Customer Loyalty Expert | Reputation and Brand-building Authority | Senior Role in Harley-Davidson Turnaround | Author, Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance
Book this speaker: Ken Schmidt
About This Speaker: Ken Schmidt
Ken Schmidt is a keynote speaker, author, and leadership strategist known for helping drive the against-all-odds turnaround of Harley-Davidson Motor Company. In a marketplace where customers see many products and services as interchangeable, Ken shows organizations how to stand out. He teaches leaders how to become memorable, not for what they sell, but for who they are.
Ken began his Harley-Davidson career in 1985. He worked in corporate positioning and media relations while the company still struggled. In the years that followed, Harley-Davidson’s sales surged. The brand regained its place as one of the most respected and profitable companies in the world. In 1990, Ken became Director of Corporate and Financial Communications. He worked directly with Harley’s CEO and CFO. Together, they helped shift the company from a product-first mindset to its now-famous people-first approach. Ken also served as Harley’s primary spokesperson. He spoke to mainstream media and financial communities. He became known for turning human behavioural insights into strategies that build customer loyalty and advocacy.
Today, Ken has delivered more than 1,000 keynotes worldwide. His high-energy style pushes teams to create customer experiences that spark preference and “tattoo-worthy” loyalty. He wrote Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance. He also hosts the Tailgating with Geniuses podcast. Ken co-founded Torque Sessions Leadership Training. His personal credo guides everything he does: never do what’s expected, be noticeably different, and have more fun than you’re supposed to.
Contact an agent to get Ken's availability and rates