Geoff Colvin: Business Trends

Business journalist and author who decodes leadership and innovation, offering evidence based practices to build resilient teams and future organizations.

Quick Facts:

Highlights:
  • Geoff Colvin is a Senior Editor at Fortune and the author of bestsellers like Talent is Overrated and Humans Are Underrated, offering deep insights into leadership, talent, and the future of work.
  • With over 30 years of experience analyzing economic trends, Colvin provides unique perspectives on how businesses can adapt to technological advancements and market changes.
  • Known for his captivating storytelling and practical insights, Colvin is a frequent speaker at prestigious events, including the World Economic Forum, where his talks inspire leaders to embrace innovation.

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Reading time: 4 min
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Rated 5 out of 5
  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • **Fee range: On Request

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Keynote Topics:

When change comes at us from every direction, it can feel like our only option is to play defense. “Not so,” says Geoff Colvin of Fortune. “The best leaders I’ve reported on have found ways to embrace a world of continuous disruption and build a powerful competitive advantage in the process.”

Geoff is optimistic about the future as he unpacks step-by-step how we can all respond faster to change and even get ahead of it as individuals, teams, and enterprises. Geoff provides actionable takeaways to help leaders face change smarter:

What the best leaders and companies are doing right now to create the future
Why confronting reality faster is the key to seizing new opportunities
Biggest pandemic lessons for business
Scenario planning: surviving bad times begins with better decisions in good times
3 best ways to lead during crisis and disruption
Creativity and innovation – how to unleash it individually and organizationally

Global turmoil has roiled an already fragile economic order in ways that are still unfolding. At Fortune, Geoff tells the economic story in terms that focus on the risks and opportunities. Business people already know the numbers – what they might miss is the big picture; the forces driving the trends causing disruptive change in their world and, most importantly, what to do about it.

This presentation isn’t a stream of economic statistics; it’s an optimistic story that Geoff tells engagingly, humorously, and memorably with valuable takeaways because, as he says, “Even in tough times, somebody’s going to win, why not you?” 

Geoff covers:

  • Why, even in times like this, it’s vital to remain optimistic
  • The latest data and trends curated for the audience/industry he’s addressing
  • A plain-spoken explanation of what’s going on now – on Main Street, Wall Street, in Washington, and globally.
  • How successful companies are winning in this economy

Four big trends are causing business leaders angst as they confront the idea that their business model needs to change. In this talk, Geoff Colvin looks at how the economic climate, advancements in tech, global and domestic politics, and workers are moving to render many business models obsolete.

As a result, business model innovation has become a must-have competence for all companies. That’s a problem for those that are unprepared but a huge opportunity for those who are paying attention and taking this challenge seriously. 

Geoff reveals:

  • Inspiring examples of companies transforming their business model and winning
  • Key trends driving the need for business model change
  • How to just do it: Stop protecting yesterday and start creating the future
  • The secrets to becoming a business model innovator
  • How to adapt to a friction-free economy and create outsized opportunities
  • Why human capital is the most valuable kind and how to make the most of it

Through his work at Fortune, Geoff Colvin gets to see top business leaders up close. Over the years, he’s gotten to know many of those leaders on a personal level.

Watching them and talking with them has revealed eye-opening insights into how they cope with change, wrestle with transforming their companies, and face the economic, competitive, technological, and political forces buffeting their businesses.

Geoff unpacks their stories in this talk uniquely crafted for each audience, showing relevant lessons learned from leaders and companies we all know. 

 

This talk can focus on several themes:

  • The crucial process of making tough decisions
  • Finding and keeping great employees
  • Navigating regulatory uncertainty
  • Adopting new technology
  • Managing in a crisis
  • Leading cultural change

Through his work at Fortune, Geoff Colvin gets to see top business leaders up close. Over the years, he’s gotten to know many of those leaders on a personal level.

Watching them and talking with them has revealed eye-opening insights into how they cope with change, wrestle with transforming their companies, and face the economic, competitive, technological, and political forces buffeting their businesses.

Geoff unpacks their stories in this talk uniquely crafted for each audience, showing relevant lessons learned from leaders and companies we all know. 

 

This talk can focus on several themes:

The crucial process of making tough decisions
Finding and keeping great employees
Navigating regulatory uncertainty
Adopting new technology
Managing in a crisis
Leading cultural change

Geoff Colvin is a distinguished business journalist, author, and sought-after keynote speaker renowned for his insights into leadership, innovation, and what it takes to succeed in an ever-changing economy. As a Senior Editor at Fortune magazine, Colvin has analyzed global business and economic trends for over three decades, shaping perspectives on leadership and future-readiness.

His widely acclaimed books, including Talent is Overrated and Humans Are Underrated, have sparked important discussions on performance, innovation, and the future of work. Colvin’s unique perspective, grounded in deep research and analysis, equips leaders with the strategic tools they need to navigate complex business landscapes.

Geoff Colvin’s expertise spans leadership, talent development, innovation, and economics. As one of Fortune’s most recognized voices, he has covered a broad range of issues affecting global business. Colvin’s background includes a degree in economics from Harvard and years of experience dissecting market trends, leadership principles, and management practices. His reporting and in-depth interviews with top CEOs, entrepreneurs, and economists worldwide have uniquely equipped him with insights into the traits and strategies that drive successful businesses.

Over his career, Colvin has earned a reputation for synthesizing complex ideas into clear, actionable insights. His best-selling books challenge conventional wisdom on leadership and talent, proposing new ways to evaluate performance and identify future-ready leaders. Colvin’s work has been integral in shifting how leaders approach people management, resilience, and adaptation in a digital-first world. His deep understanding of what defines strong, future-focused leadership has positioned him as an essential voice for businesses aiming to excel in today’s competitive environment.

Colvin’s expertise is particularly valuable for organizations looking to adapt to technological and societal changes. With a solid foundation in economics and strategic foresight, he helps leaders decode complex challenges and embrace the opportunities of the future. His influence spans industries and continents, and his deep knowledge has cemented his role as a guide for those eager to understand and master the dynamics of leadership and success.

Colvin’s extensive experience includes over 30 years with Fortune, where he has delivered thought-provoking analysis on the economy and business leadership. His writing has reached millions and influenced countless leaders across the globe. His firsthand experience working with top Fortune 500 companies has given him insights into the factors that shape success in highly competitive markets.

Beyond his role as a journalist, Colvin has interviewed some of the world’s most influential business figures, from corporate giants to innovative startups, learning firsthand about their strategies and the principles that drive them. His deep engagement with business leaders has also positioned him as a bridge between theoretical knowledge and practical application in leadership.

A frequent keynote speaker, Colvin has shared his expertise at numerous high-profile events, including the World Economic Forum and the Aspen Ideas Festival. His presentations are praised for being both deeply insightful and practical, providing audiences with tools to drive meaningful change. Colvin’s extensive background in economics, coupled with his rigorous journalism, makes him a trusted authority in business and leadership.

Colvin’s leadership insights have proven essential for companies aiming to build resilience, adapt to change, and harness the strengths of their workforce. He has not only identified but also shaped the conversation on how businesses can thrive amid economic and technological shifts. Colvin’s experience working alongside business leaders and innovators makes him an authoritative figure whose perspectives are widely respected and implemented.

Colvin’s transparent approach to complex topics makes him particularly trustworthy. Whether speaking on economics, leadership, or the future of work, he prioritizes clarity and honesty, providing audiences with insights that are both enlightening and actionable. His strong moral compass and dedication to truth make him a speaker whom audiences and planners can trust implicitly.

Geoff Colvin provides unparalleled insights into leadership and future-readiness. His deep knowledge of global markets, combined with his experience analyzing business trends, equips audiences with strategies that are forward-thinking and applicable across industries.

Colvin is known for his engaging presentation style, which blends compelling storytelling with practical advice. His sessions are praised for being not only informative but also inspirational, helping leaders envision actionable steps for their organizations.

Colvin’s research on adaptability and resilience, especially in today’s digital world, makes him an essential speaker for organizations facing change. His insights empower audiences to embrace technological advancements and foster a culture of innovation.

Geoff Colvin’s profile as a thought leader in business, leadership, and economics is unparalleled. His insights into change management, innovation, and future-readiness have made him a trusted advisor for companies and leaders worldwide. With his in-depth knowledge and engaging presentation style, Colvin is an asset to any event, inspiring audiences to think differently and embrace new opportunities.

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Geoff Colvin | Business Trends

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