Ross Shafer

Comedian, Actor, Television Writer/Producer, Game Show Host, Author, Entertainer

Ross Shafer is a former headlining stand-up comedian and Emmy winning network talk and game show host (ABC’s Match Game and Day’s End, NBC’s Almost Live!, USA’s Love Me, Love Me Not, and FOX network’s Late Show). But what shocks most meeting planners is the fact that Ross is also a serial entrepreneur who has bought and sold two dozen companies. His interest in why some businesses succeed (while others fail) led him to write the books; RATTLED, NOBODY MOVED YOUR CHEESE, THE CUSTOMER SHOUTS BACK, ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, CUSTOMER EMPATHY, ARE YOU RELEVANT? NO MORE CUSTOMER FRICTION, SUCCESS: IT’S ON YOU, GRAB MORE MARKET SHARE, BEHAVE LIKE A START UP, and COOK LIKE A STUD. Ross is also in high demand as a convention Keynote Speaker and has been honored by the National Speakers Association with their CPAE Hall of Fame award.

  • Ross Shafer Keynote Speaker Fee Fee range is for U.S. events, depending on location and organization type

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  • Languages Spoken

    English

  • Ross Shafer Keynote Speaker Fee Fee range is for U.S. events, depending on location and organization type

    Please Inquire

  • Languages Spoken

    English

Suggested Keynote Speaker Programs

HOW TO BUILD A RELEVANT CULTURE IN 2024

In this wildly entertaining keynote your attendees will benefit from these takeaways: (1) ACT WITH SPEED:  Staying innovative is an admirable goal; but one that requires diligence because “relevance” is an ever-evolving target. An exciting culture...

In this wildly entertaining keynote your attendees will benefit from these takeaways:

(1) ACT WITH SPEED: 

Staying innovative is an admirable goal; but one that requires diligence because “relevance” is an ever-evolving target. An exciting culture for your team is one that is nimble enough not to wait for perfection.  Launching new ideas, new services, and new products (before it’s too late) is invigorating for your culture.

(2) DON’T JUST ACT LIKE EXPERTS. PROVE IT:

Relevant leaders who earn the highest level of confidence deliver World-Class expertise through their own successes and temporary failures. That kind of transparency inspires your team members to exceed their goals by curating collaboration and celebration with each other.  Ross shares how to become World-Class.

(3) LEARN WHAT MATTERS TO YOUR TEAMS:

Your people want to know they matter to you. Extreme curiosity shows your people you honor frequent encouragement. Team members want to know you acknowledge their contribution to the organization.  People feel more engaged when the organization strives for an ‘emotionally connected’ brand.

(4) ADAPT (TODAY) TO YOUR CUSTOMER’s SHIFTING EXPECTATIONS:

The buried treasure, for sustainable growth, is how well  you respond to your customer’s newest expectations. The WOW vs POW discipline does that by eliminating friction from every process and transaction. It prevents surprise gut-punches, reckless disappointment, and inexcusable blunders.

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ARE YOUR CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS BEING IGNORED?

(1) WOWING THE CUSTOMER/CLIENT/MEMBER DOESN’T WORK ANYMORE Our research shows that customer loyalty scores go up by eliminating the POW MOMENTS from every transaction. (POWS are the gut punches the customer experiences when we fail or disappoint them). All the ...

(1) WOWING THE CUSTOMER/CLIENT/MEMBER DOESN’T WORK ANYMORE

Our research shows that customer loyalty scores go up by eliminating the POW MOMENTS from every transaction. (POWS are the gut punches the customer experiences when we fail or disappoint them). All the work we invested to create WOWS can be detailed by a single POW.

(2) CUSTOMERS ARE ON A SURVIVAL MISSION (this can be either a Keynote or a separate Breakout Session)

As the author of (14) Human Resource films and (4) books on the Customer Experience, Ross’s personal case studies will take you inside the organizations that succeeded, those that failed, and why either outcome happened.

(3) FINAL MOMENTS TRIGGER THE STICKIEST LOYALTY

It’s not your product or service. It’s not your brand. Loyalty is tied to the emotional story you tell in the last seconds of the transaction. Beware of your follow up evaluations. They can destroy the perfect engagement. Ross will explain how this works.

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STAYING UNSHAKABLE

How can we remain innovative, even when our creativity and energy seem exhausted. What you probably don’t know is when Ross was suffering from extreme relationship failures and financial collapse, Ross has had four different careers (flipping 23 businesses, Headlining ...

How can we remain innovative, even when our creativity and energy seem exhausted. What you probably don’t know is when Ross was suffering from extreme relationship failures and financial collapse, Ross has had four different careers (flipping 23 businesses, Headlining Standup Comedian, Network Talk & Game Show host, Business Author and Consultant). All four of Ross’s careers went through stages of wild success and crushing defeat. But it was his ability to bounce back that drove him to develop the confidence and resilience to succeed beyond his previous heights.  Ross has collected fun case studies that demonstrate how to find inspiration; even within chaos.

(1) Serving Others…and Each Other

How we treat one another has changed dramatically since the pandemic. The paradigm has shifted from trying to temporarily over-impress people (WOW) to learning how to consistently eliminate silly errors, correcting missteps, and reducing communication blunders (POWS). Ross will show how organizations like Amazon, Netflix, Uber, and others have changed their constituents’ expectations re: “being well served.”

(2) Culture & Collegiality

These two ideas are emboldened by securing the trust of our friends, communities, and stakeholders. Ross will talk about the collaborative powers of Extreme Curiosity, Instant Rapport, and Understanding (all from the perspective of a Network Talk and Game show host/producer). Profound and Fun.

(3) Transparency – Doing the Right Thing

Besides his own rags to riches story, Ross has some amazing true tales of individuals (from humble backgrounds) who have gone on to influence worldwide leaders with their simple methods. EXAMPLE: Maria Garcia (a hotel maid from Havana, Cuba who became the VP of a software company). Funny and insightful.

(4) Instilling Confidence and Security

Regardless of your job or position, developing World Class Expertise, in any profession, builds confidence in yourself and others. Ross will talk about Bill Nye, The Science Guy (whom he invented), his father, Chuck Shafer, and Dave Hopla – the World’s Greatest Basketball shooter. Funny and insightful, this discussion will assure everyone that greatness is accessible and ensures collaboration, respect, and influence.

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AN INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL KEYNOTE

Think about this twist on virtual meetings… (Part A) You choose your own meeting Host/Emcee from within your organization. (Part B) You decide upon the 4 or 5 specific initiatives you want to be the focus of the session. (Part C) ...

Think about this twist on virtual meetings…

(Part A) You choose your own meeting Host/Emcee from within your organization.

(Part B) You decide upon the 4 or 5 specific initiatives you want to be the focus of the session.

(Part C) Ross studies those initiatives (ahead of time) and gives your “host/emcee” a list of questions to ask Ross.  He will deliver funny stories and enlightening case studies specifically related to achieving your teaching/coaching goals. Your host can also open the questions up to the audience. Ross is very witty on the fly.

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CLEAN CORPORATE COMEDY (After dinner entertainment)

Can we just laugh again? Ross Shafer’s material is non-political, non-controversial, and completely HR safe! If you want your attendees to leave your meeting in high spirits and energized, Ross’s style is the perfect blend of animation and approachability. Your attendees ...

Can we just laugh again? Ross Shafer’s material is non-political, non-controversial, and completely HR safe! If you want your attendees to leave your meeting in high spirits and energized, Ross’s style is the perfect blend of animation and approachability. Your attendees will experience his misadventures and his successes…all delivered in his friendly, quick-witted style. Ross has an outrageous life story of selling fireworks on Indian Reservations (Ross is Blackfoot Indian) – to touring the world as a standup comedian – to hosting the hit TV show Match Game on ABC-TV – to speaking to over 3,000 corporate clients. Your audience will not only howl at Ross’s jokes & tales…but they’ll go home wishing Ross was their next door neighbor.

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ROSS IS YOUR ULTIMATE EMCEE

As a network talk & game show host, Ross Shafer is frequently asked to be the interactive “traffic cop” for a multi-day convention. He has interviewed world leaders and celebrities and is extremely comfortable hosting an executive roundtable or expert panel. His style ...

As a network talk & game show host, Ross Shafer is frequently asked to be the interactive “traffic cop” for a multi-day convention. He has interviewed world leaders and celebrities and is extremely comfortable hosting an executive roundtable or expert panel. His style is to engage the audience to set the tone of your event, review what they’ve learned, and get everyone excited for what’s coming next. He often likes to present “from the floor” so that he can thread the dialogue throughout your conference for better retention.

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About Keynote Speaker Ross Shafer

Six-Time Emmy Award-Winning Comedian, Network TV Host and Best-Selling Business Author of 10 Books on Reinvention and Resilience.

With more than 35 years of experience in show business and media, the six-time Emmy Award-winning comedian, writer, and former network TV host Ross Shafer is also a man who simultaneously began his business career at the age of 21. He subsequently rescued 23 different companies from bankruptcy and resold them.

Ross’s peculiar combination of experience led to his writing (10) popular business books (Nobody Moved Your CheeseThe Customer Shouts BackGrab More Market ShareCustomer EmpathyAre You Relevant? Absolutely Necessary, Behave Like a StartupSuccess: Its on You, No More Customer Friction, and his latest (2021) book on resilience, titled RATTLED).

Ross has spoken and consulted for 3,000+ clients including Apple, Microsoft, Chrysler, Adobe, MetLife, Hyundai, Hilton Worldwide, AT&T, Marriott, FedEx, and Toyota to name a few. His unique insights on raising customer scores became a game changer when he dismissed the notion of “WOW-ing the Customer.” Instead, he blamed low scores on the devastating impact of the POW moments (customer gut-punches by your failures). According to Ross’s research and client case studies, POWs can erase the WOW effect and cause customers to abandon a business forever. Ross believes, “The pandemic taught us we dont have to over-delight everyone. We just need to make fewer blunders. Don’t disappoint customers and your customer scores will soar.” Ross Shafer offers entertaining and eye-opening perspectives for individuals and organizations to achieve resilience by paying attention to the evolving influences around them.

Testimonials

“Ross is a hidden gem! Everyone of all ages can relate to his humor and he did an amazing job connecting to our audience. His team is easy to work with and he puts in the time and effort before he speaks to truly understand how he can add value to your program! ”

Liz S.

Vertafore

“We highly recommend Ross Shafer to any professional group seeking to motivate and inspire its members. Ross and his partner, Allison spent a considerable amount of time on the front end to ensure the presentation aligned with our audience, mission, and vision. Read More

Shannon P.

CIRSA

“Truly enjoyed having Ross be part of our conference — he was great!  Truly appreciate how he absorbed our five imperatives and shared humor, lessons, and anecdotes in support of our message.  True professional.”

Tim H.

QinetiQ US

“I would definitely recommend Ross Shafer to other businesses looking for a WOW factor. We booked Ross as the keynote speaker for our annual franchisee Convention. Read More

Bridget R.

Buzz Franchise Brands

“Ross, you far exceeded our expectations. We were looking for someone who could deliver a relevant message, while providing entertainment to set the tone for our whole event and get people buzzing. Read More

GWN Securities - Financial Advisors

 

“Ross Shafer’s brilliant combination of humor and highly humanistic messaging got a thunderous and sustained standing ovation from our nearly one thousand top performers. Read More

Home Services of America

 

“Ross Shafer spent a lot of time studying our challenges so he could build a customized keynote; designed to offer solutions our clients could put to use immediately. He also scored very high on our laugh meter. I’ve heard good things from attendees ever since.”

Kathleen D.

VP, Royalty Rewards®

“Although you’ve probably heard it several times by now…once again you made the A.C.E.C Intl. Engineering Awards DC’s best entertainment ticket of the night! Well done again!”

American Consulting Engineers Council

 

“After waiting for over a year and a half to get you booked into our national conference LIVE, you eclipsed our wildest expectations. The gushing feedback keeps pouring in.”

Castle Building Centers

 

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