Dion Chang is one of South Africa’s most respected trend analysts, futurists, strategic thinkers and keynote speakers, and the founder and CEO of Flux Trends. Known as a self-described “professional cage rattler,” Dion challenges business leaders to think differently about change, disruption and the forces shaping the future.
Through Flux Trends, Dion pioneered the philosophy of “trends as business strategy” — identifying emerging social, economic, technological and consumer shifts and translating them into practical insights for organisations. His work examines how disruptive technologies, changing consumer behaviour, generational shifts and global developments create both risks and new commercial opportunities, particularly within African and emerging-market contexts.
With a 20-year background in media as a journalist, editor and spokesperson, Dion brings a strong understanding of the relationship between brands, consumers, culture and communication. He has also lectured and facilitated executive programmes in Foresight and Innovation Implementation at leading business schools including GIBS, UCT Graduate School of Business and Duke Corporate Education.
Dion is an accomplished author and commentator on the future. His books include The Future: More than 80 Key Trends for South Africa, co-authored with Bronwyn Williams and Faeeza Khan, which explores the major forces expected to shape South African business and society. He also serves on the advisory board of the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment at Wits.
His flagship State We’re In trend briefings have become a key part of Flux Trends’ offering, examining developments across six major pillars: technology, retail and marketing, economics, the natural world, diplomacy and socio-cultural change. His 2026 briefing, “Navigating the Dark Forest,” explores issues including AI and the changing internet, digital sovereignty, extreme-weather resilience, privacy and shifts in consumer behaviour.
More recently, Dion has added the role of end-of-life companion doula to his portfolio. He draws parallels between navigating endings personally and navigating transformation in business — helping leaders recognise when established ideas, systems and business models have reached the end of their usefulness and when new thinking is required.
As a speaker, Dion is provocative, intelligent, insightful and highly relevant to corporate audiences. He is particularly effective for organisations wanting to understand what is coming next and, more importantly, what those changes mean for their people, customers and business strategy.
Key Speaking Areas: Future Trends & Foresight • AI & Disruptive Technology • Trends as Business Strategy • Consumer Behaviour • Innovation & Transformation • Future of Work • Gen Z & Emerging Generations • Retail & Marketing Trends • Leadership Through Change • South Africa & the Global Business Landscape.
