Dion Chang | SpeakerHub

Personal Details

Bio

Dion is a strategic thinker, keynote speaker, a walking ideas bank and professional cage rattler.

He is one of South Africa’s most respected trend analysts and founder of Flux Trends, which takes the unique view of “trends as business strategy”.

Flux Trends specialises in identifying unexpected business opportunities within shifting trends, and specifically the impact of disruptive technologies – across all industries – ensuring that global trends have relevance when translated for African, and South African businesses.

Dion is passionate about assisting companies embrace change and embedding a culture of innovation into corporate operating systems. As a result, he is used as a management consultant for businesses facing change and struggling to adapt to a new world order.

He will see your blind spots and is not afraid to ask those difficult or uncomfortable questions.

He lectures Foresight and Innovation Implementation modules for executives and senior management at various business schools, including GIBS, UCT’s Graduate School of Business and Duke CE. He has devised and hosted three trend conferences, published three trend books and sits on the advisory board of the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment at WITS.

He has a deep passion for youth trends and subcultures, as well as for solution-based innovation for greater good.

Current position (1)

Founder

Flux Trends

Achievements (1)

Flux Trends received two awards:

2021 -

Degrees (1)

Design

Durban University of Technology

1981 to 1984

Presentations

Presentations (3)

State We’re In 2021: 20/20 Hindsight – Lessons from the Great Staggering

A year of introspection while in self-isolation has provided us the opportunity to rethink and reassess. 2019 is not a state of being that we should want to return to.

In the words of author Milan Kundera, “We go through the present blindfolded… Only later, when the blindfold is removed and we examine the past, do we realise what we’ve been through and understand what it means.”

The annual Flux Trend briefing – The State We’re In – is a highly anticipated overview of where the world is, and where it’s going. Using the acronym T.R.E.N.D.S. which represent six key trend pillars that will shape how we will live, work and connect in the coming year, Flux not only identifies pivotal trends but also delves into the undercurrents between the pillars to provide an executive summary of winds of change that are shaping our world and affecting business.

Aren’t you curious to discover what state we’re in?

The Boomer Economy: Marketing to the Amortalists

“OK, boomer” is a humorous or ironic catchphrase, often used to call out or dismiss out-of-touch or closed-minded opinions associated with the baby boomer generation.

The catchphrase is frequently used by Gen Zs who blame the baby boomers for the mess the world is in now. There is some truth in this, in terms of generational ideology. But, at Flux we always see the world differently.

While we focus on the future, what’s new and what’s disruptive, we are also always on the lookout for blind spots. The “boomer economy” is one such blind spot.

In a world obsessed with youth, disposability and transience we’re noticing a counter trend. It’s under the pop culture radar but that doesn’t mean it’s insignificant.

In fact, it is a huge blind spot for brands and businesses.

GEN Z 2021 – Architects of our New World Order

As the first generation of true digital natives, their high – and unwavering – social justice barometer has ensured that their support for causes, from gun control to climate change, has placed them in the global spotlight, even before they finish high school.

Greta Thunberg and her cohorts (love them or hate them) are already showing the world what fervour and digital connectivity can do, and brands and businesses should be taking note. The oldest Gen Z’s were born in the mid-90’s, which means they are coming of age, entering your workforce and coalescing into a new frontline consumer group.

But now there is a new lens shaping their outlook.

The COVID-19 pandemic will be a defining life event for Generation Z, much the same way 9/11 and the 2008 global financial crisis shaped the millennial generation’s views on global politics and economics.