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Peter Sims

Best-selling Author, Little Bets: How Breakthrough Ideas Emerge from Small Discoveries

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Biography

Early on, I worked in venture capital with Summit Partners, including as a founder of the firm’s European Office in London. Although doing deals was ultimately not my calling, I loved working with entrepreneurs, and wanted to be one. Unexpectedly, though, I accidentally became an author after business school, when Bill George asked me to co-author the book True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership. My curiosity then led me to Stanford’s Institute of Design (the d.school), and design thinking formed the basis for the next book Little Bets: How Breakthrough Ideas Emerge from Small Discoveries. My experiences and work around creative processes, entrepreneurship, and innovation exposed me to a variety of worlds ranging from large corporations where I was a member of General Electric’s Innovation Advisory Panel, to public policy and social entrepreneurship including as the co-founder of FUSE corps (which places fellows on grassroots projects within cities to tackle problems such as opioids or low income housing, and has become one of the fastest growing social ventures in America), to education on the advisory council for Columbia University’s Committee for Global Thought, as well as culture and the arts as president of The BLK SHP (black sheep) Foundation. I found my calling as an entrepreneur, creator, builder, and writer. Each day, with a host of talented colleagues and collaborators, we build the company (Parliament) and foundation (BLK SHP). And, I write when I can. I am a graduate of Bowdoin College, and live in the Bay Area, as a sixth generation Northern Californian (on both sides). My great-great-great grandfather, Jacob Gundlach, founded Gundlach Bundschu (GunBun) in Sonoma, California’s oldest family-owned winery, which is run today by my cousins who, unlike me, actually know a lot about wine.

Speech Topics

  • Discover Your Authentic Leadership

    Based on the lessons learned from 125 of the world’s most-respected entrepreneurs and leaders profiled for TRUE NORTH: Discover Your Authentic Leadership, including Charles Schwab, Starbuck’s founder Howard Schultz, CEO of Palm Inc. Donna Dubinsky, Jeffrey Immelt of General Electric, Xerox CEO Anne Mulcahy, Andrea Jung CEO of Avon Products, and Narayana Murthy of Infosys. Themes include: overcoming life crucibles and setbacks, clarifying personal values and motivations, developing effective support structures, using your life story to motivate and inspire others, approaches for staying grounded, and personal leadership development plans.

  • Little Bets - How Big Breakthroughs Emerge from Small Discoveries

    What do Thomas Edison, Chris Rock, and Jeff Bezos all have in common? Answer: An understanding that the biggest ideas spring forth from a series of small discoveries, reworked to achieve a great result. Based on extensive research, including over 200 interviews with successful creators and innovators, Sims demonstrates that the kind of linear problem-solving and fear of failure we were conditioned to embrace actively thwarts creativity. Whether it’s Steve Jobs or architect Frank Gehry or the ‘braintrust’ at Pixar, there is no complete plan or vision at the outset. Rather, through a process of trying and failing in incremental ways, they gain critical information as they go from one small, experimental step to the next — which eventually lead to extraordinary breakthroughs. These so-called “little bets” helped spark the ideas that led to companies like Twitter and blockbuster movies like the Toy Story franchise. We can learn to think and work like those we think of as geniuses — failing fast to learn quickly, trying imperfect ideas, focusing on finding problems rather than solving them, and practicing highly immersed observation—to turn our own little bets into big successes.

  • Little Bets + Black Sheep = This Revolution Will Be Improvised

    The world is being disrupted by globalization and technology, and the traditional ways of doing things are increasingly ill-equipped to solve the problems. What will fill the gaps — in government, business, and culture? It all begins with little bets: small, affordable risks taken to discover problems, needs, and opportunities in order to find big bets. What do Apple CEO Steve Jobs, comedian Chris Rock, prize-winning architect Frank Gehry, and the story developers at Pixar films all have in common? They all rely upon a mindset of making small bets when doing something new, and they’re all also “black sheep” — willing to challenge conventional wisdom and be understood, often for long periods of time, in order to invent new approaches in their own lives and for society. The world needs a creative renaissance led by courageous BLK SHP, who get sh*t done and solve problems quickly and creatively. Are you a black sheep? This revolution will be improvised.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How can I check Peter Sims's availability or request a quote?
    You can inquire about Peter Sims's availability or get a customized quote by contacting Key Speakers directly. Our team will help you determine fit, logistics, and budget options for your upcoming event.
  • What factors influence the speaker's fee?
    Other factors that influence a keynote speaker's fee include their reputation, expertise, demand, experience, duration of the presentation, travel requirements for the event location, and any additional services, activities or customization options they offer.
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    Travel expenses are typically not included in the listed speaker's fee and are quoted separately. If the speaker needs to travel internationally, fees will be higher. These expenses may include airfare, accommodation, ground transportation at home and in the event city, and meals. We can provide more detailed information about travel expenses and arrangements once you've selected a speaker.
  • How do I book Peter Sims for my event?
    The speaker booking process typically involves the following steps: contact Key Speakers to confirm Peter Sims's availability, fees, and any unique requirements (we can also help negotiate fees and terms); submit a firm offer to extend the invite to your speaker, with the details used to create an agreement once the speaker accepts; coordinate and finalize the terms of the booking, including contract terms and conditions; and confirm the booking by signing the contract and making the necessary payments.
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  • What are the payment terms and conditions?
    A deposit is required upon signing the contract, with the remaining balance due 2–4 weeks before the event. If the event is taking place within 30 days, the full balance is due upon signing.
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    It is generally advisable to book a keynote speaker as early as possible, especially if you have a specific speaker in mind or if your event is during a peak season holiday. Ideally, booking a speaker three to six months in advance can increase the chances of securing your desired speaker.
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    Some keynote speakers are open to participating in pre-event activities such as panel discussions, Q&A sessions, or meet-and-greet sessions. Please share your specific requirements with us during the firm offer phase, so we can work on getting you everything you need.
  • How long is a typical keynote speech?
    The duration of a standard keynote speech can vary depending on the speaker and the event's schedule. Typically, keynote speeches range from 30 minutes to 90 minutes, including any Q&A sessions or interactive elements. Some speakers can accommodate half or full day sessions and extended keynotes. Discuss the desired duration with your representative to determine the appropriate length for participation.
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  • Are there any discounts or special offers available for booking multiple speakers or multiple events?
    Often, yes. It's worth inquiring about such possibilities with your Key Speakers representative to explore any available cost-savings options.
  • Why book Peter Sims through Key Speakers?
    We provide a comprehensive service that takes the guesswork out of hiring a speaker — from speaker selection to logistics to post-event feedback. We know you have lots of responsibilities on top of finding and coordinating event speakers, so having a committed and proactive partner on your side that is an expert with the talent booking process is crucial. Every time you book a speaker with Key, your dedicated events manager will support you throughout the entire planning process. We help you negotiate contractual details such as speaker fees and travel terms so that you end up with the most favorable deal. With our highly communicative booking and proposal model, you'll never be left in the dark with the status of your speaker. To put it simply, Key Speakers is your one-stop resource for finding, booking and managing speakers for your event.

Speakers Like Peter Sims

Roy Firestone

Roy Firestone

Critically acclaimed as a performer, monologist, humorist, musician and impressionist, Roy Firestone is one of the nation’s most sought after live corporate performers, keynote speakers and lecturers. Firestone has performed in more than two thousand venues spanning two decades. He recently shared the stage with performers Josh Groban, Reba McEntire, David Foster, Forrest Whitaker and Jon Bon Jovi.


Fee Range: $25,000–$32,000
Travels From: CA

Daniel Burrus

Daniel Burrus


Fee Range: $15,000–$30,000
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Robert B. Tucker

Robert B. Tucker

Robert B. Tucker is a renowned global futurist and innovation keynote speaker with a client list that includes over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies. President and founder of Innovation Resource Consulting Group, Tucker is an internationally recognized pioneer in the field of innovation, Tucker’s highly interactive presentations lead audiences on a guided tour inside the world’s most creative companies. Through stories and examples, Tucker shows leaders how to tap into the mindset, skill set and toolset to embrace change, discover opportunity and avoid obsolescence. Known for his in-depth customization, Tucker provides today’s leaders with practical strategies, cutting edge insights, and inspiration to take action once back at the office.


Fee Range: $9,000–$20,000
Travels From: CA

Eileen McDargh

Eileen McDargh


Fee Range: $10,000–$16,000
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