Keynote Presentations
Presentations on innovation, renewal, and the people who make both possible
Bruce Vojak speaks to companies, industry associations, economic development groups, and leadership audiences on the challenge of creating meaningful innovation within mature organizations.
His presentations draw on decades of experience in industry, research, advising, and board service, as well as the work reflected in his two Stanford University Press books, Serial Innovators and No-Excuses Innovation.
The purpose is not simply to introduce innovation concepts. It is to help leaders see familiar challenges more clearly, question assumptions that may be limiting progress, and leave with a more practical way to think about innovation in their own organizations.
When a Presentation
Can Be Useful
A keynote or leadership presentation can help an audience develop a shared understanding, or challenge an existing understanding, of innovation, renewal, and the conditions that enable progress.
Bruce’s presentations are particularly relevant for audiences considering questions such as:
Why do capable companies still struggle to create Breakthrough Innovation?
What role do Serial Innovators play inside mature organizations?
How can small- and medium-sized companies pursue innovation without large-company resources?
How can leaders better identify, support, manage, and retain exceptional innovators?
What conditions help promising ideas move from possibility to business result?
Presentation Topics
Sample presentations include:
Serial Innovators: How Individuals Create and Deliver Breakthrough Innovations in Mature Firms
Based on the highly regarded book Serial Innovators, co-authored with Abbie Griffin and Ray Price and published by Stanford University Press in 2012, this presentation examines the individuals who repeatedly create and deliver important innovations within established companies. Topics covered include the “processes” by which they innovate, their holistic approach to problem identification and solving, and the critical role of navigating organizational politics.
Managing Serial Innovators: Letting the Birds Fly in Mature Firms
Based on the highly regarded book Serial Innovators, co-authored with Abbie Griffin and Ray Price and published by Stanford University Press in 2012, this presentation examines the critical role of managers and individuals who partner with Serial Innovators. Topics covered include the organizational practices required to identify, develop, support, and retain these innovation powerhouses.
The Real Risk Is Not to Innovate: Strategic Renewal for Medium-Sized Mature Enterprises
Based on the highly regarded book No-Excuses Innovation, co-authored with Walter Herbst and published by Stanford University Press in 2022, this presentation addresses mid-market companies' critical need for renewal to both survive and thrive. Topics covered include addressing the often-unarticulated question of why these companies should invest in innovation, as well as practical guidance on doing so in low-cost, low-risk ways most suitable for medium-sized companies.
On the Epistemology of Innovation: How Serial Innovators Know What to Do and Why It Matters
Epistemology is the study of what we know and how we know it. The epistemology of innovation is the study of how breakthrough innovators come to know what to do today in order to succeed commercially in the future. The purpose of this presentation is to challenge audiences to reflect broadly and deeply on the practice of innovation: first, to help them gain awareness of their own unarticulated embedded epistemology of innovation, as well as that of others, and second, to challenge them with new perspectives and views of what it means to innovate. Having engaged in this way, audiences will be better able to develop a more explicit, intentional personal framework for understanding innovation.
Audiences
Bruce’s presentations are appropriate for company retreats and conferences, company leadership teams, boards and ownership groups, industry associations, manufacturing organizations, economic development groups, technical leaders, and professional audiences focused on growth, renewal, and competitiveness.
Each presentation can be adapted to the audience’s level of familiarity with innovation, the size and type of organizations represented, and the purpose of the event.
Format
Presentations may be structured as keynote talks, executive briefings, leadership discussions, workshops, or moderated conversations.
Some are designed to introduce a topic to a broad audience. Others help a leadership group begin a more focused conversation about its own innovation challenges, organizational practices, or people.
Client Perspectives
“His message connected with our audience because it was both considered and grounded in real business relevance.”
— Beth Ladd
Vice President of Innovation, American Supply Association
“Bruce Vojak’s keynote at our annual Tech Symposium hit on all the right themes and generated many follow-up conversations for some time afterward. ”
— Robert Graf
Corporate Vice President, Research & Development, Lubrizol
“His impact was felt at every level. Students and faculty were highly engaged, corporate leaders participated in what they saw as meaningful discussions, and his large-group presentation brought everything together in a way that resonated broadly.”
— Dennis Gilbert
President, Innovative Manufacturers Center
Bring Bruce to Your Organization or Event
A presentation can help an audience think more clearly about innovation, renewal, and the people who create value inside established companies.
To discuss a keynote, workshop, or leadership presentation, please contact Bruce directly or schedule an introductory conversation.