Performance isn’t a feature - it’s a foundation that supports usability, inclusivity, and impact. In this keynote, I dig into why that matters and how we can stop shipping slow, bloated nonsense.
In a world of bloated websites and cut corners, front-end performance is often treated as an afterthought... but it shouldn't be.
This talk cuts through the noise to explain why speed still matters, why quality is everyone's responsibility, and how making the right choices for the right context isn't just good practice - it's essential. Whether you're a designer, developer, product owner or content editor, you'll come away with a better understanding of how thoughtful front-end decisions improve user experience, boost accessibility, and reduce waste across the board.
What's in the talk?
Why is performance important?
Why does quality matter?
Core Web Vitals
Page Weight
Making stuff faster
Using the right stuff
How do I make people care about what I care about like a care bear cares about people?
Who's it for?
Developers – front-end, full-stack or back-end, at any level
Designers – especially those working on UI, UX or digital products
Content creators – from editors to strategists, anyone publishing online
Product managers – balancing features, deadlines and user needs
QA and accessibility testers – ensuring things work as intended for everyone
Marketing teams – understanding how performance affects engagement and SEO
Founders and stakeholders – who care about user experience, reach, and long-term value
Agencies and in-house teams – looking to improve delivery standards and outcomes
Anyone working in digital – because performance is everyone’s responsibility
It's open to all experience levels, and all job roles, but it's especially useful if you think you've already got it covered.
What people say
“This hit home. A reminder that performance isn’t a dev problem, it’s a team effort.”
“Phil’s talk made a compelling case for investing in quality, for users, and for the business too.”
“Great to see someone connect performance with real user experience and design decisions. Spot on.”
“Clear, engaging, and packed with takeaways we could act on immediately. A must-hear for anyone building for the web.”
Seen the talk? Want to say something nice about it?