Wolfgang Wolf

Whether he talks to small clubs, large organisations, or at professional conferences, Wolfgang Wolf makes audiences feel comfortable around him.

Several times each year he talks to Bachelor of Nursing students. All of his presentations are either on advertising (Not-for-Profit related), communication theory, direct-marketing, or, what some people may find a strange combination, social science. But that's what affected his life. Of course he also talks about stroke (CVA). As his stroke affected his life in a major way. Whoever the audience, he fine-tunes his presentations to their requirements.

Having spent the first six years of his life at the bottom of the social ladder, growing up in the refugee camp Stammheim near Stuttgart, Wolfgang left school at 15. After lots of door knocking he got an apprenticeship as a photo lithographer, which he completed in only two years and two months. He was in a hurry, wanting to work in advertising.
But first he went to the Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart and moved North later. Having studied Visual Communication, Semiotic and Communication Theory in Stuttgart and Wuppertal Wolfgang went on to work in Advertising and Direct Marketing (first as graphic designer, later a copywriter). Soon he freelanced for some big companies and advertising agencies.

But Germany got a bit crowded. And, after all, there was a whole world out there. In 1980 he emigrated to New Zealand, travelled the country, photographed a lot, co-founded Ogilvy & Mather Direct, and was their Creative Director. He worked half a year in Los Angeles, USA, amongst others, for Y&R, and founded his own agency in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1985. He also did teach the certificate course in Direct Marketing.

Then in 1990 he had a major stroke, which he barely survived. It left him in a wheelchair, unable to write, barely able to stand, and talk. He did not give up and feel sorry for himself, but went on to orchestrate this change to his new life, and take control of it. While he recovered and adjusted to life in a wheelchair he wrote the book "I’m not stupid, just disabled". After this he studied and completed a Bachelor of Social Practice (Major: Counselling) and a Diploma in Community Development.

While studying he founded, and still chairs, “Computers Against Isolation”, a registered charity which provides people who live with disabilities with computers.

He has been a New Zealand citizen since 1983 and a member of Lions International since 2011. Today, as the Stroke Mentor, he coaches couples, where one partner has a disability, to help them to adjust to their new life.

Presentations:

The topics of the presentations are:

"Reap What You Sow". The importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in a company’s marketing mix.

Computers Against Isolation. Past, Present, and Future of a Charity (a case study).

Welcome to my World. Stroke - causes, consequences and obstacles.

I’m not stupid, just disabled. Based on a book Wolfgang wrote.

All people are equal – but some are more equal.
How society sees disabled people – how disabled people see society.

I used to drive a BMW, now I get around in a wheelchair. How to plan for voluntary change and cope with involuntary change.

Say it with flowers, or whatever. How to communicate more effectively.

•Wolfgang presents only on subjects he studied, or experienced first hand.
•All presentations are on PowerPoint, and alternatively can be given in German language.
•The length of the presentations is 10, 20, or 30 minutes.
•Guest lectures last a minimum of 50 minutes.

Testimonials:

“Very interesting first-hand insight into the world of strokes. Invaluable information that has extended my personal understanding and will influence my nursing care in the future. Whilst Wolfgang provided examples from his own experience, he also had extensive academic knowledge about strokes, which will help as far as the theory side of this course is concerned”. Bachelor of Nursing student.

"His lecture was emphasized on psycho-social aspect of disability. I saw a sense of presence and easiness in front of a crowd of “normal” people. This sense of “aura” around him touched me deeply.” Charity Chu, Principal Physiotherapist/Manager, St. Andrew's Community Hospital, Singapore

As you can see from the topics, the presentations are not only suitable for medical conferences, nurses’ education/tertiary institutions, the health care sector, but also private companies (change management, CSR as part of your marketing mix, how to improve your communication), and Not-for-Profit organisations.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wolfgang Wolf’s Background.