Michael Bergdahl

Michael Bergdahl is a full-time motivational speaker, author and writer. Bergdahl worked in Bentonville, Arkansas for Wal-Mart, as the Director of “People” for the headquarters office, where he worked directly with Sam Walton. It was Sam Walton who gave Bergdahl the nickname, “Bird Dawg”! Previous to Wal-Mart he worked for Pepsico’s Frito-Lay Division in the sales organization and headquarters staff assignments. He has recent experience as a turnaround specialist who participated in two successful business turnarounds.

Bergdahl has appeared on CNN, CNBC, CNN FN, CBS National Radio, American Public Radio and Bloomberg TV. He is considered an authority on Wal-Mart. The giant retailer’s own Public Relations Department has referred Bergdahl to interviewers interested in gaining insights into the company. His articles have appeared in Retail Merchandiser, Investor’s Business Daily, Convenience Store News, National Retail Federation’s STORES Magazine, Progressive Grocer, Convenience Store Decisions Magazine, the Grocery Manufacturer Association’s FORUM Magazine, the National Community Pharmacists Association’s America’s Pharmacist Magazine, American Management Association’s MWorld Magazine and the National Association of Convenience Stores Magazine.

He wrote a book about his experiences working for the World’s largest retailer entitled: What I Learned from Sam Walton: How to Compete and Thrive in a Wal-Mart World, which was published in the USA and Internationally by John Wiley in August 2004. His book was translated into versions in Chinese, Thai and Korean. He wrote his book to help Wal-Mart’s domestic and international competitors develop proactive success strategies. Interestingly, his book is sold on both the Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club web sites.

He recently completed his second book entitled, The 10 Rules of Sam Walton: Success Secrets for Remarkable Results. He produces a “Wal-Mart Competition” blog which can be accessed on his website at: www.michaelbergdahl.com.

Michael Bergdahl is a motivational speaker, who is one part business, one part inspiration, one part storyteller and one part entertainer. He has spoken at association and business conferences domestically and internationally to retailers, non-retailers, manufacturers and suppliers who are interested in improving their ability to compete successfully in a Wal-Mart World!