Brian Solis

A digital analyst, anthropologist,  futurist, and speaker Brian Solis has studied and influenced the effects of emerging technology on business, marketing, and culture. His research and his books help executives, and also everyday people, better understand the relationship between the evolution of technology and its impact on business and society and also the role we each play in it. As a result of his work, Solis also helps leading brands, celebrities, and startups  develop new digital transformation and new media strategies and that enable businesses to adapt to new connected markets from the inside out.

His new book, What’s the Future of Business (WTF), explores the landscape of connected consumerism and how business and customer relationships unfold and flourish in four distinct moments of truth. His previous book, The End of Business as Usual, named as a Top 10 Business Book by Publisher’s Weekly, explores the emergence of Generation-C, a new generation of customers and employees and how businesses must adapt to reach them. Prior to End of Business, Solis released Engage, which is regarded as the industry reference guide for businesses to market, sell and service in the social web.

Brian’s blog is ranked in the top 10 marketing blogs in the AdAge Power 150 and is also a Top 100 business blog as ranked by Technorati. In addition to his writing and research, Brian is the host of the annual Pivot Conference where brands, agencies, and experts come together to address challenges and opportunities in new media.

Keynote Speaker Brian Brian also hosts Revolution, a popular online video series that examines technology, trends and best practices and introduces viewers to the thought leaders who are blazing the trail. Guests have included Katie Couric, Mark Burnett, and Guy Kawasaki.

What’s the Future of Business?

WTF is Brian’s newest book that continues the story that unfolded in The End of Business as Usual. Brian believes that the future of business comes down to shared experiences. And it is these shared experiences that can often trump your product or service. In this discussion, he explores the importance of experiential design and how to navigate the evolving landscape of new consumerism – through the lens of digital anthropology. He also walks through four distinct moments of truth and examines how customer behavior unfolds and flourishes in the new world.

The End of Business as Usual

In his previous book, he documents the rise of connected consumerism and the role people play in the future of business. In this presentation, Brian depicts how leadership can survive Digital Darwinism by understanding customer and employee behavior and expectations, disruptive technology, innovative business models, and new opportunities. He also demonstrates best practices and methodologies to align the organization around a common and meaningful vision, strategy, and objectives

The Evolution from Technology Champion to a Catalyst for Transformation

“I used to be a champion of new technology. Now, I’m a champion of change.” Many technology champions fight to help their organizations develop relevant digital strategies to improve how companies communicate value to ultimately increase customer engagement. Technology is only one part of story. It’s the lessons learned from these new devices and channels that opens the doors within the organization to improve collaboration and innovation internally and externally. Brian focuses on how to champion change to lead digital transformation where technology and engagement strategies become an extension of a renewed business mission.

Building a Culture of Innovation

Brian will demonstrate how to lead the next generation customer experience, to engage a more connected and sophisticated workforce, and to survive Digital Darwinism, businesses will invest in a culture of innovation. Today, disruptive technology is shaking the foundation of businesses from the outside in and the inside out. It’s not just tech though, people are also a big part of the success or failure of any company and how they engage now is affected by tech. Right now, there’s a notable disconnect between older and younger customers and equally employees. One is held to current standards and workflow (the way things are done). The other wonders why processes don’t reflect the times (the way we buy and work). At the same time, customer preferences are also transforming. Competitors and threats nowadays can arise from anywhere. #InnovateorDie

Please Meet Generation-C (Connected) –

Meet Generation C, a connected group of customers who are not defined by age but instead by the digital lifestyle they live. With the onslaught of disruptive technology, consumer behavior and ultimately decision-making is changing. There is a coming “C” change in consumerism where the “C” represents the more connected, agile, and discerning customer as well as the need for an adaptive culture in your organization. Not only is a new breed of consumerism taking shape, the customers and popular culture you once knew and modeled your business around are simultaneously decreasing in size and impact. At the same time, this evolution is giving rise to something so completely foreign, so completely counter intuitive, that it almost seems surreal and somewhat temporary. But on the contrary, this C change requires all hands on deck as it requires a completely new course.