Top questions I get asked and answers
Why are you different as a professional speaker?
My primary profession is Analyst, working in data analytics with a side line in project management. I oversee the Innovation Cities Index and Program for 2thinknow since 2006, and various data research for major corporations.
I believe all speakers should be practitioners more than speakers, in order to learn.
What sort of engagements do you take?
Interesting speaking engagements that allow me to visit different locations or industries, where I can assist the attendees in building their innovation careers.
What are your fees?
See the fees for different keynotes inclusive of travel from one of these cities (assuming you are near one).
Anywhere you don’t speak?
China, Pakistan, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, some of Latin America and most of Africa, or anywhere with a conflict, or heightened risk of conflict at the current time. Although I am happy to speak with your attendees in a neutral location like Dubai or Singapore.
Do you keep in touch with attendees?
Yes, I keep an open mind about connecting on social media with attendees.
Where do you fly from?
Melbourne, Dubai/Abu Dhabi, San Francisco or Singapore depending on the timing of the speech. I am also in Vienna semi-regularly. There are zero travel costs in these cities.
Do you do pro-bono speaking requests?
I usually limit my speeches, but you can always enquire. My answer will depend on a) being near the city b) costs being covered otherwise c) the reason why it’s free. I will only do free speeches for charitable causes I am convinced will genuinely truly help someone, not because there is no budget. There are plenty of speakers who will speak for free for ‘name’, but fortunately, as a professional analyst if I am sharing data you will need to pay a fee.
There is no scenario where I speak for free for corporations or government, or to ‘build my name’. I am a professional speaker. Professionals are worth a fee.
More Questions
Some of these may be duplicates, but we just added them for convenience.
Some commonly asked questions, Christopher Hire, Innovation Speaker.
Can I get a video of you speaking?
I am in the process of having a professional video put together, as well as some Youtube clips.
Where can I see your feedback from delegates?
You can see my raving fans! speakers feedback here in >'What Others Say
Do you do big or small events?
I do both! Small is obviously more intimate, but group events have activities in pairs and groups which are stimulating for your audience.
I have heard people have a lot of fun when you speak, is that true?
I try to break the ice, and liven up the group, as well as imparting serious facts! I prefer to be creative in activities and teaching, and make sure there is some creative love in the room! Innovation doesn't happen without a bit camraderie!
What are your speaking requirements?
Microphone, data projector (with VGA or HDMI) and wall for slide projection preferred. I prefer not to use TV displays for slides and infographics.
I can provide a data projector, but prefer to use yours.
I would like to book you, how can I guarantee my date?
Ask early! I am busy with a multitude of innovation related engagements, so please book me in ASAP.
What is my best time-slot for scheduling you at my event?
Afternoons and evenings, are best for availability, as I manage our data projects (and graduate analysts) for 2thinknow during the week days, and/or traveling in mornings between engagements.
Why are your prices so affordable?
I like to be busy, and so I have set prices event organizers can afford.
I have heard you can do interactive data?
Yes, this is experimental and something I am beta testing. If you'd like to maybe think about this, select this option when booking.
How long have you been speaking?
I started my first speech in 1995, to a Toastmasters group, of which I alter became Treasurer and, then President.
When did you start speaking professionally (i.e. for pay)?
Since I was 23, when I spoke for ticket sales on marketing, and later I.T.. Years later I started speaking for speakers fees, in front of insurance and IT groups.
Can we adapt one of your speeches to our audience?
Yes, of course. We can work together to make each speech a perfect fit for your audience!
Where do you speak most often?
I am based in Melbourne, and live in a central location near the city, with good access to all transport (and the airport).
My event is in Melbourne are there any costs?
Typically no. My fee is 'all inclusive'.
What other locations have you spoken at most outside Melbourne?
Sydney (frequently), Parramatta, Blue Mountains, Canberra, Wollongong, Brisbane, Newcastle and Geelong I have visited on multiple occasions for training and speaking. I also from time to time go to Perth, Adelaide, and regional areas across NSW and Victoria, and love to visit New Zealand.
How do you charge for events in Australia/New Zealand?
Speakers fee plus travel costs.
Are your travel costs in Australia / New Zealand reasonable?
Yes. I prefer Virgin Blue, and a business standard hotel (prefer IHG, SPG or Accor if available). I have also stayed in pub hotels in small towns, and enjoyed that. Transfers may be needed, and I also fly Qantas or Rex as needed. For this reason I compare well to many speakers.
Will you speak in New Zealand?
Of course. Love the land of the long white cloud! So, I am happy to speak in Auckland, Wellington or elsewhere in New Zealand (preferably late afternoon, early evening sessions.)
Will you speak at my North American international event?
Yes, I have frequently visted cities in the USA and Canada -- so here's a special page. I really love the feedback of American and Canadian audiences, and would love sharing my new ideas and insights with your audience.
Will you speak in Asia?
Yes. I'd be honoured to address your audiences in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, and of course China. Other locations to be considered.
What are your speakers fees for Asia?
This will depend on how busy I am, and how much travel is involved.
What about other locations?
I am of course happy to speak in Europe, and have visited cities across Europe many times. Vienna and Paris, but of course, I also love smaller cities like Strasbourg, Verona, Karlsruhe or Munich. I have visited South Europe and Spain, as well as the Balkans. I am happy to visit East Europe as well -- and love Budapest or Prague for example.
For Russia, Caucausus, Mid-East or Africa, but am open to invitations.
Please see my international speaking page here.
Do you require business class airfares in Australia?
No, not for speaking engagements where I travel a couple of hours or less (most of Australia). Virgin Blue airfares are sufficient.
Do you require business class airfares outside Australia?
For any travel outside Australia this is by negotiation as they may cost over $10,000 or as little as $4,500 depending on season and location. There may be a chance to share the airfares with another client engagement :), so please don't let this stop you from inquiring (although I would ask you please be transparent about your budget at the time).
You do want me to arrive fresh and well prepared, so this is based on practical decision making.
Will you fly discount airlines?
No -- this I must rule out (this includes Ryan Air and othere). If you want me to be on time, and prepared, it is better not to risk airlines that may fold overnight (leaving you out of pocket and without a speaker). And, I will turn down your engagement rather than fly budget airlines in Asia due to their safety record (especially since I collect data on airports and passengers!)
Saving a few hundred dollars might cost a lot more. The exceptions to this are Air Berlin, and some Spanish airlines, which I have enjoyed.
How do you set you speaking prices?
I make them affrodable. I give you more value than you paid!
Why be affordable as a speaker?
Many speakers quote high rack rates in Australia, and are also not busy.
My philsophy is I want to help your event succeed, so if we are to work together, I enjoy presenting, and would like to make it affordable for you to hire me, so I can share my valuable messages with your delegates.
How do I manage my speakers budget, as some sessions are more expensive?
The more preparatory time required, and the more speaking time, the greater the cost.
Do you charge for social time?
No! It's free! A drinks, dinner or breakfast after the event is free! I don't charge for this (reasonable!) amount of social time, as I think that is part of being a good guest. I like to interact and mingle, to add value for your event; helping you sell more tickets or satisfy more attendees.
What's the differneces between speaking topisc?
These are outlined above, or ask when booking.
Do you teach workshps on innovaton for executives?
Yes of course! Please ask.
What about innovation training for teams?
Yes.
Can you help me learn to speak?
If you are based in Melbourne,I am happy to work with you for a fee. Otherwise, I recommend Toastmasters and/or Speechcraft. Try a few clubs to find one that suits.
Will you volunteer / donate your fee for our charity?
Yes, for mental health, anti-depression or suicide prevention causes. (These are my major causes I share a passion for). You are welcome to email me your concept for other worthy causes, but these are my focus. I also like to know what percentage of the fee goes to recipients.
Do you have pro-bono conditions?
My condition for all pro-bono work is I do not speak for no fee if other speakers on the program are being paid fees. (unless it's a really good cause!)
Do you practice outside teaching/training/speaking?
Yes! I practice as a professional analyst and manager across a wide range of industries.Being a professional practitioner and learning from many industries, means I can add even more value as a speaker to your audience.
Do you do media interviews?
Internationally, I have for my cities work been interviewed by Boston Globe, had my work featured in NY Times by the Freakonomics guys, interviewed on ABC Radio National, written up on Reuters, Entrepreneur magazine, and numerous other articles online and in print in many languages.
What are some of the companies you have spoken in front of?
My larger audiences ave included representatives of Newscorp, Fairfax Media, Zurich Insurance, Broadcom, Random House, Wiley Books, ANZ Bank, Parliament of Victoria, universities, professors, unions and Federal and State Government departments and local councils.
What are some of the industries have you spoken in front of?
Insurance, Media, Publishing, Information Technology, University Sector, Government (at all levels)
Have you trained people in my industry?
In terms of small groups my experience is vast from lawyers to engineers, I.T. pros, doctors, infrastructure, construction, accountants, councils, charities to fire brigades, a football team, and all the usual corporations and government departments within Victoria, Canberra and NSW.
What are some of the big name companies you have trained?
3M, Kelloggs, LendLease, IBM, PwC, Pfizer, Zurich Insurance.
What are some of the government sectors you have trained?
Departments and agencies in Health, Transport, Defence (multiple branches), Industrial Relations, Federal Courts, Supreme Court, Competition Law, and also Parliament.
Is there a list of clients?
Short list. You can ask me for a longer list. I have trained a company or department like yours or your department, and I would love the opportunity to add another sector or department to my knowledge of cross-sector innovation.
Do you use slides?
Yes! I was a designer, and so are some of my associates so we do pretty cool visual slides and infographics. I vary the 'edginess' based on target audiences. Here's a few public 'demo' slides from slideshare.
Why as a speaker do you believe it's important to run to time?
It shows respect for the organizer, audience appetites and the next speaker!
Should I ask you to speak at my club, conference or event?
Of course you should! I am available in 2012 to speak, so take a look here.
Is their a calendar of availability for conferences outside Australia?
Ask me for the calendar. I tend to organize events or business travel in blocks by season. As Australia is 7 hours from Asia, 14-21 hours from the USA and 22 hours+ from Europe. This coincides with Northern Hemisphere conference season.
Will you speak at my international event for free?
Maybe if the event is professionally interesting, large and/or for a good cause. I will need travel costs however.
I am organizing a cities event, and have no budget, any ideas?
If the event is 300 or more, order copies of the Innovation Cities Analysis Report (details here) for delegates at a price of $20+ or £20+ or €20+ each, and I will significantly reduce -- or if I'd really like to share information at the event, waive -- my fee.Win win win.
Then it is just a case of the usual travel costs, if I am not in your city/town at the time of the event.
Delegates get the value of an excellent report into innovation that sells for USD $400 or USD $500, which you can use to sell more tickets. Report can be provided ready to go for a bound print format (A4), binder (A4/letter) or USB-key ready single-license PDF.
This works best for city-related events, and enables your delegates to have the value of latest content on innovation in cities and regions in both verbal and printed/electronic form. It is a real value-add for delegates and their purchase decision.
Will you speak at my charity event?
In Melbourne, yes, if we can arrange details.
Will you promote my event with TV and radio interviews?
Of course! I have been interviewed on ABC Radio National Australia, Canadian TV and featured in over 10,000 media articles.
Anything else?
Look, book me and/or ask me here.