Michael McQueen
Michael McQueen is a multi-award winning speaker, change strategist and bestselling author of ten books.
Michael McQueen is exclusively represented and managed by ODE Management for all keynote, workshop, MC and speaking engagements worldwide. ODE Management holds Michael's diary and confirms all availability and fees for keynotes on futurism, change and disruption. Event organisers can book direct, and speaker bureaus can book on behalf of their clients.
To check availability, contact ODE Management on +61 2 9818 5199 (Asia Pacific) or +1 877 950 5633 (USA).
My speaker bio...
Michael McQueen understands what it takes to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Recently ranked #11 among the world’s top futurists, Michael is widely recognized for having his finger on the pulse of change, helping clients ranging from Google to Toyota and Mastercard navigate uncertainty and stay ahead of the curve.
A bestselling author of 10 books, Michael’s latest release was named by Malcolm Gladwell and Adam Grant as one of the top five must-read new leadership books. He is a sought-after media commentator, with his insights regularly featured in Forbes, The Guardian, and CNN.
Having presented to over 500,000 people across five continents since 2004, Michael is a familiar face on the international conference circuit, having shared the stage with the likes of Mel Robbins and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.
Formerly named Australia’s Keynote Speaker of the Year, Michael has also been inducted into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame.
Our experience with Michael was fantastic. He was easy to communicate with beforehand and his presentation was exactly on brief and tailored to our event. He was a definite crowd pleaser and set the tone so well for the rest of our day.
Deloitte
Michael is an incredibly engaging and well-researched speaker.
Laing & Simmons
Michael's messages are very relevant today.
Gartner
Michael’s keynote was an absolute hit. My team and our clients are still talking about it weeks later.
CEO, Aon New Zealand
Michael listened to our briefing and adapted his keynote accordingly. He was a true professional and the feedback from our delegates has been wonderful.
Pack & Send International
My speaking topics...
Thinking For Tomorrow
How to stay relevant when the rules keep changing
In a time of rapid and relentless change, the real risk for leaders and teams isn’t being unaware of what’s coming – it’s being unable to respond quickly enough.
In this high-impact and practical keynote, award-winning futurist Michael McQueen reveals what it really takes to be future-ready.
Drawing on insights from neuroscience and change psychology, he explores the habits and mindset shifts that enable tomorrow-minded leaders stay ahead.
Audiences will discover:
- Why preparation matters more than prediction in becoming future-fit
- How to face uncertainty with clarity and confidence, rather than fear and hesitation
- How to spot and sidestep the common traps that silently sabotage innovation
- A practical gameplan for cultivating curiosity as a competitive advantage
Attendees will leave this session with a powerful toolkit for staying sharp, agile and ready for whatever tomorrow holds.
Watch me...
Influence 2.0 - Mastering the Art of Opening Minds
Nothing changes until minds do. While persuading others has always been challenging, it has never been more difficult. In this era of high turbulence and low trust, many traditional influence techniques are increasingly ineffective. We can easily fall into the trap of using 19th and 20th-century tactics to try to change 21st-century minds
This practical, thought-provoking keynote draws on the latest discoveries in neuroscience and behavioural psychology to explore:
- Why people are not actually afraid of change - and the surprising truth about what really drives resistance in individuals and teams.
- How to spark the sort of curiosity that leads to bold, game-changing ideas.
- A counterintuitive and research-backed approach to defusing defensiveness.
- How to help others embrace new possibilities and perspectives while affirming their dignity, agency, and autonomy.
Audience members will leave this presentation with a clear action plan for navigating uncertainty and emerging stronger than ever.
Whether you aim to influence customer choices, team dynamics, or organizational culture, this keynote will give you the tools for powerful, lasting impact.
Watch me...
Preparing Now for What's Next
How to thrive in an age of uncertainty.
It’s been rightly said that the pace of change has never been this fast, but it will never again be this slow. We are living in a transformative era and smart leaders know that now is the time for audacity, adaptability, and agility.
Enormous opportunities lie ahead for those who can identify the trends of tomorrow and gear up for them today.
In this fast-paced & compelling keynote presentation, audiences will discover:
- The key trends that will shape the coming decade with a specific focus on the impacts of GENERATIVE AI, DATA ANALYTICS and SPATIAL COMPUTING.
- The role GEN Z will play in redefining industry norms and consumer expectations.
- The common CULTURE and MINDSET TRAPS that will set any organization on a collision course with obsolescence – and how to avoid them.
- PROVEN and PRACTICAL STRATEGIES for staying one step ahead of change and REMAINING RELEVANT.
Audience members will leave this presentation with a clear action plan for navigating disruption and emerging stronger than ever.
Preparing Now For What's Next is an ideal stand-alone conference keynote or an extended half or full day program.
Watch me...
Mastering the Art of Momentum
The secret to achieving effortless and enduring growth
We all love being on a roll, in the zone and firing on all cylinders – that flow-state sensation where everything just seems to work.
But what happens when the groove becomes a rut, inspiration evaporates or your mojo disappears?
Enduring success and growth for any business today is dependent on building and maintaining unstoppable momentum.
Session overview
In this inspiring keynote presentation, audiences discover:
- The art and science of momentum – where momentum comes from and why it makes all the difference when you’ve got it working for you
- A practical and powerful formula for building momentum individually or in a team
- How to get into a flow state of peak productivity on a daily basis
- The role that focus and consistency play in ensuring a groove doesn’t become a rut over time
Audience members will leave this presentation with a clear action plan for achieving effortless growth and maintaining it over the long haul.
Mastering the Art of Momentum is an ideal stand-alone conference keynote or an extended half or full day program.
Watch me...
Teaching for Tomorrow
How to equip today's students for the future
Students in classrooms today will enter a world very different to the one their teachers and parents have known.
In light of the uncertainty that lies ahead, it is more important than ever that educators keep their finger on the pulse of technological and societal trends in order to help students prepare for them.
Session overview
In this practical and highly relevant keynote presentation, audiences will learn:
- The key social and technology trends that will shape the future including artificial intelligence, robotics and automation
- The skills and competencies that young people will need in order to be future-fit
- Why and how education practices and paradigms must evolve in the coming years
- A range of proven and practical strategies for making classroom learning relevant to the next generation of learners
Audience members will leave this presentation with a clear action plan for engaging today’s students while equipping them for tomorrow.
Teaching for Tomorrow is an ideal stand-alone conference keynote or an extended half or full day program.
Watch me...
See me...
https://odemanagement.com/speakers/michael-mcqueen#sigProId8db4f55ea6
Watch me...
Thinking For Tomorrow
Thinking For Tomorrow How to stay relevant when the rules keep changing In a time of rapid and relentless change, the real risk for leaders and teams isn’t being unaware of what’s coming – it’s being unable to respond quickly enough. In this high-impact and practical keynote, award-winning futurist Michael McQueen reveals what it really takes to be future-ready. Drawing on insights from neuroscience and change psychology, he explores the habits and mindset shifts that enable tomorrow-minded leaders stay ahead. Audiences will discover: Why preparation matters more than prediction in becoming future-fit How to face uncertainty with clarity and confidence,… Read more +
Why consistency is Construction's biggest risk
Is your biggest competitive risk the thing you've always done? Futurist Michael McQueen shares why the autopilot trap is the number one enemy of innovation, and the surprisingly simple initiative that turned one engineering firm into Australia's most innovative company. Read more +
Reverse Recruiting: The Trend That’s Changing How People Get Hired
The job market is shifting, and so are the rules of getting hired. Futurist Michael McQueen unpacks reverse recruiting, where professionals hire recruiters to represent them in an increasingly competitive, AI-driven landscape. As traditional job-hunting methods lose their edge, Michael explores what this trend means for employers and candidates alike, and how staying curious and adaptable remains the best strategy for what comes next. Read more +
AI is Changing How You Shop, Faster Than Ever
AI is reshaping how Australians shop, but the line between helpful advice and paid content is getting harder to spot. Futurist Michael McQueen breaks down what consumers and businesses need to know to stay ahead in an AI-driven retail landscape. Read more +
Humanoid Robots Will Arrive Sooner Than You Think
By 2035, thirteen million humanoid robots could be part of everyday life. Michael McQueen breaks down where the technology stands today, what it means for industries and households alike, and why leaders who prepare now will be the ones best positioned to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Read more +
Are We Trading Our Smarts for Convenience with AI?
AI is transforming how we communicate, learn, and even form relationships. But at what cost? Futurist Michael McQueen shares why the key to thriving in an AI-driven world is using these tools to enhance our humanity, not outsource it. Read more +
How Different Generations Are Utilising AI
Futurist Michael McQueen explores how baby boomers, Gen X, millennials and Gen Z are each approaching AI differently, and what leaders can learn from these generational patterns. Read more +
Five Disruptions Reshaping the Insurance Industry
The insurance playbook is being rewritten. Futurist Michael McQueen unpacks five disruptions reshaping the industry, and what they mean for leaders navigating climate risk, AI adoption and changing customer expectations. Read more +
What Holiday Planning Reveals About AI Adoption
One third of Australians now use AI to plan their holidays, up 73% in the past year. Michael McQueen — futurist and disruption keynote speaker explains how to get the most out of these tools, why travel agents still matter, and what this shift reveals about preparing for the future. Read more +
Big Brother is Watching: The Privacy Question Leaders Can't Ignore
The biggest cybersecurity risk isn't your technology. It's your culture. Futurist Michael McQueen draws on behavioural psychology and two decades of research to help leaders build the trust and influence that make organisations genuinely secure from the inside out. Read more +
Your AI Shopping Butler is Ready: How Agentic Commerce is about to Redefine Retail Forever
The era of agentic commerce is dawning, where AI agents shop, compare, and buy on our behalf. Author and keynote speaker Michael McQueen shares five key trends that will reshape the future of retail, and what brands can do to adapt to this new era of commerce. As one of Australia’s leading future of retail and innovation keynote speakers, Michael helps organisations understand how artificial intelligence is transforming customer behaviour and commercial strategy. Read more +
The #1 Mistake Leaders Make in Driving Change
Futurist and best-selling author Michael McQueen reveals why most change initiatives fail and how leaders can engage the right part of the brain to inspire lasting transformation. As one of Australia’s most in-demand change and leadership keynote speakers, Michael helps organisations rethink how they communicate, influence behaviour, and lead through uncertainty. Read more +
How Gen Z is Breaking the Rules of Work
Australia’s next generation of workers are rewriting the rules of career and success. Futurist Michael McQueen shares what leaders and educators must do today to prepare for tomorrow. As one of Australia’s most in-demand future of work and generational change keynote speakers, Michael helps organisations understand how shifting values, technology, and expectations are transforming the workplace. Read more +
Gen Z Is Changing How We Drink - And It Could Transform Events Forever
For decades, events relied on alcohol as the social glue. But as futurist Michael McQueen shows, generational change, wellness, and shifting values are redefining connection. This article explores how alcohol, networking, and event design are evolving - and what organisers must rethink to create meaningful, inclusive experiences. Read more +
Leadership Beyond the Screen: From Hollywood’s Visions to Real-World Strategy
Hollywood has long imagined our future with flying cars, smart homes and AI-driven worlds. Now, as these predictions edge closer to reality, change strategist Michael McQueen reveals what sci-fi got right, what it missed, and how leaders can prepare for what’s next. As one of Australia’s leading future trends and disruption keynote speakers, Michael helps organisations translate emerging technologies into real-world leadership strategy. Read more +
The Challenges of AI & Education
Few sectors are feeling the impact of artificial intelligence more than education. With three out of four students already using AI tools to complete school or university work, teachers are grappling with a new reality. Is it cheating? Is it plagiarism? Or is it simply the modern equivalent of the pocket calculator? As a leading AI in education keynote speaker, Michael McQueen helps educators understand where to embrace AI as a learning tool and where to draw clear ethical boundaries. Read more +
AI is Rewriting the New Rules of Real Estate
AI is transforming real estate faster than many anticipated. Futurist Michael McQueen helps property leaders cut through the noise, understand what is actually changing, and build the mindset and strategies to stay ahead. Read more +
Demystifying AI and the Future of Work
Michael McQueen is a globally recognised futurist who makes the fast-moving world of AI clear, practical and engaging. With a human-first approach, AI and future of work keynote speaker Michael McQueen helps audiences navigate disruption, develop future-ready skills, and stay ahead in an age of automation. Backed by global clients and media, Michael equips organisations with the tools and mindset to remain relevant in an AI-driven future. Read more +
The Future Life Of Pets | Channel 7 Morning Show
From luxury dog colognes to AI-powered poop scanners, the pet care industry is undergoing a high-tech transformation — and Michael McQueen happens to know a thing or two about what’s coming next. As one of the world’s leading futurists, Michael unpacks how pet wellness is evolving, why we’re humanising our furry friends more than ever, and how emerging technologies are shaping everything from veterinary care to emotional support tools. In his thought-provoking clip from teh Channel 7 Morning Show, Michael explores what this booming market says about us, and where it’s all heading—making it a must-hear for industries spanning retail,… Read more +
Is AI Changing the Way You Hire?
AI is reshaping recruitment — from resume scanning to bot-led interviews — raising new ethical questions and cultural shifts in the workplace. Futurist and bestselling author Michael McQueen helps organisations navigate this disruption. In his keynote Preparing Now for What’s Next, he unpacks the risks, opportunities, and human impact of AI, offering practical strategies to stay relevant in a tech-driven world. Read more +
Is AI Making You Worse at Your Job?
Is AI quietly making us worse at our jobs? In this thought-provoking piece, keynote speaker and AI futurist Michael McQueen explores how overreliance on AI tools can erode our confidence, creativity, and critical thinking. From writing reports to making decisions, we risk outsourcing not just tasks, but our own capabilities. Michael unpacks the hidden cost of convenience and why intentional, mindful use of AI is essential for future-ready teams. Drawing on real-world examples and research, he challenges leaders to see AI as a collaborator, not a crutch. A must-read for professionals navigating the fast-changing future of work. Read more +
Cyber Scams in the Age of AI
Cybercrime is no longer a distant threat—it’s a $9 trillion global industry, making it the third-largest economy in the world. Every 11 seconds, a cyberattack occurs, targeting businesses and individuals alike. From phishing scams and deepfake fraud to ransomware and QR code manipulation, cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. In 2024 alone, Australians lost $319 million to online scams, proving that no one is immune. Whether it’s a fake investment bond, a fraudulent boss on a Zoom call, or a compromised QR code, cyber threats are evolving rapidly, demanding stronger defenses and heightened awareness. To help organisations… Read more +Influence 2.0
Influence 2.0 - Mastering the Art of Opening Minds Nothing changes until minds do. While persuading others has always been challenging, it has never been more difficult. In this era of high turbulence and low trust, many traditional influence techniques are increasingly ineffective. We can easily fall into the trap of using 19th and 20th-century tactics to try to change 21st-century minds This practical, thought-provoking keynote draws on the latest discoveries in neuroscience and behavioural psychology to explore: Why people are not actually afraid of change - and the surprising truth about what really drives resistance in individuals and teams.…
The Future of Work: Preparing for Tomorrow
As we stand on the cusp of a new era characterised by rapid technological advancement and generational shifts, understanding the key trends shaping the future of work is paramount. The ability to lead high-performance hybrid teams, adapt to generational changes, and navigate the competitive landscape with agility will define the success of leaders and organisations in the coming years. Read more +
Are You Paving the Cattle Track
When we innovate many of us do little more than pave the cattle track. But what does this metaphor mean? Michael Mcqueen explores the notion of innovation through re-invention and finds that paving the cattle track may well work in the short-term but it may cause more problems than it solves. Read more +
Kickstarting Growth Post-Crisis
If there is one word we’ve heard with great frequency in recent months, it would be ‘unprecedented’. While so much of what we’ve all experienced in 2020 is the definition of extraordinary, it’s important to remember that many businesses have faced existential threats and crises over the years - only to emerge stronger resulting from the experience. From IBM to Converse, Lego and event Apple, there is much we can learn from businesses that have emerged from acutely difficult times and bounced back strongly. Read more +
Maintaining momentum in tough times
Crises are rarely convenient and they’re never fun. As the world confronts the single biggest disruption in living memory, how we and our organizations navigate the coming months will be critical. Read more +
3 ways to build mastery and self efficacy in students
In this short video clip, bestselling author and trend forecaster Michael McQueen examines some of the latest research in how to build resilience, mastery and a Growth Mindset in young people. Giving constant praise and affirmation has been proven to not work in building true self-esteem - so what does? Read more +
3 keys to bringing the learning experience to life
In this short video clip, bestselling author and trend forecaster Michael McQueen identifies 3 steps educators can take to create classroom experiences that are meaningful and memorable. Michael examines some of the latest research in the learning styles of today's students and explores how schools and teachers can more effectively engage them in learning Read more +
Building a Culture of Boldness and Risk-Taking
Many organizations talk about the importance of taking risks, being bold and being adventurous. They realize that they need to experience failure and be innovative in order to stay at the cutting edge in the face of disruption. The verbiage of this is common in the business landscape. We know we need to fail fast and fail frequently. The reality is that very few organizations are actually following through and seeing this become a part of the everyday experience or culture within an organization. Read more +
Why trusted brands are more lucrative, loved and longer lasting
Whether in interpersonal relationships or our interaction with brands and institutions, trust is the foundation of loyalty, engagement and affinity. And this foundation has taken some big hits in recent years. Read more +
3 ways teachers can shift from 'content delivery' to 'capability building'
As we consider how to make our classroom and school system "future fit", one of the most important things we need to embrace as educators is a paradigm shift from focussing on content delivery to capability building. Read more +
3 New Paradigms for Pedagogy
Over a century ago, the great educationalist John Dewey remarked: “If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.” Read more +Teaching for Tomorrow
Teaching for Tomorrow How to equip today's students for the future Students in classrooms today will enter a world very different to the one their teachers and parents have known. In light of the uncertainty that lies ahead, it is more important than ever that educators keep their finger on the pulse of technological and societal trends in order to help students prepare for them. Session overview In this practical and highly relevant keynote presentation, audiences will learn: The key social and technology trends that will shape the future including artificial intelligence, robotics and automation The skills and competencies that… Read more +Mastering the Art of Momentum
Mastering the Art of Momentum The secret to achieving effortless and enduring growth We all love being on a roll, in the zone and firing on all cylinders – that flow-state sensation where everything just seems to work. But what happens when the groove becomes a rut, inspiration evaporates or your mojo disappears? Enduring success and growth for any business today is dependent on building and maintaining unstoppable momentum. Session overview In this inspiring keynote presentation, audiences discover: The art and science of momentum – where momentum comes from and why it makes all the difference when you’ve got it…Preparing Now for What's Next
Preparing Now for What's Next How to thrive in an age of uncertainty. It’s been rightly said that the pace of change has never been this fast, but it will never again be this slow. We are living in a transformative era and smart leaders know that now is the time for audacity, adaptability, and agility.Enormous opportunities lie ahead for those who can identify the trends of tomorrow and gear up for them today. In this fast-paced & compelling keynote presentation, audiences will discover: The key trends that will shape the coming decade with a specific focus on the impacts…
Why you need more “stoppers’ in your team
You never hear job ads looking for people who can effect real change. Sure, there’s the ads seeking “ambitious go-getters”, or the old chestnut: “think outside the box”. But that’s not really what they’re looking for. Read more +
Top 20 Trends Report
This report draws on over a decade of trend forecasting to highlight the top 20 trends that will shape the next decade. Whether these trends become an existential threat or an exciting opportunity for your business will largely depend on your perspective and preparedness. Read more +
7 Tips for managing the Millennial
With nearly 50% of the world's workforce to be comprised of Millennials in just a few years, they're a demographic your business can't afford to ignore.
Who's really in control on the roads of the future?
Are you ready to give up control? The driverless car revolution promises to make our roads safer, reduce emissions and unclog our highways. But who's really in control? Michael McQueen takes a hard look at the future of our roads, and what it means for our autonomy, economy and safety.
Why your office setup is killing your productivity
The modern office environment seems almost purpose-built to destroy productivity. It’s the co-worker stopping by your desk with a quick question, the endless meetings and memos, the conversation between colleagues within earshot you simply can’t help but tune into. Read more +
Are you addicted to the distraction drug?
A September 2015 tweet from Wall Street Journal columnist Jason Gay was one of the funniest I read last year: ‘There’s a guy in this coffee shop sitting at a table, not on his phone, not on a laptop, just drinking coffee, like a psychopath.’ Read more +
The 5 biggest handbrakes on Momentum
From Sony to Microsoft, Adidas to Alcoa, and Billabong to Lego, many a brand has lost their mojo at one time or another. Michael McQueen shares key insights on how we can keep the pedal on momentum.From Sony to Microsoft, Adidas to Alcoa, and Billabong to Lego, many a brand has lost their mojo at one time or another. Read more +
The Vital KPI You're Probably Ignoring
Watch multi award-winning speaker and bestselling author Michael McQueen explain how the Law of Amplification is the #1 KPI you're most likely ignoring.. Read more +
Momentum: How to Get it, Keep it & Get it Back
Watch as bestselling author Michael McQueen breaks down the basics of momentum. How can we build it, keep it and get it back working on our side? Michael's brilliant new keynote is one not to miss at DARE. Read more +
The Biggest Disruptions Of 2015
While disruption has been the business buzzword of choice recent years, the past 12 months have been an unprecedented and significant time for fundamental change in organisations. Read more +
The Key To Reinventing Banking
The finance and banking industry has gone through a huge shift, and the change won't be slowing down any time soon. Read more +
Decode Your Consumers
The sales game has changed beyond recognition - and if the last ten years have brought such dramatic shifts, then we can only imagine what's in store. Read more +
Keeping The Events Industry Relevant
How does an events company make sure that, with the development of new technologies and new consumer trends, they continue to stay ahead of the relevance curve? Read more +
How Relevant Is Your Employer Brand?
The last handful of years have seen something of an epidemic of extinction in the business community. Looking at businesses failures ranging from Borders to Billabong, Kodak and music giant HMV, brands and industries are quickly realizing that business-as-usual is no longer be enough. Peter Drucker’s insight in the mid 1980s is truer today than ever before: we must now run faster and faster just to stand still. Read more +
The Great Tech Home Invasion
For anyone working in the technology sphere, you will know that your consumers are no longer confining technology to their work lives. People are demanding technological intelligence in every facet of their lives - from data around their workouts to a home that echoes the Jetson lifestyle we all grew up in awe of. As consumer demands continue to disrupt the status quo, even the IT & technology industries aren't safe from becoming irrelevant. Gen Y's & Gen Z's are their own computer experts and will soon no longer require an 'expert' as they continue to become one themselves. So… Read more +
Is Your Job Becoming Irrelevant?
In a world of constant change, how can we predict whether the role we play at work will continue to exist for years to come? In this thought provoking & no holds barred interview with ABC Radio, disruption analyst Michael McQueen gives us an insight into what industries will shortly become obsolete. Read more +
Can You Future Proof Pharma?
Recent years have seen scores of iconic businesses and brands fall by the wayside. The demise of Kodak, Borders and Nortel leaves us with little doubt – shift is happening and no organization or brand is immune to extinction. Read more +
When Business Marriages Turn Sour
Are mergers becoming irrelevant? Do two relevant businesses now equal one miserable marriage? For every Fuji Xerox there’s a Sony Ericsson so below are my thoughts on the pros and pitfalls of merging your business. Wedding bells are ringing. Business marriages seem to be in season. First there were the Microsoft-Nokia nuptials last year and now the blessed union of WhatsApp and Facebook. Even one-time retail rivals Myer and David Jones are flirting with the idea of engaging in consummation rather than competition. Read more +
The Lost Art of Downtime…
In an age where daily life is lived at breakneck speed, are we losing the ability to enjoy downtime to our own detriment? Read more +
Why I Deleted Facebook
I recently took the bold step of deleting Facebook... and the experience was incredibly revealing. Now I guess I should be clear up front. I haven't dropped out of the Facebook world entirely – doing so would spell almost certain death socially and commercially. However, a few weeks ago I did take the dramatic step of deleting the Facebook App off my smartphone and only checking my feed when on my laptop. Read more +
The Tyranny of Tradition
Beware the Tyranny of Tradition Michael McQueen warns us in this cautionary tale of a business that gets slowed down by it's 'barnacles' Every business needs to ask itself, are we innovating? Are we doing enough to ensure we remain streamlined? Or are we carrying the dead weight of processes and systems that are no longer relevant? Read more +
Reviving retail – how smart retail brands are winning in the digital age
It is harder to make a dollar in retail today than ever before. Recent years have seen the retail sector buffeted by a series of fierce and disruptive headwinds. Indicative of this fact, consider the raft of retail brands such as Payless Shoes and Borders that have had little alternative than to file for bankruptcy as the going has gotten tough. While a combination of factors have contributed to the woes of retailers, it is perhaps the ever-growing threat of technology and online competition that has had the greatest impact. Read more +
Reviving Retail – How Smart Retail Brands Are Winning In The Digital Age
It is harder make a buck in retail today than ever before. Recent years have seen the retail sector buffeted by a series of fierce and disruptive headwinds. Read more +
Winning The Battle For Personal Relevance
As new technologies continue to change the pace and nature of the workplace, individuals face the ever-growing challenge of remaining ahead of the curve. Read more +
Dealing with Generation High Maintenance
Having grown up in the era of self esteem, today's young employees have been inundated with extrinsic positive affirmation their whole lives. This has often resulted in them needing constant praise and validation from employers and managers. In this short video, Michael McQueen explores some of the challenges and implications of dealing with 'high maintenance' young people while outlining strategies for responding to them effectively. Read more +
Are you ‘Telco’ Relevant?
Staying relevant is Important for any industry, but in the world of Telecommunications the pace of change is staggering. In the video Michael McQueen discusses the 3 main shifts that will determine your organisations relevance right now and in the future. Read more +
The Galileo Effect
In the late 16th century, a medical student in the Italian city of Pisa observed a swinging chandelier with interest. Later, after scrutinizing a collection of chandeliers of all shapes and sizes arcing from left to right the student, one Galileo Galilei, concluded that whatever their form or size, chandeliers take roughly the same time to complete one arc. Galileo’s subsequent experiments led to theories that rocked the prevalent school of thought in Europe at the time – namely that the universe revolved around the Earth. Read more +
The Death of the Gatekeeper
2013 will be looked back on as the year that marked the Death of the Gatekeeper. Known technically as ‘disintermediation’, recent years have seen the viability and necessity of middlemen significantly eroded – an erosion that will gather pace in the coming 12 months. From travel agents to financial planners and stockbrokers, modern technologies and the Internet in particular have seen a profound change in the nature of distribution. The gates have been blown wide open – consumers can now connect directly with service providers and have access to ample information with which they can make intelligent buying decisions. Read more +
Does Gen Y have a CRUSH on your brand?
Michael McQueen reviews “How Cool Brands Stay Hot” on his blog: More than ever before, the youth market is as lucrative as it is big. Considering Gen Y possess 50 cents in every dollar of discretionary spending power, companies and brands ignore this target demographic at their peril. After all, businesses whose messaging, distributions channels and products are only geared toward older generations will find themselves increasingly irrelevant in the coming years. Read more +
How is your 'Silent Pulse'?
While most businesses measure their success by looking at tangible vital signs like sales, profit margins and market share, Michael McQueen explores why these 'audible pulses' of a business can be dangerously misleading and unreliable: "By the time the numbers start showing that there's a problem, it's sometimes too late." Read more +
Mindstuck
We’re told you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.
But what if you could?
Having spent the past two decades helping Fortune 500 brands and leaders embrace the changes they’d rather fight or ignore, Michael McQueen understands what it takes to change even the most stubborn minds. But doing this is getting harder and harder.
Drawing on the latest discoveries in disciplines ranging from neuroscience to behavioral economics, Michael’s newest book Mindstuck offers ground-breaking insights into the psychology of stubbornness and helps readers rediscover the lost art of persuasion without resorting to coercion.
The New Now - Preparing for the 10 Trends that will dominate a post-COVID world
Times of crisis create great opportunity for those that are prepared. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, smart leaders recognise that now is the time to gear up for what comes next.
'The New Now' explores the 10 megatrends that will reshape our world, recast our economy and redefine everyday life in ways many of us can scarcely imagine.
"This thought-provoking book offers a lightning-bolt of inspiration for future-proofing any brand. Michael’s insights are super fresh and are the perfect jump start for strategic planning."
- Victoria Brown - Marketing Director, Swarovski
Towards 2030
Exposing the 8 megatrends that will dominate the coming decade
What every leader, business and change-maker needs to know about the trends that will shape our world by 2030. Prepare yourself for changes that will redefine life in ways we can scarcely imagine.
Inside Towards 2030, you'll discover the 8 Megatrends that will radically change how we live, work and interact in the coming decade. You'll get a detailed, no-fluff breakdown of the progress and potential of each so you can prepare for what's to come.
The Battle for Hearts and Minds
12 Essentials for Winning in the Trust Economy
This white paper explores the latest research examining 12 practical and proven strategies for building the trust of consumers in an age of cynicism, skepticism and transparency.
