Kenneth Kwan

08/01/2026

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 “𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦” 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬?🎸

Over the years, I’ve realised it’s rarely about capability. Teams falter when alignment, connection, or confidence cracks, especially in the middle of change.

That’s where a well designed keynote comes in: not to cheer, not to hand out clichés, but to create a strategic pause.

A moment where leaders stop defending the old, start imagining what could work, and walk away with clear, actionable steps.

In Singapore, where talent is high and pressure is higher, this approach works. Teams I’ve seen leave keynotes reframing meetings, clarifying ownership, and actually collaborating across silos.

Months later? Decisions are faster, initiatives hit targets sooner, and leaders spend more time thinking strategically instead of firefighting. 🔥➡️💡

𝘾𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙖 𝙠𝙚𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙡𝙚?
𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲, 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗞𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲.
https://kennethkwan.com/business-keynote-speaker/

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

I’ve spoken on many stages over the years, but Singapore holds a special place in my work as a business keynote speaker. This is a market where expectations

06/01/2026

Global Leadership Trends for 2026.

1. AI & Tech-Augmented Leadership Leaders are no longer just users of technology — they’re expected to lead with it.

17/12/2025

✈️ Smart Travel Hacks for Busy Professionals

As a keynote speaker, I do love the thrill of getting through customs fast, while others are trying to figure it out. Here are my tips on how to save time and get out of airports and into your hotels fast.

1. Get the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC)

If you travel for work across Asia-Pacific, this is the closest thing to a diplomatic superpower. Access fast-track immigration lanes in participating economies. Often lets your entire group or family follow you (unofficial, but frequently happens)

2. Sit Near the Front (Even in Economy)

Clearing immigration is often a race to the counters. Choose seats closer to the front. Even 5 rows ahead can mean 20 minutes saved

Time is money. Seat selection is a small investment with big ROI.

3. Use e-Gates Wherever Possible

Many countries now support biometric or automated clearance. Australia, UK, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Japan, parts of EU. Check eligibility before landing. Confidence + preparation = speed.

4. Mobile Data First, Not Last

Immigration problems often start after the stamp. Pre-install eSIMs (Airalo, Nomad, etc.) Standing around hunting for Wi-Fi after a long flight is a rookie move.

5. Carry Proof of Exit (Even If Not Asked)

Some countries say they won’t ask. Some officers still do. Hotel confirmation

Event invite or meeting agenda (for business travel). You want the officer stamping, not thinking.

6. Never Joke with Immigration Officers. Yes, even if you’re funny.

No sarcasm. No “AI will take your jobs” humour. No clever lines. Save your humour for social media. Not immigration.

7. Keep Answers Short and Consistent

When asked:
“Purpose of visit?” → One sentence
“How long?” → Exact number of days
“Where staying?” → Name the hotel confidently

Rambling = suspicion. Calm clarity = stamp.

8. Know Which Airports Are Immigration Nightmares

Plan smarter, not braver. Some airports are fast but chaotic (multiple counters, no signage) Others are slow but predictable

Rule of thumb: Smaller international terminals are often faster than mega hubs during peak hours.

Pro tip: If you do not know where the fast-moving immigration counters are, always follow those who are dressed in business suits. They are usually frequent flyers who want to clear immigration fast.

9. Pack Immigration-Ready, Not Just Travel-Ready

Passport easily reachable. Arrival card filled before landing. Pen in your pocket (yes, still matters)

10. If Travelling with a Team: Lead from the Front

When travelling with colleagues:
Brief them before landing. Align answers
Decide meeting points after clearance and if you are lost.
Disorganised groups slow everyone down—including you.

Frequent international travel isn’t about luck—it’s about systems, signals and preparation.

Question: What are your pro tips for clearing customs and airports fast?

PS: Here's a photo of me hunting for Bubble Tea in Brussels.

16/12/2025

“I Wish My Leaders Were More Strategic.” Most Leaders Say This. Few Can Explain It.

Over lunch with Dr Chi Hong (Chee) Hwang, Deputy Innovation Officer at Jurong Health Campus, we found ourselves circling a familiar leadership lament: “I wish my leaders were more strategic.”

Fair enough.

But here’s the uncomfortable follow-up question: what does strategic leadership actually look like?

For many leaders, strategy = clear KPIs.

Important? Yes. Strategy? No.

That’s goal-setting. Not direction-setting.

Here’s a simpler, more practical way to think about strategy—one that leaders can actually act on:
1️⃣ Start with who you want to become. Not next quarter. Not next year only. Probably 3-5 years ahead. Define your preferred future and gain clarity on what exactly it should look like.

2️⃣ Read the forces shaping that future
Trends. Customer expectations. Technology disruption.
Shifting industry boundaries. Macro forces.
Strategy begins with context, not PowerPoint.

3️⃣ Name the hard strategic issues
What tensions, trade-offs, or uncomfortable decisions will you need to confront? If everything feels easy, you’re probably not doing strategy.

4️⃣ Move in small, intelligent steps
Create sandboxes. Test assumptions. Learn fast.
Big visions survive only through small, deliberate experiments.

5️⃣ Align leadership around direction, not just targets
Short-term goals should serve the strategy—not replace it.
Strategy isn’t about sounding smart in meetings.

It’s about making clear choices, in uncertainty, with discipline. And that’s where real strategic leadership begins.

What’s the biggest misconception about “strategy” you see in leaders today?

PS: If you wish to explore how your leaders can be more strategic in their leadership, come and speak to us at Deep Impact.

11/12/2025

I recently met up with my very first employee, Ding Neng—and it was one of those conversations that quietly reminds you why leadership matters.

When he joined Deep Impact Singapore many years ago, he was young, eager, and still figuring out where his strengths would lead him.

Today, he’s a full-fledged business owner in the music industry, teaching others how to play the piano and helping students discover the joy of creating music.

What impressed me most wasn’t just the business he built, but how he scaled the lessons he picked up during his time with us—turning ideas about mindset, excellence, and service into his own brand of impact.

He didn’t just apply what he learnt; he took it further, adding his creativity and passion to the mix.

As leaders, we often measure success by projects delivered or targets hit.

But sometimes, the real wins show up years later—when a former team member sits across the table, thriving in their own arena, charting their own path.

Catching up with past employees is always meaningful. It’s a reminder that leadership isn’t about who reports to you… it’s about who grows because they once did.

Here’s to the people we’ve invested in—and the surprising, wonderful places they go.

10/12/2025

🔥 When a CEO looks you in the eye and says, “You did a great job,” you know the message hit home.

Recently, I delivered an outstanding keynote at the Entrust Regional Partners Event—speaking to 128 leaders from more than nine countries, all united by one mission: to lead change with confidence and clarity.

In a world where uncertainty is the new normal, leaders don’t just need strategies…

They need the mindset to drive optimism and forward momentum.

I shared ideas from Small Steps To Big Changes®—practical ways to shift perspectives, spark positive action, and build cultures that thrive even when pressures mount.

To the Entrust team and every leader in the room: your energy and curiosity made the difference.

Let’s continue building organisations where change becomes a catalyst, not a constraint.

04/12/2025

🌍 Leading Change Across Borders
Just wrapped up an inspiring Small Steps to Big Changes® training programme with leaders from 7 countries in Bangkok— and what a journey it’s been.

We explored how to lead optimistic, results-driven change that doesn’t just shift mindsets, but moves entire organisations and communities forward.

What struck me most was this: although every market is different, every leader is united by a desire to create meaningful progress.

Working with leaders from diverse cultures reminds me why a global perspective matters more than ever.

When we understand how people think, work and solve problems across different contexts, we don’t just become better leaders — we become better partners in shaping the future. 🌏✨

PS: Now I look forward to a few days of eating and shopping in the streets of Bangkok.

02/12/2025

✈️ Travelling frequently across the region to speak means one thing: I never leave home without my APEC Business Travel Card.

Today in Bangkok, I stepped into the airport and saw nearly 300 people waiting at immigration.
🧍‍♂️🧍‍♀️🧍‍♂️🧍‍♀️

And once again, that little card worked its magic. ✨

I skipped the massive queues and went straight through—saving precious time.

It’s not just in Bangkok. In Taiwan, a security guard noticed my APEC card and immediately waved my entire family into the fast lane. 🚀👨‍👩‍👦

If you travel often for work, this card is a game changer.

01/12/2025

Entrust invited me to speak at their large regional conference here in Singapore, for their partners distributed across Asia.

What made it even sweeter? They didn’t just want a keynote… they wanted the message to stay with their leaders long after the event.

📚 They purchased 128 copies of Small Steps to Big Changes® for their leaders.

I’ll admit — as an author, seeing that many books going into the hands of people who will use them to shape conversations, decisions, and culture… that’s deeply rewarding.

What I love most is this: Entrust didn’t treat leadership as a “one-day inspiration blast.” They invested in a sustained mindset shift. And that’s how real organisational change begins — one leader, one conversation, one small step at a time.

To the Entrust team, thank you for trusting me to contribute to your regional gathering.

Here’s to creating more momentum, more courage, and more forward-thinking leadership across Asia. 🌏

18/11/2025

Deep Impact has just won Gold for Best Leadership Development Consultancy — a proud moment that reflects our clients’ trust and our team’s passion for creating real, lasting impact.

For 18 years, we’ve helped leaders across 40 countries shift mindsets, build high-performance cultures, and take their Small Steps to Big Changes®.

Thank you for believing in our mission. We’ll keep pushing boundaries and redefining what great leadership looks like. ✨

17/11/2025

Today, I’m reminded of a simple but profound truth: number your days.

My Birthdays used to feel like checkpoints for ambition: endless energy, big dreams, and the belief that I could outrun time itself.
But with age (and hopefully grace), I’m learning a far deeper lesson — the reminder to “number my days, that I may gain a heart of wisdom.”

This year, that truth hit differently.

I’m reminded to recognise the brevity of life, to ask for divine help to live purposefully, and to make the most of each day — not in a frantic, hustle-culture way, but with intentionality.

To shift my priorities away from the trivial and towards what is truly significant, meaningful, and enduring.

Time is fleeting. It’s precious. And it’s not to be wasted on things that won’t matter in the long run.

As I celebrate today, I feel both joy and clarity — a renewed sense of purpose to invest my days wisely.

How about you? What will you choose to make count today?

hashtag

07/11/2025

🏆 Deep Impact Wins Gold for Best Leadership Development Consultancy

We’re honoured to share that Deep Impact Singapore has been awarded the Gold Award for Best Leadership Development Consultancy, after a rigorous assessment by an independent panel of senior HR leaders.

Selected from many outstanding entrants, this award recognises our commitment to helping organisations transform their leaders, build strong cultures, and create lasting impact across Asia and beyond. 🌏

For over 18 years, we’ve worked with leaders from more than 40 countries — equipping them to lead change with clarity, purpose, and confidence. This recognition belongs not just to us, but to every client, partner and leader who believed in our mission to turn Small Steps into Big Changes®.

Thank you for being part of this journey. The work of shaping better leaders never stops — and this Gold inspires us to go even further. ✨