Sam Geist is President of Geist & Associates Inc. based in Toronto, Ontario, with a U.S. office in Bonita Springs, FL. His focus for the past 15 years as a speaker, consultant and facilitator, is business strategy, leadership, customer service, marketing, the changing marketplace and maximizing employee and corporate productivity. A previous twelve years of retail business experience, together with 14 years of advertising and marketing experience enables him to utilize the perspective of both client and marketer.
As president of The Outdoor Stores, he personally grew his single location sporting goods store into a 15-store national chain, directing its day-to-day operations as well as developing and executing its long-term strategy. After selling to his largest competitor he capitalized on his extensive experience by opening his own advertising, marketing and consulting firm, serving a wide variety of clients, including franchisor/franchisee, retail, manufacturing and service organizations. His agency grew into a 32-man shop with billings over $35 million.
His years of hands-on experience in a great many industries and business sectors as well as a degree in business management enables him today to speak, facilitate and consult with clients who operate in a wide business arena.
Clients especially appreciate Geist’s customization process which maximizes participant engagement and re-enforces the actionability of the strategies he presents. Geist ensures interactive discussions by using the Socratic method— encouraging participants to question themselves, and to think about their businesses in new and innovative ways. He insists that asking tough questions—and answering them honestly—is crucial to the well being of every organization, no matter its focus. Geist is a regular speaker at business conferences and meetings. He is an active board member of several business organizations.
Geist has written several business books including Why Should Someone Do Business With You… Rather Than Someone Else? Would You Work for You and Execute… or Be Executed.
"Our sales team and BioGuard Dealers were extremely pleased with the relevant, applicable and customized information that you provided.....There were many 'takeaways' from your talk that the dealers could put into practice immediately. It excited and energized them from the beginning of the conference to the end. The excitement that you created had a direct effect on our sales goals for the conference which we exceeded by a considerable margin."
We sincerely appreciate your enthusiasm, professionalism and insight into the changing business environment. Your thought-provoking presentation on the topic Would you Work For You? made all of us search within ourselves for answers to some tough questions. You've certainly provided an array of questions to help each of us assess our individual leadership strengths and potential areas for improvement. Your material was right on target!
"I am still getting great reviews on your presentation at the Opening General Session. I knew I had a great success when I saw our President & CEO, Board of Directors and senior staff taking notes. I am still receiving requests for the handouts that you used."
“I have heard a number of other highly renowned speakers, and while they all have their value, I believe Sam is in a class by himself. He’s engaging, humorous and most important, able to get to the heart of what makes a difference within your business and helps it to innovate and grow.”