EVENT PLANNERS

Yeah, these are in the third person so people can easily grab this. Trust me. I’m no Jimmy. I never refer to myself that way. Major pet peeve.

Phil Simon is the world’s leading independent expert on workplace collaboration and technology and the award-winning author of 14 books.

Phil Simon is a sought-after speaker and recognized authority on technology, collaboration, communication, and analytics. He advises companies on how to use technology. His 14 books include Reimagining Collaboration, Message Not Received, and The Age of the Platform—each of which won  awards. The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace is his latest.

His contributions have appeared in Harvard Business Review, CNN, Inc., The New York Times, Wired, NBC, CNBC, Wired, BusinessWeek, and many other prominent media outlets.

Simon holds degrees from Carnegie Mellon University and Cornell University.

I’m neither a diva nor a control freak. Still, I’ve learned a thing or six about speaking gigs over the last 25 years. As such, here are my preferences:

• Computer and software: I prefer to use my MacBook Pro with PowerPoint. I don’t like leaving keynotes to chance, and I’ve experienced far too many problems using others’ computers, operating systems, and presentation programs over the years.
• Lavalier microphone: I’m not a fan of handheld mics, and I like to move around when I speak to engage with the audience.
• Confidence monitor: If this isn’t possible, then I’ll use my MacBook Pro hooked up to an HDMI cable on a lectern.
• Other hardware: I’ll bring my own slide advancer.
• Drinky-drinky: One bottle of water during the talk.

I typically arrive travel the day before events in case of problems. For short flights of an hour or so, I’m happy to fly economy. For longer ones, however, I insist upon a business or first-class ticket. 

My slides, notes, images, charts, and animations are intricate. Trust me, though: There’s a method to my madness. 

I’m happy to put a custom cover slide on my PowerPoint deck, but I cannot use others’ templates. Too many things can break bad, and the audience ultimately suffers.

Click here to download a one-page overview PDF.

I’ll always bring a few copies of one of my books to give to the conference organizers. Beyond that, I’m happy to facilitate bulk book buys. At a high level, here are our options:

• Paperback copies.
• Hardcover copies.
• Affixing a sticker to each book related to the event or the sponsor.
• Creating bespoke versions with a custom cover and foreword. This option typically involves a minimum of 200 copies to make the per-unit cost reasonable. Also, we’d have to get our ducks in a row a few months before the date of the event. For more info, click here.

Regardless of which path you take, I’ll sign as many as you like. 

If you’ve got something else in mind, hit me up.