Andrea T Edwards, CSP, The Digital Conversationalist: The professional story…
I’m not your typical communications professional, because I’ve always liked to stretch what’s possible – I mean who says you should follow the rules anyway? Let’s be honest, we’re in a time of new rules and new opportunities, and I’m determined to help everyone understand that if you own your voice, you own your future.
A big pillar of my work is to help business professionals, of all backgrounds, understand how they can embrace the digital stage with integrity at the heart of their presence. This is the opportunity for all of us today. It’s People Power at its essence and the cornerstone of professional success.
I’m a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), keynoting at industry events to empower professionals to embrace their voice, and I work with the world’s largest companies on the transformation needed within to maximize business growth in our digital future.
Don’t be scared to lead with your heart. We are all here to sprinkle our own piece of personal magic on the world – in our own way, at our own time.
When we have the courage to live our life leading from heart, combined with intellect and anchored in soul;
we then understand the mighty power of human potential – starting with our own potential first.
I’m a passionate evangelist for social leadership, content marketing, and employee advocacy, and I’m all about helping businesses understand how they can empower employees to delight customers, grow personal career opportunities and build brand success.
I run comprehensive social leadership workshops exclusively for senior leadership teams (#SocialCEO), as well as for all job functions within organisations. I believe my ability to understand and connect with audiences – employees, customers, prospects, stakeholders and influencers – in a way that deeply resonates and gets results; gives me a critical edge in helping my customers succeed.
I’ve won global awards for my work in B2B communications over my career and had the privilege of working in every corner of this amazing world. The last 17+ years have seen me living and working across Asia Pacific, and it has been a privilege to be based in this region, especially as we enter The Asian Century.
Before all of this Digital Conversationalist stuff, I was always a busy bee
Here’s what I’ve been doing since 1992…
• Chairman of the Asia Content Marketing Association (ACMA), Singapore
• Head of Content Marketing and Training at Novus Asia, Singapore
• Analyst Relations Lead for Microsoft, Asia
• Managing Director, SAJE, my own communications, content marketing & messaging agency, Singapore
• Director of Marketing Services for IDC, Asia Pacific
• Group Communications Manager for Baycorp Advantage, Sydney
• Marketing Communications Consultant, ClearForest, NYC
• Account Director with Text 100 International, Boston & London
• PR Consultant for various firms – Hill & Knowlton, Guinness Brewing, Sai Westall Thompkins, Fox Parrack Fox, London
• Communications Co-ordinator for AeroSpace Technologies of Australia (now Boeing). Melbourne
• Musician in the Australian Army, followed by PR representative for the Australian Defence Force PR Unit, Melbourne
The personal story…
I grew up in country Australia, playing in the local brass band with my family, and enjoyed cycling, bodybuilding and swimming in the mighty Murray River, which has stopped being so mighty in the last decade.
I left country living for Monash University in Melbourne, where I studied music and archaeology, after which the Army recruited me as a Musician for the Australian Army. It was a fascinating chapter and a great learning experience, but I was happy to leave it behind.
Since those early days, I’ve spent half my life living, working and travelling countries other than my own, and I can’t get enough of the majesty of our natural world, it’s magnificent archaeology and history, as well as the privilege of meeting and knowing so many different types of people around the globe. People are always my passion, and for sure, there are always bad apples, but they are not the majority of us! Humanity is awesome!
Like all people I’ve met, there are many dimensions within each of us. I am a warrior for Mother Earth, I will always fight for businesses to step up and lead to avoid the worst of climate catastrophe, as well as to build equal and diverse businesses that benefit all. Equality is definitely a hot issue for me, because everyone wins with equality.
I am also driven to make empathy and compassion the critical driving force in the world today, and believe that backing up your talk in how you present yourself to the world, is a critical component to being authentic and trustworthy at a time when both are lacking. This provides me with a genuine love of empowering others to step into all opportunities in the digital age, because together, we can shape the future of business and humanity.
There’s no escaping being Australian – not that I’d ever want to, it gives you licence to be bold (and cheeky) – and I’m fortunate to be married to a magnificent Englishman – Steve Johnson. Together we enjoy parenting two rambunctious sons (Lex and Jax) who are entering their teenage years – YIKES! My relaxation time is always happiest when I’m travelling and sharing the beauty of our world with my family and community, as well as laughing with like-minded people. You can’t take life too seriously, after all.
