Karen Connell is the founder of The SMALLmighty consultancy. The name SMALLmighty was born from Karen working for companies such as General Motors, Cadbury’s, Virgin and Schweppes where she witnessed first-hand how big business does (and doesn’t) work. In her words “after 16 years I was just exhausted watching really... Read more
Karen Connell - Biggest Trend is Small
Karen Connell - Interview | London Speaker Bureau
Karen Connell is the founder of The SMALLmighty consultancy. The name SMALLmighty was born from Karen working for companies such as General Motors, Cadbury’s, Virgin and Schweppes where she witnessed first-hand how big business does (and doesn’t) work. In her words “after 16 years I was just exhausted watching really smart people including myself do dumb things for an almost pathological obsession for scale that obscured some fantastic opportunities”.
Karen’s ambition and commitment to her clients is to help restore some sense and inspiration to the world’s largest companies by helping them “think small”. With an enviable client list Karen now trains, consults and inspires organisations so they can become more agile, responsive and mighty. In markets including UK, Europe, China, Africa, America and her native Australia, Karen’s “think small” message is now resonating with Global Giants including Shell, Coca-Cola, Kimberley-Clark, Kraft, Cadbury, Merlin Entertainment, and Johnson and Johnson.
Karen Connell speaks passionately about the era of connection and personalisation and how mass markets have now become masses of niches, clusters of consumer groups and ‘friends’ who have new and unimaginable power. To compete in a market where the small is mighty, Karen explains 4 key principles required to attack or defend for growth:
1. The brand is the business
Brand management doesn’t stop at the marketing department’s door. For a brand to survive it must be truly relevant, ownable, meaningful and defensible throughout the entire organisation and route to market
2. New opportunities are naturally awkward
The aeronautical precision used to manage the company star is rarely appropriate for new and emerging brands. Innovation depends upon the organisation’s willingness and ability to embrace “awkward”
3. “Simplicity is Genius”
The problem for large companies is that the business of doing business is so complex and draining that defining and solving problems is stupendously difficult. Problem solving depends upon a clear and shared understanding of the question and an equally shared ambition to answer it.
4. People don’t buy what you do but why you do it
Products often take years to develop and yet in a staggeringly short time they can be copied – better, faster, cheaper. Large organisations are attuned to selling what they do however the truly differentiating and meaningful exchange comes from a brand’s motivations beliefs and values. Finding and sharing something authentic creates connection, and advocacy which in turn creates a real and lasting USP.
Approachable, entertaining and generous with real stories of hits and misses, Karen Connell speaks with memorable candour how to build brands and teams, and how to turn plans into stories people want to learn and re-tell so everyone is the hero.
Great for audiences wanting to challenge organisational sacred cows and looking to find and build new opportunities, Karen Connell is available for keynote speeches and workshops tailored to suit the audiences experience and interest.
Karen’s expertise includes branding, marketing, problem solving, research and insights, building new operating models, and storytelling. Industries she has particular expertise in includes FMCG, Energy (oil & gas), pharmaceuticals and automotive
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You can book Karen Connell through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Karen's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Karen Connell'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 Karen tailored to your event.
Karen Connell speaks on Marketing. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Karen to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Karen Connell for events worldwide, subject to Karen's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Karen Connell is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
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 Karen can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Karen Connell 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 Karen can offer.
Karen Connell 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.
Karen Connell's areas of expertise include Marketing. To get a clear sense of Karen'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.
Karen Connell can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Marketing is relevant. Details of Karen'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.
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 Karen Connell is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Karen Connell, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Karen's current availability for your dates.