Travels from California, USA
Robert Stephens's speaking fee falls within range: $20,000 to $25,000
An expert on designing world-class customer experiences, Robert Stephens, Geek Squad Founder & Former CTO of Best Buy, has wowed audiences with new perspectives on advancing technology, smart marketing and thoughtful business strategy, and brings his insights into what he thinks will be “the next big thing”.
After getting his degree in computer science at the University of Minnesota, Robert started a computer consulting business in 1994 called The Geek Squad, which he grew until 2002, when he sold it to Best Buy. Since then, The Geek Squad has become the world’s preeminent tech support service, with over 20,000 global agents.
Robert wrote a manual about quick fixes to common glitches and smart maintenance advice, which eventually became The Geek Squad Guide to Solving Any Computer Glitch. The guide is straightforward and user-friendly and uses plain language to demystify the most popular software and programs.
Stephens inspires audiences by offering stimulating insight on innovation, marketing, customer experiences and upcoming trends.
With $200, a bicycle and a subsequent collaboration with Best Buy, Robert Stephens transformed the small, cryptic world of tech support and made it glamorous and accessible, when he founded The Geek Squad in 1994. Charming and wildly insightful, with proven business savvy and an inspiring story of entrepreneurship, he captivates audiences with exciting perspectives on advancing technology, smart marketing and thoughtful business strategy, and what he thinks is the next “big thing.”
In 1990, Stephens left the Art Institute of Chicago to pursue his passion for all things technical and a degree in computer science at the University of Minnesota. As a student, he landed a job fixing computers at the Human Factors Research Laboratory and within three years, rose to head engineer. In 1994, he started a computer consulting business called The Geek Squad, which he grew until 2002, when he sold it to Best Buy. Since then, The Geek Squad has become the world’s preeminent tech support service, with over 20,000 global agents, with Stephens’ story featured by leading media outlets, including CNN, Newsweek, Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal and Rolling Stone. Stephens served as CEO of The Geek Squad and CTO for Best Buy until 2012.
The author of The Geek Squad Guide to Solving Any Computer Glitch, Stephens was applauded for creating a manual using plain language, and demystifying the most commonly used hardware and software, including quick fixes to common glitches and smart maintenance advice.
Stephens offers stimulating insight on innovation, marketing, customer experiences and upcoming trends, and inspires audiences with what is possible when you have passion, $200 and a crazy idea!
Robert Stephens, Chief Technology Officer of Best Buy and founder of The Geek Squad, shares his insights with 1,500 UnitedHealth Group employees and senior leaders during the company's first ever Innovation Day.
In his speech for the UnitedHealth Group, Robert talks about innovation and the special importance of Apple Founder Steve Jobs to the technical world. He encourages the audience to reflect on their life and figure out their best skill set. Then, use these skills to create a better workplace and personal life.
Stephens also attempts to demystify computers. "You are in control and can learn about computers, you control them they don't control you". By taking the initiative to learn all you can about technology, you can become your own boss and create your own future.
Transforming the sometimes boring world of computers into something exciting and intriguing is what Robert Stephens offers in his programs! The geek Squad founder and CTO of Best Buy explains how with no money or resources when he started his business, he was able to create a successful company by making the right decisions.
His programs offer insights into the biggest upcoming technology trends. He describes what he thinks these trends will mean to society and why he thinks they’ll impact business and society.
Beyond Social Media: The Sharing Economy Stephens offers fascinating insight on upcoming developments on and off the web, and reveals why he predicts that the biggest trend of the coming decade will be the "Sharing Economy,” outlining what that means for society and business and why he is betting on it.
The Geek Squad Saves the World What do you get when you take $200, a crazy idea and passion for all things technical? Learn how Stephens transformed the boring world of computer support and made it exciting and glamorous. This is a can’t-miss presentation, full of inspiring entrepreneurial spirit and valuable business tips, starring one Chief Inspector, 12,000 Double Agents and Geekmobiles, The Rolling Stones, The CIA, The Oscar Mayer Weinermobile and more than 5,000,000 messed up computers.
Marketing is a Tax You Pay for Being Unremarkable The best thing to happen to Geek Squad founder Robert Stephens is that he had no money or resources when he started his business. He explains why this was so valuable, touching on the origins of Geek Squad, the purposeful choice of a non-technical brand for a technology company, and all of the detailed decisions that made the company successful. From the cars, to the messaging, to the culture, he provides entertaining and encouraging insight on how starting out with nothing was the catalyst for creating his successful and unique brand.
Bigger Than Social Networking: The On-Demand Economy Before Uber, there was another service that let you push a button, and summon a person to your home or office for service: The Geek Squad. Robert will discuss his bet on the biggest trend of the coming decade: The Sharing Economy, also known as Collaborative Consumption. He'll argue that Groupon, AirBnB, OpenTable, ZipCar, Uber, and many others are all the same type of company and how it will disrupt every business and create new opportunities.
Emerging trends This next decade will witness change 100 times greater than anything we have seen thus far, mainly due to mobile computing and wireless sensors. Every company is in the service business now. Operations are not enough: companies must design experiences if they are going to stand out. Technology and software will be key to building those services. Every company needs a unique brand and culture, especially if it is going to innovate.
The Geek Squad Story What do you get when you take $200, a crazy idea, and love for all things technical? Learn how Robert Stephens took the boring world of computer support and made it famous. Starring 1 Chief Inspector, 25,000 Double Agents and Geekmobiles, The Rolling Stones, The CIA, The Oscar Mayer Weinermobile and over 50,000,000 messed up computers. Don't miss it.
Conversational Commerce: The newest trend in business Why did Facebook pay over $20 Billion for mobile-only text chatting app WhatsApp? How is it that consumers in Asia do most of their banking, food ordering, and taxi hailing in a single app? Why are some predicting that soon we will text businesses instead of calling them? Learn the single trend behind all of these events - and why you should be paying attention.
Let me first say that I thought your presentation was the best. It was empowering, energetic and certainly entertaining. I thought that your casual style of presenting was connecting well with the audience and that it gave us a good picture of the process of launching and growing the Geek Squad.
As you may or may not know, Jason Keyz, the Studio speaker that was just before you is a member of one of my Chief Executive Groups. His presentation was a great lead in to your presentation and the two fit kind of perfect. Your presentation was the best of the day. It really showed how culture can be created and how one can step out-of-the-box and successfully hit the target. Great job and thanks for asking for the feedback. Chair, Vistage LA
“We greatly appreciated your participation in our event last week – we have received numerous positive comments and feedback about your remarks in both sessions. We are doing formal follow-up surveys with attendees now however I have no doubt the results will show you were a star of the program!” Cruise Lines International Association
“Lively and enlightening insights from a 21st Century pioneer. I wouldn’t pass up a chance to hear Robert Stephens, ever.” Learning Resources Network (LERN)
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