Dietmar Dahmen is an inspiring, highly motivating speaker who not only rocks the stage but also moves the hearts and minds of your audience. With over 20 years of experience in marketing and advertising in Hamburg, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, and Vienna – most recently as the Chief Creative Officer and Managing Director of the international agency group BBDO – Dietmar Dahmen is a profound expert in branding and marketing, contemporary communication, and above all, in the trends, challenges, and opportunities of the future. We asked Dietmar Dahmen some exclusive questions:
Never has the status quo become outdated so quickly. Disruptive developments are now the norm. How can we as individuals and as a company keep up?
Dietmar Dahmen: Disruption always happens. The birth of a child massively changes the lives of parents in an instant. The birth of a new technology massively changes the (survival) life in business. The insight: Change is never half! You are not "half without a child" – just as you are never "half without automation." Of course, there are also times of romantic dinners for two... or business processes that continue as usual – but: At the core, everything is new! Even during dinner, the child is "there in the heart." Before birth, you are "a couple," after birth, you are "parents." Tasks change. Visions change. What is "important" to you changes. Change redefines us! If that doesn't happen, you are a bad parent or a bad businesswoman.
Change is therefore a "must."
Dietmar Dahmen: Yes. And completely! Externally and internally! Me and the others! And all of this not only in the mind but also from the heart. Many companies know they need to change, but they don't necessarily live it! The reason: Knowledge simply leads to conclusions. Emotion leads to actions! Emotion provides the energy to actually make the change.... and in your talks, do you convey this emotion?
Dietmar Dahmen: Absolutely. And with a "Bam!" (laughs). Of course, I show the latest trends, the latest technology, the latest applications, but my "uniqueness" certainly comes from the ability to emotionally charge transformation positively. I help people find change super exciting... I provide the power to implement change.How do you do that?
Dietmar Dahmen: With clear, simple images. With clear, simple messages. With clear, simple actions. I meet people where they are, always tailored to each company! And then I rock the listeners with "Bam Bam Bam" into the world of "wow... that's where I can be... that's what I want too!" Change needs enthusiasm... and a touch of panic (smiles). In the end, everyone sees themselves as a superhero of change, in a power team of other superheroes, all working together to save the world.Superheroes?
Dietmar Dahmen: Yes! We have to be superheroes to implement change. When the train is about to derail, no superhero says, "Someone else should help." Every superhero says, "I'll do it" – "I'll fly there!" – "I'll save the world!" Every listener has this exact task. Everyone has to say, "I'll do it!" Because: If he or she doesn't do it, no one will!Wow, you're really bursting with energy... (smiles). You've just written a book called "Transformation. Bam!" What is it about?
Dietmar Dahmen: The book is – of course – about transformation. What is happening right now? What does the future hold? What do I need to prepare for... and most importantly, how! When artificial intelligence, algorithms, and robots become colleagues, what is my new role? When machines order our goods and services, who is the customer then? What do people and companies need to do now to remain successful in the future? Those are the themes...It sounds very challenging.
The speed and scale of change are a massive challenge for everyone! But I make it all extremely easy to understand and break it down into really small "Bam bites." Yes, the most disruptive technology comes first, but it's more about what that means for me and my company! How I need to change as a person and as a company! What new opportunities I have!It sounds exciting.
It is! Technology doesn't just replace the old... Technology enables the new! Those who offer smart, connected products and services must change their actions, their thinking, their business model! Those who simply do the same as before – just "digitally" – are doing something massively wrong! The new path leads me to new goals! I just have to walk it!
As in your quote: "You can't reach new goals on old paths."?
Yes, something like that. Change means: Leaving the old paths. Not doing the old anymore... and then, with everything you have, going all the way down the new path... and not just looking theoretically on Google Maps to see where the new path might lead! (laughs)Who books you?
Anyone with transformation on the agenda. Anyone who wants to know what the future holds. Anyone who wants to inspire, motivate, and excite customers and employees... and that too with "high content and high fun level"!Do you travel a lot?
Transformation is happening worldwide! I am probably on the road 200 days a year... and absolutely globally. I give talks from Sydney to Singapore, from London to Los Angeles. And of course, always gladly from Aachen to Zurich.Thank you for your time.
You can experience Dietmar Dahmen live at the Digital Heroes Festival on May 10, 2019 at the Wagenhallen Stuttgart. [button color="gray" size="small" link="www.digitalhero.de" icon="" target="true"]More Information![/button]
