THRIVING IN A WORLD OF UNCERTAINTY, DISRUPTION, AND AI

Creating Stability by Turning Innovation into a Competitive Advantage

with Hall of Fame Speaker, Stephen Shapiro

Thriving in a World of Uncertainty, Disruption, and AI

Creating Stability by Turning Innovation into a Competitive Advantage

with Hall of Fame Speaker, Stephen Shapiro

The Innovation Dilemma: Why Most Organizations Struggle to Keep Up

The pace of change is accelerating, and businesses are scrambling to predict what’s next.

But here’s the truth: predicting the future is impossible—and chasing it only leads to wasted resources and instability. This breeds frustration, doubt, and the fear of falling behind. Leaders know innovation matters, but they’re often unsure where to focus.

The Solution? Focus on Stability, Not Just Change.

Instead of chasing trends, focus on what won’t and shouldn’t change. A strong foundation—built on what truly differentiates you—creates stability in uncertainty.

By investing in what matters most, you build an organization that adapts with confidence, ensuring every move is grounded in strength, not speculation.

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Why Innovation Matters

When I was nine, I started playing the saxophone and studying magic. These two passions taught me the power of improvisation and how to make the impossible possible—lessons that would shape my entire career.

After earning a degree in Industrial Engineering from Cornell, I joined Accenture, where I focused on process reengineering—helping companies streamline operations for maximum efficiency. But I quickly saw the unintended consequences: optimizing businesses often meant eliminating jobs.

Then came the turning point. One project, in particular, led to an existential crisis—ten thousand people were set to lose their jobs because of my work.

me and the sax
Me at the book launch party for 24/7 Innovation
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I knew there had to be a better way. Instead of eliminating jobs, I wanted to help companies grow in ways that created them. That realization changed everything.

Determined to redefine the role of innovation in business, I founded and led Accenture’s 20,000-person innovation practice.

For decades, I’ve helped organizations turn innovation into their greatest advantage—not by chasing trends, but by building a stable foundation for continuous growth.

Now, I help leaders like you drive meaningful innovation that makes a lasting impact—so you can thrive in a world of uncertainty, disruption, and AI.

FAST Innovation

Our FAST Innovation® model creates clarity and stability by focusing innovation efforts on the biggest and most relevant opportunities. This process drives significant improvements in innovation ROI over traditional methods. FAST stands for Focus, Ask, Shift, Test:

Focus
Differentiate
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Innovate where you differentiate
To drive stability and maximize impact, you need to know where to double down your investments.
Ask
Reframe
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Don’t think outside the box; find a better box
Everyone will be equipped to reveal hidden solutions to difficult problems by asking better questions.
Shift
Solve
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Expertise is the enemy of innovation
Your teams will find breakthrough solutions faster through effective collaboration and by looking beyond their areas of expertise.
Test
Experiment & Implement
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Don’t fail; experiment
Don’t glorify failure. Instead, embrace effective experimentation as a means of reducing risk.

Repeatable and Predictable Results in an Unpredictable World

Stephen doesn’t just talk innovation, he lives it.

He led a 20,000-person innovation practice at Accenture, and he can make it a reality for your organization.

Let’s make innovation your greatest advantage.

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Engage Your Audience

Transform how your organization tackles innovation, technology, and disruption with customized keynotes that will engage and challenge your audience.
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Create a Culture of Innovation

Build your innovation engine with our FAST Innovation Mastery Program, designed to help your organization accelerate the way you innovate.
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Reveal Hidden Opportunties

Discover a systemic approach for solving difficult business problems and tapping into critical opportunities with this powerful book.
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Create Diverse Innovation Teams

Build high performing innovation teams that embrace divergent thinking. This interactive experience will ensure your organization can have a winning hand.

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PIVOTAL: Creating Stability in an Uncertain World

In a world where pivoting has become the norm, PIVOTAL offers a refreshing alternative: focus on what remains constant to forge deeper customer connections and generate enduring value.  

In a world filled with bright, shiny objects, this book helps you distinguish real opportunities from mere distractions. 

Becoming pivotal means being irreplaceable.

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Bring Stephen's Innovation Insights To Your Next Event!

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Bring Stephen's Innovation Insights To Your Next Event!

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