Ken Schmidt - Executive Advisor, Transformational Speaker, Brand Visionary, and Leadership Icon

Business Leaders of America Podcast

Welcome to another episode of the Business Leaders of America podcast. In this episode, I’m thrilled to bring you a conversation with Ken Schmidt, one of the most sought-after executive advisors and keynote speakers in the business world. Ken is best known for his pivotal role in Harley-Davidson’s remarkable turnaround during the 1990s, taking the company from financial struggle to global dominance by shifting its focus from products to creating unforgettable connections with people.

During our discussion, Ken dives into the unconventional strategies that drove Harley-Davidson to achieve unparalleled customer loyalty, lessons he’s shared with household-name brands worldwide. We explore topics like breaking free from the commodity trap, creating a culture of memorability, and the three questions every business leader must answer to drive success.

Ken also shares insights from his bestselling book, Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance, and provides actionable advice on fostering employee and customer loyalty while standing out in competitive markets.

Whether you’re leading a business or looking to differentiate yourself in your career, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration from a leader who lives by the mantra: “Never do what’s expected; always make yourself noticeably different, and have a lot more fun than you’re supposed to.”

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Played a key role in Harley-Davidson’s turnaround from financial ruin to global dominance during the 1990s.

• Delivered more than 1,200 keynote speeches worldwide as a highly sought-after executive advisor and speaker.

• Co-founded Torque Sessions Leadership Training to enhance organizational competitiveness and leadership.

• Host of the Tailgating with Geniuses podcast, featuring conversations with innovative and successful leaders.

• Authored Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance, offering a roadmap for competitiveness, and ghost-authored 100 Years of Harley-Davidson, the best-selling motorsports book of all time.

How to connect with Ken Schmidt

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-schmidt-5b08115/

• https://kenspeaks.com/

• https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ken+schmidt+make+some+noise&ref=nb_sb_noss

Show Notes

[1:41] Brief intro how Ken got to where he is today.

[3:29] The most critical step in shifting Harley Davidson’s company culture from a product-first mindset to a people-first approach, and how that changed the trajectory of the brand.

[7:24] Prioritizing factors beyond price to deliver greater value for businesses

[11:14] Changing the reputation of Harley Davidson.

[16:50] The role that leadership plays in fostering a culture that not only ignites customer passion but also inspires employee engagement and retention.

[29:09] Torque Sessions Leadership Training

[39:34] Ken’s book, “Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance”

[44:10] How to connect with Ken, learn more about his services, pick up his book, and where to listen to his podcast, “Tailgating with Geniuses”.

[44:53] Advice for entrepreneurs looking to craft a personal brand that inspires “tattoo-worthy” loyalty among customer and employees.

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