Steve Vamos is an author, advisor and Director with over 40 years of experience in the global technology and digital media industries. He has lived and worked in Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Asia.
Steve was CEO of ASX-listed tech company Xero from April 2018 to February 2023, where he led the company’s growth and performance with a team of more than 4,500 employees.
He has served as a non-executive director of Telstra, Fletcher Building, Medibank Private and David Jones and as a non-executive director and advisor to a range of Australian organisations, from start-ups to large established companies.
Over a 40-year career in technology, Steve was Chief Executive Officer of ninemsn, Managing Director of Microsoft Australia & New Zealand, Vice President of Microsoft’s Online Service Group, Vice President and Managing Director of Apple Computer Asia Pacific, and Managing Director of Apple Computer Australia.
As Vice President of worldwide sales and international operations for Microsoft Corporation's Online Service Group, Steve was responsible for the organisation's international business in more than 30 countries around the world.
Steve was the founder and President of the Society for Knowledge Economics (SKE), a not-for-profit think-tank that operated from 2005 to 2014. SKE aimed to encourage and promote new and better leadership and management practices, enabling innovation, productivity and sustainability.
Steve holds a degree in Civil Engineering (with Honours) from the University of New South Wales.
Talking Points
Leadership in Times Like No Other & Creating and Enabling Innovation at Work
The world is now a highly connected and fast-changing economic and social system, as are the organisations within which we work.Leadership in Times Like No Other & Creating and Enabling Innovation at Work
Information and communications technology has amplified the potential of people (and the organisations they work for) as the internet, low-cost computing devices and communications networks connect people with others of common interest and new sources of knowledge and information.
People, their knowledge, relationships and the extent to which management encourages and enables them to create and innovate increasingly determine how value is created for their organisation. This is a big change to embrace because traditionally, we hired people to do what they were told, and now we want them to create, collaborate and innovate.
Technology doesn't innovate – people do! Technology isn't disrupting your business; people are!
As a result, organisations that don't focus on enabling their people to create the future and innovate will find it tough to succeed in the future.
Steve Vamos will discuss the leadership and management consequences of the changes in the world and outline approaches business leaders and their teams can employ to drive creativity and innovation in their organisations.
Video
Digital Disruption is a human thing - Steve Vamos at TEDx Melbourne
Steve believes that now more than ever the old way of doing things is hurting more than helping. Digital disruption requires new ways of thinking. Here he explains why. Steve advocates that we need to think about how much of our conditioning at work is about doing what we're told rather than about how to create the future. He believes having an adventurous mind means being willing to try new things and perhaps failing and to be a learn it all not know it allSteve Vamos, Xero - Five traits of a powerful culture | #BBDSummit 2020
Straight from the stage at Better by Design's CEO Summit 2020. Watch talks from some of the brightest minds in the most innovative businesses in the world.Steve Vamos at Creative Innovation 2013 Asia Pacific
Non Executive Director of Telstra, Medibank and David Jones, Steve Vamos stresses the importance to recognise the potential of your employees and to define success. Steve also asks what will leadership success look like for Australia, and urges us to act now in order to stop the inertia.Steve Vamos @SaxtonSpeakers Australia Speaks
Steve Vamos has more than 30 years' experience in the information technology and online media industries and has lived and worked in Australia, the United States and Asia. He currently serves as a non-executive Director of Telstra and as Chairman of Australian startup (and now New York based) Reading Room Inc, a social network for book lovers.Steve Vamos
Steve Vamos is an information technology and online media industry leader who understands the challenges of operating in the connected and fast changing economy we work in today. He is a passionate speaker on a variety of topics including leadership, organisational performance and potential, innovation and digital strategies, as well as his personal views on the leadership, culture and management approaches needed in the face of the major global issues affecting Australian companies.Ita Buttrose up close and personal with Steve Vamos, Theresa Gattung and Brad Howarth
Ita Buttrose discussing business and technology with Steve Vamos, Theresa Gattung and Brad Howarth at Business: It ain't what it used to be! The August 2011 Melbourne Saxton Corporate Luncheon was part of Energise Enterprise, The Victorian Government's Small Business Festival.Steve Vamos has a remarkable presence when connecting with a group. He has the ability to relay his stories of his career with candour and ease that gets people's attention. He is a truly au ... keep reading KDT Consulting
Steve was great. His talk hit the mark and was both insightful and delivered in comfortable style that was perfect to engage the audience. There were plenty of takeaways for the team to think about.
Steve was the stand-out speaker of the day, we have had fantastic feedback about his presentation and content and style.
Delegates thought that Steve Vamos was incredibly down to earth and very dynamic.
I would like to thank you for your inspirational and engaging presentation. The feedback from the staff about your presentation has been fantastic. They really enjoyed hearing about your personal journey in the workforce and the messages and stories you shared were very valuable. Hearing your journey helped spark in-depth discussion about issues that affect us all and I know the female staff were able to relate to many of your experiences. The day concluded on a high note with many solutions and suggestions being tabled. Being the first of many forums we will hold for our staff, your contribution was pivotal in making the day such a great success. It has helped to empower and engage our staff in being part of the solution.
Steve is an exceptional speaker and thought leader. He is spearheading a new school of thinking around leadership that enables others to reach their potential, and challenges us to think differently/adopt a new, collaborative mindset that is critical to the success in a rapidly changing and connected world. A perfect message for anyone leading today and into the future. Steve is ahead of his time and leaders of today need to catch up if they wish to remain competitive in the future.
