Keynote Speech Digital Transformation
Shaping the Future instead of managing the Status Quo
The digital transformation, artificial intelligence and the ever faster pace of technological change are radically changing markets, companies, consumer behavior and the way we will work in the future. Digitalization means: change or die This leads to several challenges. How can we get people on board, overcome their fears of new technologies and focus on the huge opportunities of the future? What decisions do you need to make today in order to jump on the departing train of digitalization and not get stuck on the platform? And last but not least: how does your management and communication culture need to change in order to meet the requirements of New Work, generational change and the increasing shortage of skilled workers? Digital transformation lecture In his eye opening keynote speech on how to best deal with the digital transformation, change expert Ilja Grzeskowitz answers these and other questions. You will experience fascinating practical examples, understand the psychological processes behind why we find digitalization so difficult, and receive concrete tools that you can use to make your company fit for the future. All this with a lot of content, scientifically sound, but always with a big pinch of Ilja's North German humor. Understanding, experiencing and implementing digitalization In short: you will learn. You will laugh a lot, feel caught out a time or two and ask yourself courageous questions. Above all, however, after the digitalization lecture you will have a great desire to actively shape your digital future.
Helping global leaders to master change before change masters them
Ilja Grzeskowitz is an economist, bestselling author, and globally sought-after keynote speaker for change. His mission: to show organizations that change isn't a threat, but the greatest opportunity of our time.
Starting out as Germany's youngest managing director, Ilja led ten locations throughout the country for Karstadt, Hertie, Wertheim, and IKEA. He managed thousands of employees and was responsible for a sales volume of over 500 million euros. In times marked by permanent restructuring, threatened store closures, and massive staff cuts, he succeeded in developing motivated and committed teams across vastly different circumstances.
At the height of the department store crisis, he realized what really mattered: putting people at the center. Only with the right mindset can you take away the fear of change and create appetite for the future. With the learnings from that time, he now inspires and moves people all over the world.
Ilja is a former guest lecturer at the Berlin School of Law and Economics and SRH University, and the founder of the Change Leaders Academy. To date, he has published 14 books in 7 languages, including the 2025 SPIEGEL bestseller “Freedom Starts in Your Mind", as well as earlier hits such as “Think it. Do it. Change it." and "The Changemaker Mindset".
His credo: Change doesn't need perfect plans, but people who start. That's why his name stands for one thing above all: lived change that creates the desire to take action. His clients and the media love to call him "Mr. Change", because Ilja Grzeskowitz stands for one thing above all: a living proof of what the power of change is all about.
Among his clients are global brands like Accor, Allianz, Audi, Bayer, BASF, Biogen, BMW, Cancom, Capri Sun, Continental, DPD, Kao, Lufthansa, Nespresso, Marriott, Mercedes, Orange, O2, SWISS, T-Mobile, Zalando, and Zara, alongside three-quarters of Germany's DAX companies and the who's who of European mid-sized enterprises.
As a globally sought-after speaker, Ilja has delivered 1,200+ keynotes across 27 countries and five continents, and is considered "Germany's most successful change expert" (OÖ Nachrichten). His tagline says the rest: Making. Change. Happen. Helping change leaders master change before change masters them.
His keynotes are marked by northern German humor, bold ideas, and contagious passion for what happens when we stop hesitating and start shaping. He makes complex connections tangible and sends his audiences home with practical, actionable insights.
When Ilja isn't standing on a stage around the globe, he's passionate about playing golf (with varying success), rooting for HSV (despite everything), and enjoying his favorite drink, coffee (lots of it and always black). Some things simply never change.