Susie Braam Keynote Speaker

• Innovation is High Risk, Right?

When resources are tight and our environment is regulated, innovation feels like an unnecessary risk. Surely, we’re better just to double-down on what we know and have always done? In this talk, Susie acknowledges the uncertainty inherent in innovation AND encourages the audience to explore the risk in choosing not to act when potential opportunity or disruption presents itself. Instead of ignoring it, Susie encourages an approach that acknowledges and systematically derisks innovation investments.

• Corporate Inertia and the Silent Killers of Innovation

The status quo is powerfully attractive. Even when it’s not working for us, it’s often a case of ‘better the devil you know’. As frustrating as it can be, it’s our job as leaders, innovators and catalysts to identify the root causes of corporate inertia and figure out how to overcome them. In this talk, Susie covers the very human fear response to change and the importance (and challenge) of meeting your organisation where it is on its journey, not where you want it to be.

• Outside of your Comfort Zone: Leading Innovation and Transformation

When you don’t see yourself as ‘innovative’ or ‘creative’, the idea of having to support or engage with innovation and transformation initiatives can feel daunting, even threatening. But innovation isn’t just about having ideas; it’s about developing and implementing ideas that will have impact. Susie is here to challenge your perception of innovation and creativity and figure out what your role is in the minefield of innovation and transformation.

• How Strong are your Innovation Muscles?

Corporate innovation too often equates to ploughing money into the front end of the innovation pipeline (R&D) and expecting a miracle to pop out the other end. Unfortunately, a high number of these initiatives and the ideas themselves fail to get traction or achieve the desired impact. Innovation loses credibility and funding. In this talk, Susie shares her framework for developing a whole-system approach to innovation that delivers impact for the business.

• Adaptive Strategy: A Strategic Approach to a Changing World

In many organisations, strategy is done poorly, if at all. We end up with a bunch of words that are not connected to employees, key decisions or organisational priorities. But in an increasingly uncertain and interconnected world, strategy is more important than ever. In this talk, Susie introduces the concept of adaptive strategy - not a plan but a series of hypotheses about the future, our intended actions, and the anticipated outcome of those actions.