Corporations around the world are organizing private, internal TEDx events to trace out what the next business revolution will look like.
TEDxJNJ
TEDxJNJ began as a space for the 128,000 employees of Johnson & Johnson to search out new ideas. At first, TEDxJNJ was a network of small Salon events organized by employees in the U.S., Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, the U.K., Brazil, Singapore, and China -- but in December 2012, the TEDxJNJ team organized its first global TEDxJNJ event, which involved Johnson & Johnson employees from 39 locations around the world. Each site streamed HD video of the main event and organized local interactive activities to make the experience truly global.
The TEDxJNJ team praises the TEDx format for its originality and aims to provide a break from ordinary corporate communication to brainstorm new ideas and showcase the innovation and creativity of the Johnson & Johnson team. Numerous ideas from the TEDxJNJ stage have grown into actual Johnson & Johnson initiatives.
“Pick one of the following words and that would still not explain the feeling I had when I walked away from the TEDxJNJ event: Amazing, Brilliant, Genius, Inspiring, Motivating, etc. Maybe by taking all those words and multiplying them by the power of 10 would you get that fulfilling feeling of wanting to change, wanting to make things better, wanting to find a voice that pushes the envelope to greater levels.” -- Attendee
TEDxSantander
TEDxSantander was organized for and by employees from Banco Santander in Brazil. Around 30 people from different departments helped to curate the event. 75% of the speakers were employees.
Over the day, the attendees heard inspiring stories -- such as that of the manager who, 35 years ago, was responsible for opening the single and currently only bank branch in the island of Fernando de Noronha; an executive who goes on humanitarian expeditions to poor countries on his vacation time; and a founder of a theater company.
The day was meant to stimulate interaction among employees and to build new ways of communicating ideas within the organization -- focused not just on corporate experiences, but on life experiences.
"TEDxSantander exceeded my expectations. After having travelled 350 miles to attend the event, I've returned to my city in the same day very excited by all that I've heard and saw. Besides all, I could connect to other people, make some friends e share experiences. I'm already looking forward to participating in the next one." -- Attendee
TEDxSamsung
TEDxSamsung first began as an online community of Samsung employees interested in TED. Held every second Friday night, attendees of TEDxSamsung watch TED Talks and share their thoughts. Speakers are employees who want to share their expertise, ideas and passions.
TEDxSamsung events strive to create internal motivation in order to lead creative movement; the TEDx program has given Samsung employees a format in which to brainstorm and contribute new ideas to both the company and the world.
"Before I joined TEDxSamsung, I was not always sure if I was being heard. But now I know that I have thousands of sincere ears listening to me and echoes for whatever I say. It is a truly contagious passion, and I'm thrilled because I'm sure that it will mark an important moment of a cultural change here." -- Attendee