Erik Qualman: AI Digital Leadership
Erik Qualman helps leaders turn digital disruption into strategic advantage through clear, actionable frameworks that accelerate decision-making, culture change, and customer impact.
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- Known for his high-energy, interactive keynotes, Erik leaves audiences with actionable takeaways and a clear understanding of the digital landscape.
- Erik has held leadership positions at Yahoo and Travelzoo, gaining hands-on experience in digital marketing and strategy.
- He has delivered keynote presentations in over 55 countries, earning accolades for his engaging style and thought-provoking content.
- Formats: Keynote (45–60 min), Executive Briefing, Half-day Workshop, Breakout Session, Virtual Masterclass
- Audiences: Leadership teams, innovation groups, digital transformation owners, and organizations facing fast-paced technological or behavioral change.
- Outcomes:
- Clear, actionable framework to turn digital disruption into measurable business initiatives.
- Practical leadership habits teams can adopt to boost engagement and execution.
- Roadmap to prioritize digital investments and speed time-to-impact.
- Travels from: Austin, TX
- **Fee range: $35,001 - $50,000
Talent Services
Keynote Topics:
GENERATIVE AI: FUTURE PROOFING YOU AND YOUR ORGANIZATION.
We don’t have a choice on whether we team-up with AI, the choice is how well we do it. As a leading futurist, practitioner, professor, author, and speaker, Erik Qualman is at the forefront of the AI revolution and the impact it’s having across all sectors: business, education, healthcare, government, and beyond.
In entertaining fashion, Qualman will cover these 3 critical organizational outcomes:
- How AI is revolutionizing the way we live and work and how your organization can harness AI to drive innovation, enhance customer experiences, and streamline operations.
- Overcoming the challenges these new technologies present including: successfully navigating ethical implications, job adjustments, algorithmic bias, privacy, security, and more.
- Striking the right balance between AI and Eye-to-Eye (Jetsons + Flintstones).
This entertaining, educating, and empowering experience will provide you with the tools and knowledge needed today, and tomorrow, to harness the power of AI to drive growth and innovation. Your audience will learn how to stay a year ahead of your competition but never a year ahead of your market.
DIGITAL LEADERSHIP: STRIKING THE BALANCE BETWEEN AI AND EYE-TO-EYE
THE FOCUS PROJECT: SIMPLE AND DOING LESS
Welcome to The Focus Project, a keynote designed to provide answers and solutions to the challenge of focusing in an unfocused world. Combining street science and institutional research alongside his own personal focus project, Qualman delivers practical advice on doing the important things instead of a bunch of things.
The following is a guide to pursuing less in order to achieve more—both personally and professionally. We will realize that leading an overly busy life is a choice, but it’s not a wise one. Being overscheduled isn’t something to be proud of, it’s something to avoid at all costs. Instead, we should choose to focus on what matters most.
This choice determines our success, happiness, health, and fulfillment. Successful and happy people understand it’s not about getting more things done, it’s about getting more of the big things done.
DIGITAL LEADERSHIP: THE 5 SIMPLE HABITS OF DIGITAL LEADERS
Leaders this digital decade are made—not born. The key is understanding the balance of offline and online. Using profound and practical research, Qualman showcases the 5 Habits that drive success & happiness for employees, partners and customers in a WiFi World.
Qualman reveals new techniques including Posting-It-Forward, Being FLAWsome, and other insights to positively impact and transform your audience & organization.
INNOVATION BY DESIGN: BECOMING THE DISRUPTOR VS. THE DISRUPTED
To ensure you are the disruptor versus the disrupted, you must understand societal shifts and instill a culture of creativity around them. This session looks at key future trends and their impact on your organization.
Qualman provides the roadmap for your organization’s digital transformation. Leap over the pitfalls of incremental change and land on a foundation of progressive and practical innovation principles. Future forward!
SOCIALNOMICS: WINNING CUSTOMERS’ HEARTS AND MINDS AT SCALE
Based on his #1 Bestseller, Qualman dives into the powerful concept of Socialnomics. Word-of-Mouth is on digital steroids and has transformed into World-of-Mouth.
Organizations must learn the new rules of social, mobile, and beyond or they will miss this once-in-a-generation opportunity to earn customers’ loyalty and drive long-term success. Socialnomics is the key to winning customers’ hearts, minds, and wallets.
Talent Short Bio
Erik Qualman (aka “Equalman”) is a bestselling author, digital leadership expert, and internationally sought-after keynote speaker who helps organizations convert digital disruption into strategic advantage. Over his career, Erik has studied and advised how leaders and brands should adapt to the rapid shifts in technology, social behavior, and customer expectations. He translates complex digital trends into practical, repeatable leadership habits and frameworks that teams can implement immediately, not someday.
Erik’s work blends research, real-world case studies, and engaging storytelling to show executives how to spot trends early, make faster decisions, and create measurable business outcomes from social and digital initiatives. His presentations are high-energy, evidence-based, and built to move audiences from confusion to clarity: he covers strategy prioritization, cultural change to support digital transformation, and practical tactics for improving customer experience and growth.
He’s known for clear frameworks that leaders can adopt during workshops or one-hour keynotes and then scale across teams. Erik’s content is ideal for companies seeking pragmatic next steps, not theory, and for conference audiences who want bold insight with usable takeaways. His style blends humor, urgency, and concrete tools, making his sessions equally effective for leadership offsites, executive briefings, and large-scale conferences.
Read Full Bio
Erik Qualman, also known as “Equalman,” is a renowned keynote speaker, bestselling author, and digital leadership expert who has made a significant impact in the realms of digital transformation and social media. With a unique blend of storytelling, humor, and actionable insights, Erik has captivated audiences worldwide, helping organizations navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape. His work has influenced leaders from Fortune 500 companies to small startups, and his dynamic presentations leave a lasting impression on all who experience them.
Erik Qualman is a pioneer in the field of digital leadership, having authored several bestsellers, including “Socialnomics,” which has been translated into multiple languages and featured on the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller lists. His other notable works, such as “Digital Leader” and “What Happens in Vegas Stays on YouTube,” have further solidified his reputation as a thought leader in the digital age. Erik’s expertise lies in his ability to demystify complex digital concepts and present them in an engaging and relatable manner.
Qualman’s career began in the tech industry, where he held leadership positions at companies such as Yahoo and Travelzoo. His hands-on experience in digital marketing and strategy provided him with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that businesses face in the digital era. This practical knowledge, combined with his academic background—Erik holds an MBA from the University of Texas—enables him to provide valuable insights and strategies that are both theoretically sound and practically applicable.
As a keynote speaker, Erik Qualman has delivered presentations in over 55 countries, earning accolades for his engaging style and thought-provoking content. His ability to connect with diverse audiences, from C-suite executives to college students, sets him apart as a speaker who can inspire and motivate individuals at all levels. Erik’s keynote speeches are known for their high energy, interactive elements, and actionable takeaways, making them a favorite among event planners and attendees alike.
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**Overview of User Reviews for Equalman's Presentation**
Users have overwhelmingly praised Equalman's presentation for its impactful insights and immediate applicability to their professional roles, particularly in sales. Reviewers noted that his engaging delivery and inspirational message on digital communication and personal branding were transformative for their approach to work. The concept of being “FLAWSOME” resonated well, encouraging attendees to embrace authenticity in their professional lives.
Strengths highlighted include:
– Significant immediate impact on sales strategies
– Inspirational content that resonates with personal branding and reputation management
– Engaging delivery and interaction with the audience
Weaknesses were not mentioned in the reviews, indicating a strong overall satisfaction with the presentation.
Overall, Equalman's presentation is highly recommended for professionals looking to enhance their digital communication skills and personal branding strategies.
Talent FAQ's
Do speakers charge a flat fee or by the hour?
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
What is the typical duration of a keynote speech and what is included?
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
Does the scale of the event and audience size affect a speaker’s fee?
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
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Additional tips and takeaways
- Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
- There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
- Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
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- Personal connections to your organization or event location can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker.
- Be upfront about your needs and expectations to ensure a successful partnership.
- Speaker bureaus like Speakers Inc help guide you through the booking process to negotiate the best deal with favorable terms.
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