Speaking

I began my public speaking career in 2010 as a sought after content marketing expert at hundreds of events across Asia. Now I expound on the power of distinctive storytelling to engage emotions and inspire action on behalf of businesses, associations and event owners around the region - especially in the age of AI.

"As a keynote speaker Neal is collaborative in finding a topic which suits the overall theme, and in his delivery captivates the audience - receiving the highest rating at our client event - proving his ability to engage, educate and inspire. If you’re looking for someone to give your event a boost, he’s your guy"

Sherlyn Lee, Analyst, Mastercard

Keynotes

1. Facts Tell, Stories Sell

We live in a world obsessed with data, logic and rational decision-making, yet people don’t behave rationally. In this keynote, I explore why that is and what it means for leaders, brands and organisations trying to influence customers, teams, partners and stakeholders.

Drawing on my background as a journalist, actor and communications consultant, I share real-world examples from business, culture and innovation to show why stories, not facts, are what truly inspire belief and action. This is not about “once upon a time” storytelling, but about using imagination, emotion and narrative to help people envision a better future and choose to be part of it.

Expect insight, honesty, humour and practical ideas you can use immediately.

Key takeaways:

Why rational arguments alone don’t drive decisions
How storytelling shapes behaviour in business and leadership
Ways to make ideas, strategies and change initiatives stick

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2. Strategy Is A Story

Most strategies fail not because they’re wrong, but because they’re misunderstood, forgotten or ignored at scale.

In this keynote, I argue that the true role of strategy is not to control behaviour through targets, dashboards or KPIs, but to provide such clear direction that people can make smart, independent decisions every day without being told what to do. The most effective way to achieve that is not with more data, but with story.

I explore how great leaders and organisations use storytelling to describe a vivid, believable future and why that emotional clarity embeds strategy far more deeply than facts or frameworks ever can. When people can see the future you are trying to create and understand their role within it, strategy stops being a document and becomes a shared belief.

Key takeaways:

Why strategy is about direction not control
How storytelling embeds strategy in a way facts alone can't
Ways to make strategy into a story that everyone can believe in