Jim Knight

Renowned Training and Development Expert, Founder/Owner of Knight Speaker, Former Head of Global Training and Development for Hard Rock International, and Podcast Host

Topics: Branding & Marketing, Business, Business Growth, Corporate Culture, Creativity, Customer Experience, Employee Engagement, Entrepreneur, Philanthropy, Professional Development, World Affairs

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Biography

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Jim Knight is a renowned keynote speaker, podcaster, author, and training and development executive who teaches organizations of all sizes how to attain their own “rock star” status.

Although his illustrious career started at Gatorland—a working alligator farm in Florida (he has scar to prove it)—Jim cut his teeth in the hospitality training industry and eventually led Global Training for Hard Rock International for two decades. Jim’s customized programs show how to amp up organizational culture, deliver world-class differentiated service, and build rock star teams and leaders.

Jim Knight’s role at Hard Rock involved many facets of organizational training including creating and managing all staff and management training materials and programs; facilitating Hard Rock’s Corporate University; overseeing management training locations; producing training videos; directing company e-Learning initiatives; facilitating leadership transitions; and traveling to properties to deliver onsite classes and measure company standards.

Jim Knight put his experience and creativity to work, which consistently developed cutting-edge training concepts. During his time with the Hard Rock brand, his team won coveted video Telly Awards (Guest Service in 2000, Menu Rollout in 2007, Harassment & Discrimination Prevention in 2008); garnered Training Directors Forum’s 1998 prize for Reengineering Training; and won Brandon Hall’s Gold Best in Class Award for their Service Recovery e-Learning course.

Jim was also recognized by Training Magazine as representing one of the top 125 training companies in the world out of all industries and businesses. He has since been featured in Forbes Magazine, Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, Nation’s Restaurant News, Business News Daily and Fox Business News.

Jim Knight is a lifetime member of CHART (an Association of Hospitality Trainers); previously sat on the Certification Governing Board of the National Restaurant Association; and founded the networking group, The Training Summit (CHART’s 1st Regional Training Forum), which includes over 100 active members in Central Florida to share best practices and discuss common issues with other industry professionals.

Jim is the Owner & CEO of Knight Speaker, delivering numerous programs worldwide on leadership, organizational culture, customer service, and employee experience. He is also the best-selling author of Culture That Rocks: How to Revolutionize Your Company’s Culture, now in its 3rd edition, which was featured in Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the “5 Books That Will Help You Transform How You Do Business”. Jim’s latest books, Leadership That Rocks: Take Your Brand’s Culture to Eleven and Amp Up Results and Service That Rocks: Create Unforgettable Experiences and Turn Customers into Fans were amazon #1 Best Sellers.

A portion of Jim Knight’s book sales and speaking proceeds goes to No Kid Hungry to eliminate childhood hunger in the U.S. and Cannonball Kids’ Cancer, which funds innovative, accessible research for children fighting cancer with better treatments, quality of life, and new options for those told they have run out of options.

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Videos

Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

Culture That Rocks: How to Amp Up and Revolutionize Company Culture

This high-energy keynote presentation focuses on individuals, departments, and entire companies who are charged with creating, maintaining, and revolutionizing an organizational culture. The program delves into every area of a company’s environment and reveals realistic solutions for systemic change.

Key points include:
• Defining Company Culture
• Understanding Heritage vs. Culture
• Identifying 3C Employees
• Creating Brand Ambassadors
• Amping Up Communication
• Enhancing Employee Engagement
• Handling Organizational Change
• Developing Resiliency

Regardless of your company’s cultural history or status, this program will inspire attendees to take up the challenge of enhancing their organizational environment.

Leadership That Rocks: Top Initiatives to Immediately Amp Up the Brand and Deliver Desired Results

This impactful keynote presentation is effectively designed to provide leaders of any level, practical and tactical initiatives to create an iconic business - internally and externally.

Key points include:
• Producing a Virtuous Environment
• Hiring Rock Stars
• Enhancing Employee Engagement
• Creating an Army of Giants
• Amping Up Communication
• Fostering Mentorship and Accountability
• Becoming Heart-Centered
• Developing Emotional Bank Accounts

This program will deliver rapid-fire best practices that any leader can immediately put into practice, starting them down the path to rock star success. Edu-tainment will be served.

Service That Rocks: Create Unforgettable Experiences and Turn Customers into Fans

Every business has competitors. And how you set yourself apart from those competitors will determine whether your customers will fall madly in love with you…or not.

This high-energy, interactive, and visual keynote presentation teaches how to differentiate your organization from the rest to become the business of choice.

Key points include:
• Becoming Customer Obsessed
• Delivering Personalized Experiences
• Avoiding Acceptable Mediocrity
• Eliminating 4-Letter Words
• Creating Raving Fans
• Building Mental Shelf Space
• Writing Yourself into the Story
• Increasing Value Proposition

Immersed in the spirit of Rock ‘n Roll, this edu-taining program will deliver thought-provoking best practices to create mind-searing customer obsession.

Engagement that Rocks: How to Enhance Employee Experiences and Retain Chart-Topping Talent

Knowing that employees are so critical to any business, how leaders treat them is the one true strategy to empower and retain team members, manage a remote workforce, and ultimately create a world class organization. This high-energy keynote program is effectively designed to highlight proven ways to create and maintain a strong internal team member culture through robust engagement…securing commitment (versus compliance) from employees to stick around longer, deliver unforgettable customer experiences, and produce sustainable results.

Building a Rock Star Team: How to Find, Develop, and Keep Brand Ambassadors to Produce Iconic Results

This program is effectively designed to highlight best practices in every area of the Employee Life Cycle. Key strategies include how to tap into the needs of today’s talent pool and innovative ways to create, maintain, or revive a strong employee culture, regardless of its current state.

Key points include:
• Understanding the Drivers of Today’s Workforce
• Finding and Retaining Top Talent
• Overhauling Onboarding
• Revolutionizing Training Concepts
• Designing Effective Collateral
• Embracing Technology
• Amping Up Communication
• Utilizing Performance Management Tools
• Realizing the Power of Storytelling
• Fostering Mentorship and Development
• Celebrating Philanthropy

All business results (good and bad) occur because of human behaviors. This program explores specific strategies to empower, inspire, and elevate your employees, creating a team of rock stars for your organization.

Testimonials

In 20 years of producing events for blue chip brands I have never seen such an engaging speaker as Jim Knight. His content is compelling, informative, relevant to the times, but most importantly, very emotionally engaging. The audience was absolutely engaged for 2 straight hours as Jim articulated his philosophy on brand building with incredible stories and characters from his experiences. We will be bringing him back!

– Jim Crystal, Principal, The Revelry Agency

As a meetings and events industry veteran, who knows so many speakers personally, I think Jim Knight is a rare gem amongst the rest. Hearing Jim’s presentation on “Service That Rocks” helped me to find and hit the ‘reset’ button in my approach with my current and potential clients. It was just the reminder I needed about the importance of my service level and how I can use my outstanding service to win customers for life.

– Rebecca Jacques, President, Inspired Hospitality Recruiting

Jim Knight is one of those presenters who can deliver the message and content in a way that sticks. His openness and interest in his audience is real and results in a strong connection. Five years later, we still hear references to his presentation from some of our members.

– Rob Paterkiewicz, Exec Director, Select Independent Funeral Homes

Jim's knowledge, expertise and passion on a variety of topics is beyond impressive. His ability to present important substantive ideas in compelling ways that inspire is truly a gift. There's no way to leave one of Jim's sessions without feeling energized, inspired and ready to start a revolution in your organization.

– Alan Schaefer, Founder, Banding People Together

Jim Knight is the original rock star presenter! He brings an energy and vibe to his presentations unlike anything you've ever seen. We've used him on multiple occasions and he hits (& exceeds) the mark every time. I'm a huge Jim Knight fan!

– John Isbell, Past President, Council of Hotel & Restaurant Trainers

Jim Knight is one of the best speakers and storytellers I know. He speaks with a one-of- a-kind entertaining, cool, irreverent style that engages any audience lucky enough to hear him on stage. His expert knowledge, captivating charm and contagious passion for building a strong culture and sustainable brand is remarkable and puts him in a league of his own. You're nuts if you don't do whatever it takes to book this guy at your next event. He's epic.

– Amanda Hite, Founder & CEO, Be The Change Revolution

The Tennessee Chapter of MPI has had the wonderful opportunity to have Jim Knight as a keynote speaker 4 times in the last year. Our satisfaction scores were phenomenal for each event. We are excited to say that the “Let MPI Rock Your World Road Trip” which Jim was the keynote speaker, won a coveted MPI International RISE Award.

– Melanie Clifford, Meeting Professionals International, TN Chapter

Jim is relevant, engaging and extremely motivating. Whether you’re planning a large event or a small group session, your dynamic experience with him is sure to be unforgettable . You will be equipped with the tools, passion and vision needed to follow- through on the next steps towards accomplishing what you set out to achieve.

– Avery Block, Social Engagement & Brand Champion, Taco Bell

It's not often I recommend another speaker, because mainly they're full of hot air. Jim is different. He combines the rare ingredients of passion and knowledge, with the speaking ability to stand on the stage and have an audience tuned in from the first word to the last. He'd be an asset to any event line-up.

– Scott Stratten, Owner, Un-Marketing

I have been to many seminars throughout my career, but seldom have I found the speaker to be as dynamic and passionate as Jim. He is sincere, knowledgable and possesses the uncanny ability to connect with his audience. I look forward to every opportunity to hear him speak.

– Mario Fumani CEO, PinUSA