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Brighton presentation Desmond Boateng

Every SEO specialist dreams of speaking at BrightonSEO one day. For me, it was in 2019 that this idea first came up. I had intended to share my story then, but like many, the pandemic threw a spanner in the works. Corona came unexpectedly, and the busyness of my day-to-day work kept it from happening. Five years later, I finally got my chance, and in October 2024, I stood on that coveted stage.

Why cognitive diversity?

My presentation at BrightonSEO was on a topic close to my heart: the power of cognitive diversity in marketing and SEO teams. The marketing world is changing rapidly, and we are increasingly seeing that diversity, not just in demographics but especially in mindsets, is a driver of innovation and growth.

As the founder of a digital marketing agency, I have experienced the importance of diversity first-hand. When building teams, I look not only at technical skills but also at different perspectives and ways of thinking. This combination makes it possible to develop more effective strategies and respond faster to changes in the market.

Watch my full BrightonSEO presentation below where I elaborate on how cognitive diversity helps accelerate growth, both personally and professionally. In the presentation, I not only discuss my experiences, but also provide practical tips for applying diversity within your own team.

Diversity of thought: more than just looks

Diversity is a popular topic these days, especially in companies. It is often about external characteristics, such as skin colour or gender. But real diversity goes further. When my friend once said to me, ‘You and your friends look diverse but think alike,’ it opened my eyes.

Since then, I have focused on cognitive diversity: different ways of thinking. It’s not just about hiring people who look different, but people who think differently. Only then can companies really benefit from innovation and growth. Diversity is more than looks; it’s about new perspectives and insights.

My personal journey

During my presentation, I shared how my own journey, from my first steps in the SEO world in 2017 to starting my own company, gave me insight into the value of diversity. In that time, I have seen several teams struggle with a lack of innovation. The common denominator? A lack of variation in thinking styles. Only when I started actively engaging people with different backgrounds and ideas did I see real growth.

In my presentation, I emphasised that we are often stuck in standard approaches to problem solving. By encouraging people with diverse perspectives and valuing their unique contributions, companies can grow, both personally and professionally.

Desmond Boateng presentatie met SEO Mastermind

What we can learn from cognitive diversity

During the presentation, I also shared some practical tips on how to apply cognitive diversity in your own team. One of the key lessons is that diversity is not something that happens automatically. It takes conscious effort to bring different voices to the table and make sure they are heard.

For example, in brainstorming sessions, I make sure everyone has their say, even those who are introverted by nature. This has led not only to better SEO strategies, but also to a working environment where people feel valued.

Thanks BrightonSEO

BrightonSEO gave me the chance to share my story and present my views on diversity to an audience as passionate about SEO and marketing as I am. This was an opportunity I have long looked forward to, and I am grateful that I was finally able to share my personal and professional lessons.

DGTLbase met SEO Mastermind