What clients and partners say about me
The audience was transfixed
‘We deeply appreciated the curiosity and energy that James brought in his keynote speech and thank him for his contribution to our community of educators and employers. He brought a deep knowledge and understanding of not only the most recent developments in AI, but also how they impact the world of education. He was able to present a complete picture of the considerations we should all be making as we face the expanding role of AI in our schools and workplaces. The audience was transfixed on the questions James was able to raise and their own questions and comments demonstrated the level of engagement James was able to achieve. It was thought provoking, poignant and authentic and we appreciated the time and energy that James obviously put into his preparation for the event. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend James to any organisation considering the uncertain future we all face.’
— Executive Officer, South Gippsland & Bass Coast Local Learning & Employment Network
A very rare talent
‘James Allen’s strategic foresight capability is outstanding and in my four decades of commercial business experience it’s also very rare. James is able to do the research and gather data in a way that delivers a global national and local perspective, but more importantly he brings his strategic foresight expertise to bear to help organisations consider a truly multi dimensional future. It’s quite challenging to have people think strategically and even more challenging to lead them to insight and strategic foresight. James is the best in field in achieving this and in helping produce sound strategic planning for a successful future.’
— Joan Fitzpatrick, Non-Executive Director; Managing Director Alvearium Pty Ltd (strategy consultants)
Blown away
‘I am a third of the way through reading the Scenarios Report and I’m blown away. What an incredible piece of work and stimulus, to connect complex threads and pose futurist thinking in an accessible and inspiring manner… It’s a masterpiece.’
— General Manager People & Culture, Melbourne Water
A visionary perspective
‘I had the distinct pleasure of attending a keynote presentation by James at a local workforce and employment event, and I can say without hesitation that it was one of the most thought-provoking and insightful presentations I’ve experienced. It was evident that James spent considerable effort in preparation and research on what is relevant to the education sector and what will impact people's pathway to employment.’
‘One of the standout aspects of the approach James took is his ability to connect the dots between seemingly disparate trends, painting a cohesive and compelling picture of opportunities and challenges ahead. His foresight into the cumulative impact AI will have would be invaluable for any organisation looking to stay ahead of the curve.’
‘I highly recommend James as a keynote speaker for any event focused on innovation, technology, and future trends. His depth of knowledge, engaging delivery, and visionary perspective make him an asset to any conference or symposium.’
— Shannan Little, Manager Economic Development & Investment, Bass Coast Shire
Highly recommended
‘I had the pleasure to work with James as part of a Technical Special Interest Group I convene on behalf of the Institute of Water Administration. We are a group of people dedicated to delivering better outcomes for water infrastructure assets on behalf of water authority customers and communities. As part of our workshop Nov 2023, James used his very specialised foresight skills to facilitate a very engaging and thought provoking session with our group. Using the strategic foresight framework, we were all invited to imagine 4 different potential future scenarios and then work out what impact that would have on our sector in the delivery of water and sewer services. This evoked some very interesting and passionate discussion amongst the group and helped us see and think about our work differently. I would highly recommend James as a facilitator in this field.’
— Angela Kelly, Institute of Water Administration Non Executive Director; AECOM Strategy and Growth Lead ANZ
Opening minds and unearthing untapped potential
‘James was engaged to facilitate sessions with the task of inviting the whole-of-organisation to think the unthinkable, and imagine the unimaginable. James captivated the audience with his keynote speech, taking them on a journey that sparked imaginations and ignited creative approaches to address tasks transferrable to their day-to-day roles. James had the ability to contextualise and lead the audience through a series of experiential futuring activities that promoted collaboration, imagination and free thinking, establishing a platform from which they could individually, and collectively build. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive with the team finding relevant application to their roles in delivering positive community outcomes. We cannot thank and recommend James enough. He opened minds and unearthed untapped potential with an immediate, and long-lasting positive impact on how Baw Baw Shire Council goes about its futures.’
— Future Ready Project Team, Baw Baw Shire Council
Pushing ‘outside the box’ thinking
‘I have known James for a number of years now and been involved with him through workshops he has facilitated and managed. These workshops have ranged from high level strategic workshops through to master planning type works on a treatment plant asset.’
‘James has an incredible way of making this fun and pushing people to think outside the box to ensure that we don’t end up with a business as usual solution without having considered alternatives. This includes driving these sessions to think about and learn from the past, developing a baseline for present and then ensuring any outcomes and solutions developed consider what the future might look like and are adaptive to enable change.’
‘James is a great character and puts people at ease which again drives great behaviours for these sessions. He brings a positive energy to his work and I would strongly advise anyone looking for someone to facility and drive strategy should work with him!’
— Richard Brice, Principal Process Engineer, CMP Consulting Group Pty Ltd
Crucial insights to inform future planning
‘I had the pleasure of working with James during the development of the Gippsland Water Asset Management Strategy, where he played the role of strategic professional and facilitator. James' expertise in human-centred design proved invaluable in ensuring all stakeholders were heard and their needs considered. His ability to guide complex discussions with staff at all levels and translate technical concepts into clear, actionable plans was instrumental in building consensus and delivering a living document, rather than a document that would sit on the shelf.’
‘Beyond his facilitation skills, James impressed me with his foresight and strategic thinking… James provided crucial insights into the potential challenges and opportunities that South Gippsland Water might face in the future too. James has an ability to analyse trends, identify potential disruptions, and envision various future scenarios. His report was clear, concise, and well-researched, giving our Board a solid foundation for testing our thinking about the robustness of South Gippsland Water's 2040 Vision and Strategy.’
‘I highly recommend James to anyone seeking a foresight leader or strategic facilitator who can bridge the gap between stakeholder needs and long-term vision, in a way that they will feel connected.’
— General Manager Operations, South Gippsland Water
Captivated the room
James is a knowledgeable and engaging speaker who had the entire room captivated at our recent AGM. He is able to blend anecdotes and provocative ideas about complex concepts in a way that is accessible and relevant, and provides compelling insight into the work of futurists. Highly recommend James as a presenter.
— Sarah Fenton, Chair of the South Gippsland & Bass Coast LLEN