Erik Qualman is a renowned author and speaker whose insights into digital leadership and innovation have captivated audiences worldwide. With five #1 bestselling books to his name, Qualman has shared his expertise across more than 55 countries, reaching more than 50 million people. His groundbreaking work in social media and digital influence, coined “Socialnomics,” has gained attention from 60 Minutes to The Wall Street Journal, and is widely referenced across industries, including by organisations like NASA and the National Guard.
Erik serves as a professor of Digital Leadership at Northwestern University, where his materials are used in over 500 universities. His expertise is sought by top-tier companies; through his animation studio, he has collaborated with global brands such as Disney, Oreo, Chase, and Cartier to enhance their digital presence. Erik’s commitment to teaching also includes previous positions at MIT and Harvard’s edX labs, where he worked on shaping the future of digital education. In recognition of his contributions to the field he has been awarded an honorary doctorate.
Beyond the classroom and boardroom, Qualman is also known for his creativity and connection with audiences. He is the creator of the bestselling board game Kittycorn, and was once voted the world’s second most likeable author after J.K. Rowling.
Erik’s talks and live presentations are designed to inspire leaders to embrace digital transformation in practical and impactful ways. As a pioneer of video storytelling, he uses immersive media to engage and inform, making complex digital concepts accessible and relevant for audiences of all backgrounds.
Erik Qualman demonstrates how organisations can leverage tools like artificial intelligence, IoT and blockchain to stay agile and relevant in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Drawing from his expertise as a futurist and professor, he explores AI's potential to boost efficiency while maintaining a human-centred approach, addressing ethical challenges, job adaptation, and security. By understanding how AI, IoT, social media, and blockchain work together, Qualman shows how organisations can create adaptable, future-ready strategies that drive lasting success.
For Erik Qualman, great digital leaders aren’t born—they’re made through deliberate practice and understanding. By balancing rapid tech advances with human nature, he shares his five digital leadership habits to create success and happiness for teams and customers. From Posting-It-Forward to Socialnomics™, Qualman’s techniques prepare organisations to stay ahead of competitors and aligned with markets, empowering leaders to harness technology while preserving the value of personal connection.
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. Erik Qualman provides the roadmap for your organization’s continual transformation by fostering a culture of daily innovation. After all, most innovation is evolutionary versus revolutionary. Leap over the competition by landing on a foundation of progressive and practical innovation principles. Future forward.
Based on his #1 Bestseller, Erik 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.
In this age of constant distraction, Erik Qualman argues that focus is the key factor separating success from failure. Drawing insights from The Focus Project, he explains how distinguishing between “big” and “busy” tasks can become a daily habit that fuels achievement. Qualman shares practical techniques for overcoming distraction and focusing on meaningful goals, showing how focus can act as a modern superpower that drives personal and professional growth.
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