Tom Goodwin introduces himself as an author, TV presenter, and founder of “All We Have is Now.” He explains his mission: to help companies grow through change, inspire action, and put technological disruption into context.

Key Points:

• Rethinking the Digital Age: Tom argues that digital transformation has only just begun and that most people misunderstand how the future unfolds. Change isn’t sudden or binary—it evolves gradually.
• Perspective on Innovation: He urges businesses to ask bigger questions, rethink assumptions, and apply technology more imaginatively, empathetically, and ambitiously.
• Futurism Made Practical: Unlike abstract forecasts, Tom’s talks are grounded in pragmatic futurism—helping leaders use current technologies to drive real results now.
• Speaking Experience: He has delivered keynotes in 66 cities across 35 countries on 5 continents, from major arenas to intimate boardrooms.
• Technology Examples: From joking about computers not being “self-aware” enough to fix printers, to marveling at AI’s potential, Tom emphasizes that AI should be used to pursue big dreams, not trivial automation.
• Impact of His Talks: He simplifies complexity, provokes debate, energizes audiences, and provides practical, actionable steps.
• Call to Action: Tom closes with optimism, highlighting the “miracle of momentum” and encouraging businesses to use technology and imagination to build a better future—reminding us: “Now is the only time we have.”

Tom Goodwin opens by critiquing the hype and clichés of Silicon Valley futurism, pointing out that much of what we hear about AI, blockchain, VR, and drones is exaggerated or misunderstood. His style is provocative yet pragmatic—calling out nonsense while clarifying what actually matters.

Key Points:

• Tech Hype vs. Reality: Surveys claiming consumers will shop in VR or that drones will transform logistics are premature. Many forecasts are based on weak assumptions or marketing spin.
• The Interim of Things: We live in a messy mid-digital age—caught between past and future. Instead of radical transformation, most companies are layering digital “garnish” onto old models rather than rebuilding for today’s realities.
• Prediction Failures: Humanity consistently overestimates the short-term impact of hardware while underestimating long-term systemic change. Examples: Walkman → Discman → MP3 → iPhone illustrate paradigm leaps, not linear progress.

Digitalization vs. Digital Transformation:

Digitalization = surface-level changes like e-tickets, kiosks, or mobile check deposits.
Digital Transformation = rethinking a company’s business model, purpose, and role in people’s lives. Netflix, Amazon Go, and McDonald’s mobile ordering are cited as examples of reimagining, not just digitizing.
Brands & Human Behavior: Despite claims that brands are dying, Tom argues they’re more important than ever in a noisy, choice-heavy world. Trust in brands underpins Uber, Airbnb, and even media franchises.
Millennials & Myths: He debunks stereotypes about attention spans and “hard to reach” generations—pointing out that young people are the easiest ever to reach due to being constantly online.
Call to Action: The opportunity to lead change lies with those early in their careers, who have less to lose and more energy to challenge outdated systems. He stresses urgency: “All we have is now.”

Tom Goodwin delivers a 35-minute keynote at Deloitte’s Digital Agenda 2020, challenging leaders to move beyond surface-level digital adoption and embrace deep transformation.

Key Themes:

Technology as a Catalyst for Creativity: From paint tubes to elevators to Instagram, Tom shows how new tools enable entire industries to rethink what’s possible. Transformation isn’t about retrofitting—it’s about reimagining.
Augmentation vs. Reinvention: Too many businesses use technology as a patch (like VR malls or LED “candles”) rather than asking what new models technology makes possible.

Three Eras of Change:

1. Before the change – calm, predictable.
2. Mid-change – messy, confusing, duplicated systems (where we are now in digital).
3. Post-change – when society fully absorbs new tools and redesigns around them.

The Post-Digital Age: A chance to build companies as they should have been built—not just replicating old models with digital garnish, but harnessing new consumer behaviors and possibilities.

Types of Companies:

• Digital-first (e.g., Spotify, Lemonade, WeWork)
• Digitalized (surface changes like kiosks, AR apps, e-tickets)
• Digitally transformed (Netflix, Walmart, McDonald’s rethinking supply chains, experiences, and operations)
• Barriers to Change: Fear of the unknown, ROI uncertainty, political silos, short-termism, lack of imagination.

10 Ways to Drive Transformation:

1. Accept your messy reality, blamelessly.
2. Set a vision and timeline for change.
3. Prioritize effectively (avoid “pointless PR stunts”).
4. Embrace technology with excitement.
5. Don’t wait—today’s tools are enough.
6. Leverage your unique strengths.
7. Rethink your mindset (build “children,” not cosmetic fixes).
8. Focus on cultural transformation over tech.
9. Recruit for attitude and curiosity, not just knowledge.
10. Stay optimistic—this is the best time ever to reinvent business.

In Q&A, Tom reflects on the pandemic’s impact on work:

Remote work could accelerate cultural trust and shift focus from time spent to value delivered.
Companies should rethink structures around flexibility, creativity, and outcomes instead of office routines.