David Gram is an innovation leader and the co-founder of Diplomatic Rebels, a company dedicated to empowering organisations and intrapreneurs to become stronger innovators. With a career spanning over 17 years, David has honed his expertise in radical innovation and lean start-up methods within both small businesses and large global corporations. His work is characterised by a unique blend of design thinking and agile development, which he has applied to numerous innovation projects from early incubation to full maturity.
David's journey in innovation leadership includes pivotal roles such as Senior Innovation Director at LEGO's Future Lab and Head of Innovation at Scandinavian Airlines. During his nine-year tenure at LEGO, he led multidisciplinary teams in developing breakthrough business initiatives, ensuring the company remained at the forefront of the toy industry. His efforts were instrumental in establishing LEGO Ventures, the strategic venture arm of the LEGO Brand Group, further cementing his reputation as a key figure in corporate innovation.
The "Diplomatic Rebel" concept is central to David's philosophy. He believes that anyone can become an innovator within their organisation by balancing the rebellious spirit needed to challenge the status quo with the diplomatic skills required to garner support. This mindset is crucial for driving change in complex organisations, and David's work with Diplomatic Rebels aims to instil these principles in companies worldwide.
David's insights and methodologies have been recognised in various forums, including his role as an Unreasonable Mentor, where he has advised numerous companies. His passion for innovation extends beyond business, as he advocates for leveraging corporate resources to create long-term positive impacts on society and the planet. As an international keynote speaker and executive advisor, David continues to inspire organisations to embrace change and innovation, ensuring they remain viable in an ever-evolving world.
David Gram advocates for intrapreneurship, where employees act entrepreneurially within large companies, enabling them to adapt swiftly to future challenges while reducing risks and enhancing learning. An experienced intrapreneur himself, David has led radical innovation projects at major organisations like SAS and LEGO. Attendees will learn to foster a culture of intrapreneurship, exploring organisational structures, tools, and incentives through lean startup methods, design thinking, and agile methodology.
David Gram explores how large companies can transform into agile ecosystems through corporate venturing. As organisations grow, they often become slow and risk-averse, stifling innovation. Gram suggests that future companies should act as open platforms, engaging partners, startups, and customers to create value. Attendees will learn how to make their organisations nimble and adaptive, fostering collaboration with startups and empowering employees to innovate. Gram's experience with The LEGO Group's ecosystem, including LEGO Ventures and LEGO Ideas, underscores his expertise.
David Gram emphasises the importance of establishing a solid foundation for successful radical innovation. Companies must define a clear purpose and strategy to explore new territories effectively, identifying the right Opportunity Spaces to avoid overwhelming efforts. Attendees will learn why a clear purpose and understanding of core capabilities are crucial for driving effective innovation and how setting limits can significantly enhance success. With 15 years of experience at companies like SAS and The LEGO Group, David Gram is well-versed in building innovation strategies.
David Gram, co-founder of Diplomatic Rebels, shares insights on disrupting large organisations from within. He explores how to challenge the status quo with innovative ideas while maintaining support from colleagues and management. Balancing the rebel spirit with diplomatic skills is crucial to avoid burnout or conformity. Attendees will learn the five habits of impactful intrapreneurs and how to cultivate these skills to lead an organisation of Diplomatic Rebels effectively.
David Gram, an experienced leader in people and innovation, emphasises the need for a fresh leadership approach to attract, retain, and lead millennial and Gen Z intrapreneurs. He advocates for visionary leadership that prioritises autonomy, empowerment, coaching, and emotional intelligence over traditional micromanagement and IQ focus. Attendees will learn how to embrace the skills and mindset of these new generations to drive disruptive innovation, and discover effective strategies to attract, motivate, and measure the future workforce.
David Gram discusses the radical transformation of the educational industry, highlighting the shift towards online platforms that democratise learning and challenge traditional models. He explores how technologies like AI and Blockchain enable personalised learning and empower users as content creators. Gram emphasises the need for experimentation and intrapreneurship among industry players, startups, and investors to navigate these changes. Attendees will learn about key drivers of this transformation and how to explore and validate investment opportunities effectively.
