Ken Schmidt

“Being known for what you do – no matter how well you do it – makes you a replaceable commodity,” says Ken Schmidt. “Competitive dominance comes when your market knows you for who you are, associates you with positive human attributes and rewards you with their loyalty.” This talk is rooted in the highly unconventional ideas that drove Harley-Davidson’s transformation and unlikely return to dominance, as Ken and his team shifted the company away from its commoditized “product-first” mindset to a fiercely committed “people-first” mindset that takes advantage of key drivers of human behavior. Ken’s high energy, humor, amazing visuals and actionable take-aways abound as he shows businesses of every size and scope how to tap into the behavioral drivers that ignite employee and customer passion, build marketplace preference and fuel tattoo-worthy levels of customer loyalty. Audience Takeaways • Discover the three questions that most directly impact your reputation and competitiveness • Transform your company mindset toward being known for who you are vs. what you do • Master how to harness drivers of human behavior to create preference and loyalty • Uncover the secret to being memorable so customers refer you to others • Learn the true meaning of misunderstood terms like “customer experience” and “loyalty”

What does it take to get your customers to share compelling stories about your business and recommend it to others? Specifically, what would you want them to say? Engaging stories, paired with distinct and unexpected language, are highly memorable and help shape perceptions, boost advocacy, and drive demand. Ken Schmidt knows that powerful stories are essential for distancing your business from competitors and building a rock-solid reputation. In this presentation, Schmidt outlines simple, actionable strategies for companies to develop their own distinctive voice and create stories that resonate, leading to lasting differentiation and loyal, vocal customers. What are your customers saying about you right now? Audience Takeaways • Elevate the likeability of your business by crafting stories that delight customers • Uncover the three core elements behind every memorable story that’s ever been told • Learn how to craft vocabulary that breathes new life into the seemingly familiar or mundane • Find your three most memorable and distinguishing storylines • Discover simple tools that encourage employees to become storytellers

A startling presentation designed specifically for insurance, wealth advisory, banking and credit union professionals that is now Ken Schmidt’s second-most requested topic. Little differentiation among competitors and product offerings in a marketplace increasingly inclined to compare brands and self-manage via faceless digital platforms, means attracting, engaging and keeping clients has become a top priority. Where others see futility and commoditization, Schmidt sees unprecedented opportunities for growth. He’ll show you simple techniques to make your business -- and the people who work with you -- stand out and be memorable, preferred and referred. And he'll share how easy it is to delight clients and foster loyalty. The same techniques Ken pioneered to make Harley-Davidson the premiere brand in a commoditized industry and attract investors during its most challenging era are powerful, instantly applicable take-aways.