[Applause] good afternoon guys how you all doing
good afternoon guys how you all doing
good afternoon guys how you all doing it’s not the biggest financial services
it’s not the biggest financial services
it’s not the biggest financial services consultancy maybe the best but not the
consultancy maybe the best but not the
consultancy maybe the best but not the biggest it is great to be here and it’s
biggest it is great to be here and it’s
biggest it is great to be here and it’s actually true I didn’t actually plan a
actually true I didn’t actually plan a
actually true I didn’t actually plan a specific speech today and look it’s me
specific speech today and look it’s me
specific speech today and look it’s me it’s great hi
it’s great hi
it’s great hi I didn’t plan anything specific today
I didn’t plan anything specific today
I didn’t plan anything specific today because I think the whole topic of
because I think the whole topic of
because I think the whole topic of creativity and elusiveness the best way
creativity and elusiveness the best way
creativity and elusiveness the best way to kind of demonstrate or talk about is
to kind of demonstrate or talk about is
to kind of demonstrate or talk about is to actually just come up and speak for
to actually just come up and speak for
to actually just come up and speak for those of you don’t actually know me as a
those of you don’t actually know me as a
those of you don’t actually know me as a comedian you should because I’m really
comedian you should because I’m really
comedian you should because I’m really famous I have two videos on YouTube
famous I have two videos on YouTube
famous I have two videos on YouTube one of them has 86 views and 93 dislikes
one of them has 86 views and 93 dislikes
one of them has 86 views and 93 dislikes no but it’s a it’s always good fun I’m
no but it’s a it’s always good fun I’m
no but it’s a it’s always good fun I’m gonna tell you guys about maybe a bit of
gonna tell you guys about maybe a bit of
gonna tell you guys about maybe a bit of my comedy journey so I am a stand-up
my comedy journey so I am a stand-up
my comedy journey so I am a stand-up comedian I’m not a guy that tells you no
comedian I’m not a guy that tells you no
comedian I’m not a guy that tells you no jokes at a bar I travel and I literally
jokes at a bar I travel and I literally
jokes at a bar I travel and I literally have that as a hat and a real job and
have that as a hat and a real job and
have that as a hat and a real job and it’s amazing fun I started my stand-up
it’s amazing fun I started my stand-up
it’s amazing fun I started my stand-up comedy journey about three years ago
comedy journey about three years ago
comedy journey about three years ago actually I used to be management
actually I used to be management
actually I used to be management consultant and I remember during my time
consultant and I remember during my time
consultant and I remember during my time as a consultant I was working myself to
as a consultant I was working myself to
as a consultant I was working myself to death and I got to the point where I had
death and I got to the point where I had
death and I got to the point where I had a sabbatical I needed to take time off
a sabbatical I needed to take time off
a sabbatical I needed to take time off work and then I had a seven month break
work and then I had a seven month break
work and then I had a seven month break from work and in that time I was
from work and in that time I was
from work and in that time I was thinking well what do I actually want to
thinking well what do I actually want to
thinking well what do I actually want to do with my life you know what’s my
do with my life you know what’s my
do with my life you know what’s my bucket list and I started to draw up a
bucket list and I started to draw up a
bucket list and I started to draw up a whole bunch of stuff and on there was
whole bunch of stuff and on there was
whole bunch of stuff and on there was stand-up comedy and I I guess I wanted
stand-up comedy and I I guess I wanted
stand-up comedy and I I guess I wanted to do it because a lot of my friends and
to do it because a lot of my friends and
to do it because a lot of my friends and if you actually have seen me perform a
if you actually have seen me perform a
if you actually have seen me perform a lot of my comedy style is not about
lot of my comedy style is not about
lot of my comedy style is not about telling punchlines and jokes
telling punchlines and jokes
telling punchlines and jokes it really is talking about my life and
it really is talking about my life and
it really is talking about my life and real experiences and that’s the coolest
real experiences and that’s the coolest
real experiences and that’s the coolest thing with comedy you’re finding the
thing with comedy you’re finding the
thing with comedy you’re finding the humor and things that you go through
humor and things that you go through
humor and things that you go through every single day you know things that
every single day you know things that
every single day you know things that are very personal to you so I did my
are very personal to you so I did my
are very personal to you so I did my first open mic night about three years
first open mic night about three years
first open mic night about three years ago and I’ll tell you why I’m not a shy
ago and I’ll tell you why I’m not a shy
ago and I’ll tell you why I’m not a shy person at all but comedy was the first
person at all but comedy was the first
person at all but comedy was the first time where I got super nervous I was
time where I got super nervous I was
time where I got super nervous I was freaked out because I never being judged
freaked out because I never being judged
freaked out because I never being judged before you know I used to be in a band
before you know I used to be in a band
before you know I used to be in a band I used to sing I used to do a lot of
I used to sing I used to do a lot of
I used to sing I used to do a lot of public speaking but you’re not expecting
public speaking but you’re not expecting
public speaking but you’re not expecting a specific reaction and that reaction
a specific reaction and that reaction
a specific reaction and that reaction you know you can tell how good or bad
you know you can tell how good or bad
you know you can tell how good or bad you are by how audible the audience is
you are by how audible the audience is
you are by how audible the audience is and trust me we’ve all planted bombs as
and trust me we’ve all planted bombs as
and trust me we’ve all planted bombs as comedian and we’ve had very very bad
comedian and we’ve had very very bad
comedian and we’ve had very very bad sets and very very good sets every
sets and very very good sets every
sets and very very good sets every single comedian out there I can promise
single comedian out there I can promise
single comedian out there I can promise you I remember I went to my first open
you I remember I went to my first open
you I remember I went to my first open mic night and I actually told my first
mic night and I actually told my first
mic night and I actually told my first joke and it hit and people started
joke and it hit and people started
joke and it hit and people started laughing and having never done comedy
laughing and having never done comedy
laughing and having never done comedy before I didn’t know that one of the key
before I didn’t know that one of the key
before I didn’t know that one of the key things was to just shut up and let
things was to just shut up and let
things was to just shut up and let people laugh so I started to tell me I
people laugh so I started to tell me I
people laugh so I started to tell me I was like no I’ve got another joke so I
was like no I’ve got another joke so I
was like no I’ve got another joke so I started to talk over them and over them
started to talk over them and over them
started to talk over them and over them and the owner of the comedy club came up
and the owner of the comedy club came up
and the owner of the comedy club came up to me at the end of a show and he said
to me at the end of a show and he said
to me at the end of a show and he said you’ve got some funny stuff but can you
you’ve got some funny stuff but can you
you’ve got some funny stuff but can you can you do something next time when you
can you do something next time when you
can you do something next time when you come back for your next show and you
come back for your next show and you
come back for your next show and you tell a joke just pause right just pause
tell a joke just pause right just pause
tell a joke just pause right just pause let the audience laugh so I was like
let the audience laugh so I was like
let the audience laugh so I was like cool so I came back the next week told
cool so I came back the next week told
cool so I came back the next week told my first joke no one laughs and I was
my first joke no one laughs and I was
my first joke no one laughs and I was just pausing pausing I look like the
just pausing pausing I look like the
just pausing pausing I look like the most arrogant comedian in the world but
most arrogant comedian in the world but
most arrogant comedian in the world but but it’s the comedy process like what
but it’s the comedy process like what
but it’s the comedy process like what can I tell you about comedy comedy is
can I tell you about comedy comedy is
can I tell you about comedy comedy is just like any art form there’s a
just like any art form there’s a
just like any art form there’s a creativity in it comedians you
creativity in it comedians you
creativity in it comedians you constantly have to write to think of new
constantly have to write to think of new
constantly have to write to think of new things it’s very different to music
things it’s very different to music
things it’s very different to music right um I went to see sting live in
right um I went to see sting live in
right um I went to see sting live in concert I’ve just revealed mymusictaste
concert I’ve just revealed mymusictaste
concert I’ve just revealed mymusictaste but sting I went to the see singing I
but sting I went to the see singing I
but sting I went to the see singing I love sting I grew up on that kind of
love sting I grew up on that kind of
love sting I grew up on that kind of stuff I’m a 80s 90s young music fan and
stuff I’m a 80s 90s young music fan and
stuff I’m a 80s 90s young music fan and and you know I was there and sting
and you know I was there and sting
and you know I was there and sting started playing all his new music and
started playing all his new music and
started playing all his new music and I’m like I don’t like this crap and then
I’m like I don’t like this crap and then
I’m like I don’t like this crap and then he played the same songs from 30 years
he played the same songs from 30 years
he played the same songs from 30 years ago that I’ve heard you know 3,000 times
ago that I’ve heard you know 3,000 times
ago that I’ve heard you know 3,000 times and the whole audience is going
and the whole audience is going
and the whole audience is going ballistic everyone’s going crazy there’s
ballistic everyone’s going crazy there’s
ballistic everyone’s going crazy there’s a comedian if you tell a joke twice
a comedian if you tell a joke twice
a comedian if you tell a joke twice people like you suck man I heard that
people like you suck man I heard that
people like you suck man I heard that before and it’s true so you constantly
before and it’s true so you constantly
before and it’s true so you constantly are pressured to write I remember
are pressured to write I remember
are pressured to write I remember actually when I first started comedy you
actually when I first started comedy you
actually when I first started comedy you build up a rolodex of material right
build up a rolodex of material right
build up a rolodex of material right it’s all the stuff that you go and
it’s all the stuff that you go and
it’s all the stuff that you go and deliver and it’s stuff you pull out of
deliver and it’s stuff you pull out of
deliver and it’s stuff you pull out of your pocket and that’s your jokes and I
your pocket and that’s your jokes and I
your pocket and that’s your jokes and I remember I was doing a show and there
remember I was doing a show and there
remember I was doing a show and there was this this crew of Indians that came
was this this crew of Indians that came
was this this crew of Indians that came to one of my shows and listened to
to one of my shows and listened to
to one of my shows and listened to stories about my mom
stories about my mom
stories about my mom and they’re like body I’d I love the
and they’re like body I’d I love the
and they’re like body I’d I love the joke you know so they brought back they
joke you know so they brought back they
joke you know so they brought back they brought back their friends and came back
brought back their friends and came back
brought back their friends and came back the next week and and I was like okay
the next week and and I was like okay
the next week and and I was like okay well I recognize these guys
well I recognize these guys
well I recognize these guys so I’m gonna change up the material now
so I’m gonna change up the material now
so I’m gonna change up the material now do another seven minutes then they came
do another seven minutes then they came
do another seven minutes then they came back the third week and I was like right
back the third week and I was like right
back the third week and I was like right I’ve got to do a different seven minutes
I’ve got to do a different seven minutes
I’ve got to do a different seven minutes then I used up my fall twenty minutes
then I used up my fall twenty minutes
then I used up my fall twenty minutes cuz I was only about six months into
cuz I was only about six months into
cuz I was only about six months into comedy then they wrote me a message
comedy then they wrote me a message
comedy then they wrote me a message saying we’re gonna come back again next
saying we’re gonna come back again next
saying we’re gonna come back again next week and I was like stop coming back
week and I was like stop coming back
week and I was like stop coming back there’s so much pressure on me so I
there’s so much pressure on me so I
there’s so much pressure on me so I swear to god I went to get a foot
swear to god I went to get a foot
swear to god I went to get a foot massage before my comedy show and I just
massage before my comedy show and I just
massage before my comedy show and I just started writing my next seven minutes
started writing my next seven minutes
started writing my next seven minutes and the massage lady’s leukemia guy was
and the massage lady’s leukemia guy was
and the massage lady’s leukemia guy was really weird because he’s just talking
really weird because he’s just talking
really weird because he’s just talking to himself and smiling and whatever so I
to himself and smiling and whatever so I
to himself and smiling and whatever so I did that I wrote I wrote my new seven
did that I wrote I wrote my new seven
did that I wrote I wrote my new seven and then I came back and I did it and
and then I came back and I did it and
and then I came back and I did it and it’s always a risk when you write your
it’s always a risk when you write your
it’s always a risk when you write your new stuff but it did hit and I got a
new stuff but it did hit and I got a
new stuff but it did hit and I got a good reaction I was really happy and
good reaction I was really happy and
good reaction I was really happy and then the Indian guy came out to be the
then the Indian guy came out to be the
then the Indian guy came out to be the end Girls buddy what the hell I keep
end Girls buddy what the hell I keep
end Girls buddy what the hell I keep coming back I want to hear about your
coming back I want to hear about your
coming back I want to hear about your mum you keep pulling your jobs vast of
mum you keep pulling your jobs vast of
mum you keep pulling your jobs vast of money waste of time sometimes people do
money waste of time sometimes people do
money waste of time sometimes people do want to hear it right but then I guess
want to hear it right but then I guess
want to hear it right but then I guess when you tell jokes one of the things
when you tell jokes one of the things
when you tell jokes one of the things that I guess you do is once you tell a
that I guess you do is once you tell a
that I guess you do is once you tell a particular joke in comedy you call it
particular joke in comedy you call it
particular joke in comedy you call it you burn it now you burn your material
you burn it now you burn your material
you burn it now you burn your material like I’m sure a lot of you here know
like I’m sure a lot of you here know
like I’m sure a lot of you here know Russell Peters right be a man do the
Russell Peters right be a man do the
Russell Peters right be a man do the right thing
right thing
right thing he can’t go up and do that show again
he can’t go up and do that show again
he can’t go up and do that show again you know he’s used that material and
you know he’s used that material and
you know he’s used that material and that’s the thing with comedy you go
that’s the thing with comedy you go
that’s the thing with comedy you go through and you burn material and any
through and you burn material and any
through and you burn material and any time you know it’s that trade-off
time you know it’s that trade-off
time you know it’s that trade-off Russell Peters made a name for himself
Russell Peters made a name for himself
Russell Peters made a name for himself because he had that be a man clip that
because he had that be a man clip that
because he had that be a man clip that went viral I think it got you know over
went viral I think it got you know over
went viral I think it got you know over five million YouTube hits and as a comic
five million YouTube hits and as a comic
five million YouTube hits and as a comic you know you you can put some material
you know you you can put some material
you know you you can put some material out there and it really helps you get
out there and it really helps you get
out there and it really helps you get exposure but you know once you do that
exposure but you know once you do that
exposure but you know once you do that you can’t use that material again so
you can’t use that material again so
you can’t use that material again so that’s part of the process the other
that’s part of the process the other
that’s part of the process the other thing in addition to writing and this is
thing in addition to writing and this is
thing in addition to writing and this is the thing you must must understand as a
the thing you must must understand as a
the thing you must must understand as a comic is
comic is
comic is no one there is no one Universal sense
no one there is no one Universal sense
no one there is no one Universal sense of humor in the world
of humor in the world
of humor in the world okay humor is extremely subjective I’ve
okay humor is extremely subjective I’ve
okay humor is extremely subjective I’ve literally been I remember I did a TED
literally been I remember I did a TED
literally been I remember I did a TED Ted
Ted
Ted Hongkong 2015 chat that was amazing 1200
Hongkong 2015 chat that was amazing 1200
Hongkong 2015 chat that was amazing 1200 or 500 people in the audience
or 500 people in the audience
or 500 people in the audience it was booming it was really really fun
it was booming it was really really fun
it was booming it was really really fun but no matter how many people are
but no matter how many people are
but no matter how many people are laughing if you pay enough attention you
laughing if you pay enough attention you
laughing if you pay enough attention you always see one person in the audience
always see one person in the audience
always see one person in the audience just going and you need to make sure
just going and you need to make sure
just going and you need to make sure that that doesn’t throw you off and the
that that doesn’t throw you off and the
that that doesn’t throw you off and the trick the trick when you do comedy is
trick the trick when you do comedy is
trick the trick when you do comedy is you you need to just be at ease with the
you you need to just be at ease with the
you you need to just be at ease with the fact that not everyone’s gonna like your
fact that not everyone’s gonna like your
fact that not everyone’s gonna like your sense of humor the trick is to win as
sense of humor the trick is to win as
sense of humor the trick is to win as many people over as possible and if you
many people over as possible and if you
many people over as possible and if you can do that that’s great the other thing
can do that that’s great the other thing
can do that that’s great the other thing is you’re only as good as your last
is you’re only as good as your last
is you’re only as good as your last performance right you really need to
performance right you really need to
performance right you really need to stay humble in this business it’s it’s
stay humble in this business it’s it’s
stay humble in this business it’s it’s not something where you know I’m very
not something where you know I’m very
not something where you know I’m very very grateful last week I won the Hong
very grateful last week I won the Hong
very grateful last week I won the Hong Kong International Comedy Competition
Kong International Comedy Competition
Kong International Comedy Competition thank you but I’m only as good as my
thank you but I’m only as good as my
thank you but I’m only as good as my last show right that’s it and I swear to
last show right that’s it and I swear to
last show right that’s it and I swear to gosh every comedian we’ve gone and done
gosh every comedian we’ve gone and done
gosh every comedian we’ve gone and done a show and we’ll have like let’s say a
a show and we’ll have like let’s say a
a show and we’ll have like let’s say a tight eight minutes and you know it
tight eight minutes and you know it
tight eight minutes and you know it works and everyone will laugh at it then
works and everyone will laugh at it then
works and everyone will laugh at it then you go do the same show the next night
you go do the same show the next night
you go do the same show the next night and no one laughs and you’re sitting
and no one laughs and you’re sitting
and no one laughs and you’re sitting there saying this is the most painful
there saying this is the most painful
there saying this is the most painful job on earth and it is it’s brutal but
job on earth and it is it’s brutal but
job on earth and it is it’s brutal but if you can ride with that and hold that
if you can ride with that and hold that
if you can ride with that and hold that together I mean that’s what keeps
together I mean that’s what keeps
together I mean that’s what keeps inspiring you to be creative especially
inspiring you to be creative especially
inspiring you to be creative especially when you’re working your room and you
when you’re working your room and you
when you’re working your room and you are seeing some people on on side you
are seeing some people on on side you
are seeing some people on on side you have certain themes of material and if
have certain themes of material and if
have certain themes of material and if you know things aren’t going the right
you know things aren’t going the right
you know things aren’t going the right way
way
way shut it down go a different course you
shut it down go a different course you
shut it down go a different course you know and sometimes bombing is the most
know and sometimes bombing is the most
know and sometimes bombing is the most fun you know you see people not laughing
fun you know you see people not laughing
fun you know you see people not laughing and you’re like wow my mum told me that
and you’re like wow my mum told me that
and you’re like wow my mum told me that joke I need to write new stuff but you
joke I need to write new stuff but you
joke I need to write new stuff but you know the other side of it is I do have a
know the other side of it is I do have a
know the other side of it is I do have a day job right I run a strategy
day job right I run a strategy
day job right I run a strategy consulting firm and in many ways the
consulting firm and in many ways the
consulting firm and in many ways the creative process applies very much in
creative process applies very much in
creative process applies very much in the same way in my day job as it does in
the same way in my day job as it does in
the same way in my day job as it does in comedy because of my day job my job I
comedy because of my day job my job I
comedy because of my day job my job I saw I’m 34 years old
saw I’m 34 years old
saw I’m 34 years old right to run
right to run
right to run a strike consulting firm where our
a strike consulting firm where our
a strike consulting firm where our clients are all big banks financial
clients are all big banks financial
clients are all big banks financial institutions and generally every person
institutions and generally every person
institutions and generally every person in the meeting room is 10 to 20 years
in the meeting room is 10 to 20 years
in the meeting room is 10 to 20 years older than me I got to be creative
older than me I got to be creative
older than me I got to be creative around how I convince them that they
around how I convince them that they
around how I convince them that they should hire me or my firm to give them
should hire me or my firm to give them
should hire me or my firm to give them advice about how to run their
advice about how to run their
advice about how to run their organization management consulting is a
organization management consulting is a
organization management consulting is a very funny profession I remember when I
very funny profession I remember when I
very funny profession I remember when I used to be a management consultant with
used to be a management consultant with
used to be a management consultant with one of the big firms before it was you
one of the big firms before it was you
one of the big firms before it was you know if you heard that saying a
know if you heard that saying a
know if you heard that saying a consultant is someone that will steal
consultant is someone that will steal
consultant is someone that will steal your watch and then charge you to tell
your watch and then charge you to tell
your watch and then charge you to tell you the time yeah there’s a lot of
you the time yeah there’s a lot of
you the time yeah there’s a lot of negative stigma around consultants but
negative stigma around consultants but
negative stigma around consultants but it is quite funny because a lot of the
it is quite funny because a lot of the
it is quite funny because a lot of the time you actually don’t know the subject
time you actually don’t know the subject
time you actually don’t know the subject matter I remember one of the incidences
matter I remember one of the incidences
matter I remember one of the incidences that I ran into is the old firm I worked
that I ran into is the old firm I worked
that I ran into is the old firm I worked out was divided in different practice
out was divided in different practice
out was divided in different practice groups and I was in the corporate and
groups and I was in the corporate and
groups and I was in the corporate and institutional banking practice group but
institutional banking practice group but
institutional banking practice group but then a project was sold for a big bank
then a project was sold for a big bank
then a project was sold for a big bank in IT and CRM customer relationship
in IT and CRM customer relationship
in IT and CRM customer relationship management strategy to develop the whole
management strategy to develop the whole
management strategy to develop the whole new CRM tool the partners came to me and
new CRM tool the partners came to me and
new CRM tool the partners came to me and said then all of our IT managers are
said then all of our IT managers are
said then all of our IT managers are completely staffed out can you you know
completely staffed out can you you know
completely staffed out can you you know can you lead this project and I was like
can you lead this project and I was like
can you lead this project and I was like I said look I have trouble with Google
I said look I have trouble with Google
I said look I have trouble with Google and Facebook so this is gonna be a bit
and Facebook so this is gonna be a bit
and Facebook so this is gonna be a bit of a disaster and they said don’t worry
of a disaster and they said don’t worry
of a disaster and they said don’t worry you know don’t worry just you have the
you know don’t worry just you have the
you know don’t worry just you have the lead partner there you do the strategic
lead partner there you do the strategic
lead partner there you do the strategic thinking around it and we’ll support you
thinking around it and we’ll support you
thinking around it and we’ll support you with the technicalities right so we flew
with the technicalities right so we flew
with the technicalities right so we flew to the client and I remember the first
to the client and I remember the first
to the client and I remember the first meeting I was walking with a partner and
meeting I was walking with a partner and
meeting I was walking with a partner and we’re walking to the meeting and it was
we’re walking to the meeting and it was
we’re walking to the meeting and it was with the head of IT chief technology
with the head of IT chief technology
with the head of IT chief technology officer 15 Enterprise architects I don’t
officer 15 Enterprise architects I don’t
officer 15 Enterprise architects I don’t even know what these things were and
even know what these things were and
even know what these things were and right before we go in the partner gets a
right before we go in the partner gets a
right before we go in the partner gets a call and he’s like yeah yeah oh okay
call and he’s like yeah yeah oh okay
call and he’s like yeah yeah oh okay hold on hey Ben I gotta take this can
hold on hey Ben I gotta take this can
hold on hey Ben I gotta take this can you start the meeting without me
excuse me I said absolutely not because
excuse me I said absolutely not because yeah you know your stuff you know your
yeah you know your stuff you know your
yeah you know your stuff you know your stuff so he put me in that room and I
stuff so he put me in that room and I
stuff so he put me in that room and I just made sure I delayed all the
just made sure I delayed all the
just made sure I delayed all the introductions as long as possible very
introductions as long as possible very
introductions as long as possible very nice to me two hours my business card
nice to me two hours my business card
nice to me two hours my business card again nice to meet you
again nice to meet you
again nice to meet you went around the table and I was with one
went around the table and I was with one
went around the table and I was with one of my consultants with me who also
of my consultants with me who also
of my consultants with me who also didn’t know anything about this subject
didn’t know anything about this subject
didn’t know anything about this subject I mean so we’re sitting there and the
I mean so we’re sitting there and the
I mean so we’re sitting there and the first thing is look Ben it’s really good
first thing is look Ben it’s really good
first thing is look Ben it’s really good to have you here for this project we
to have you here for this project we
to have you here for this project we know you’ve got a lot of experience in
know you’ve got a lot of experience in
know you’ve got a lot of experience in this area
this area
this area but before we before we go and look at
but before we before we go and look at
but before we before we go and look at the CRM strategy for this for this Bank
the CRM strategy for this for this Bank
the CRM strategy for this for this Bank can you just give us your 30,000 foot
can you just give us your 30,000 foot
can you just give us your 30,000 foot view on some of the key data
view on some of the key data
view on some of the key data architecture issues here are at this
architecture issues here are at this
architecture issues here are at this Bank what yeah and I literally I
Bank what yeah and I literally I
Bank what yeah and I literally I literally creativity right thinking on
literally creativity right thinking on
literally creativity right thinking on your feet these are the tricks of a
your feet these are the tricks of a
your feet these are the tricks of a management consultant sometimes so I
management consultant sometimes so I
management consultant sometimes so I said well data architecture is a very
said well data architecture is a very
said well data architecture is a very big term you know I can I gotta like to
big term you know I can I gotta like to
big term you know I can I gotta like to you about it you know for hours why
you about it you know for hours why
you about it you know for hours why don’t you be a bit more specific and
don’t you be a bit more specific and
don’t you be a bit more specific and focus on something that maybe I can give
focus on something that maybe I can give
focus on something that maybe I can give you some tangible you know a tangible
you some tangible you know a tangible
you some tangible you know a tangible advice so then he starts talking and the
advice so then he starts talking and the
advice so then he starts talking and the second he starts talking I lean over to
second he starts talking I lean over to
second he starts talking I lean over to my consultant and I said give me the
my consultant and I said give me the
my consultant and I said give me the clients presentation so he hands over
clients presentation so he hands over
clients presentation so he hands over the client document and as he’s talking
the client document and as he’s talking
the client document and as he’s talking and just nodding yep yep yep and I’m
and just nodding yep yep yep and I’m
and just nodding yep yep yep and I’m flicking through all the pages just
flicking through all the pages just
flicking through all the pages just trying to grab it anything and
trying to grab it anything and
trying to grab it anything and eventually I see this thing murex 4.1 so
eventually I see this thing murex 4.1 so
eventually I see this thing murex 4.1 so he finishes off his sentence and I go
he finishes off his sentence and I go
he finishes off his sentence and I go all right so for example your murex
all right so for example your murex
all right so for example your murex platform and he goes there and I said I
platform and he goes there and I said I
platform and he goes there and I said I imagine you’re operating a four point
imagine you’re operating a four point
imagine you’re operating a four point one and he goes yeah that’s right I go
one and he goes yeah that’s right I go
one and he goes yeah that’s right I go have you thought about have you thought
have you thought about have you thought
have you thought about have you thought about upgrading to a full point and he’s
about upgrading to a full point and he’s
about upgrading to a full point and he’s like 4.2 okay yeah
[Applause]
[Applause] one of the guys in the room was like
one of the guys in the room was like
one of the guys in the room was like that’s what I said wow this is like
that’s what I said wow this is like
that’s what I said wow this is like disco lighting he says this is great one
disco lighting he says this is great one
disco lighting he says this is great one of the guys is like this is what I said
of the guys is like this is what I said
of the guys is like this is what I said and I go really well you keep going with
and I go really well you keep going with
and I go really well you keep going with what you’re saying
what you’re saying
what you’re saying I literally just worked this room for an
I literally just worked this room for an
I literally just worked this room for an hour just people constantly making
hour just people constantly making
hour just people constantly making statements and me repeating that
statements and me repeating that
statements and me repeating that statement as a great idea yeah I agree
statement as a great idea yeah I agree
statement as a great idea yeah I agree with Tim that’s good John excellent
with Tim that’s good John excellent
with Tim that’s good John excellent point of view he came up to me and said
point of view he came up to me and said
point of view he came up to me and said mate brilliant you’re a genius
mate brilliant you’re a genius
mate brilliant you’re a genius I can’t wait can’t wait to work with you
I can’t wait can’t wait to work with you
I can’t wait can’t wait to work with you it’s it’s a funny process as a
it’s it’s a funny process as a
it’s it’s a funny process as a consultant but when I set up my own firm
consultant but when I set up my own firm
consultant but when I set up my own firm you know I didn’t want to create just
you know I didn’t want to create just
you know I didn’t want to create just another strategic consultancy you know I
another strategic consultancy you know I
another strategic consultancy you know I wanted to create something that was
wanted to create something that was
wanted to create something that was different
different
different obviously we’re brand new and I needed
obviously we’re brand new and I needed
obviously we’re brand new and I needed to think of what was fundamentally
to think of what was fundamentally
to think of what was fundamentally different about the way we do things and
different about the way we do things and
different about the way we do things and I think there is a lot of negative
I think there is a lot of negative
I think there is a lot of negative stigma because the model all the way
stigma because the model all the way
stigma because the model all the way that consultant works in my view many
that consultant works in my view many
that consultant works in my view many times is broken you know it’s broken if
times is broken you know it’s broken if
times is broken you know it’s broken if you look at one of the things that
you look at one of the things that
you look at one of the things that consultants do they do what’s called
consultants do they do what’s called
consultants do they do what’s called hypothesis hypothesis LED inductive
hypothesis hypothesis LED inductive
hypothesis hypothesis LED inductive reasoning you guys know what that is
reasoning you guys know what that is
reasoning you guys know what that is they say a hypothesis and then they’re
they say a hypothesis and then they’re
they say a hypothesis and then they’re like we should hire me to prove what I
like we should hire me to prove what I
like we should hire me to prove what I just told you so basically it’s an
just told you so basically it’s an
just told you so basically it’s an upfront conclusion and I think that
upfront conclusion and I think that
upfront conclusion and I think that process is quite flawed when’s the last
process is quite flawed when’s the last
process is quite flawed when’s the last time you went to the doctor and I’m in
time you went to the doctor and I’m in
time you went to the doctor and I’m in he’s like Ben I think you’ve got in a
he’s like Ben I think you’ve got in a
he’s like Ben I think you’ve got in a very insist and I’m like what and he
very insist and I’m like what and he
very insist and I’m like what and he goes well even hire me and I’ll run
goes well even hire me and I’ll run
goes well even hire me and I’ll run through some stuff to prove it no I
through some stuff to prove it no I
through some stuff to prove it no I don’t think it works like that at all
don’t think it works like that at all
don’t think it works like that at all just like you go to a doctor you’ll tell
just like you go to a doctor you’ll tell
just like you go to a doctor you’ll tell the doctor some of your symptoms there’s
the doctor some of your symptoms there’s
the doctor some of your symptoms there’s a Diagnostics process and they go and
a Diagnostics process and they go and
a Diagnostics process and they go and investigate that specifically and once
investigate that specifically and once
investigate that specifically and once they have the facts then they can give
they have the facts then they can give
they have the facts then they can give you a remedy or a cure and that’s the
you a remedy or a cure and that’s the
you a remedy or a cure and that’s the way I look at what my firm does it’s
way I look at what my firm does it’s
way I look at what my firm does it’s fact-based deductive reasoning I also
fact-based deductive reasoning I also
fact-based deductive reasoning I also think the whole process of consulting is
think the whole process of consulting is
think the whole process of consulting is very flawed all right and if you look at
very flawed all right and if you look at
very flawed all right and if you look at something like can I just get a show of
something like can I just get a show of
something like can I just get a show of hands who’s interested in strategy or
hands who’s interested in strategy or
hands who’s interested in strategy or management consulting career yeah not
management consulting career yeah not
management consulting career yeah not after my chat I can’t even see any hands
after my chat I can’t even see any hands
after my chat I can’t even see any hands I didn’t even know
I didn’t even know
I didn’t even know this question I’m blind up here and I’m
this question I’m blind up here and I’m
this question I’m blind up here and I’m sure there’s someone in the audience
sure there’s someone in the audience
sure there’s someone in the audience going you have basically the big
going you have basically the big
going you have basically the big strategic consultancies you McKinsey’s
strategic consultancies you McKinsey’s
strategic consultancies you McKinsey’s Bains all of that one thing that I
Bains all of that one thing that I
Bains all of that one thing that I realize is going in and telling a firm
realize is going in and telling a firm
realize is going in and telling a firm what to do just like this is what you
what to do just like this is what you
what to do just like this is what you should do is not really the best way to
should do is not really the best way to
should do is not really the best way to do it maybe you need to sit down with
do it maybe you need to sit down with
do it maybe you need to sit down with them and discuss with them in a workshop
them and discuss with them in a workshop
them and discuss with them in a workshop what they want first oh great so I said
what they want first oh great so I said
what they want first oh great so I said well why don’t we offer workshops next
well why don’t we offer workshops next
well why don’t we offer workshops next one then we can do strat consulting
one then we can do strat consulting
one then we can do strat consulting after that because we understand what
after that because we understand what
after that because we understand what they want a little bit more what’s after
they want a little bit more what’s after
they want a little bit more what’s after that they need to get a sign-off they
that they need to get a sign-off they
that they need to get a sign-off they need to get something approved for an
need to get something approved for an
need to get something approved for an internal business case or we can do that
internal business case or we can do that
internal business case or we can do that too we’ve got the tools to do that we’ll
too we’ve got the tools to do that we’ll
too we’ve got the tools to do that we’ll do that for you
do that for you
do that for you next one they need to execute it they
next one they need to execute it they
next one they need to execute it they have their internal team running that
have their internal team running that
have their internal team running that we’ll throw some extra bodies at it make
we’ll throw some extra bodies at it make
we’ll throw some extra bodies at it make sure that things get done how do you
sure that things get done how do you
sure that things get done how do you track it they have a finance team to
track it they have a finance team to
track it they have a finance team to basically look through management
basically look through management
basically look through management reports usually it’s done very poorly we
reports usually it’s done very poorly we
reports usually it’s done very poorly we can create that for you too how do you
can create that for you too how do you
can create that for you too how do you communicate it to your staff you have
communicate it to your staff you have
communicate it to your staff you have town halls you have your regulators you
town halls you have your regulators you
town halls you have your regulators you have people you need to tell your
have people you need to tell your
have people you need to tell your strategy to we can create that – and how
strategy to we can create that – and how
strategy to we can create that – and how do you monetize it it’s basically how do
do you monetize it it’s basically how do
do you monetize it it’s basically how do you sell it how do you basically go to
you sell it how do you basically go to
you sell it how do you basically go to your clients with your pitch and deliver
your clients with your pitch and deliver
your clients with your pitch and deliver something valuable to them again we can
something valuable to them again we can
something valuable to them again we can do that – and it took me six months to
do that – and it took me six months to
do that – and it took me six months to think through this process to create
think through this process to create
think through this process to create what was called an end-to-end value
what was called an end-to-end value
what was called an end-to-end value chain of consulting services so
chain of consulting services so
chain of consulting services so basically a one-stop shop solution I can
basically a one-stop shop solution I can
basically a one-stop shop solution I can promise you going through that kind of
promise you going through that kind of
promise you going through that kind of process the creative process it
process the creative process it
process the creative process it basically it’s something that you know
basically it’s something that you know
basically it’s something that you know if you’re waiting around for some
if you’re waiting around for some
if you’re waiting around for some creativity to hit you don’t you know
creativity to hit you don’t you know
creativity to hit you don’t you know creativity you really got to push for it
creativity you really got to push for it
creativity you really got to push for it you know and it doesn’t come to you it
you know and it doesn’t come to you it
you know and it doesn’t come to you it the most logical times some of the best
the most logical times some of the best
the most logical times some of the best moves or things that have ever happened
moves or things that have ever happened
moves or things that have ever happened to me in my life have happened when I’m
to me in my life have happened when I’m
to me in my life have happened when I’m my lowest or when things are the most
my lowest or when things are the most
my lowest or when things are the most difficult when I started this firm I had
difficult when I started this firm I had
difficult when I started this firm I had no idea what I was gonna do and again if
no idea what I was gonna do and again if
no idea what I was gonna do and again if I go back to the kind of things that I
I go back to the kind of things that I
I go back to the kind of things that I was looking at why does the world need
was looking at why does the world need
was looking at why does the world need one more consulting firm my value
one more consulting firm my value
one more consulting firm my value proposition when I created the first
proposition when I created the first
proposition when I created the first slides was terrible but after a while
slides was terrible but after a while
slides was terrible but after a while you think through and you say this is
you think through and you say this is
you think through and you say this is why this is why the world needs one more
why this is why the world needs one more
why this is why the world needs one more and that’s a creative process that you
and that’s a creative process that you
and that’s a creative process that you go through from start to end look I mean
go through from start to end look I mean
go through from start to end look I mean I think most people here are university
I think most people here are university
I think most people here are university students and you know you’ve got amazing
students and you know you’ve got amazing
students and you know you’ve got amazing things in front of you what I can tell
things in front of you what I can tell
things in front of you what I can tell you right now is I never ever ever
you right now is I never ever ever
you right now is I never ever ever expected what where my life is now to
expected what where my life is now to
expected what where my life is now to have been exactly where it is my family
have been exactly where it is my family
have been exactly where it is my family motto
motto
motto and I a hundred percent stand by it is
and I a hundred percent stand by it is
and I a hundred percent stand by it is nothing succeeds as planned nothing and
nothing succeeds as planned nothing and
nothing succeeds as planned nothing and it’s all good to have a vision I agree
it’s all good to have a vision I agree
it’s all good to have a vision I agree it’s all good to have goals but don’t
it’s all good to have goals but don’t
it’s all good to have goals but don’t think 10-15 years ahead you know try and
think 10-15 years ahead you know try and
think 10-15 years ahead you know try and think every day what do you basically
think every day what do you basically
think every day what do you basically want to do and I have a lot of students
want to do and I have a lot of students
want to do and I have a lot of students like a lot of people and even executives
like a lot of people and even executives
like a lot of people and even executives reach out and say you know can I get
reach out and say you know can I get
reach out and say you know can I get some career advice you know what’s your
some career advice you know what’s your
some career advice you know what’s your best career advice to me and I say just
best career advice to me and I say just
best career advice to me and I say just this three things the Holy Trinity in a
this three things the Holy Trinity in a
this three things the Holy Trinity in a career a lot of people go for money a
career a lot of people go for money a
career a lot of people go for money a lot of people go for money that’s the
lot of people go for money that’s the
lot of people go for money that’s the biggest mistake in the world I was in
biggest mistake in the world I was in
biggest mistake in the world I was in jobs where I got paid a lot of money but
jobs where I got paid a lot of money but
jobs where I got paid a lot of money but I can promise you I wasn’t happy I
I can promise you I wasn’t happy I
I can promise you I wasn’t happy I worked with people and got paid a lot of
worked with people and got paid a lot of
worked with people and got paid a lot of money I can promise you they were not
money I can promise you they were not
money I can promise you they were not happy the most important things I can
happy the most important things I can
happy the most important things I can tell you there’s two things one do what
tell you there’s two things one do what
tell you there’s two things one do what you like do what you like find what you
you like do what you like find what you
you like do what you like find what you really like like I love stand up I love
really like like I love stand up I love
really like like I love stand up I love it and the fact that I get paid to tour
it and the fact that I get paid to tour
it and the fact that I get paid to tour around and do shows that is phenomenal
around and do shows that is phenomenal
around and do shows that is phenomenal and I keep reminding myself gosh you’re
and I keep reminding myself gosh you’re
and I keep reminding myself gosh you’re lucky you’re really lucky second one do
lucky you’re really lucky second one do
lucky you’re really lucky second one do what you’re good at
what you’re good at
what you’re good at now this one is where you need a bit
now this one is where you need a bit
now this one is where you need a bit more honest self-reflection
more honest self-reflection
more honest self-reflection there are some people like I want to be
there are some people like I want to be
there are some people like I want to be a comedian and like don’t don’t don’t do
a comedian and like don’t don’t don’t do
a comedian and like don’t don’t don’t do that
that
that of course there are things you can learn
of course there are things you can learn
of course there are things you can learn okay there are things you can get better
okay there are things you can get better
okay there are things you can get better at if you put your mind to it they said
at if you put your mind to it they said
at if you put your mind to it they said of course but find your niches of
of course but find your niches of
of course but find your niches of strength find something that you’re good
strength find something that you’re good
strength find something that you’re good at doing you know my brother he is a
at doing you know my brother he is a
at doing you know my brother he is a swimming coach he used to be a model
swimming coach he used to be a model
swimming coach he used to be a model yeah and then after that he he basically
yeah and then after that he he basically
yeah and then after that he he basically represented Hong Kong he was one of the
represented Hong Kong he was one of the
represented Hong Kong he was one of the fastest swimmers in Hong Kong rep rank
fastest swimmers in Hong Kong rep rank
fastest swimmers in Hong Kong rep rank hundred in the world and then he set up
hundred in the world and then he set up
hundred in the world and then he set up his swim coaching business he’s very
his swim coaching business he’s very
his swim coaching business he’s very strong at that my father was a composer
strong at that my father was a composer
strong at that my father was a composer he’s very talented musically minded
he’s very talented musically minded
he’s very talented musically minded that’s what he did his whole life and
that’s what he did his whole life and
that’s what he did his whole life and you know what if you’re good at
you know what if you’re good at
you know what if you’re good at something then most of the time you’ll
something then most of the time you’ll
something then most of the time you’ll like it
like it
like it all right you’ll love it and if you love
all right you’ll love it and if you love
all right you’ll love it and if you love something you’re tend to be better at it
something you’re tend to be better at it
something you’re tend to be better at it and I promise you if you get those two
and I promise you if you get those two
and I promise you if you get those two things right
things right
things right you’ll be the master of what you do you
you’ll be the master of what you do you
you’ll be the master of what you do you can start to charge money for it and
can start to charge money for it and
can start to charge money for it and that’s when money comes in money will
that’s when money comes in money will
that’s when money comes in money will come right but don’t think about that as
come right but don’t think about that as
come right but don’t think about that as your first port of call my brother
your first port of call my brother
your first port of call my brother actually I’m running out of time my
actually I’m running out of time my
actually I’m running out of time my brother has he has a very funny job
brother has he has a very funny job
brother has he has a very funny job because when he coaches kids he he works
because when he coaches kids he he works
because when he coaches kids he he works with little children right and little
with little children right and little
with little children right and little kids I tell you what they’re pretty well
kids I tell you what they’re pretty well
kids I tell you what they’re pretty well they’re pretty crazy and he came home
they’re pretty crazy and he came home
they’re pretty crazy and he came home one day and I don’t have these kind of
one day and I don’t have these kind of
one day and I don’t have these kind of stories in my job and he said there’s
stories in my job and he said there’s
stories in my job and he said there’s this just true story he said there’s
this just true story he said there’s
this just true story he said there’s this little girl band there’s this his
this little girl band there’s this his
this little girl band there’s this his name’s Jonathan there’s this little
name’s Jonathan there’s this little
name’s Jonathan there’s this little four-year-old girl and I’m coaching her
four-year-old girl and I’m coaching her
four-year-old girl and I’m coaching her down in the pool and her father’s in the
down in the pool and her father’s in the
down in the pool and her father’s in the next lane just doing laps and she said
next lane just doing laps and she said
next lane just doing laps and she said Jonathan and he’s like yes she goes I
Jonathan and he’s like yes she goes I
Jonathan and he’s like yes she goes I know the F word he’s like Oh
four-year-old so he’s like you mean like
four-year-old so he’s like you mean like fun and she goes no fuck he’s like you
fun and she goes no fuck he’s like you
fun and she goes no fuck he’s like you shouldn’t say that you know that’s a
shouldn’t say that you know that’s a
shouldn’t say that you know that’s a naughty word you your daddy will smack
naughty word you your daddy will smack
naughty word you your daddy will smack your bottom she goes no teacher Jonathan
your bottom she goes no teacher Jonathan
your bottom she goes no teacher Jonathan he’ll smash your bottom guys you have
he’ll smash your bottom guys you have
he’ll smash your bottom guys you have been a really wonderful crowd today I am
been a really wonderful crowd today I am
been a really wonderful crowd today I am out of time but thank you so much for
out of time but thank you so much for
out of time but thank you so much for having me and my name is Ben Quinlan
having me and my name is Ben Quinlan
having me and my name is Ben Quinlan enjoy the rest of the afternoon
enjoy the rest of the afternoon
enjoy the rest of the afternoon [Applause]
”
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