David Gram
Transform innovation culture with David Gram, speaker and co-founder of Diplomatic Rebels. David works with global organisations to drive radical innovation and intrapreneurship, delivering proven methodologies developed at LEGO and implemented across multiple industries worldwide.
Copenhagen, Denmark
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With a career spanning over 17 years, David has honed his expertise in radical innovation and lean start-up methods within both small businesses and large global corporations. His work is characterised by a unique blend of design thinking and agile development, which he has applied to numerous innovation projects from early incubation to full maturity.
David's journey in innovation leadership includes pivotal roles such as Senior Innovation Director at LEGO's Future Lab and Head of Innovation at Scandinavian Airlines. During his nine-year tenure at LEGO, he led multidisciplinary teams in developing breakthrough business initiatives, ensuring the company remained at the forefront of the toy industry. His efforts were instrumental in establishing LEGO Ventures, the strategic venture arm of the LEGO Brand Group, further cementing his reputation as a key figure in corporate innovation.
The "Diplomatic Rebel" concept is central to David's philosophy. He believes that anyone can become an innovator within their organisation by balancing the rebellious spirit needed to challenge the status quo with the diplomatic skills required to garner support. This mindset is crucial for driving change in complex organisations, and David's work with Diplomatic Rebels aims to instil these principles in companies worldwide.
David's insights and methodologies have been recognised in various forums, including his role as an Unreasonable Mentor, where he has advised numerous companies. He has shared his expertise with organisations such as British Airways and the creative agency Two Degrees Below, and facilitated design-thinking workshops for international audiences.
As an international keynote speaker and executive advisor, David continues to inspire organisations to embrace change and innovation, ensuring they remain viable in an ever-evolving world.
Topics, Sessions And Talks
David Gram, co-founder of Diplomatic Rebels, shares insights on disrupting large organisations from within. He explores how to challenge the status quo with innovative ideas while maintaining support from colleagues and management. Balancing the rebel spirit with diplomatic skills is crucial to avoid burnout or conformity. Attendees will learn the five habits of impactful intrapreneurs and how to cultivate these skills to lead an organisation of Diplomatic Rebels effectively.
David Gram emphasises the importance of establishing a solid foundation for successful radical innovation. Companies must define a clear purpose and strategy to explore new territories effectively, identifying the right Opportunity Spaces to avoid overwhelming efforts. Attendees will learn why a clear purpose and understanding of core capabilities are crucial for driving effective innovation and how setting limits can significantly enhance success. With 15 years of experience at companies like SAS and The LEGO Group, David Gram is well-versed in building innovation strategies.
David Gram will share his expertise in design thinking, drawing from his extensive experience at LEGO, where he pioneered innovative methods. He will discuss how LEGO successfully integrated design thinking into its culture, highlighting both successes and challenges. Attendees will learn about essential methodologies, including customer immersion and rapid prototyping, as well as the mindset needed for effective innovation. The session promises an engaging presentation style, with interactive elements to enhance the learning experience.
David Gram explores how large companies can transform into agile ecosystems through corporate venturing. As organisations grow, they often become slow and risk-averse, stifling innovation. Gram suggests that future companies should act as open platforms, engaging partners, startups, and customers to create value. Attendees will learn how to make their organisations nimble and adaptive, fostering collaboration with startups and empowering employees to innovate. Gram's experience with The LEGO Group's ecosystem, including LEGO Ventures and LEGO Ideas, underscores his expertise.
David Gram advocates for intrapreneurship, where employees act entrepreneurially within large companies, enabling them to adapt swiftly to future challenges while reducing risks and enhancing learning. An experienced intrapreneur himself, David has led radical innovation projects at major organisations like SAS and LEGO. Attendees will learn to foster a culture of intrapreneurship, exploring organisational structures, tools, and incentives through lean startup methods, design thinking, and agile methodology.
Looking for a custom keynote or workshop designed around your company’s goals and culture? The expert will create a tailored, interactive session that aligns with your objectives, values, and strategic priorities. From leadership and innovation to wellbeing and collaboration, each experience is built from the ground up to deliver measurable impact and lasting change.
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