Rik Vera Profile Picture

Keynote SpeakerRik Vera

International keynote speaker, coach, workshop facilitator, author and advisor on the impact of all things digital on society and business

Rik has been a C-level manager in large international (stock exchange as well as family-owned) companies for over 25 years, running global sales and marketing divisions, but also as a general manager overlooking all aspects of conducting a successful business. He was known to be a value creator, somebody that... Read more

Biography

Rik has been a C-level manager in large international (stock exchange as well as family-owned) companies for over 25 years, running global sales and marketing divisions, but also as a general manager overlooking all aspects of conducting a successful business. He was known to be a value creator, somebody that was able to turn lost cases into a profitable business, not by cost cutting, by questioning the status quo of business rules and by being creative.

Rik has always been intrigued by how technology could change the business models and how re-defining the building blocks could re-write the rules of the game rather than just trying to outrun competition. Rik has always put the customer experience at the heart of business and has made maximum use of people and new technologies to build business success. Building FEAST interfaces was the secret he now likes the share on stage, in workshops or in coaching: Fast, Easy, Accessible, Simple and Tempting.

On stage, in his workshops and coaching, Rik blends his vast business experience, with his profound knowledge of all things digital, new business models and the way to organise the company and create the right culture to re-write the rules of the game, with his unique talent to energize people and inspire them so they want to actually move forward and be the change.

Rik is guaranteed to bring energy, fun and loads of ideas, concepts and inspiration. He is being recognized as one of the leading thought leaders on business models for a digital world and is being called a positive business philosopher because of his talent to look upon businesses, people and society and expose the opportunities rather than the barriers. Rik likes to de-hype the hypes of the day and reveal what really matters. He is everything but middle of the road and he doesn’t like boxes nor rigid rules. He shakes, rattles, rolls and gets the audience or participants to re-wire. Antifragility is the name of the game.

Rik has written ‘Managers The Day After Tomorrow’ (2018), ‘The guide to the Ecosystem Economy’ (2021) and Net curiosity score (2024). He is an active producer of blogs, vlogs and quotes to keep challenging the status quo.

Popular Talks by Rik Vera

  • The Net Curiosity Score
    Engaging keynote based on an upcoming book. This session highlights the power of curiosity and its crucial role in business success. Attendees will discover how curiosity impacts areas such as sales, marketing, innovation, leadership, branding, and company culture. The keynote shows how curiosity bridges organizational silos, enhancing innovation, agility, efficiency,...
  • Build Your Own Future

    This session offers valuable insights into the forces shaping the future and highlights the need for proactive leadership. Attendees will learn how companies can take charge and design their future now. The masterclass equips leaders to recognize emerging trends and use them to create a strategic, sustainable path forward.

  • The Guide to the Ecosystem Economy
    This engaging keynote is based on Rik Vera’s best-selling book. It explores the concept of ecosystems, their significance in shaping the future, and how to build or join one. Attendees will learn the key building blocks and important dos and don’ts. The keynote equips leaders with the knowledge and tools...
  • Talking Sustainability
    This keynote that explores Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. It focuses on integrating these goals into both communications and the core of the organization. Attendees will learn strategies to weave sustainability into their corporate culture and operations, ensuring that ESG principles are a central part of their organizational identity,...
  • How to Become a Gamechanger
    This dynamic keynote that examines how rapid, impactful change creates opportunities to disrupt industries and create new markets. It focuses on what it takes for companies to become gamechangers, covering innovation, leadership, mindset, culture, governance, and more. Attendees will learn key strategies and qualities to transform their organizations into industry...
  • How to Still Be Relevant for People and Society Beyond 2035
    This is a widely sought-after keynote tailored to industries like automotive, food, agriculture, banking, healthcare, FMCG, retail, manufacturing, technology, and more. This session explores the dramatic changes industries will experience due to converging forces and the blurring of sector boundaries. Leaders will learn how to maintain relevance for people and...
  • The Art and Craft of Customer Centricity
    This is a foundational keynote that reflects my journey as a speaker. In this session,Rik highlights the customer as the key to navigating today’s rapidly changing business landscape. Understanding how technology and other forces will reshape customer behaviors and society is essential. This keynote tackles the critical question: What would...
  • This is Not a Talk About AI
    Why? Because Rik is not here to dive into the technical details of machine learning versus reinforcement learning, only to get lost in complex jargon. That’s not his style. He is also not here to paint an overly optimistic picture of the future with flying cars, hyper-personalized shopping, and miracle...
  • Leadership in the Twilight Zone
    This is an engaging keynote for leaders of all team sizes. We are in the “Twilight Zone”—a transitional period between an old world fading away and a new one emerging, full of dramatic change. This session focuses on developing strategies for navigating this unpredictable environment and inspiring and engaging teams,...