Call for Stories (Africa)
Join us for the Business Agility Conference. Last year we were looking for great “art of the possible” stories, and this year is no different. You don’t have to be a consultant or industry thought leader. We’re looking for authentic stories of organisational design, market disruption, product innovation, and next-gen leadership across the whole organisation and spanning different industries. We can’t wait to hear about your experience applying innovative ideas, models, or frameworks.
What Makes a Great Story
At our core we are all storytellers, and great stories are crafted and refined. Here is what we’re looking for in your story:
- A clearly identifiable Beginning, Middle, and End – If you don’t have a narrative, then it isn’t a story;
- We can connect with it on an emotional level – The best stories are the ones where everything doesn’t go perfectly from the start. Show vulnerability. The audience will feel the struggle you went through and may be living it today in their organization. People hearing your story should be able to see themselves reflected in it;
- Tension builds throughout the story – You’ll want to jump to the success and tell us all about how great the way of working is today. Don’t rush to the ending. Help your audience understand the mistakes, missteps, and learnings along the way. Not all stories will have a successful or happy ending; these stories are equally valuable for the lessons learned.
- Finally, we want to see a clear result. How did the business measurably improve?
Check out our favourite stories from previous conferences for examples of what “good” looks like.
- Paul Cobban: The 22000 Persons Start-up – We love this content and the engaging delivery style.
- Joni Wheeler & Susan Courtney: A Story of Leadership Transformation – We absolutely loved the messaging and content. Their delivery style is calm, easy to understand, and interesting. This is also a good example to demonstrate pairing.
- Renee Troughton: Reality Bites and Stranger Things – We love the content of this talk. It tells a personal story and focuses on the human relationship skills end of the spectrum (“soft” skills). It’s also an unusual presentation type.
- Jon Smart: The Yin and Yang of Speed and Control – Absolutely fantastic content.
We’re Here to Help
When you submit your story, you will be able to ask our excellent team to work directly with you in crafting and refining your story. Ultimately, we’ll be selecting the best stories based on the refined version submitted by October 30. Submit early to get the best opportunity for detailed feedback from our busy review team.
Important dates
- June 1 – Submission System Opens
- October 15 – Submission System Closes
- November 30 – Programme Announced
Speaker Compensation
Speakers will receive 2 nights accommodation at our preferred hotel and complimentary conference entry. Speakers will also receive unique discount codes for their colleagues and clients.
Conference Format
The format for the conference continues to be unique. There are no tracks – just a large room for everyone. Each day is broken into three sessions: Executives, Thought-Leaders, and Practitioners. Each session will consist of three, 20-minute, “art of the possible” stories, a short Q/A with all the speakers and a “deep dive” into the domain. The deep dive options include a smaller group discussion with the speakers from the session or a facilitated activity at the tables.
What is your “art of the possible” story?
