Keynotes 45–60 min, executive briefings, board strategy sessions, leadership workshops.
CEOs and boards, executive teams, CIOs and CDOs, public sector leaders, regulators, and policy stakeholders.
The talk, “Lessons from the present ‐ where to play and how to win in the digital age” looks at case studies and lessons from the present to formulate a model of where businesses should focus, and how they can compete better, to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in this digital age.
The talk from Prof. Brian Armstrong is not about futurology; rather, it gives practical and actionable insights based on current facts and data to help business leaders formulate coherent strategies and execution plans to lead their businesses in our fast moving and challenging business landscape.
Prof. Brian Armstrong is one of South Africa’s foremost ICT and digital business leaders with 30+ years in telecommunications, IT, technology R&D, and systems engineering. He is Professor and Chair of Digital Business at Wits Business School, a trusted advisor to government and listed companies, and a sought-after keynote speaker on digitalisation, strategy, and the socio-economic impact of technology.
His executive background includes Group COO and Group CCO at Telkom and Vice President for the Middle East and Africa at BT. He also serves as a non-executive director for Old Mutual Limited, Huge Group, and the Tshimologong Innovation Precinct. Brian’s talks are known for practical, data-led insights that move beyond futurology to clear choices, execution focus, and measurable results.
He holds BSc and MSc degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand and a PhD from University College London. Based in Johannesburg.
Prof. Brian Armstrong is one of the foremost ICT industry leaders in South Africa, with over 30 years of top level management experience in Telecommunications, IT, technology R&D and systems engineering, both in South Africa and abroad. He is widely regarded as a thought leader in digitalisation, convergence and business strategy.
As a public speaker, Brian, uniquely in South Africa, combines the experience of having personally managed and transformed one of South Africa’s largest organisations, being the foremost academic on business strategy and digital transformation, a sought-after advisor to government and large listed companies, as well as a compelling and inspirational speaker.
Prof. Brian Armstrong is currently Professor in the Chair of Digital Business at the Wits Business School. He consults widely to industry and government on technological disruption and digital business and is an acclaimed public speaker on digital transformation and its socio-economic impacts.
He is a non-executive director of Old Mutual Limited, the Huge Group and the Tshimologong Innovation Precinct.
Previously Brian spent seven years in Telkom, as Group Chief Operating Officer and Group Chief Commercial Officer, and at BT as Vice President for Middle East and Africa.
Prof. Brian Armstrong completed his BSc (Eng) and MSc (Eng) at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1982 and 1984 respectively, and obtained his PhD from University College London in 1992.
Brian Armstrong is South Africa’s pre-eminent thought leader on Digitalisation and Business Strategy. He is the Professor of Digital Business at the Wits Business School, built on a recent foundation of 30 years of top-level management experience running and transforming large tech companies in South Africa and abroad.
He is sought after as a Board member and advisor and consultant on digital transformation and brings a unique depth of insight and practical experience to this often hyped and confused field.
Prof. Brian Armstrong is known as one of the industry’s most engaging speakers and consistently gets in excess of 80% “9 & 10” scores for his presentations and workshops. His talks are simultaneously engaging, actionable and challenging, and provide a clear clarion call as businesses embark on their exciting, but sometimes daunting, journeys into the digital future.
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Brian frames two narratives about the fourth industrial revolution. The pessimistic view says machines will outperform humans at many tasks and erase entire job categories. The optimistic view notes that for two centuries new technologies such as steam power and electricity ultimately created work and lifted participation.
Reality sits between these poles. A significant slice of today’s workforce is vulnerable to change and about one fifth of roles will need to adapt substantially. The leadership challenge is to help people transition from clerical and repetitive manual tasks into more professional, analytical, and creative work. Success depends on transforming existing skills, redesigning roles, and building national and organizational capacity to reskill at pace.
00:00 Set up: two narratives about the future of work
00:10 Pessimistic view: machines outperform people and destroy jobs
00:26 Optimistic view: history shows technology creates employment
00:46 Then vs now: predictions of shorter weeks, reality of longer days
00:58 The middle ground: sizable workforce disruption is likely
01:08 Estimate: around 20 percent of jobs must adapt significantly
01:18 Core shift: from clerical and repetitive tasks to analytical and creative roles
01:33 Call to action: transform skills as a national and organizational priority
Prof. Armstrong explains that Wits University is reimagining itself for a digital era, across every school from engineering and medicine to arts and law. The mandate is twofold: keep teaching relevant and ensure research addresses South Africa’s digital-age needs. At Wits Business School the focus is equipping people to be productive in the business community.
He details curriculum updates, including a Master of Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Business, plus refreshed programs in innovation, entrepreneurship, and marketing that embed digital engagement. Parallel to content changes, WBS is modernizing delivery: upgrading classrooms for the digital age and launching fully online courses to expand access beyond Gauteng into Africa and internationally. The goal is to practice what they teach by digitizing their own operations, while preparing graduates to lead in the digital economy.
00:00 Why Wits is reimagining itself for a digital era
00:12 Relevance across all schools: engineering to creative arts and law
00:30 Business school objective: equip productive, effective leaders
00:45 New curricula: MM and PGDip in Digital Business; innovation and entrepreneurship
01:05 Marketing refreshed for digital engagement and customer journeys
01:20 Teaching transformation: classroom upgrades for a digital age
01:35 Fully online courses to extend reach across Africa and beyond
01:55 Practicing what they preach: digitizing delivery and operations
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
Virtual speaking appearances can indeed offer cost savings compared to in-person events. Virtual speaking rates are often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates due to factors such as reduced travel expenses and logistics. This makes virtual events a cost-effective alternative for organizations looking to book speakers within a budget.
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
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