Annie O – The “5 Premium Speakers Questions”
Annie has many facets: business economist, ex investment banker, DJ, psychologist, presenter and keynote speaker. After graduating from a renowned German private business school, she moved to London in 2006 to follow her aspiration and join one of the top investment banks. But then things turned out differently: only a few years later she made her way through the East London underground clubs as a drummer and DJ. Today she lives in Berlin as a full-time professional DJ – amongst others at the infamous KitKatClub. Furthermore, over the last few years she studied again and is close to finishing her Master’s degree in psychology. What a mix – what a story!
Annie O in an interview
1. What are the core subjects of your keynote speeches?
The top-line story of my talk is my journey from an ambitious private business school graduate and investment banker to a full-time professional DJ. It’s very important to me to go deeper and reflect upon psychological aspects; therefore, my story serves as a reference to talk about the following topics:
I talk about change and transformation – professionally as well as personally. About the possibility to choose a different path when you find yourself somewhere where you never wanted to be, or when you realise that you followed goals you never questioned whether they actually serve you.
I talk about the dialectic relationship between head and gut: What happens when your head guides the way without listing to your gut, and how entirely new ways and opportunities can present themselves when the gut feeling is taken into the equation.
I talk about deeper individual needs and how they may be ignored when you follow a path that is geared towards achievement and success.
I talk about finding and realising yourself – and also that this doesn’t necessarily require a radical break or turn-around, but that the crucial point is to align your lifestyle with your most important needs, whatever these may be for each one of us.
To sum up: I don’t offer a run-off-the-mill motivational speech – rather, I’m interested in highlighting deeper psychological aspects of drivers and motives for change. Furthermore, it’s important for me to remain authentic, personable and relatable, as I want to set an impulse and touch listeners on a deeper level instead of coming across as preaching or superficial.
2. Which audience or which branch do you reach with your speech?
My story can be of interest to companies, conferences or events of any industry that intend to set an impulse for change, transformation and thinking outside the box and want to provide employees or guests with a fresh breeze of inspiration.
3. Are you a PREMIUM SPEAKER? Where do you get your insights from?
I’m telling an authentic, down-to-earth story. My narration is reflective and balanced, captivating and inspiring, and also includes the difficult and strenuous aspects – thus being truthful, personable and affable.
4. What will be in the future? Does «time» play an important role in your work?
Due to the individuality of my story and my training as a psychologist, my focus lies on psychological aspects and the inner experience of us as individuals. Therefore, I don’t consider myself the right person to comment on societal or economic trends or forecasts.
5. Tell us your life motto? What do you want to give your listeners to take with them?
Free yourself from inner shackles, from the “shoulds” and “must dos” – listen to your gut feeling and see what it’s got to say!