These past two weeks I’ve had the distinct pleasure of chatting with four of the amazing and talented individuals who will be keynoting Perspectives 2020 as part of an audio interview series. Our global digital experience starts in Australia at 9 a.m. on May 13th and closes in San Francisco at 4 p.m. PT. That’s a full 24-hours of programming, following the sun across four continents. We’ve packed it with everything leaders and learners need to upskill and reskill for whatever the future holds. What excites me the most is the opportunity to hear and learn from industry luminaries and thought leaders on everything from what nature can teach us to the impact of COVID-19 on our global economy; from maintaining fans during times of crises to what it means to be a woman in a male-dominated field.
You can read the highlights of my interviews below or better yet, take a listen to what they had to say in their own words.
Jez Rose. Is there anything this man cannot do? From EMT to beekeeper; entertainer to author, Jez might be one of the most fascinating people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. Although technical glitches forced us to redo our podcast recording, we had the wonderful opportunity to twice discuss everything from chasing happiness to nature’s important life lessons, with a little Cher thrown in for good measure. We’re thrilled to have Jez host our European portion of Perspectives while also delivering a keynote worth getting up early (or staying up late) for.
Neelam Dhawan. A female tech pioneer, Neelam is currently the head of IBM’s India Advisory Board as well as a board member for several other prestigious organizations. She is also recognized as one of the most powerful women in business. So it came as no surprise that during our discussion, Neelam and I touched on the change management — both operationally and culturally — that organizations are undergoing as they rethink how business gets done. And make no mistake, there is no going back to the old ways of doing things.
David Meerman Scott. The WSJ best-selling author helps companies understand how to build real and meaningful relationships with their customers, particularly at a time when many of us crave human interaction. The concept of his book, Fanocracy, means moving past superficial communications to fostering genuine, human connections. In our conversation, you’ll also hear David share that his co-author and daughter, Reiko, is graduating from medical school early and will immediately begin working on the front lines of the COVID-19 fight in the Emergency Room of Boston Medical Center. In fact, David has just launched Project Live Fanocracy, the proceeds of which will go the Boston Medical Center Coronavirus Relief Fund.
Ally Watson. What do you do when a global pandemic forces you to shut down 160 coding camps? You get creative. And that’s just what Ally Watson has done. The CEO and founder of Code Like a Girl has launched an innovative initiative to keep young girls engaged while we physical distance. Listen in to hear Ally talk Tech Puzzles for Problem Solvers, an educational game created by Ally and her team to ensure that young coders have the opportunity to learn in “a creative, playful, and interactive environment.”
In addition to these individuals, Perspectives 2020 will feature Tara Westover, author of NY Times bestseller Educated; Shawn Achor, author of Big Potential and The Happiness Advantage; and Josh Bersin, a well-known industry analyst and founder of Bersin, Deloitte Consulting LLP, to name a few.
I hope you will join me in listening to this exciting audio interview series, but also at Perspectives 2020. It’s completely free and open to all.