His Background: Michael Bergdahl is a professional international business speaker, author and turnaround specialist. Bergdahl worked in Bentonville, Arkansas for Wal-Mart, as the Director of “People” for the headquarters office, where he worked directly with Wal-Mart’s founder Sam Walton. It was Sam Walton who gave Bergdahl the nickname, “Bird Dawg!” Previous to Wal-Mart he worked in the FMCG Industry for PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay Division in the sales organization and headquarters staff assignments. He is also a turnaround specialist who participated in two successful business turnarounds as a VP of HR at American Eagle Outfitters, and Waste Management. Bergdahl received the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from SHRM.
Wal-Mart/ Sam Walton Authority: Michael Bergdahl is considered the authority on the best practices of Wal-Mart & Sam Walton.. He has appeared on CNN, CNBC, CNN FN, MSNBC, CNN International, Univision, CBS National Radio and Bloomberg TV. He has participated in internationally televised news debates on “Power Lunch”, “On the Money”, “Morning Call”, and “Closing Bell”. Articles written by him, and articles written by others about him, have appeared in business newspapers and magazines around the world. Bergdahl is the moderator of a LinkedIn discussion group called, “Wal-Mart’s Best Practices – Super Group” with more than 5000 worldwide members including: Retailers, FMCG Product Manufacturers/Suppliers, & Supply Chain Professionals.
His Books: He wrote his first book about “The Strategies of the World’s Largest Company”, entitled: What I Learned from Sam Walton: How to Compete and Thrive in a Wal-Mart World (2003). His second book is written about “The Tactics of the World’s Richest Man”, entitled, The 10 Rules of Sam Walton: Success Secrets for Remarkable Results (2007). Note: Rob Walton, the current Chairman of the Board of Wal-Mart, and son of Sam Walton, wrote the Foreword for “The 10 Rules of Sam Walton” book. Both of these books were published and distributed internationally by John Wiley & Sons, in English, in both hard cover and paperback versions. Translated versions of his books are available in Russian, Thai, Indonesian, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese, and Spanish. Both of his books have also been published in English, in India. His third book is a 50th Walmart Anniversary Commemorative Edition entitled The Sam Walton Way (2011).
Professional International Speaker: He has spoken professionally in cities on six continents including: * Brisbane, Australia * Beijing, China * Melbourne, Australia * Vancouver, British Columbia * Port of Jiddah, Saudi Arabia * Toronto, Ontario * Caracas, Venezuela * Bogotá, Colombia * Panama City, Panama * Cologne, Germany * Istanbul, Turkey * Malaga, Spain * Moscow, Russia * Port Douglas, Australia * Santiago, Chile * Durban, South Africa * Kiev, Ukraine * Mont Tremblant, Quebec * Valladolid, Spain * Skopje, Macedonia * Belgrade, Serbia * Jeddah, Saudi, Arabia * Dubai, United Arab Emirates * Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia * Cape Town, South Africa * Guayaquil, Ecuador * Cancun, Mexico * Oslo, Norway * and across the USA *.
Speeches, Master Classes, & Workshops: Michael Bergdahl is a professional international business speaker with substance, who is one part business, one part inspiration, and one part storyteller. He customizes his speeches or workshops to fit the conference theme, and he designs his messages to teach others the Best Practices of Wal-Mart. He presents Keynote Speeches, half day programs, and full day “Master Classes”. In his speech, “Growing Your Business the Sam Walton and Wal-Mart Way” (a.k.a. Picking Wal-Mart’s POCKETS), Bergdahl unveils the best practices of Wal-Mart, and the success secrets of Sam Walton. Audience members will learn the “Tactics of the World’s Richest Man”, Sam Walton”, and the “Strategies of Wal-Mart, the World’s Largest Company.”
His Audiences: Michael Bergdahl has spoken at association and business conferences, in the USA and Internationally to Retailers, Non-Retailers, Manufacturers and Suppliers. He speaks to a wide variety of audiences including Sales, Customer Service, IT, Supply Chain/Logistics, Franchisees, Financial Services, Real Estate Developers, Property Managers, Leasing Agents, Retail Managers, Brand/Marketing Professionals, Human Resources, Plant Managers, Engineers, DC Managers, Operations Managers, Product Manufacturers / Suppliers / Buyers, Pharmacists, Bankers, Credit Union Directors, Presidents, Entrepreneurs, College Professors & College Students, CEO’s, CIO’s, CTO’s, and CFO’s. He has spoken at events for Wal-Mart’s current suppliers, and its direct competitors, who are interested in improving their ability to compete successfully in a Wal-Mart World!