Sam Geist

Sam Geist is one of North America's busiest speakers on the topics of service, marketing, sales and leadership. His "ideas" presentations provide a wealth of information, inspiration, and the impetus to act. Sam motivates... he stimulates... he trains by suggesting well-focused, actionable solutions to the obstacles faced by so many of today's marketers. Sam is also the author of Why Should Someone Do Business With You... Rather Than Someone Else, and more recently Would You Work for You?

No idle armchair philosopher, Sam Geist's insights stem from years of front-line business experience. He grew his single sporting goods store into a 15-store $40 million dollar a year national chain before he sold it to his competitor. He opened a marketing and consulting agency, based on the full-service customer concepts he had honed in the retail arena, and discovered his true calling when his clients began asking him to speak to their clients.

Sam's early business roots taught him well about our volatile, ever-changing marketplace. His experiences provide him with an invaluable dual perspective—both as client and marketer. Sam questions. He challenges. He informs. He refocuses participants. He provides actionable strategies to address the obstacles faced by so many of today's organizations.

Sam Geist wrote, Why Should Someone Do Business With You… Rather Than Someone Else?, an interactive book on business strategy that has assisted thousands of marketers to re-view, renew and move ahead of the marketplace. His second book, Would You Work for You?, is a thought-provoking guide that encourages leaders to better see themselves, their relationships and their skills to enable them to lead their organizations effectively. Geist’s latest book, Execute…Or Be Executed, discusses how the failure to put plans into action affects businesses, and it offers strategies on effectively implementing ideas.

SHAPING TOMORROW… TODAY: Today's Business Rules Have Changed

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Shaping Tomorrow…Today, is a new interactive program developed specifically for organizations that want to move from talking about their plans to doing something about them. It is a positive response to today’s challenging marketplace conditions.

Each session, customized to meet your specific needs, outlines insightful information, and offers up effective options to Who are your customers today? What do you know about them?

enable participants to make smart decisions. It helps them maximize their resources, enabling them to make the best use of their capabilities—to do more with what they have. It offers valuable strategies, specific actionable ideas and tools guaranteed to enable you to capitalize on the opportunities to be found in your marketplace.

Join Sam Geist for a powerful discussion of what leadership and management strategies are essential today and how to implement them for tomorrow.

Ask yourself:

• Are you changing as quickly (or quicker) than today’s marketplace? Are you preparing your business for new future–technological, economic, consumer changes?
• Who are your customers today? What do you know about them?
• How loyal are your customers? What percent return again and again? What percent is lost every year? Do you know why they come back/leave without a word?
• How well do you execute your plans and strategies? What’s getting in the way of getting things done?
• Where do you see your business in two years? In five years? What are you doing now to move you there?
• Are you ready to close the gap between where your business is right now and where it could be?

BY PROGRAM'S END
Participants will have learned:

• how to grow the business today for tomorrow;
• the value of/how-to build relationships internally & externally;
• how to leverage the talent & the resources you already have;
• how to utilize new technology most productively;
• how to add value to your execution plan;
• how to grow and maintain a company of leaders.

SEIZE OPPORTUNITY IN TURBULENT TIMES: The Power of One Idea

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We can no longer do what we've always done. Our marketplace has irrevocably changed. While this has certainly created new challenges it has also opened up new opportunities. Now is the time to find and take advantage of these opportunities. This new program "The Power of One Idea" will assist participants to do just that.

Sam, an experienced business speaker, understands that in today's business environment, everyone needs specific solutions, step-by-step how to's, and customized ideas, not generic information.

He also agrees with research that shows that by concentrating on one issue, rather than a plethora of concerns, participants are able to incorporate their "one idea" into their everyday work environment successfully.

This program, therefore focuses on one single opportunity that participants already have at their fingertips. During his presentation, Sam outlines how to move this opportunity to reality. He highlights the steps required in order to benefit during the uncertain times we are experiencing.

Sam begins his preparation well before the program takes place by speaking to and asking questions of both organizers and participants. From the information he gathers, he determines where their one biggest opportunity lies - and then plans his program in order to provide the strategies and techniques to successfully take advantage of it.

Participating in this specially designed program will enable you to seize your opportunity while others stand at the sidelines wondering what to do.

LEARN HOW TO MOVE OPPORTUNITY TO REALITY.
During this program you will:

1. Learn how to find and utilize opportunity to enhance your business success;
2. Discover how incorporating ONE idea into every day business life can be positively habit forming;
3. Capitalize on ONE idea for 30 days;
4. View opportunity from a 360° perspective;
5. Ask important questions that keep your ONE idea on track;
6. Incorporate the needs of all staff within the organization including the ONE idea into your business agenda;
7. Learn special strategies that will keep momentum going for the long-term.

Developing 20/20 Insight

As you are well aware, the ability to see the big picture, anticipate external trends and adapt accordingly takes skill. But since this ability creates such huge opportunity, it is well worth acquiring.

Developing 20/20 Insight outlines a six step process of asking and answering the following questions:

1. What's happening in the world today?
2. What does it mean for others?
3. What does it mean for us?
4. What would have to happen first for our desired results to occur?
5. What do we have to do to play a role?
6. What do we do next?

Differentiate … Or Die

There is no better time than right now to adopt a bold plan...to take a firm stand to differentiate yourself and your organization from your competitors.

This seminar has been developed specifically to offer participants effective differentiation strategies. Sam discusses how to use differentiation to grow your organization, enhance your profitability, and keep customers loyal.

By understanding the integral role that differentiation plays in your organization, you learn how to stand out in a marketplace blinded by overexposure.

Come prepared to find new answers to old questions. Come prepared to discover your unique point of difference and how you can capitalize on it.

BY PROGRAM'S END THESE BUSINESS ISSUES HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED:

• Why it is impossible to differentiate yourself by product alone;
• Why successful differentiation requires adopting a "value-added" approach.

LEARN HOW-TO:

• Identify the areas in your organization that will profit from differentiation;
• Use a differentiated communication and marketing strategy;
• Use differentiation to create a dilemma for your customers;
• Search out differentiation--not hide from it.

Execute or Be Executed: Twenty One Ways to Move Talk into Action

This program is a wake up call to all marketers in today’s marketplace. It addresses the biggest issue in business today: a failure to execute.

It’s easy to talk! We all do it, commenting about what’s wrong with our organization, about what we want to do, about how great it would be “if only” … Yes, it’s easy to talk—but talk doesn’t get things done. It doesn’t change anything, it doesn’t move your organization forward.

Recognizing the huge gap between talk and action, this program’s premise is that the engine that drives business today is execution. In order to survive you must execute your plans and strategies.

The program focus therefore is on moving strategy to action. It assists participants develop a personal step-by-step approach that empowers them to act and enables them to do so successfully.

It outlines the primary focus of a customer’s value perspective. It emphasizes the advantages in incorporating product and service excellence into the organization's vision. And finally it highlights the tangible benefits to be accrued by effectively executing in every area.

QUESTIONS ASKED AND ANSWERED:

• What is getting in the way of implementation?
• What one action can you take to move yourself and your organization closer to your vision, your goals?
• What skills and considerations are required to move from strategy to implementation?

PROGRAM BENEFITS:

• Move talk to action. Execution is the strategy;
• Engage your people—develop their commitment and responsibility;
• Discover the most effective tools to maximize performance;
• Identify the steps to take to move beyond generalities to specifics, beyond talk into action.

Execution is the Strategy

This program focuses on the fundamentals of execution as they apply to specific areas in every organization. It outlines an effective response to the external marketplace environment, offering strategies to lead the marketplace rather than follow it. It highlights a customer value strategy whose primary premise is "taking action." It provides a strategic perspective that encourages employees to make a commitment and empowers them to act. And finally it emphasizes the need to incorporate product and service excellence into the company’s vision.

QUESTIONS ASKED AND ANSWERED:

• What is your vision for your organization? How can you make your vision a reality?
• What benefits do you envision your goals will have for your customers?
• What skills are required to move from vision to implementation?

PROGRAM BENEFITS:

• Better understand the bigger purpose of your role;
• Learn which tools will maximize your performance and that of your employees;
• Develop a paradigm to enable you to move beyond short term success;
• Identify the steps to take to move beyond generalities to specifics.

TAKE AWAY VALUE:

• Give customers memorable, desirable experiences that guarantee a long and beneficial relationship;
• Use the information to grow your people, your relationships, yourself;
• Undertake effective step by step execution;
• Broaden your perspective from including action as part of your plan to making action THE STRATEGY.

If I Hear Customer Service One More Time, I'll …

This definitive program on customer service focuses on the goal of every organization-- achieving zero customer defections. It concentrates on service strategies that encourage customers to return--again and again.

Sam outlines strategies that ensure exceptional service is rendered in the territory that really counts ... the three feet between you and your customer.

Since service occupies no shelf space, needs no inventory and is never stale dated, Sam illustrates why "service" is really your only profit center.

Considering that the bottom line in every business is profitability, Sam outlines how to capitalize on the ramifications of the equation, "frontline = bottom line." Incorporate service excellence beyond lip service. Use the innovative techniques to deliver on your promise--to be better than you were yesterday...better than your competition is today.

BY PROGRAM'S END THESE BUSINESS ISSUES HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED:

• Invaluable techniques to distinguish your staff, your organization from everyone in the marketplace;
• Excellent ideas that make you top-of-mind in your customers' plans--and loyalize them for the long term;
• The tenets of 'heroic' service (that is, uncompromising, unconditional customer regard) and how to instill them into your organization, everyday.

LEARN HOW-TO:

• Maximize the crucial service "territory" between you & your customers.;
• Identify and utilize new ways to exceed customers' expectations;
• Transform customer service "intangibles" into "tangibles";
• Make outstanding service your critical advantage.

Look Out! Here Comes Tomorrow

Developed to assist organizations mount an effective offense as tomorrow rapidly approaches, this program outlines a strategic action plan to enable participants to catapult themselves and their organizations ahead of the competition.

Sam defines today's marketplace parameters--indicating where tomorrow's marketplace will be. He highlights business trends and technology developments that impact your organization now--next week, next month, next year.

Using memorable examples, he discusses industry specific and worldwide situations that affect participants--and he outlines how to address those situations proactively. He raises relevant issues. He provides timely information. He stimulates participants' awareness--encourages them toward action.

BY PROGRAM'S END THESE BUSINESS ISSUES HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED:

• Developing the appropriate steps toward change;
• The means to re-engineer yourself and your organization for growth;
• Developing a reply to marketplace mandates;
• Maximizing your response to today's business trends and the demands of new technology.

LEARN HOW-TO:

• Identify marketplace trends that affect your industry and your organization;
• Capitalize on marketplace trends;
• Develop a focused, pro-active plan that promises both short-term and long-term results;
• Execute the plan. Re-engineer yourself--your organization, for growth;
• Capitalize on changing technology.

Meeting the Challenge of Goliath

A well-targeted aggressive offensive is advantageous to competing against "the big guys"--the giant marketers. In this program, Sam discusses how to mount such an offense.

Knowing your opponents well enables you to execute light-footed maneuvers to enhance your opportunities in today's competitive environment.

Increase your strengths and minimize your weaknesses by utilizing the unique proactive strategies that Sam details. Adapt the innovative, how-to survive and thrive techniques. They'll instigate a focused approach. They'll solidify a plan of action. They'll provide you with powerful advantages to assist you beat the challenge of the giants.

BY PROGRAM'S END THESE BUSINESS ISSUES HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED:

• The guiding principles and operating strategies of one of America's most successful giants, Wal-Mart are outlined;
• Adapting the strategy of giants to the situation of David.

LEARN HOW-TO:

• Grow your competitive advantage through differentiated product, price, service & image;
• Create an aggressive marketing approach;
• Discover proven techniques to increase your average sales and your bottomline profitability;
• Merchandise from your customers' perspective.

Why Should Someone do Business With You…Rather Than Someone Else?

"The purpose of every business, large and small, is to get and keep customers. To do it well. To do it everyday. It is the ongoing responsibility of everyone in the organization to ask the questions and to search out the answers to determine 'why someone should do business with them...rather than someone else'--and to ensure those answers are clearly evident to their customers. Every business must do this to create customer loyalty and to ensure their own business longevity. After all, a business without customers...isn't."

To answer this tough question accurately requires an observant eye, an innovative mind and a great deal of practical information.

Sam Geist offers just that in this most-requested, fast-paced program. Developed to encourage interaction, it assists participants broaden their business perspective and begin the vital information-gathering process.

Sam Geist connects quickly with participants, involving them, challenging them from the onset. Facts are presented. Questions are asked. Specific "action" techniques, strategies and relevant examples are outlined.

Throughout the program participants are encouraged to search for new viewpoints, discover new possibilities, discuss their ideas and find appropriate answers to then "must-ask" questions in order to capitalize on their business opportunities.

QUESTIONS SUCH AS THESE ARE ASKED AND ANSWERED:
Why should someone do business with you...rather than someone else? Would you do business with you? Why? Why not? Where do you see your business one year from today? Five years from today? What are you doing in your business to stay on the cutting edge of the rapidly changing marketplace? If your business disappeared from the face of the planet tomorrow, would anyone notice--would anyone mourn?

BY PROGRAM'S END THESE BUSINESS ISSUES HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED:
Developing memorable marketing strategies. Providing loyalizing service. Maximizing staff productivity. Demonstrating effective leadership.

LEARN HOW-TO:
Identify trends, develop strategies and techniques to maximize business opportunities and minimize risks. Utilize specific techniques to make staff ambassadors, not assassins. Build effective communication avenues between staff and management and customers and suppliers.

Would You Work For You?

Does that question cause you a little discomfort? A bit of anxiety? Would you go into the trenches for you ... every day -- and be happy about it? Does your self-awareness, your leadership skills, your values and vision inspire followership --or do they encourage dreams of escape? Would You Work for You? has been developed to help relieve the conditions that cause this widespread unease.

No matter whether you are a leader of many, a leader of a few or a leader of only yourself, effective leadership is a major element in both personal and business success. The challenge to lead well--very well--has never been greater than it is now. An affirmative answer to that tough question, "would you work for you?" has never been more vital.

In this program, Sam Geist encourages participants to look in the mirror and be accountable for who they see there. He feels that once participants see themselves with all their warts, they are able to make the changes necessary to become the leader they too would like to work for.

The perspective put forward is that leaders must blend together the art and science of leadership with its psychology--to motivate, to inspire and to ensure their staff take ownership of their roles and responsibilities.

QUESTIONS SUCH AS THESE ARE ASKED AND ANSWERED:

• What would you rank as the most important quality of a leader? Why?
• What is my greatest strength? My biggest weakness?
• What motivates your people to do their best job? What satisfies them?
• What makes your organization one of the best to work for? What could you implement to make it even better?
• Would you or wouldn't you work for you, based on your ability to keep your organization moving forward?

BY PROGRAM'S END THESE BUSINESS ISSUES HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED:

• The impact of marketplace trends;
• Determining an effective leadership style;
• Recognizing and implementing six skills required to encourage someone to work for you;
• Motivating staff toward ever improved performance;
• Enhancing leadership competencies.

LEARN HOW-TO:

• Recognize yourself and the impact of your actions;
• Identify and implement the various "roles" within the leader's job description;
• Develop useful and effective communication strategies in order to understand better and better understood.

You Pay Bills with Dollars ... Not Percentages

This program highlights GMROI (Gross Margin Return On Investment), outlines its benefits, and provides hands-on instruction in its calculation and application to specific categories. Whether you are a veteran or a rookie, use it to assist you identify and evaluate whether the desired gross margin is being earned by your inventory.

QUESTIONS SUCH AS THESE ARE ASKED AND ANSWERED:

• Does your inventory work as hard for your business as you do?
• In merchandising do you use the 20/80 principle?
• Is your best item your best selling item or your best return-on-investment item?

PROGRAM BENEFITS:

• Understand the GMROI principle and how it applies to your business;
• Learn the GMROI calculation details;
• Significantly increase your inventory productivity;
• Maximize your merchandising dollars.

TAKE-AWAY VALUE:

• Better understand the concept of GMROI, as well as its value as a merchandising and buying tool to significantly increase your inventory productivity;
• Identify your product winners and products starving to become winners. Identify "lazy assets" in your inventory system;
• Produce realistic sales and inventory budget complete with enhanced buying/merchandising plans based on GMROI.

Sam Geist is represented by K&M Productions for speaking engagements. For more information and booking Sam Geist, simply contact us.