About Adjiedj Bakas
I am Adjiedj Bakas. I do future.
But most people don’t want a future.
They want their lives to flow smoothly for the next thirty years.
But that’s not going to happen.
After all, more will change in the next 50 years than has changed in the past 500 years.
I study trends that are going on behind today’s headlines. I write about that. More than 1 million copies of my books have already been sold. Translations appeared in English, Chinese, Norwegian, Brazilian Portuguese, Swedish and Romanian.
My most recent book is Megatrends India, about the future of this new superpower. I presented it in July 2026 in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) at an event with the International Advertising Association, the Indian trade association of major advertising agencies and advertisers.
Book launch of Megatrends India at IAA Conversations in Mumbai, July 2026
I am now country director Netherlands of PRAG India
In 2025 I bought into PRAG India, the mid-sized Indian boutique public relations agency that works for many Indian multinationals and for the Prime Minister’s Office, the office of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I have become PRAG’s country director in the Netherlands and connect Indian and Dutch companies. For example, we are helping the Amsterdam-based Christian family office Fortureon invest in healthcare and real estate projects in India.
We are also helping an Indian astrologer enter the Dutch market. With my little book factory I am producing a joint book with him: Indian Astrology for You. It will be published in 2027 in Dutch and English, with a foreword by clairvoyant Liesbeth van Dijk, who entertains us every week in Harry Mens’ TV programme Businessclass on RTL.
I now help successful entrepreneurs produce their biography
My clients say I have a golden pen. That is why I now also help successful entrepreneurs put their life story into a book. After reading my autobiography Levenslust (2024), food guru and horticultural entrepreneur Rob Baan (Koppert Cress) asked whether my little book factory could help him produce his autobiography. The result is the hefty, vanilla-scented book De Toekomst Heeft Haast (The Future Is in a Hurry).
Together with my team I am now helping tech guru Ad Nederlof publish his legacy. His business book Bakens voor Succes (Beacons for Success) came out in September 2026. We are now working on his substantial autobiography Mijn 80-jarige Oorlog (My 80-Year War), to be published in Q1 2027.
Would you also like a beautiful book about your life, your work, your company and your lessons learned? Let me know. Who knows, together we can turn it into a colourful book that is a pleasure to read.
Opening of the academic year at Summa College Eindhoven, 7 September 2026
I am also working steadily on the book Megatrends Suriname, due out in the near future. It aims to give direction to my native country Suriname, which expects an oil boom from 2028 onwards.
Through PRAG I now also give lectures in India on a regular basis. And for family office Fortureon I regularly speak at their events for investors in real estate and healthcare in India and Israel. This series of events takes place at the Corpus Experience museum in Leiden, next to the motorway on a business park full of innovative health start-ups.
So I keep busy and off the streets. I have overcome my setbacks (I survived two brain haemorrhages, cancer and a near spinal cord injury). I have come to terms with the death of my second great love Vinco David (he died of lung cancer in February 2023, after 25 years together) and reinvented myself as die Lustige Witwe.
Together with my little dog Laika and my live-in carer and assistant, I tour the whole country from my lovely home in beautiful Almere in my Rolls Royce Phantom, giving lectures at conferences, seminars, business gatherings and other pleasant get-togethers.
I love to speak at conferences and other events. I am a born stage animal. I share my knowledge with my audience in a light-hearted, yet serious way. Infotainment. My clients find my performances informative, energetic, inspiring, humorous and also somewhat confrontational. Because not all trends are equally good. Yes, we are eating better, more and more deadly diseases are becoming chronic, the diagnosis of diseases is getting faster and better and we are eating better. Hybrid working is nice. We are going to restore and repair more. Throwaway capitalism is thus replaced by a beautiful valuable new materialism. We are going to revalue nature and live more sustainably. Much of what is dear to us remains.
But the differences between democracy and autocracy are fading now that the surveillance society has become a keeper. There will be more social unrest. But the differences between democracy and autocracy are fading now that the surveillance society has become a keeper. But my mother taught me from an early age, “Laugh at the world and the world will smile back.”
I was born in 1963 in sunny Suriname (= former Dutch Guyana). My ancestors came from India. I have lived in the Netherlands for more than 40 years, ‘the country where the sun shines from the inside out’ because the people here are so warm. I live and work in the garden city of Almere Overgooi. Before that I lived in Amsterdam and Utrecht. My zodiac sign is Scorpio, according to the Chinese zodiac I am Rabbit. I am enthusiastic and passionate. I don’t like arguing but I’m really good at it.
I like to travel, so I’m a bit of a fly-a-holic and have already seen a lot of the world. I am a passionate art collector. A British study shows that looking at art makes you almost as happy as love. That’s why I collect a lot of beautiful things. Being surrounded by all that beauty makes me happy. My fairytale house from the ‘ 1002nd night’ therefore resembles ‘a mini Rijksmuseum’, according to business magazine Quote. I love dogs. That is why dogs often figure in my lectures. After all, we humans are just like dogs: we are all looking for a dog bed in which we can withdraw with our tail wagging.
Only the form makes the content something compelling. That’s why I take good care of myself. I like nice clothes and usually perform in Italian suits and shoes, preferably made of ‘nasty animals’. I believe that God created the snake and crocodile to make shoes. I am known for my colorful British ties and socks. It’s great that British humor has also been translated into playful ties and socks.
I have many identities that I have bundled into a portable identity. I am averse to anything ‘woke’ and detest the identity politics that have blown over from America. I love nature, flowers and critters and think that humanity is intelligent enough to adapt to climate change. But I detest the ‘demise porn’ that the high priests of the Climate Church propagate, while the following applies to them: ‘preaching water, drinking wine’.
Performing is my passion and life. Over the past decades, I gave more than 2,000 lectures to a predominantly enthusiastic audience at home and abroad. But of course I can’t make everyone happy.
I am positive and optimistic by nature. The smile is the shortest distance between people and I like to laugh, including at myself. What should a person do without self-mockery? My humor has taken me far. I also laughed myself out of that crisis when I became seriously ill in 2017. I am a spiritual man. The cosmos fascinates me. I would like to take a look on the Moon or Mars. Everyone has setbacks in life. But a kite only rises thanks to a headwind.
Podcast De Nieuwe Wereld
summer 2026
Podcast Blackbox TV
summer 2026
Podcast NieuwRechts
summer 2026
Podcast Liesbeth van Dijk
2026
Liesbeth van Dijk in conversation
2026
Interview Albert Bright in Norway
Adjiedj bij Ad Verbrugge
november 2023
The Indo-Carribean Diaspora
Are we willing to live
in a world full of chaos?
Adjiedj bij BNR
oktober 2023
Studio Vrijdag HU TV
November 2023
“I’m in a league of my own”
Interview with Nieuwe Revue, September 2022
‘Een zesje in de zorg is ook goed’
Omroep Flevoland, september 2022
Healthcare will have to choose between quality and quantity: ‘a six is also good’, Het Parool, September 2022
Trend watcher Adjiedj Bakas supplements the Integrated Healthcare Agreement with a new book, EZ Press, September 2022
WNL, NOVEMBER 2022
Zwarte prietpraat
Prem Radhakishun met Adjiedj Bakas
april 2022 | NPO Radio 1
WHAT CUSTOMERS SAY ABOUT ADJIEDJ BAKAS
“Adjiedj brings the people hope and comfort”
Jan Peter Balkenende
“Adjiedj Bakas gave a very inspiring lecture about jobs and the future of work in a packed theater De Doelen during our major event for employers from Rotterdam Rijnmond. It was a clear story with a lot of humor!”
Megan Guis, UWV
“Adjiedj Bakas is our cheer negro. He is always cheerful and positive. When he gives a lecture with us, people go out hopping afterwards.”
Reinier Castelein, chairman Vakbond De Unie
“Adjiedj Bakas gave a wonderful and inspiring speech. Our audience was really delighted!”
Lara Hannappel, Messe Dusseldorf
"The school principals of Sophia Scholen wanted to take a look into the future, and thanks to Adjiedj they more than succeeded. You come up with the changes in daily practice yourself, but for inspiring views that amaze you, you have to go to Adjiedj. He makes you think, throws you in a different direction and amazes with his humor!"
Omar Ramadan, Chairman Executive Board Sophia Schools
"Adjiedj rocks on stage!"
Yuri van Geest
"Adjiedj Bakas performed for us. It was talked about for the rest of the day and everyone had a good time as well. That was exactly the intention!"
Nike Koster, TATA
“The performance of Adjiedj Bakas was even better than what I imagined! The perfect start for a good conference”
Mirna Cieniewicz, Secretary General of the European Boating Industry
"In times of a changing real estate market, we have enjoyed Adjiedj's inspiring words. Not only did he come up with surprising solutions in his inspired lecture for the challenges we face as a sector, he also managed to place them in perspective."
Cedric Montanus, Montea
“Adjiedj is the most glamorous man who ever graced the stage in Africa”
Abuseye Awojono, Chartered Institute of Bankers Nigeria
"Adjiedj performed for our members in March 2022. We look back on the evening with a good feeling, the feedback we received was positive, I also saw that it was a bit confronting for some, to see that certainties are not certainties. But that is also good for us as entrepreneurs. We enjoyed it, the variety in the lecture, and also the humor, and just to hear someone who dares to interpret something."
Marcel Dons, Industry association ICC Staphorst
"At our most recent conference, Adjiedj was one of the 50 speakers. The audience considered him one of the three best performers."
Shell
“Adjiedj Bakas performs more often for sessions that we organize for our clients. It is wonderfully inspiring to hear him speak. I am impressed every time. It also makes a lot of sense in the room. Afterwards, everyone is convinced of the need to set out new lines for the future. We from KPMG Plexus will then get to work with the people.”
Anna van Poucke, Partner and Sector leader Hospitals KPMG Plexus (KPMG Advisory)
“The reactions from guests and colleagues to Adjiedj Bakas's lecture were unanimously enthusiastic. His story is inspiring, fascinating and humorous. I hope to be able to call on him more often to stimulate our relationships.”
Eileen Teng, Marketing & Communicatie Coordinator ABN AMRO Commercial Finance N.V.
“Adjiedj Bakas gave a lecture for our business club. His presentation was worldly, extremely inspiring and delivered with verve. The reactions from all participants are very positive!”
Maarten van Cleeff, voorzitter Dutch Business Round Table (DBRT), Geneve
“Adjiedj Bakas gave a versatile presentation at a seminar at our DNHK with points of interest that we will have to deal with in the future. I have only received positive reactions from the participants."
Dr. Lars Gutheil, Nederlands-Duitse Handelskamer
"Adjiedj Bakas kicked off a very successful afternoon for us.<br>The participants often talked about the trends and developments he showed, as well as his inspiring videos."<br>
Corina van Rijn, directeur Business Management ABN AMRO Bank
"The 'story' of Adjiedj Bakas, presented with great enthusiasm, was a dazzling kick-off to three successful Government Theme Days 2013 of Centraal Beheer. His presentation was very well received by our customers, municipal officials from all over the country, and we received many positive responses. If hot cakes can fly, so can his book: it flew away and everyone was very happy with it."
Jan Gerritse, Sales Manager Zakelijk, Centraal Beheer Achmea
“I heard a very infectious lecture by Adjiedj Bakas in De Balie in the lecture series 'My Idea for the Netherlands' about Rijkswaterstaat as a VOC of the 21st century.”
Chris Rutenfrans, chef Opinie van de Volkskrant
“Adjiedj Bakas spoke at our recent Customer Day. It was successful. Lots of positive feedback. His story fitted in well with the other speakers. Of course less technical, but substantively appropriate. All in all, we are very pleased.”
Dennis Zandbergen, directeur IT-dienstverlener ExtraVar
“Adjiedj Bakas performed for our clients. Everyone was very satisfied with that! I will definitely recommend him wherever I can!”
Carlo D'Agnolo, CEO van ICT AUTOMATISERING BV
“I have heard Adjiedj Bakas speak several times. He is a special man and I praise his enthusiasm, creativity and optimistic approach to life.”
Jan van de Broek, mede-eigenaar Dirk van den Broek Supermarkten
“Adjiedj Bakas gave an inspiring lecture to the employees of KWF Kankerbestrijding. It has stirred up a lot of things and provides a lot of food for thought.”
Gijs Boerrigter, projectleider KWF
"It was a pleasure to see and hear Adjiedj Bakas speak today. I think his story has become warmer and that has a direct effect on the audience, I felt. My compliments, I enjoyed him and his beautiful examples with a broad smile. What a beautiful job he does, great!"
Marjolein Hins, NOLOC (Vereniging voor Loopbaan Professionals)
“Adjiedj Bakas performed for our conference on the future of podiatry. It was great!"
Gildo Wanders, senior project manager van Podomedics
“Adjiedj Bakas performed for our members. They rated the event with an average of 8! A score that we are very happy with and to which Bakas is certainly to blame. His performance was described several times by our members as a positive, broadening "boost" giver. A nice contribution!”
Kim de Graaf-Vissers, Adviseur Coöperatie at Rabobank Hoorn-Midden Westfriesland
"Adjiedj Bakas performed for our members. This meeting was very positively received. Perhaps on the edge for our work area. But we have actually only received positive messages. I thought it was a powerful and inspiring presentation. Which will certainly make you think!"
Magda Rink, Rabobank Vijfheerenlanden
"We zijn erg tevreden over de presentatie van Bakas. Hij vertelt vol enthousiasme een boeiend en inspirerend verhaal."
Chantal Malipaard, Rabobank Waterland
“Everyone was more than satisfied with the performance of Adjiedj Bakas, recently for our customers. His story has also made me think again about resetting certain thoughts that you assume more or less standardly. In short, an inspiring evening!”
Lea Sterenborg-Pinxt MFP, Directeur Particulieren Rabobank Waterland en Omstreken
“I recently attended a lecture by Adjiedj Bakas in Geneva. It was an inspiring story. Thanks for that!"
Bart Twaalfhoven, Ambassadeur van Nederland in Zwitserland
“Always nice to enjoy the observations and critical comments of Adjiedj Bakas.”
