Type
"{{ovation.quote}}"
-{{ovation.company}}
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 take away success strategies they can use in both their personal and professional life.
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!
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!
My Speaker List
