Technology is driving unprecedented change in today’s dynamic business landscape. Companies must not only understand the need to innovate but also learn how to disrupt the competition before they are disrupted themselves. Terrell (Terry) Jones, a seasoned expert in both travel and technology, knows this well. With over 40 years of experience, he has founded five startups, two of which resulted in billion-dollar exits, and served on twenty boards of directors. “I believe that sharing the insights I’ve gained on that journey can help almost any business navigate toward success,” he says.
Terry’s message resonates across the board, from budding entrepreneurs to established business leaders. His unique blend of experience—leading both startups and large corporations—gives him an edge. As CIO of American Airlines/SABRE, he managed massive teams and multimillion-dollar budgets, gaining firsthand knowledge of how big businesses operate. At the same time, his entrepreneurial background has shown him the fast-paced, risk-taking world of startups. “The breadth of my experience ensures I can tailor my message to both audiences,” he explains.
What sets Terry apart from other speakers and authors is his direct, hands-on experience. “When I speak to audiences, it’s not about interviews I’ve done or data collected; I am speaking from experience,” he emphasizes. His approach to delivering lasting impact is simple: distill complex ideas into their essence, communicate them through compelling stories, and reinforce key points with clear actions for the audience to take away.
Having presented to over 300 companies in 25 countries, Terry consistently shares one piece of advice that sparks action: “Disruption and innovation are two sides of the same coin. You only call it a disruption if YOU didn’t do it!” This powerful reminder urges business leaders to stop reacting to change—and start driving it themselves.
Known for his dynamic, fast-paced presentation style, Terry uses engaging visuals to enhance his message. “I might show 200 images in a 60-minute session… but they are just graphics, not endless dot points,” he says. His approach taps into the way we absorb information—through our eyes rather than just our ears—making his sessions not only informative but also highly engaging. Always evolving, Terry continually adds new videos, polls, and interactive features to ensure his audience stays connected and inspired.
Challenging the Status Quo
One of the most memorable moments from Terry’ speaking career was when a CEO approached him and said, “You’ve challenged me more in twenty minutes than I’ve been challenged in twenty years.” It was a powerful reminder that innovation doesn’t always come from a new gadget or tech breakthrough—it can begin with a shift in mindset. Terry recalls another moment when an attendee, excited by his talk, said, “I’m so glad my bosses were here with me to hear your message. I pounced on them to push innovation, and your message had finally penetrated their conservatism.” For Terry, these moments illustrate the ripple effect of his message.
One of his favorite encounters came when an attendee approached him after a talk and said, “Can I tell you about my innovation?” She went on to explain how a small change she introduced in her department had impacted thousands of their customers. “Innovation can begin anywhere,” Terry says with conviction. His programs on leadership and innovation are a blend of thought-provoking insights and entertainment, designed to spark that exact kind of change. “It’s about storytelling,” he emphasizes. “If you bombard the audience with facts, they’ll tune out. But if you tell a story that includes the facts, they’ll listen.”
This year, Terry is focusing heavily on the future of artificial intelligence. “Unlike most speakers, I’ve actually led an AI company,” he says, bringing real-world experience to his talks on how AI can reinvent products and industries.
Embrace Change, Drive Change
As a self-described “Digital Disruptor,” Terry urges leaders to not only embrace change but to become its champions within their organizations. “Innovation can start in any department,” he says. “Show your team you value it, and then trumpet that success to others.” But innovation isn’t without its challenges. Terry believes that embracing failure is crucial to long-term success. “If an effort fails, you have to be careful to kill projects, not people,” he advises. “If the team understands that we’ve learned from the failure and no one’s career is harmed, then innovation will start to flow.”
With a reputation as an expert on innovation and digital disruption, Terry aims to inspire the next generation of leaders. His goal is to show them that innovation is a skill that can be developed. “I have simple lessons on how to get started, how to select and nurture a good idea, and how to learn from failure.” Drawing on his experience in creating two multi-billion dollar companies, Terry’s stories of success—and failure—are designed to give his audience practical takeaways. When people think of him, he hopes they see someone who inspired them to become the innovators and disruptors their businesses need.
Measuring Success
For Terry, the easiest way to gauge success after a talk is simple: how many people are talking about innovation and disruption as they walk out the door? “I know I’ve made an impact when people buttonhole me after a meeting or trade show to follow up,” he shares. He also measures success through engagement—how many people come up to him afterward to ask questions, request his slides, or leave reviews online. But perhaps the most telling signs of success are the comments from corporate leaders and meeting planners. “What they say to me after the speech and the feedback I get from booking agencies matter a lot,” Terry says.
Bringing It All Together
Terry wears many hats—speaker, author, venture capitalist, and digital disruptor. Each one feeds into his ability to craft memorable and impactful speeches. “I get pitches from startups every week, which gives me insight into what’s new,” he explains. By speaking across a wide range of industries—from milk producers to auto manufacturers—Terry cross-pollinates ideas and lessons, sharing insights that can be applied across sectors. “Writing articles forces me to distill what I’m learning into lessons I can build into my talks.”
He’s deeply passionate about the future, seeing it as an exciting intellectual challenge. “While I venerate tradition, it’s much more fun to look at the convergence of new technologies and business models and figure out how to create something new,” Terry says. It’s this forward-thinking approach that continues to make him a leader in the world of innovation and disruption.
For More Info: https://www.terryjones.com/