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William Higham is a global authority on Future Business Strategy.
William is a global authority on future and evolving consumer behaviors, helping organizations understand and benefit from how tomorrow’s Smart Consumers will think, feel, and act.
In today’s unpredictable business environment, planning strategy, justifying technology investments, and identifying necessary skills can be challenging. William Higham offers invaluable assistance in navigating these uncertainties.
As an expert in Future Business Strategy, William brings skills in Innovation, Leadership, Foresight, Engagement, and Behavior. For over twenty years, he has helped brands successfully manage change.
William’s career began in the music industry, working with artists like The Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson. He leveraged his understanding of audience trends to benefit other industries, starting as a Senior Trends Consultant at Breaking Trends, working with clients like British Telecom and Levis. He then became MD of research agency OnePoll, serving clients such as Kelloggs, Findus, and Hilton Hotels. In 2002, he founded the strategic consultancy Next Big Thing.
Through talks, consultancy, articles, and his book ‘The Next Big Thing,’ William has informed thousands of business leaders. He has delighted audiences at events for FT, Barclaycard, Disney, Colgate, and more, from San Antonio to Seoul. His talks inspire thousands to face the future with confidence and practical strategies to handle any challenge.
Build trust and engagement in customers and staff
I use examples from social media to competitive leisure, neighbourhood groups to book clubs, to show how smart companies can foster loyalty by creating ‘brand families’. I help audiences identify passions and values that can unite their employees and engage their customers. How to use events and advice to bring customers together. How to give people a voice without losing your own.
Make your workplace more agile and collaborative
I look at what CEOs and the HR department can do to rebuild the enterprise: creating environments and organisational structures fit for the future. That give individuals the autonomy and flexibility to excel – while fostering a collaborative, engaged community across blended workforces. That build flatter, teams-based, results-driven hierarchies working towards a common purpose. That use new technologies like generative AI and smart materials to empower individuals and improve workflows.
Build an Innovative, Design Thinking Culture
If you’re finding it hard to create an innovation culture within your company, this talk can help. Over the last 20 years, I’ve identified four practical things companies can do to become more innovative.
Identify customer-led growth opportunities
Instil a more open, “challenger” mindset
Manage collaborative creativity and idea generation
Build new metrics and processes to test success
How to lead and thrive in a volatile world
2024’s proving to be another year of uncertainty. And many executives themselves are feeling uncertain. But that doesn’t need to be the case. I’ve been helping leaders manage uncertainty for over a decade. And I’ve learned that volatile times actually provide more growth opportunities than calm ones.
As Formula One champion Ayrton Senna once said: “You can’t overtake fifteen cars in sunny weather – but you can when it’s raining.”
I can show you not just how to manage uncertainty, but how to find huge growth opportunities within it.
In today’s more unpredictable business environment, companies need to be able to adopt new strategies quickly and confidently. But few companies are set up to do so. This talk provides practical advice to anyone struggling to help their workforce be more “change-friendly”.
Great working with Will. His presentation at our sales conference perfectly fitted the tone and context we were aiming for. His thought provoking, engaging style set an agenda for change
William gave us great insights into how consumer attitudes are changing, and how the audience will need to adapt.
Inspirational Speakers has been providing high profile keynote speakers and entertainers for over 25 years.
Address:
Stratford-Upon-Avon, CV37 1RD
Phone:
020 7993 2724
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