Design Thinking & Innovation
Soren Kaplan’s keynote speaking on disruptive innovation and innovation culture is grounded in his eclectic background in business innovation and design thinking. Soren takes his audience through a journey of exploration and insight into practical strategies and implications for individuals, teams, and entire organizations. His keynote speaking on design innovation reveals the linkages between “design” and disruptive products, services, and even business model innovation. Soren’s highly interactive keynote presentations reveal linkages between the field of design and business strategy and innovation.
The Future of Design Thinking & Innovation
Soren outlines the three essential components of design:
- Needs – How do you deeply understand your customers?
- Solutions – How do you create solutions of real value?
- Process – How do apply design thinking to drive innovation?
Having studied design at New York’s School of Visual Arts and at UCLA in Los Angeles, Soren draws upon his 20 years of business innovation experience, as well as a unique family heritage grounded in art and design that includes:
- Jean Puiforcat, the French art deco silversmith whose name and designs are now owned by luxury brand, Hermes
- Georgette Chadourne, one of the first female professional photographers who captured portraits of artists including Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse
- Jacques Kaplan, the 1960’s furrier who was the first designer to denounce using endangered species and who was recognized by the World Wildlife Fund for his boldness in challenging an entire industry
Ranked as one of the world’s top strategic consultants by Business Insider, Dr. Kaplan shares what works (and doesn’t) from his decades of experience leading initiatives with top companies and brands.
From Corporate meetings & events to conferences and trade shows, Dr. Kaplan inspires, energizes, and motivates action.
In addition to his hands-on experience, Soren leads executive development programs in business model innovation for senior leaders globally through USC’s Center for Effective Organizations, Copenhagen Business School, Melbourne Business School in Australia, Tias Nimbas Business School in The Netherlands, and for many others. He also advises and consults to companies including Cisco, Disney, Visa, Colgate-Palmolive, Red Bull, Medtronic, Roche, SK Telecom (South Korea), Kaiser Permanente, Medtronic, and many others.
Having previously led the strategy and innovation consulting group at Hewlett-Packard (HP) and as the founder and advisor of several start-ups including Praxie.com, Soren understands the practical challenges involved in creating and leading “disruptive” new business models. He has presented to dozens of corporations, conferences, associations, universities, and nonprofits and is a widely recognized expert in business strategy, disruptive innovation, and organizational culture.
Some previous presentations include:
Soren’s engaging and motivational speaking style leads his audiences through a journey of exploration and discovery to insight and practical application, ensuring that everyone walks away energized and motivated – and with a sense of actionable direction.
Soren customizes every keynote to his specific audience – since he’s an adamant believer that it’s only possible to truly connect to others when one has an understanding of their needs, challenges and passions. For inquires about Soren’s speaking engagements, including his experience working across specific areas and industries such as disruptive technology, healthcare, design thinking, financial services, consumer products, manufacturing, food and beverage, media and entertainment, and others, click here.
What Clients Say
CEO, American Nurses Association
Dr. Loressa Cole
Soren delivers deep insight into how we show up and perform at work, in our relationships, and life itself.
Senior Vice President, Talent Leaning and Insights, 3M
Kathryn J. Coleman, Ph.D
Dr. Kaplan provides keen insights into how the experiences we have form our current mindsets and an approach for how to gain self-awareness into your unique assets to foster both personal and professional growth.
Chief Marketing Officer of Australia & New Zealand, Accenture
Carrie Smith
Soren’s concept of Experiential Intelligence is the new imperative for unlocking the peak potential of individuals, teams, and organizations.
Vice President, Talent & Development, Amazon Web Services
Michael J. Arena
Soren provides a long overdue blueprint to more intentionally access the mindsets, abilities, and know-how gained from your unique life experience.
Chief Technology Officer, Colgate-Palmolive
Pat Verduin, Ph.D.
Soren uses powerful storytelling to take us on a journey to deeply understand our experiences and teach us how to maximize the impact they have on our leadership and business success.
President & CEO, Ascension Regional Health System
Dr. Stephanie Duggan
Soren knows what it takes to be successful in our rapid paced and constantly changing environment and redefines what all leaders and organizations need to build as competencies for the future.
Vice President of Philanthropy, United Nations Foundation
Valencia Bembry
Soren helps leaders unlock their hidden strengths and those of their teams to drive transformative outcomes.
Group Vice President, HCA Healthcare
Juan Sanchez
Soren artfully blends concrete research with compelling storytelling to clearly show what leads to higher performance as a leader and for your organization.
Head of Change and Transformation, Cigna
Rachael Orleans
Soren reveals how to create a culture of empowerment and innovation that enables true sustainable growth and engagement.
CEO, Best Practices Institute
Louis Carter
Soren’s book, Experiential Intelligence, is a major game-changer for the field of transforming organizations.
Senior Vice President & Head of Global Talent Development, NBCUniversal
Rebecca Romano
Culture is the key to innovation, and Soren helps leaders assess, frame, and create a sustainable environment for both innovation and growth.
Kevin Martin
Chief Operating Officer, KQED Public Television & Radio, San Francisco
Soren helped our leadership team assess, design, and build an action plan for further embedding innovation into our culture.
President of Gatorade
Sarah Robb O’Hagan
Soren shows that leaders who look inward to challenge the status quo will be on track to truly change the game.
Co-Founder of OpenTable
Glenn Allen
Soren delivers new principles and tools that anyone can apply to their business. He provides the new guide for entrepreneurs and leaders in today’s environment.
Director, Global Innovation Center of Excellence, Hershey’s
Deborah Arcoleo
Soren outlines exactly the right principles for creating an organizational mindset that challenges orthodoxies, and seeks out and learns from surprises.
Chief Learning Officer, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
Anne Blouin, CAE
Soren reveals strategies for engaging people in the type of experiential learning that challenges assumptions and leads to breakthroughs.