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Keynote Speaker
Emil Michael
Angel Investor, Strategic Advisor, Former Chief Business Officer at Uber, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DPCM Capital
Popular talks
- Don’t Read Negotiation Books and Other Top Tips From a Legendary Entrepreneur
- Relentlessness: How to Build a Great Team
- Turning a Team from a Tribe and into a Civilization
- How Uber did it
Talks
Popular talks by Emil Michael
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Don’t Read Negotiation Books and Other Top Tips From a Legendary Entrepreneur
“Most negotiation books teach you a methodology that’s anti-humanist. The most successful negotiations are all about understanding the human beings on the other side,” says Emil Michael, the legendary tech entrepreneur who has raised over $25 billion in capital and closed high-profile deals and partnerships around the world. This included…
“Most negotiation books teach you a methodology that’s anti-humanist. The most successful negotiations are all about understanding the human beings on the other side,” says Emil Michael, the legendary tech entrepreneur who has raised over $25 billion in capital and closed high-profile deals and partnerships around the world. This included negotiating an $8 billion deal in China in only 60 days, where Michael’s hard work understanding of the culture and nuances of doing business—right down to researching the right drink to order with dinner—was integral to success. “You have to invest the time to really understand what motivates people,” he says. “Are they trying to get promoted? Is the company doing well? How’s their family life? And in the case of doing business with another culture, how to meet them where they are and show respect.” In this essential talk, Emil Michael walks you through the most successful negotiations of his career—from turning a $300 million deal with Microsoft into an $800 million one to introducing Uber to local markets around the world. His fascinating stories and invaluable lessons on focusing on the human factors at play will forever change the way you think about—and most of all, prepare for—successful negotiations.
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Relentlessness: How to Build a Great Team
First, you have to identify what kind of leader you are: Do you want to hire ‘spikes’ or do you prefer a ‘generalist’ approach to team building? How do you create a great team if your team members are all over the world? When you’re a small startup with less…
First, you have to identify what kind of leader you are: Do you want to hire ‘spikes’ or do you prefer a ‘generalist’ approach to team building? How do you create a great team if your team members are all over the world? When you’re a small startup with less than 50 people, it’s easy to hire high-quality people who share the company’s values. But how do you keep the quality and values consistent when you’re not doing the hiring personally any more? While working as Chief Business Officer for Uber, Emil was responsible for keeping the values consistent as he helped open Uber locations all over the world. In this insightful talk, Emil will share how he built a resilient culture of relentlessness. Audiences will come away learning how to develop a consistent process for hiring, how to communicate cultural values, and how to adapt them to different countries and, most importantly, how to manage a team full of spikes or a team of high-performing generalists.
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Turning a Team from a Tribe and into a Civilization
When survival of a start-up is its chief mission, the team you assemble and the values you adopt are tribal. There is much less focus on the individual employee and much more focus on the existential mission to grow the business. Every employee pitches in to put out fires and…
When survival of a start-up is its chief mission, the team you assemble and the values you adopt are tribal. There is much less focus on the individual employee and much more focus on the existential mission to grow the business. Every employee pitches in to put out fires and everyone gives their opinion on what to do next. You are the underdog and you need a tribal mentality to make it.
However, when the company has found a product that consumers want and how to deliver it efficiently, the company has to change. At that point, having structures, systems and, yes, some ‘bureaucracy’ is needed. Jobs have to be more defined, processes to allocate capital efficiently etc. The stakeholders become more diverse…and like any civilization, your concerns extend beyond survival. Usually, companies make this transition smoothly. However, in the hyper competitive and hyper growth areas in the tech segment, this change has to happen faster than is natural to do.
As important, this maturation can’t go so fast that the company actually slows down and faces the Innovator’s Dilemma. This is the central challenge for high growth companies in tech today.
More talks
- How Uber did it
Biography
About Emil Michael
One of the tech world’s most-lauded leaders, entrepreneurs and deal-makers, Emil Michael gained fame as Travis Kalanick’s right-hand man, leading Uber to become the most valuable private tech company in history. Now an investor and strategic advisor to many of the world’s most innovative high-growth companies, Michael serves as Chairman and CEO of DPCM Capital and sits on several tech company boards. A legendary deal-maker and negotiator behind the most successful exits in entrepreneurial history, Michael has been instrumental in raising over $25 billion in capital, and the creation of $100 billion in market value for high-impact technology businesses. Michael shares an inspirational story of immigrant roots, relentless determination, successful entrepreneurship and what it takes to disrupt, innovate, lead, and rise to the top of the tech and business worlds.
Combining an inspiring immigrant story, a relentless entrepreneurial mindset, and a passion for paying-it-forward to help others achieve their dreams, Emil provides an insider’s look into the rise of America’s highest-valued private tech companies—and how Uber and other household names disrupted an industry and the world.
A prominent advisor and mentor for entrepreneurs and organizations positioned for hypergrowth. Michael advises on fundraising, mergers and acquisitions, corporate strategy, and culture, building executive teams and global expansion
What is it like to be on the ground floor of technology that is transforming the world? How do you have your company run a marathon at the speed of a sprint? How do you avoid the “innovator’s dilemma” once your company has changed from the ‘insurgent’ to the ‘establishment’? How can you ensure that you are not growing your company faster than the systems and structures needed for long-term success? How do you turn a $300 million deal into an $800 million one—in one single weekend with Microsoft’s CEO? What’s on the horizon in investment and tech? Ask Emil Michael, the legendary Silicon Valley entrepreneur, angel investor, and former Chief Business Officer at Uber. You won’t just get illuminating answers and insights. You’ll hear unforgettable stories about negotiating in China, the “frontier entrepreneurism” of introducing Uber around the world, creating product love, and Emil’s own secrets of successful deal-making.
How to book Emil Michael
Answers on fees, availability and booking process.
How do I book Emil Michael for a keynote speech?
You can book Emil Michael through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Emil's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
What are Emil Michael's speaking fees?
Emil Michael's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Emil tailored to your event.
What topics does Emil Michael speak about?
Emil Michael speaks on Entrepreneurs, Organisation, Teamwork, Transportation. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Emil to align the content with your delegates and goals.
Is Emil Michael available for international events?
London Speaker Bureau can book Emil Michael for events worldwide, subject to Emil's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Does Emil Michael deliver virtual or online keynotes?
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Emil Michael is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
How long is a typical keynote by Emil Michael?
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Emil can accommodate.
Can Emil Michael tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?
London Speaker Bureau will brief Emil Michael on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Emil can offer.
What languages does Emil Michael present in?
Emil Michael delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
What makes Emil Michael a strong fit as a keynote speaker?
Emil Michael's areas of expertise include Entrepreneurs, Organisation, Teamwork, Transportation. To get a clear sense of Emil's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
What kind of events can Emil Michael speak at?
Emil Michael can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Entrepreneurs, Organisation, Teamwork, Transportation is relevant. Details of Emil's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Does Emil Michael offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Emil Michael is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
How far in advance should we book Emil Michael?
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Emil Michael, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Emil's current availability for your dates.
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