It’s developing a family of complementary products and services that help deliver on a single business promise. It’s a proven approach that dozens of companies have adopted with great success.
Robertson is an accomplished speaker who has entertained audiences around the world. His talks are interactive, tailored to the audience, and usually involve some exercise and giveaway to keep the audience active and engaged. As one event organizer said, he “delivered a talk that was both thought-provoking and entertaining” and “left the group buzzing with ideas.” He has a range of different talks that can be tailored to any audience and event theme. He can customize the talk and personalize the giveaway item to make your event truly memorable.
Featured Speaking Topics
INNOVATION MANAGEMENT – THE LEGO STORY
Managers are bombarded with dozens of theories for how to manage innovation. LEGO over the past two decades has tried them all – blue ocean strategy, full spectrum innovation, and disruptive innovation, to name a few. None of them worked. Learn the strategy that led LEGO to nine years of 20% annual sales growth.
THE THIRD WAY TO INNOVATE – INNOVATING AROUND THE CORE
Much of the business press focuses on big, world-changing innovations—innovations that will “disrupt” industries, lead companies to “blue oceans,” and revolutionize markets. Using stories from industries as diverse as financial services, fashion, grocery, and used car sales, David illustrates this proven approach to innovation.
TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Leading company transformations is hard, no matter when it happens. But it can be even harder when things are going well. A crisis is a great way to focus attention and gain agreement that changes are necessary, but what do you do to make change happen when things are going well?
THE INNOVATION LEADER’S FIRST 90 DAYS
Leading innovation is a difficult job. And while most of the success or failure of a new innovation project is determined in the first 90 days, early mistakes often don’t reveal themselves until much later. What can new innovation leaders do in their first 90 days on the job to ensure success?
"He entertained the audience with one of the best-received presentations of the conference"
Brad Barbera EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PDMA, The Product Development and Management Association
“David’s keynote presentation at the PDMA AnnualGlobal Conference was truly a high point of the event.He literally woke everyone up to re-imagine how to apply the innovation dicta that we have heard before. Not only was his insight and content rich, he entertained the audience with one of the best-received presentations of the conference.”
"Robertson's 'Cards Against Innovation' game engaged the group, got them laughing, and left them with specific ideas where they could innovate"
Josh Klenoff Founder, The Helm Group
“Robertson’s ‘Cards Against Innovation’ game was an entertaining way to illustrate the major points of his talk – it engaged the group, got them laughing, and left them with some specific ideas for where they could innovate.”
"A Great Contribution"
The PDS Team
“Thank you for speaking at PDS Connect 2017. Your presentation really enhanced our theme and was a great contribution to the conference.”
Workshops
From a three hour overview to a three day deep dive, Robertson’s workshops are interactive, thought-provoking, inspiring, and practical. Tailored to each group’s needs and situation, Robertson brings new insights and draws from industry-specific case studies to illustrate them. Every workshop will leave participants with clear ideas that they can apply immediately.
"A real high point of our congress"
Chrisopher Beattie Merck Animal Health
“I’d seen David present before at an international business conference and when we were planning our Congress with innovation as the main theme, he immediately came to mind as our first-choice keynote speaker.
Outside of the compelling background story of Lego’s innovation journey and the faultless delivery of his presentation, I was most impressed by how David actively contributed to our planning process and coordinated our (Lego-themed) innovation workshop. Enthusiastic and approachable, great to see a speaker so ready to immerse themselves in our event and engage with delegates outside of the meeting room. His contribution was a real high point for our congress.”
"David Brings Clarity To An Often Ambiguous And Complex Discussion"
Anders Wester Tetra Pak
“David’s presentation here at Tetra Pak was very much appreciated by both Tetra Pak and Nokia. David brings clarity to an often ambiguous and complex discussion.”
"Robertson's 'Cards Against Innovation' game engaged the group, got them laughing, and left them with specific ideas where they could innovate"
Josh Klenoff Founder, The Helm Group
“Robertson’s ‘Cards Against Innovation’ game was an entertaining way to illustrate the major points of his talk – it engaged the group, got them laughing, and left them with some specific ideas for where they could innovate.”
""A real high point for our congress""
Christopher Beattie Merck Animal Health
“I’d seen David present before at an international business conference and when we were planning our Congress with innovation as the main theme, he immediately came to mind as our first-choice keynote speaker. Outside of the compelling background story of Lego’s innovation journey and the faultless delivery of his presentation, I was most impressed by how David actively contributed to our planning process and coordinated our (Lego-themed) innovation workshop. Enthusiastic and approachable, great to see a speaker so ready to immerse themselves in our event and engage with delegates outside of the meeting room. His contribution was a real high point for our congress.”
Cards Against Innovation
Have you ever played Apples to Apples or Cards Against Humanity? Then you know how creative ordinary people can be when given the opportunity.
Cards Against Innovation uses the same simple approach as those other games: the Innovator chooses a black card that best represents their innovation challenge. The other players choose from the white cards to solve that challenge.
Instructions:
Choose an innovator. Given them all the black cards. Deal out the white cards to everyone else at the table
The innovator describes the market they’re competing in, and lays down the black card that best describes the challenge
After the innovator describes the challenge, each player chooses 2-3 cards that would help solve the challenge
