Matt O’Neill
Matt O’Neill is the Optimistic Futurist -a technology futurist speaker and keynote speaker who delivers tailored bespoke talks on subjects such as the future of work, the future of leadership, and post-pandemic life.
In a changing world, Matt is optimistic about the future – and has been engaged by over 100 organisations on 4 continents to share the ideas at the leading edge which will drive us all forward.
Before becoming a futurist, Matt spent over 15 years developing marketing and communications businesses. They include an innovative events company, cutting-edge video marketing products, and a marketing communications agency.
Some of them worked, others didn’t! But those 15 years saw a relentless march of technology and deep societal changes in its wake.
Matt O’Neill has always spotted trends and found practical ways to apply them to client challenges. But today that is no longer enough. Companies can no longer rely just on technical innovation. They must work harder to reach customers, attract employees and place bets on future strategies. A futurist is no longer a soothsayer looking into the misty distance but an essential contributor to tomorrow’s business success.
His real interest lies at the intersection between cutting-edge technology and humanity. His positive outlook means he’s always looking for ways to fuse the best of what technology has to offer and how we humans flourish alongside it.
SPEAKING TOPICS
As a keynote speaker, futurist Matt O’Neill aims to inspire, challenge, and equip your audience with future readiness. Matt is constantly assessing future trends and disruptive technologies.
Then, through an interactive process, he distills his insight to be strategically relevant to your organisation and deliver a keynote tailored to your event.
Some of his speaking topics include.
FUTURE OF WORK
What are the technologies set to change the future workplace? We explore how existing jobs will be destroyed – and those that will be created. Why will this happen? And – importantly – how can we prepare ourselves for an exciting and very different Future of Work?
THE BIG 21ST CENTURY TRENDS
Here, we explore emerging technologies and challenges our species is facing. Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Biotechnology, and Climate Change. What should audiences be aware of, and how can they live harmoniously and productively in a dramatically changing world?
MACHINES VS. HUMANS
We hear so much about how machines are taking over the world. But is that really the case? How can we future-ready ourselves and, importantly, prepare our children for a world so different from the one we inhabit now?
POST-PANDEMIC LIFE
The future is less predictable than ever because the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown up challenges in the connected worlds of health, politics, consumer needs, and market uncertainty. Nevertheless, there is an opportunity, and we explore what this is and where it comes from.
FUTURE OF LEADERSHIP
Leaders of the future will need new skills and characteristics to propel them forward. That’s because organisations will look entirely different. In this keynote, we explore new forms of organisational structure, why brute force analysis should be left to the machines, and the human skills we need to develop as leaders and foster in others.
BESPOKE KEYNOTES AND WORKSHOPS
As an event speaker, I have created industry-specific content for numerous sectors. That includes retail, manufacturing, construction, software, financial services, and more.
Some recent examples of Bespoke talks include –
Client: Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management
Topic: The Evolving Workplace: FM and the Future of Work
Client: Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield`
Topic: Inventing the Future of Retail: Ideas to grow our business with (Seminar for Account Managers)
Client: Randstad Risesmart
Topic: Being Future Ready: Strategies to thrive in an era of Uncertainty
Client: Alibaba
Topic: The Future of Leadership: Managing in the AI Era
Client: Ocean Outdoor (Creative Competition)
Topic: Creativity and Digital Out of Home: How to be Future-Ready!
"Matt brings a wealth of knowledge to any brief you give him, and his enthusiasm and commitment is evident in everything he does."
— Grace Herbert-Lo, Commercial Partnerships Manager, Unibail-Rodamco Westfield
"You pushed the limits of some of our attendees’ minds with ideas that have since created conversation and debate – something which was a key part of the brief. He even visited one of projects before the event to gain some specific examples relevant to our audience."
— Emma Tongue Communication Manager Morgan Sindall PLC
"To say Matt is generous with his time, energy and intellect is an understatement. And his generosity of spirit sets him absolutely over and above."
— Caron Fassetta Membership Director British Parking Association
