ Wysdem Talk | Can Wisdom Be Designed?

Exploring a model for systemising wisdom.

In March I got to both attend and speak at Catalyst Creativ Week, Las Vegas, which was founded in 2012 in partnership with Tony Hsieh’s Downtown Project.

As you’ll watch, the subject was nothing to do with social media, instead, my long overdue and yet-to-be-launched moonshot project exploring can wisdom be designed, wysdem.com and which I blogged about here.

The official line (although please judge for yourself above and leave any thoughts / guidance / ideas you have in the comments):

“DK was an engaging speaker at CatalystCreativ’s March Catalyst Week Showcase. He drew the audience into his talk with his research on how wisdom plays into systems and held their attention by posing important and thoughtful questions on this discussion. In his talk, he explored how wisdom plays into individual responsibility so that we can better understand how it plays into the systems around us.”
Evelyn Sabino, Communications & Events Manager at CatalystCreativ

Check out the other magnificent talks from the event as well, some gems in here:

What Does It Mean? | The Role Of The Interpreter

A Richard Feynman lesson in cultivating and connecting curiosity.

An interpreter goes beyond translating and connects the relevance for each party with wider contextualising viabilities. The role exists to drive fascination into the heart of the conversation and activity which in turn ignites the potential and awe (thank you Mr Silva) into the possible.

For nearly a decade this is what I’ve been attempting: interpreting the new and emerging technologies and platforms into wonder and relevant context for each audience / client. With the emergence of curation as a skill set, the ability to extend the conversation and apply situational probabilities is becoming a differentiator.

(And loving being reminded how again process is more important than product in the above video.)

Recently I’ve had the good fortune to dive deeper into this role as a conscious interpreter through the following gigs:

Keynote speaker and workshop taker at IntegratED, Portland

“If you are looking for someone to engage your audience with authentic stories, reflection and laughter then DK is your guy! He doesn’t just speak to your participants he immerses himself in your conference, which makes his “social” message grow 10 fold in the hearts and minds of your community.”
Darren Hudgins, Director of Integrated Events, OETC

Digital strategy advisor / facilitator for IBI Group, Portland / San Fransisco

“DK has been helping us think through vital futures for IBI Group. He asks the right questions, guides us towards solutions and most importantly is a deep listener. DK makes it about us, not about him and you couldn’t find a more important quality in a facilitator and consultant.”
Charles Finley, Global Director for Marketing and Communications

Creative consultant / advisor plus speaker in Missoula, Montana

“We had the honor of hosting DK at a series of events in Missoula, Montana (a round table master class, a public presentation for a couple of hundred folks, and a University specific presentation.) Each program was exceptionally tailored for that audience. DK was brilliant, warm and inspiring.”
Elke Govertsen, CEO and Founder of Mamalode Magazine

“DK brings a fresh and powerful perspective on social media that helps you see the big picture and then figure out what it means for you. Working with DK is stimulating, practical and above all fun!”
Paul Gladen, Director, Blackstone LaunchPad, University of Montana

UPDATE: Watch the video of the talk here

Closing keynote speaker at Sandbox Summit, MIT, Boston.

“DK’s closing keynote for Sandbox Summit at MIT had everyone standing on their feet and dancing. As usual, he struck just the right balance of intelligence, imagination, and inspiration.”
Wendy Smolen, Cofounder, Sandbox Summit

Consultant at Hasbro, Providence, Rhode Island

“DK brings a new level of depth and perspective to how social media affects business and business building, how and why it impacts, focusing on core issues, generating tangible and growth strategy solutions.”
Phil Sage, Hasbro

Attendee / speaker at Catalyst Week and Creativ Week, Las Vegas, founded in 2012 in partnership with Tony Hsieh’s Downtown Project

UPDATE: WATCH my talk here

“DK was an engaging speaker at CatalystCreativ’s March Catalyst Week Showcase. He drew the audience into his talk with his research on how wisdom plays into systems and held their attention by posing important and thoughtful questions on this discussion. In his talk, he explored how wisdom plays into individual responsibility so that we can better how it plays into the systems around us.”
Evelyn Sabino, Communications & Events Manager at CatalystCreativ

Speaker / advisor at New Canaan Library and Darien Library, Connecticut

“DK’s high energy, intellectually stimulating presentation to our combined teams has really resonated with all of us. Many of my leadership team commented that it was the best professional learning experience that they had attended in many years. Our entire team enjoyed and learned. DK’s presentation has sparked all manner of continuing conversation on how we engage with our community and is impacting on our work programme already.”
Lisa Oldham, Executive Director, New Canaan Library, Connecticut

new canaan library crowd

Brainpickings video hat-tip

Why I Love Public Speaking | Thinking Out Loud

Wellington Young Professionals Image

For some people it’s what they fear most. For me, it’s where some of my best thinking occurs.

Yesterday I spoke to 30 young professionals on social media and personal branding—an attempt to advocate for using social to build pedigree which sustains and moves with them.

My speaking preparation style is counter to most (don’t practise or have a script or write out bullet points) although it works for me and manifests two very important things:

the talk becomes more of a ‘conversation’ not a rehearsed lecture;
forces me to construct improvised value based on the audiences needs with the stories being shared.

In this loose and open approach, new concepts are created and interesting ways of presenting or mashing up old ideas occur. Some, are remembered which then form new blog posts or strategic leads. Others are luckily recorded by the tweets of those in attendance (here are just three of my favourite takeaways from the session):

"Blogs are great for metacognition: even if no one reads them, think of them as training your brain to contribute meaningfully" @justadandak

— Shadoe Stone (@shadoesuzanna) November 18, 2014

Damn, that’s a pearl!

So many folks want popular blogs and a readership which validates their effort although in the beginning the process of finding a true authentic voice is far more important than that.

"The currency of online is attention, not clicks" – I like that. Thanks @justadandak and @WellingtonYP for the social media tips!

— Katie Kenny (@kennykatie) November 18, 2014

I like it also.

So much so I added it to the image above (image credit).

Building credible and deep relationships should be the aim not the figures (see Social Media Is Dead | The Marketeers / Advertisers Are Taking Over).

"We are our own gate keepers, we now choose what media we consume, so we must be our own curators" #WYPseries with @justadandak

— WYP (@WellingtonYP) November 18, 2014

Ah the importance of curation as an emerging skillset as a way to combat the saturation and dilution of the signal.

It’s a shame there’s such a small event and speaking scene here in New Zealand. Although come the end of February I’ll be revisiting North America for several opportunities to get back on that stage to think out loud.

Huge thanks to the Wellington Young Professionals for the opportunity to speak:

A huge thank you to DK for his engaging and thought-provoking workshop yesterday. Not only did he open our minds, challenge our understanding and perceptions of social, and dare us to be digital curators, but we’re all heading out to make moleskin pen holders, and feature them on our new blogs!
Behold the new wave of social media users.
Alexis Trevethan, Vice President, Wellington Young Professionals

Other talks

Social Media Day Presentation | #HootupWLG

Challenging a community to go ‘beyond social media marketing.’

Decided on a different tact for this International Mashable Social Media Day Wellington meet up / hootup presentation (sponsored by Hootsuite).

Seems like my accent is still creating some happy accidents though:

Thanks to Katherine, Kalista, Jo, Vanisa, HootsuiteAPAC , BizDojo for inviting me to speak and for making the evening happening—humbled reference / respect also to my fellow speakers: Pete, Jo and Matty.

Thoughts?

YouTube version

Two Gigs, One University | Massey

Two speaking gigs testimonials from last month:

DK was invited to speak at Massey University’s College of Creative Arts fourth year Creative Futures class about the power of digital social interactions. The course explores social and business enterprise, starting a business, ideas for non-profit organisations and developing a strategic positioning proposal. The students enjoyed DK’s presentation, which generated a number of interesting discussions and provided much food for through around what ‘socialising’ can do for start-ups.

Anna Brown, Director at Open Lab, College of Creative Arts

DK spoke to a group of PR and communication students at Massey University and he blew their minds. It’s not often that a speaker can resonate with an audience who already think they know all about the subject, but DK’s experience, coupled with a killer presentation, demonstrated to them that social media is more than just Facebook.

I have already recommended DK to people who need better insight and direction with their social strategies. The man knows his stuff!

Kane Hopkins, Lecturer at School of Communication, Journalism & Marketing

What an honour to speak to students—want to do more and explore opportunities to do project work with these hungry minds. If anyone thinks I can offer value in this area please get in touch.

The Future Of Now | Designing Social

dowa session

“Let’s just forget about the future, And get on with the past” ↬ Sting

Imagine designing a classroom. A place for learning and the cultivation of curiosity.

Four walls. Ceiling and a floor. Some windows and a door. Other elements like power sockets, furniture, projector, whiteboards, light switches. Focus on that light switch. It could be a dimmer or maybe a couple of configurations laid out as buttons in a vertical line. It’s usually just on or off.

Replace it with a camera. Now with existing gestural technology and software the users of the room have the potential to wave their hand or hold up a certain amount of fingers to make it work.

What if the camera was ‘broken’. Left open for the students to decide how it will function and better still to learn how to programme to make it work. Maybe they replace it with a microphone as they want voice commands (and it changes to recognise different languages for what is being taught that day in class). Or the camera recognises colour which in turn light the room the same way.

Now, not only is the classroom designed as a place to learn but also a space to learn how to use.

‘The Future Of Now’ was the title of a talk / workshop developed and delivered to the wonderful souls at DOWA-IBI Group Architects, Portland, Oregon (during my stateside trip in July).

The above was a response I gave when one of the architects asked for a very specific application to some of the social media / technologies in their future designs.

The official line:

DK was engaging, informative and thoughtful. He challenged us to think differently. The take away was: what is has already become what was and we should consider what will be with the opportunities available today.

For a firm like us we welcome that challenge.
John Weekes, Co-Founder, DOWA-IBI Group Architects

Crossing The Chasm | Small Numbers Matter

Diffusion_of_ideas

How the diffusion of ideas can be used in creating socially literate University departments.

The above idea originally was developed regarding how technology is adopted into a culture through consumerism. Within the graph there exists a ‘chasm that needs to be crossed‘ between the innovators / early adopters and the early majority (Simon Sinek does a great job at dissecting and detailing this). Knowing and focussing on this tipping point ensures a piece of technology (and subsequently, an idea) could take hold and become part of the global consciousness.

I recently used this model with the client below regarding creating an internal culture (rather strategy) of social media use.

Ensuring the innovators / early adopters become joined by the early majority sometimes means literally a handful of people rather than the larger department as a whole. Inspiring three or four souls can shift groups into a transitional point and simply thinking about it in this way (a few rather than a whole) makes the task immediately more achievable.

I have had 9 separate emails, 4 passer-by comments, and 5 texts this evening from people who attended the ‘general’ session. All comments were thanking, and praising of you, your talents, your gifts and your style.

You absolutely and undeniably rocked our world today…!!! In Maori we would say:

E kore e mimiti te puna mihi ki a koe e te tautohito, e te pou whirinaki!

(a metaphorical spring of acknowledgement and tribute that would never diminish / dry up… i.e. forever grateful for your expertise….you as a pillar of support (dependable, reliant) and adept / experienced and skilled).

Dee Reid, Te Toi Tupu – Kaihautu (Programme Leader), Institute of Professional Learning, The University of Waikato

In this session we focussed on how we can inspire a small number of people to curate content of interest, celebrate success, acknowledge their growing ambassadorial role, as well as mentoring champions coming through. Remember, we’re only talking three or four people here to create this bigger change.

How are you crossing the chasm?

WATCH (like 1million+ others, my TEDx talk, now on ted.com), the public speaking lesson you never had, and BUY the companion Speaking With Purpose e/audiobook.

There And Back Again | Rounding The World

Delivering some kick-ass gigs whilst adventuring for AMA, BBC, Hasbro and The Friday Institute.

Arts Marketing Association Annual Conference

BBC Wales Internal Innovation Staff Lunchtime Sessions

Hasbro Social Media Days

North Carolina Digital Leaders Coaching Network

Sandbox Summit 2015 Closing Keynote | Getting MIT Dancing

As the closing keynote speaker for Sandbox Summit 2015, I wanted to go out on a high.

Related post: What Does It Mean? | The Role Of The Interpreter / see other talks

CatalystCreativ Wysdem Talk | Can Wisdom Be Designed?

Exploring a model for systemising wisdom.

Related post:What Does It Mean? | The Role Of The Interpreter & DIKUW Content Model | Big Wisdom

What Does It Mean? | The Role Of The Interpreter

A Richard Feynman lesson in cultivating and connecting curiosity.

Brainpickings video hat-tip

Why I Love Public Speaking | Thinking Out Loud

For some people it’s what they fear most. For me, it’s where some of my best thinking occurs.

Other talks

Two Gigs, One University | Massey

Two speaking gigs testimonials from last month:

The Future Of Now | Designing Social

“Let’s just forget about the future, And get on with the past” ↬ Sting

Crossing The Chasm | Small Numbers Matter

How the diffusion of ideas can be used in creating socially literate University departments.

WATCH (like 1million+ others, my TEDx talk, now on ted.com), the public speaking lesson you never had, and BUY the companion Speaking With Purpose e/audiobook.

Delivering some kick-ass gigs whilst adventuring for AMA, BBC, Hasbro and The Friday Institute.

Arts Marketing Association Annual Conference

BBC Wales Internal Innovation Staff Lunchtime Sessions

Hasbro Social Media Days

North Carolina Digital Leaders Coaching Network

As the closing keynote speaker for Sandbox Summit 2015, I wanted to go out on a high.

Related post: What Does It Mean? | The Role Of The Interpreter / see other talks

Exploring a model for systemising wisdom.

Related post:What Does It Mean? | The Role Of The Interpreter & DIKUW Content Model | Big Wisdom

A Richard Feynman lesson in cultivating and connecting curiosity.

For some people it’s what they fear most. For me, it’s where some of my best thinking occurs.

Challenging a community to go ‘beyond social media marketing.’

Two speaking gigs testimonials from last month:

“Let’s just forget about the future, And get on with the past” ↬ Sting

How the diffusion of ideas can be used in creating socially literate University departments.

Had the recent honour of collaborating with Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa—those lovely folks at Social Media Club Wellington invited me to share.