Michael Bergdahl

Michael Bergdahl is a professional international business speaker, author and turnaround specialist. Bergdahl worked in Bentonville, Arkansas for Walmart, as the Director of “People” for the headquarters office, where he worked directly with Walmart’s founder Sam Walton. It was Sam Walton who gave Bergdahl the nickname, “Bird Dawg!”

Previous to Walmart he worked in the FMCG Industry for PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay Division in the sales organization and headquarters staff assignments. He is a turnaround specialist who participated in two successful business turnarounds as VP of HR at both American Eagle Outfitters and Waste Management. Bergdahl has more than 25 years of HR experience, and he has received the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) lifetime certification from SHRM. He is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology / Behavioral Science.

Walmart/ Sam Walton Authority

Michael Bergdahl is considered to be an authority on the best practices of Walmart & 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 been published in business newspapers and magazines around the world. He has written articles for Hardware Retailer Magazine (NRHA), Progressive Grocer Magazine, Sweden’s Butikstrender Magazine, and the Retailer Association of India, STORAI Magazine.

Bergdahl is the moderator of two LinkedIn discussion groups called, “Walmart’s Best Leadership Practices – Super Group” and “Sam Walton’s Best leadership Practices” with a combined membership of more than 11,000 worldwide members including: Retailers, FMCG/CPG Product Manufacturers/Suppliers, HR Professionals, & Supply ChainProfessionals, as well as a large number of current and former Walmart and Sam’s Club employees.

His Books

Bergdahl’s first book, What I Learned from Sam Walton: How to Compete and Thrive in a Wal-Mart World(2004), takes the reader behind the scenes at Walmart and offers businesses a unique and invaluable insider’s look at what Bergdahl describes as “The strategies of the world’s largest company”.

Bergdahls 4 books are available all over the worldBergdahls 4 books are available in many languages all over the world

His second book, The 10 Rules of Sam Walton: Success Secrets for Remarkable Results (2007), describes “The tactics of the world’s richest man”. Note: The forward for “The 10 Rules of Sam Walton” was written by Sam Walton’s son Rob Walton, who is the current Chairman of the Board of Walmart. 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 Bergdahl’s books are available in Russian, Thai, Indonesian, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese, and Spanish. Both books have also been published in English, in India.

His third book is a 50th Walmart Anniversary Commemorative Edition entitled The Sam Walton Way (Brighton Publishing 2012). His newest book, High Expectations Are The Key To Everything was published in September 2013.

Professional International Speaker

Bergdahl has spoken professionally in cities on six continents including the following:

Brisbane, Australia * Beijing, China * Melbourne, Australia * Vancouver, British Columbia * Jeddah, Saudi Arabia * Quito, Ecuador * 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 * Port of Jiddah, Saudi, Arabia * Dubai, United Arab Emirates * Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia * Cape Town, South Africa * Guayaquil, Ecuador * Cancun, Mexico * Oslo, Norway * St. Thomas, Virgin Islands * Sydney, Australia * Stockholm, Sweden * Antalya, Turkey * Prague, Czech Republic * Lima, Peru * 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 presents Keynote Speeches, breakout sessions, half day programs, and full day Master Classes.

As a keynote speaker Bergdahl tailors his speeches to fit the conference theme, which ensures that every presentation addresses the specific issues and concerns that are most important to each of his audiences. His Full Day Master Classes are all based on the same behind-the-scenes insider knowledge included in his books, and each one is designed to teach others the Best Practices of Walmart. In his speech, “Picking Walmart’s POCKETS”, Bergdahl unveils the best practices of Walmart, 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 Walmart, the World’s Largest Company.”

His Audiences

Michael Bergdahl has spoken at association conferences, public events, customer conferences, and private company meetings 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, Loss Prevention Specialists, Human Resources, Plant Managers, Engineers, DC Managers, Operations Managers, Product Manufacturers / Suppliers / Buyers, Pharmacists, Bankers, Credit Union Directors, Presidents, Entrepreneurs, College Professors, College Students & College Commencement, CEO’s, CIO’s, CTO’s, and CFO’s. He has spoken at events for Walmart’s current suppliers, and its direct competitors, who are interested in improving their ability to compete successfully in a Walmart World!

“Sam Walton would be proud of you!” Roger Corbett, Walmart Board of Directors