David Thomas
Well-known in the Asia Pacific region as a thought leader on China, CEO and founder of Think Global Consulting
David Thomas: Biography highlights
Keynote speaker on Future Trends, Innovation, Leadership and Globalisation, David motivates and educates global business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors about the massive potential offered by modern China.
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Full biography of David Thomas
David Thomas’ Background
He takes them on a journey to identify, build and facilitate long-term business and investment relationships and he arms them with the knowledge and tools to navigate the cross-cultural challenges.
David is the CEO and Founder of Think Global Consulting. Think Global facilitates business and investment partnerships between Asia and Australia. In essence, David is a bridge builder providing a solid foundation for the west to do business with China in Australia, China and all over the world.
He believes that every company, large or small has to have a strategy for China. David travels from Asia to inspire, motivate and educate business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors around the world on the massive potential created by the rise of China and he supports them on their journey to identify, build and facilitate long term business and investment relationships.
David’s unique value lies in his ability to not only identify business trends, opportunities and challenges in China, but also his “hands on” experience from having worked on the ground for the past 30 years. He is therefore able to illustrate and enhance his presentations by including practical examples, case studies and anecdotes from his own personal experiences and stories.
Having worked with SMEs from many industry sectors (e.g. retail, professional and financial services, manufacturing, food, tourism, education, publishing, real estate, design and technology) David’s experience and expertise is broad and deep. He regularly speaks at Conferences, Workshops, Seminars and Board Meetings to a wide range of audiences and industry sectors and tailors his presentations accordingly.
He regularly travels around China working with local partners and investors, as well as hosting Chinese delegations and missions of investors, SMEs and entrepreneurs around the world. Find out more about David’s personal story in an interview with the China Daily Asia.
As a speaker and thought leader, David is charismatic, bold, friendly and has the unique ability to demystify a country that has been long hidden from Western view. He challenges people’s thinking and views about China whilst empowering his audiences to see and understand the opportunities that working with China brings.
David wants people to take take another view and look differently at China.
Available for:
Panel Participation
Workshop
Watch David in action
DHL Global Forwarding
Flying Solo
“We had David presenting at our National Conference this year and he really knows his stuff. Feedback from his session was excellent and there’s little doubt that he’s the master of his topic. We look forward to hearing more from David.”
BT Group Licensees, BT Financial Group
“When building a bespoke forum and study tour experience out of Hong Kong for our Practice Principals, it was clear we needed to engage a China expert. Someone with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the region and who would be able to translate these into learnings relevant to the Australian advice professional and business owner.
All roads led us to David and from the outset his knowledge and willingness to open doors for us proved invaluable. We also had David address our group as a keynote speaker which rated as one of the standout sessions of the program. We were thrilled with David’s contribution to the success of the Magnitude Principals Forum and hope to work with him again in the future.”
Russell Investments
“David is a great presenter and an expert in his field. He has an amazing depth of knowledge and is very easy to work with. He will put a great amount of effort into ensuring that your audience leaves with meaningful key messages that relate to their business.”
EGN Australia and New Zealand
“David Thomas has presented his ” Innovation and Consumption” keynote to a number of our CEO Groups and the feedback has been tremendous. China is an important issue in all of our business conversations and David’s ability to deliver concise, relevant and timely messages whilst motivating business leaders to take action makes him a highly sought after speaker on the topic of doing business in China”
Jellis Craig
“The presentation was absolutely amazing. His ability to provide us with a very entertaining mix of history, economics, social development and future trends was exceptional…”
LANCORP, PERTH
“I just wanted to say thanks for the very input into the workshops earlier this week. I thought your input was extremely valuable and we have had a lot of positive feedback from a number of the centres wanting to work with you again. I am also keen to have you here again and I’m working on possibilities at the program level. Thank you again.”
First National Real Estate – Corporate Office
“We really loved having David’s participation at our conference. Although it was a tough gig talking to our delegates during the gala dinner David did an excellent job and we’ve had a good number of members contact us regarding same. The topic was on point and so too David’s presentation.”
CPA Australia
“David is a very knowledgeable and engaging presenter, who connected well with the CPA Australia audience.”
Deloitte Consulting A/S, Denmark
“David Thomas was the opening keynote speaker at our Danish CFO Agenda conference in Copenhagen, where we gathered 200 CFOs and finance leaders from large Danish companies for a day of inspiration and discussion. The delegates were all very positive about the performance and content delivered by David. He is a great speaker and facilitator and very knowledgeable on his topic”
DHL GLobal Forwarding
“David recently presented at a client function on China’s 12th Five Year Plan. His presentation was engaging and delivered in a relaxed manner and was well received by our clients. His insights into the China economy and future plans were enlightening even to our China delegates.”
Real Estate Results
“David was the highlight of our recent real estate event for business owners. He provided loads of practical tips on how to embrace the opportunities in China…”
Westpac Banking Corp
“I just wanted to pass on my sincere thanks for your excellent presentation to our senior bankers and customers on China and India. The feedback from the session has been overwhelming.”
David's speaking topics
Bringing China to You - Do business with the Chinese without leaving home
Over 100 million Chinese people are on the move as entrepreneurs, tourists, investors and migrants, and smart 'Asiancentric' businesses can position themselves to take advantage of the wave of capital, people and resources that is already flooding western markets. Businesses in the retail, tourism, healthcare, education, real estate,food and other services sectors will get great value from understanding how they can do business with the Chinese without leaving home!
Diversification in the Asian Century
We live in the Asian Century and western organisations face unique challenges, threat sand opportunities. With the flow of people, capital and resources from China, India and South East Asia in to every corner of our society, now is the time for dynamic, progressive and ambitious organisations to embrace the benefits of diversification, which include:
- Boosting creativity, diversity and innovation-fresh perspectives lead to fresh ideas which leads to new revenue streams
- Doing business with Asia-presenting a multicultural 'face' to marketing, sales and client relationships
- Increasingproductivityandprofitability-organisationswithculturesthatpromote diversity, inclusion and collaboration get better results
A view to BRIC nations
China is at the heart of the next global economy yet there are a group of nations who, along with China, are positioning themselves for global domination. The 'BRIC' Nations include Brazil, Russia, India and China. These vast and growing nations collectively have ownership of an abundance of land, people and capital. All key economic inputs to drive prosperity today and into the future. How will you as a business leader, entrepreneur or investor respond to this unique opportunity to engage with a global market that has already taken flight?
In this powerful and thought-provoking presentation David Thomas presents unique insights, data and perspectives showcasing the emergence of the BRIC Nations as the main drivers of urbanisation, consumption, innovation, aspiration and globalisation. He will also identify key opportunities for organisations looking to break through local markets to establish new global business networks and markets.
Audiences will walk away from this presentation with a view to the unique business opportunities found within the BRIC Nations. David will empower them with the tools and strategies to lead, influence and drive global business opportunities that are timely, relevant and ripe for entry into new markets.
Key Outcomes:
- Future Trends
- Leadership
- Business Innovation
- Next Economies
- Globalisation
Three cups of tea - the secret to building long-term sustainable business relationships in Asia
Any organisation or association grappling with the challenges of dealing with Asian Clients, customers, partners, distributors, suppliers or even employees will get great value from this presentation as he unbundles the 3 step process to unravelling cross-cultural differences and building an 'Asian friendly' business.
Innovation and Consumption
There has never been a better time for foreign entrepreneurs and business leaders to consider entering the China market despite negative noise, media and commentary to keep you away.
Consider the following:
- China' s economy today is driven by domestic consumption. In the past 4 years, consumption has contributed more than 60% of China's GDP growth.
- China invests more money in innovation than any other country in the world and is determined to become a global leader in areas like high value manufacturing, healthcare, environmental protection, technology and education.
David Thomas has spent a whole lifetime uncovering opportunities in modern China and inspiring business leaders and entrepreneurs to take their first step into the China market. He delivers unique skills, practical insights and long term experience on the ground to every present at ion, workshop and study tour. His audiences enjoy his anecdotes, case studies and stories from travelling around China for the past 30 years.
Now take that first step and listen to David empower your audience about tapping into two transforming opportunities: World Class Innovation and Domestic Consumption.
Leading with a view to China
In the next economy taking a view to China will be non-negotiable for any leader looking to disrupt, Innovate and grow market share. The reality is that China's economic growth has just begun, and will only gain momentum in the future. The questions for leaders in the west will be whether they choose to react to the Influence of China, or instead choose to create a leadership strategy that harnesses this Influence as a growth opportunity.
In this presentation, David Thomas presents on some of the common challenges faced by leaders looking to embrace and activate a view to China. Creating a culture responsive to the Chinese market starts at the top. Having the ability to audit belief systems, In addition to developing China-centric organisational cultures will be imperative to your success. will you choose to be a leader who supports and elevates Chinese staff and clients, or are you blind in your view to China?
Leaders will walk away from this presentation with a toolkit empowering them to audit their own leadership ability with regards to navigating a new economy redefined by the influence of China. A leader's responsibility is to culture, communication, and strategy that amplifies business growth, and taking a view to China should be at the heart of any forward-thinking leadership strategy.
Key Outcomes:
- Leadership
- Leadership Innovation
- Communication
- Culture
Financial Services
Despite fears of future disruption caused by Brexit and the impact of globalisation, the UK's financial services sector continues to be a major contributor to the growth of the UK economy, contributing 10% of the UK's GDP, 11% of all taxes and 7% of all jobs.
As a regular visitor to China over the past 20 years, David has witnessed many changes himself and is at the cutting edge of China's transformation, particularly in the private sector. He works with Chinese entrepreneurs, investors and migrants to facilitate business and investment opportunities throughout the region and has much to say about how the Chinese think, negotiate and act. Get ready to be challenged, inspired and motivated to Think Global!
Photo Gallery: David Thomas
Check David Thomas's availability
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“David recently presented at a client function on China’s 12th Five Year Plan. His presentation was engaging, humerous and delivered in a relaxed manner and was well received by our clients. His insights into the China economy and future plans were enlightening even to our China delegates. We would not hesitate to use David again and would recommend him to anyone needing an engaging speaker.”