Michael Bergdahl

Author, What I Learned from Sam Walton: How to Compete and Thrive in a Wal-Mart World, The 10 Rules of Sam Walton: Success Secrets for Remarkable Results, The Sam Walton Way, and High Expectations Are The Key To Everything

When Michael Bergdahl speaks, people don't just listen. They learn. Experience, insight, and a powerful, personable presence combine to make Michael Bergdahl the must-have speaker for any business that's serious about competing in today's market. With an upbeat, high-energy style that entertains as it teaches, his presentations make complex business strategies and tactics easy to understand and apply.

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Past Hosts Include:

Russian Bank Executive
Jennie Heidenfors, Exhibition Manager, easyFairs, Sweden
CEO, Scandinavian Grocery Retailer
Mauricio Morillo, Executive Vice President, EKOS Corporation, Quito Ecuador
Bryan Hynes, Managing Director, AMP Capital Shopping Centres, Australia

Kjersti Pedersen, Bring Norway Postal Service
Ruben Cors, Corporate Director of Strategy, Casas GEO, Mexico
Mark Sanborn, Internationally Acclaimed Motivational Speaker, Author of the best selling book, The Fred Factor
Bill Irons, Sales Operations Worldwide Services at Dresser-Rand

Rave Reviews About Michael Bergdahl

“

I sincerely valued our time together, our discussions, and all of your words of wisdom. You are truly a role model, life coach and fantastic person. Thank you very much for being such a motivating, inspiring, and charismatic person!

- Bill Irons, Sales Operations Worldwide Services at Dresser-Rand

”

More rave reviews

"Michael Bergdahl delivered an inspirational keynote speech lasting more than two hours. He addressed 1500 managers and executives of our state-owned Russian bank about the importance of standardizing bank operations, across all of our 20,000 branches. Michael spoke as naturally as though he were talking to a relatively small group of likeminded allies and he did it with exceptional ease and grace. His thorough preparation showed throughout the talk, as he drew parallels between operations of the world's largest retailer and Russia's largest bank. Michael is a great storyteller, and the Russian audience kept reciting his Sam Walton stories days after the talk."

-Russian Bank Executive

"Michael is a true professional and very easy to work with. He is very committed and provides you with all the information you need in front of a conference – articles, photos, etc. to help marketing. When giving a speech he is energetic, extremely interesting to listen to, takes time to answer questions, and he really gives of himself to the audience. He will absolutely make every audience happy!"

-Jennie Heidenfors, Exhibition Manager, easyFairs, Sweden

"We were much impressed by the Walmart machine and its capabilities. We were also delighted with your energetic delivery, and your very motivational way of getting the messages and insights across. On behalf of myself and my entire team - thanks a lot for an excellent master class!"

-CEO, Scandinavian Grocery Retailer

"An excellent presentation regarding the business model, management system, and culture of Walmart, along with insights into Sam Walton’s leadership style."

-Mauricio Morillo, Executive Vice President, EKOS Corporation, Quito Ecuador

"It was a privilege to meet you, and I thank you for speaking at our events. Our team gained insightful value and our retailers provided excellent feedback. We look forward to applying what we’ve heard from your expertise."

-Bryan Hynes, Managing Director, AMP Capital Shopping Centres, Australia

"Your presentation was dynamic and a great lesson for the participants at our “LOAD.11” Logistics Conference in Oslo, Norway. You gave of yourself and your knowledge both on the stage, and in the breaks, when you spent time with all the participants, and gave them an opportunity to speak with you."

-Kjersti Pedersen, Bring Norway Postal Service

"Michael Bergdahl’s speech was a big hit during our annual conference. He was very effective in communicating how Walmart’s mission and vision applied to our own mission and vision. His strategic insights, style, examples, and energy were instrumental in getting the point across. We are very happy and honored to have had Michael as a keynote speaker."

-Ruben Cors, Corporate Director of Strategy, Casas GEO, Mexico

"Michael Bergdahl is a true expert on Walmart and how to compete in a Walmart world. His inside experience as an executive with the world's largest retailer, and his engaging speaking style, make for an educational and compelling presentation. I've enjoyed his work and learned from his insights."

-Mark Sanborn, Internationally Acclaimed Motivational Speaker, Author of the best selling book, The Fred Factor

Collapse rave reviews

Michael Bergdahl: Author: What I Learned From Sam Walton - Get Sharable Link

Michael Bergdahl: Author: What I Learned From Sam Walton

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Talks & Conversations with Michael Bergdahl

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What I learned From Sam Walton: How to Compete and Thrive in a Walmart World

Horror stories abound about Walmart’s entry into new markets and the subsequent destruction of competitors and downtown areas. In this speech, using the acronym, “ P.O.C.K.E.T.S.,” which stands for Price, Operations, Culture, Key Item Promotion, Expenses, Talent and Service, Michael Bergdahl describes several effective strategies competitors can and have used to counteract the inevitable pressure created by “big box” retailers. Finding Your niche in the market, or “POCKET,” is the key to Your survival! The key is to avoid the temptation to compete on price. You’ve got to make the commitment to differentiate yourself by looking for “POCKETS”! You will learn some secrets other companies have used to compete with Wal-Mart and survive!

The 10 Success Secrets of Sam Walton

Do you want to achieve greater levels of success in your personal and professional life? In this speech, Michael Bergdahl discusses Sam Walton's self professed ten rules for success which Mr. Sam embraced as he grew Walmart from a single site to a 5000 store global enterprise. Audience members will ...

F.I.R.S.T – Secrets to Outperforming the Pack

From his experiences working for World Class “Best Practice” Companies like Pepsico’s Frito-Lay Division and Walmart, Michael Bergdahl shares with audiences some of the secrets of their success. As a turnaround team member at American Eagle Outfitters and Waste Management, he knows what it takes to turn a failing company around and reveals the secrets to outperforming the pack in this speech using the acronym F.I.R.S.T., which stands for Focus on the Customer, Inspirational Leadership, Results through People, Succession Planning/Bench-Building & Tactics for Driving the Business. Combining energy, storytelling and humor with his practical experience working with executives like Sam Walton, Mr. Bergdahl will entertain and provide practical and actionable business ideas to those in attendance.

Building Bench – Attract/Retain & Upgrade

What is your standard for staffing talent in your organization? How do your people compare to those of your competitors? Are you selective in choosing very bright, high potential people for your business or do you settle for whoever walks through the door and applies? Are you getting your share of “A” Players? The selection and retention of quality employees is the foundation upon which every one of your other strategies is based. Staffing should be one of your most important competitive advantages. In this speech, Michael Bergdahl will challenge your staffing paradigms. He will share with you “World Class” staffing strategies and tactics from his experiences working for PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay Division. He will review the methods of creating a “human inventory” or “bench strength” analysis for your organization to help you improve your ability to compete. In the competitive world we live and work in the companies with the best talent…WIN!

Books by Michael Bergdahl

What I Learned from Sam Walton: How to Compete and Thrive in a Wal-Mart World

The 10 Rules of Sam Walton: Success Secrets for Remarkable Results

Biography

Michael Bergdahl is a full-time motivational speaker, author and writer. Mr. Bergdahl worked in Bentonville, Arkansas for Wal-Mart, as the Director of “People” for the headquarters office, where he worked directly with Sam Walton. It was Sam Walton who gave Mr. Bergdahl the nickname, “Bird Dawg”! Previous to Wal-Mart he worked for Pepsico’s Frito-Lay Division in the sales organization and headquarters staff assignments. He has recent experience as a turnaround specialist who participated in two successful business turnarounds; one was with specialty apparel retailer American Eagle Outfitters and the other at Waste Management.

Mr. Bergdahl has appeared on CNN, CNBC, CNN FN, CBS National Radio, American Public Radio and Bloomberg TV. He is considered an authority on Wal-Mart. The giant retailer’s own Public Relations Department has referred Mr. Bergdahl to interviewers interested in gaining insights into the company. His articles have appeared in a number of business related magazines: Retail Merchandiser, Investor’s Business Daily, Convenience Store News, National Retail Federation’s STORES Magazine, Progressive Grocer, Convenience Store Decisions Magazine, American Marketing Association’s Marketing News, Grocery Manufacturer Association’s FORUM Magazine, Convenience Store News, America’s Pharmacist Magazine, American Management Association’s MWorld Magazine and the National Association of Convenience Store’s NACS Magazine.

He wrote a book about his experiences working for the World’s largest retailer entitled: What I Learned from Sam Walton: How to Compete and Thrive in a Wal-Mart World, which was published in the USA and Internationally by John Wiley in August 2004. His book was translated into versions in Chinese, Thai and Korean. He wrote his book to help Wal-Mart’s domestic and international competitors develop proactive success strategies. Interestingly, his book is sold on both the Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club web sites.

He recently completed his second book entitled, The 10 Rules of Sam Walton: Success Secrets for Remarkable Results published by John Wiley in May 2006. He has created a “Wal-Mart Competition” blog which can be accessed on his website at: www.michaelbergdahl.com.

Michael Mr. Bergdahl is a motivational speaker, who is one part business, one part inspiration, one part storyteller and one part entertainer. He has spoken at association and business conferences domestically and internationally to retailers, non-retailers, manufacturers and suppliers who are interested in improving their ability to compete successfully in a Wal-Mart World!

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