Biography

Mike Walsh is the CEO of Tomorrow, a global consultancy on designing companies for the 21st century. For the past 20 years, he has been a leading authority on disruptive innovation, digital transformation and new ways of thinking. A global nomad, futurist and author of three bestselling books, Mike advises some of the world’s biggest organizations on reinvention and change in this new era of machine intelligence.

A prolific writer and commentator, Mike’s views have appeared in a wide range of international publications including Inc. Magazine, BusinessWeek, Forbes and the Wall Street Journal. A regulator contributor to the Harvard Business Review, his articles explore a wide range of cutting edge leadership topics including data-driven decision making, agile organizations, algorithmic management and AI ethics. Each week Mike interviews provocative thinkers, innovators and troublemakers on his podcast, Between Worlds.

Mike’s latest book, The Algorithmic Leader offers a hopeful and practical guide for reinventing leadership and organizations. The book has been a global hit and is now available in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, German, Polish and Russian. In 2019, The Algorithmic Leader was selected to be given to the world leaders and executive attendees of the Ambrosetti Global Forum at Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, Italy. 

Futuretainment, Mike’s first book, was published by Phaidon and was the winner of the design award by the Art Director’s Club in New York. Released in 2009, it predicted how the smartphone would reshape the media and marketing industry, and the imminent rise of social media, digital influencers and streaming entertainment. In The Dictionary of Dangerous Ideas, published in 2014, Mike anticipated breakthroughs in micro satellite networks, cryptocurrencies, remote work, digital protest movements, self-driving cars, drones and digital biology.

A dynamic and engaging keynote speaker, Mike has given over a thousand talks over the last decade, from strategic briefings for the boards of companies like Verizon and Raytheon, to an employee summit for a healthcare corporation that filled a sports stadium with an audience of over 25,000 people. In addition to both in-person and virtual presentations, Mike also works with enterprise learning and development leaders to create compelling programs to up-skill teams for a world of AI-powered competition.

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The AI-Powered Organization

There has never been a more important time to reinvent the organization. Remote work and the rise of generative AI platforms are just the beginning of a much bigger revolution that is set to reshape the future of work itself.

Rapid shifts in technology, customer needs and competitor dynamics are a prescription for a more agile, adaptive and resilient type of firm capable of integrating not only cutting edge technologies, but also embracing a new generation of talent as well.

Whether it be how we engage our customers, how we automate our processes or even how we make decisions as leaders - the ability to effectively transform data into value will be at the heart of 21st century business. However, simply engaging on digital channels will no longer enough for a company’s future survival - the real challenge is knowing how to build an AI-powered organization.

New Rules For A New World

The pandemic not only changed our way of life, it accelerated the arrival of a radical new future of business. While for many of us hybrid work is a new and unexpected challenge - it is just the start of a much bigger transformation set to reshape the nature of organizations themselves.

This is a new world, and one that will run on very new rules. Whether it be engaging customers through digital channels or leveraging AI, algorithms and automation to reinvent how we deliver value - we are likely to experience in the next decade, a century’s worth of change. Not every organization will make it, but those that do will never be the same again. And for leaders, now more than ever, it is a time to upgrade their capabilities, embrace new technologies, and reimagine what they do.

Mike Walsh's keynote presentation will offer insurance professionals and financial advisors an insight into the organizations and leaders that are successfully navigating this period of change, and how to create a playbook for their own transformation. Becoming future-proof is more than just about getting through a crisis - it is about being ready for the new world that awaits us on the other side.

What Leaders Need To Know About The Metaverse

The Metaverse is more than a gold rush; it is an alchemical transformation in how the world works.. Over the next few years, we will see a rapid convergence between the digital and real world driven by increasingly sophisticated devices, decentralized blockchain technologies and AI platforms capable of generating persistent, immersive and collaborative experiences indistinguishable from reality.

Mike Walsh's keynote presentation will demystify core Metaverse technologies and concepts. In addition, with a playbook style approach, he will provide insights into what it will take to pioneer Metaverse applications, experiment with new ways of working, and attract and develop the right kind of talent to help you achieve your goals.

The time for action is now. Every organization and industry will be impacted by the next iteration of the Web and its radical interfaces, infrastructure and investment models. The question for leaders is no longer what is the Metaverse, but rather - what is our plan for it?

The Algorithmic Leader

We live in an age of wonder - cars that drive themselves, platforms that anticipate our needs, and robots capable of everything from advanced manufacturing to complex surgery. Automation, algorithms and AI are transforming not only business, but every facet of daily life. While many fear that robots will take their jobs, the rise of machine intelligence begs a more important question: what is the true potential of human intelligence in the 21st century?

Based on his bestselling book, Mike Walsh will present a vivid portrait of a brave new world orchestrated by machines that think, and how tomorrow's leaders can upgrade their capabilities to survive and thrive in an age of accelerating technology.

Audiences will walk away with an insight into the companies, technologies and global forces shaping the age of machine intelligence, as well as a set of tailored next actions on how to redesign their organizations, reimagine their roles and reinvent the way they make decisions.

The Future Favors The Bold

Now is the time for transformational leadership. Customers are changing, generational priorities are shifting, and industries are being reshaped by the collision of AI and data-driven business models. In this new world, only organizations willing to adapt, experiment and embrace learning at scale will succeed.

There is nothing inevitable about progress. The status quo is the path of least resistance. A better, brighter future is the direct result of radical reinvention not incremental improvement. Too often we fail to commit energy and resources to the real drivers of difference: projects that depart from the norm, products or services that never existed before, and technologies combined in new and unexpected ways.

Transformation is a path not a plan. It could be the courageous decision to back a provocative idea from an unexpected source or the recognition that a broken rule might be a smarter way of doing things. It could be as big as merging with a disruptive competitor or as simple as hiring someone whose thinking challenges what you know to be true. The future is not an upgrade on the familiar, it is a world built by the bold.

Based on Mike Walsh’s extensive research into the habits and mindsets of the world’s most dynamic organizations and leaders, this keynote will not only inspire your teams to embrace a new approach to change but will also and empower them with a robust set of next actions personalized for their specific challenges, pain points and growth opportunities.

The Rise Of Generation AI

The next generation of consumers will not only be radically different to anything we have known, they will reshape the future in their own image. Forget Millennials. It is their kids we should be worrying about.

Generation AI, born between 2010 and 2025, are the first generation natural born to the Algorithmic Age, a world in which all of their experiences have been personalized and designed for them with data and artificial intelligence.

As young consumers today they are behind the meteoric rise of Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, TikTok and YouTube Kids. As young adults in the 2030s, their expectations and behavioral patterns will transform everything from healthcare to retail, education to financial services. This is their story.

Designing Your Business For The 21st Century

Most companies are simply not designed to survive. They become successful on the basis of one big idea or breakthrough product - but then fail to evolve and change. One out of three public companies will cease to exist in their current form over the next five years. The companies that will thrive in the near future are the ones not only embracing change but breaking the rules.

Companies built to survive the future are no accident. They are a result of deliberate business design decisions smart leaders are making today. In his ongoing research on the world’s most innovative companies, Mike has organized these decisions into strategic priorities - that he will explore with audiences as a roadmap for their own reinvention.

Walsh will outline the forces shaping the future of business and consumer behaviour, and the lessons learned from successful Fortune 500 companies on leveraging disruptive innovation, adopting a data-driven mindset and leading change through digital transformation.

Testimonials

Mike is a very engaging speaker and brings to life the future with stories and visuals in a way that is accessible to both people with a strong understanding of the future as well as those who don’t have the same level of understanding. He has a unique ability to open the eyes of the audience in a positive way. Mike tailors his speech to his audience and is excellent in delivery. He is not someone that you need to micro manage because he lives and breathes his field and has a strong focus on helping organisations achieve the outcomes they need.
– Peter Williams, Partner of Deloitte Australia
Very insightful and full of powerful content. I really found your “next actions” a very useful tool for turning ideas into a concrete follow up to drive change.
– David Velazquez, VP Operations China of Mercedes Benz Financial Services
You made a great contribution to the success of our meeting and have given inspiration to move our marketing into a new ballpark. Thanks on behalf of our entire team.
– Jürgen Stackmann, Volkswagen Global Board Member for Sales
A wake-up call for us to prepare for the needs of the next generation. I am glad the board of directors attended this session. Thank you.
– Ai Leen Yeoh, Head of Customer Analytics of RHB Bank
Mike bridged IT legacy practices with the future reality. All too often IT takes the technology centric view and Mike called us to action to engage our customers, not publish to them.
– Matthew Groom, Sr. Director of Luxottica
Loved the presentation and gained a greater understanding of the need for us to move forward quickly to engage our people and our customers. Some amazing “a-ha” moments for me.
– Nikki Franz, Training Manager SA/NT of Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Stunning—one of the best and most engaging presentations I have witnessed!
– - Shane Hinchliffe, Knowledge Manager of LinkWater

Booksby Mike Walsh

The Algorithmic Leader

Futuretainment

The Dictionary of Dangerous Ideas

For Meeting Planners

Blog Posts

The Power of Optimism & Choosing to Focus Forward

Learn practical tips to cultivate optimism daily, plus insights on how optimism differs from hope and why it’s so powerful in creating meaningful connections.

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How Events Are Shaping Experiences and Exceeding Expectations

Discover how events are evolving into immersive experiences and learn how to exceed attendee expectations.

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The Power of Improvisation in an AI-Driven World

Discover the power of improvisation in an AI-driven world, enhancing adaptability, teamwork, and authentic human connection with insights from expert keynote speakers.

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What You Can Do to Overcome Your Insecurities

Discover how to overcome insecurities in leadership with insights from keynote speaker Michelle Anne Johnson, focusing on personal empowerment and success.

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How to Teach Kids Accountability So They Can Thrive in Life

Learn how to teach kids accountability and leadership through lessons on integrity and decision-making with insights from motivational speaker Rashmi Airan.

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Lessons From Disney’s Magical Customer Experience with Dennis Snow

Discover lessons from Disney's magical customer experience and how to create brand loyalty and employee engagement with leadership keynote speaker Dennis Snow.

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Blog Posts

 

The Power of Optimism & Choosing to Focus Forward

Learn practical tips to help you cultivate optimism daily, plus insights on how optimism differs...

Read More

How Events Are Shaping Experiences and Exceeding Expectations

Events are rapidly transforming from traditional gatherings into immersive experiences that captivate attendees. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7TJEdYZDgc&list=PLXTlGHk63lLgbS8LN-PENXDzwMdqWAnOm With...

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The Power of Improvisation in an AI-Driven World

Why Improvisation is Essential in a Tech-Focused Era In an era where artificial intelligence is...

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What You Can Do to Overcome Your Insecurities

Understanding Insecurities and Their Impact on Leadership https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9JD7cEZlfE&list=PLXTlGHk63lLgbS8LN-PENXDzwMdqWAnOm Insecurities affect how we present ourselves, especially...

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How to Teach Kids Accountability So They Can Thrive in Life

The Power of Teaching Accountability Through Leadership and Integrity https://youtu.be/Vn0nJwyDSHI As parents, we all want...

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Lessons From Disney’s Magical Customer Experience with Dennis Snow

What Makes Disney’s Customer Experience Unforgettable? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g09WV73f6MM&list=PLXTlGHk63lLhUq_lEU1bnM3LbQgMfwD-u Watch this week’s podcast episode here: YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon...

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