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WORK
with DAVID
David Schonthal electrifies audiences with actionable tips for how to be a change-maker in today's rapidly evolving world. Learn more about his talks and workshops below.
TALKS & WORKSHOPS
MASTERING THE FORCES THAT DRIVE INNOVATION
How do you get people to say yes to a new idea or innovation? In this interactive session, David highlights the Frictions that operate against new ideas and the Fuels that can help supercharge them; describes the unexpected reasons why the ideas and initiatives people are most passionate about get rejected, and the right types of “fuel” that can propel a good idea forward; and explains how to transform those frictions and fuels into powerful catalysts for change.
OVERCOMING THE RESISTANCE THAT AWAITS NEW IDEAS
How do you get people to say yes to a new idea or innovation? In this interactive session, David highlights the Frictions that operate against new ideas and innovation; describes the unexpected reasons why the ideas and initiatives people are most passionate about get rejected; and explains how to transform those frictions into important, powerful catalysts for change.
Inspiration for innovative new products, services and ventures is all around you – sometimes hiding in plain sight. The best way to discover these opportunities often starts with asking the right questions. In this session, David shares tools and techniques for reframing the world around you, identifying ways to make an impact and mustering the confidence to do something about it.
QUESTION 0: BEGINNING THE HUNT FOR NEW IDEAS
THE ULTIMATE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
The most successful companies know things about their customers that competitors haven’t figured out, and know how to use this knowledge to maintain their competitive edge. In this session, David walks participants through novel research techniques to better understand customers and their needs, and other steps to unlock this competitive advantage.
Why do people show interest in a product or service, but never buy? It’s probably not due to the product’s lack of appeal but rather because of the frictions companies inadvertently create as they try to help get, keep and grow customers. In this talk, David explains that the things you think will get customers to sign on are probably making things worse, and offers specific case studies for what to do to make sure your customers don’t disappear.
SOLVE THE MYSTERY OF CUSTOMER ACTIVATION AND RETENTION
DESIGN THINKING
Design is not just a verb – it is a way of thinking. In this interactive session, David highlights some of the fundamentals of Design Thinking and discusses how they can be applied to everything from products and services to business models. Participants will explore how to apply these principles across a variety of industries, in small companies and large enterprises alike.
THE POWER OF WHY
Truly innovative products and technologies start by focusing on consumers’ problems to be solved. What do consumers want to accomplish? What tradeoffs are they willing to make to achieve better outcomes? Why do they make the choices they do? The key is finding the right struggle to address. In this session David unpacks powerful tools and techniques for discovering consumers' hidden needs, and translating them into compelling products, services and ventures.
HUMAN-CENTERED INNOVATION SPRINT
Business is, at its core, a social enterprise. As a result, understanding the social, emotional and functional needs of humans is essential to providing true and lasting innovation. In this workshop, David highlights the fundamentals of Human-Centered Innovation and discusses how they can be applied to everything from products and services to business models. Participants will explore how we can apply these principles across a variety of industries, in small companies and large enterprises alike. The workshop culminates in a popular hands-on design sprint where audience members will roll-up their sleeves and design new products and services for each other.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
"ENGAGING TALK. PRACTICAL, EASY TO UNDERSTAND. DAVID HAD GREAT EXAMPLES THAT BROUGHT FRICTION THEORY TO LIFE."
CAROLE SILVESTRE/GLOBAL HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS/VTEX
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"DAVID'S PRESENTATION AND MESSAGE WERE A GREAT CAPSTONE FOR THIS YEAR'S THEME OF ESTABLISHING AN INNOVATION MINDSET THROUGHOUT OUR COMPANY."
JON ZASIEBIDA/GLOBAL USER MARKETING DIRECTOR/BOSCH TOOL COMPANY
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"DAVID'S SESSION WAS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!"
NOELLE PETERSON/DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL EVENTS AND MARKETING, USERTESTING
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"DAVID WAS QUITE MASTERFUL WITH THE GROUP. THE SESSION GOT ONE OF OUR HIGHEST RATINGS. HE DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB OF UNPACKING THE CONTENT IN A WAY THAT WAS TRULY ENGAGING."
KAIHAN KRIPPENDORF/FOUNDER/OUTTHINKER STRATEGY NETWORK
DAVID HAS DELIVERED KEYNOTE SPEECHES
AND PRESENTATIONS TO AUDIENCES INCLUDING
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