Nilofer Merchant
Keynote Speaker: CEO of Rubicon Consulting, Author & Strategist
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Nilofer Merchant Biography
Nilofer Merchant is a renowned CEO, Fortune 500 leader, published author, marketing genius, and business strategist. This is why she has earned a reputation for enabling companies to win, if not dominate, their markets. Merchant has a legacy of launching more than 100 products and services, many of which are used daily, netting $18 billion in revenues.
Her wisdom reaches beyond business strategy. She blends strategic models, market dynamics, and behavioral understanding to create market solutions that work. She has leadership experience in start-ups and multi-billion dollar global enterprises. Merchant founded and was CEO of a global multi-million dollar services company, selling 80% of the business. Merchant has profit and loss (P&L) experience at a public Fortune 500 company, and Boards of Directors, CEOs, and CMOs at Global Fortune 1000 enterprises turn to her advice to make mission-critical decisions.
Merchant is the author of "The New How," a critically acclaimed book on collaborative work and direction setting that helps organizations act flat and get fast. She has also written two more books that establish her as a leading thinker on value creation. She is a Harvard Business Review writer on the topics of culture, innovation, and strategy, where she transfers lessons from both her successes and failures. She’s been profiled by The Wall Street Journal, and published by BusinessWeek, Forbes, and AdAge. She is a contributing author to three other books; two on social media marketing and one on wisdom leadership. Merchant has developed a trademarked framework for solving tough problems, called MurderBoarding.
Merchant's strategic insight has been sought after and profitably deployed by Adobe, Symantec, Symbian, HP, Openwave, Logitech, and VMWare. Her firm served four inflection points of growth: finding new markets, go-to-market strategies, defending against competitors, and optimizing revenue. Her efforts at Autodesk increased the division performance by 50%, and her product and pricing strategies for Adobe grew the company from $2 billion to $5 billion. Merchant is one of the few people who can say they’ve fought a competitive battle against Microsoft and won, saving Symantec’s Anti-Virus $2.1 billion annual business.
Prior to her own start-up, Merchant drove channel strategy, product launches, vertical segments, and marketing investment decisions for the Americas division of Autodesk. She grew the business by nearly 50% from $200M to $310M in 20 months, including a major product diversification strategy. As VP of Sales & Marketing for GoLive, a start-up later acquired by Adobe, she grew revenues from zero to $1.5M in 16 months. Merchant received industry recognition for an ingenious channel sales program she developed that grew Apple server sales at nearly 900% CAGR over two years from $2 to $180M. This recognition is closely tied with her being the one who shipped the first internet server (Apple) and the first WYSIWIG web-authoring software (GoLive), and coded the first media website (Time).
Merchant's governance experience is extensive. She has served on corporate boards for Nasdaq-traded and private companies, as well as on public governance boards. She currently serves on the Board of the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University. Appointed by Governor Deukmejian, she served on the California Community College Board of Trustees, overseeing both budget and staff and the passage of AB1725 legislation. She has served on the Board of the Northwest YMCA, where she led a $2M capital campaign. Merchant was also a twice-invited Fellow for the Prosperity Institute out of Rotman in Canada. In addition, in five years with Vistage, a CEO peer advisory board, Merchant was twice voted Most Valuable Player in a blind vote by her fellow CEOs.
Her TED Talk, “Sitting is the Smoking of Our Generation," has been referenced 400 million times and is the reason the Apple watch has a “stand” feature. She has also been invited to hundreds of prestigious leadership events, including Google, Gartner, and GE, and headlined alongside Bono, Gladwell, Simon Sinek, Amy Edmondson, and Brené Brown. She holds an M.B.A. from Santa Clara and a B.S. in Economics from the University of San Francisco. Merchant is also the co-founder of The Intangible Labs (TIL), where she’s defining new metrics for modern work.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Nilofer Merchant and other top speakers and celebrities.
Nilofer Merchant Speaking Topics
The engineers who become CEO do so because they're artists of technology. The marketers because they're sculptors of identity. The finance guys because they're maestros of money, conductors of cash. HR leads when they are Curators of people, creating outstanding business performances.
Innovations always occur (pyramids, paper, gunpowder, silicon), but they're the direct result of the cultures that foster them: empire, nation-state, vassaly, kindom, democracy, theocracy, technocracy, etc. So the Chinese could never build a Google or an Apple, but they excel at production-chain things like paper. Rome built massive stuff because it was organized to build massive stuff. Silicon Valley built things like email and social networks because it was centered around a bunch of guys wearing flip-flops, asking questions like, "Dude, what if I could just send you my thoughts?" The question is this: what are you trying to do or make? What kind of innovation are you going for? And how do you think about the culture that can make it?
We know the world has changed from when we made cars and even chips. But how we do manage in the 21st century world in such a way that works for current day economies. How do we create personal accountability, efficiency, creativity, and creating unbelievable human experiences? How do we define that which is immeasurable and how to do we get the skills necessary to co-create rather than silo our work. And how do we do that so it enables organizations to thrive, human beings to engage, and our larger economy to benefit? Collaboration, that's how.
Whenever we think about leadership, we think of characters that figuratively wear the cape like Batman, but we deny or defuse the impact of the role of collaborators, like Alfred was in the iconic Batman storyline. Yet all modern day work that uses creative talent needs a mix of roles from directing, to guiding, to sidekicks, to enabling leaders. What is that mix for each of us and for our organizations that is the question, and one this talk answers.
The truly kick-ass people in our organizations dont wait for permission to lead, innovate or strategize. They do what is right for the firm, regardless of status. They bring a combination of "curiosity and passion" which Thomas Friedman once said, "are key components in a world where information is readily available to everyone and global markets reward those people." There's a different set of rules & assumptions by which we'll thrive and succeed in this new, networked society and it comes down to this: while you can be a rebel or a subversive without being a leader, you can rarely be an effective leader without also having a little bit of rebel in you.
Nilofer Merchant Videos
How do I book Nilofer Merchant to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Nilofer Merchant for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Nilofer Merchant, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Nilofer Merchant or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Nilofer Merchant for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Nilofer Merchant, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Nilofer Merchant are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $20,000 - $30,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Nilofer Merchant, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Nilofer Merchant speak about?
Nilofer Merchant is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Business, Authors, Innovation, Creativity, Social Media, TED, Leadership, Consulting, Technology and Strategic Leadership.
Where does Nilofer Merchant travel from?
Nilofer Merchant generally travels from Silicon Valley, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Nilofer Merchant?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Nilofer Merchant for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Nilofer Merchant for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Nilofer Merchant or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Nilofer Merchant is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Business, Authors and Innovation. The estimated speaking fee range to book Nilofer Merchant for live events is $30,000 - $50,000, and for virtual events $20,000 - $30,000. Nilofer Merchant generally travels from Silicon Valley, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Dorie Clark, Andrew McAfee and Rachel Botsman. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Nilofer Merchant for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Nilofer Merchant Speaking Topics
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5. Curating Kick-Ass Performance
The engineers who become CEO do so because they're artists of technology. The marketers because they're sculptors of identity. The finance guys because they're maestros of money, conductors of cash. HR leads when they are Curators of people, creating outstanding business performances.
-
4. Who You Are is What You Make
Innovations always occur (pyramids, paper, gunpowder, silicon), but they're the direct result of the cultures that foster them: empire, nation-state, vassaly, kindom, democracy, theocracy, technocracy, etc. So the Chinese could never build a Google or an Apple, but they excel at production-chain things like paper. Rome built massive stuff because it was organized to build massive stuff. Silicon Valley built things like email and social networks because it was centered around a bunch of guys wearing flip-flops, asking questions like, "Dude, what if I could just send you my thoughts?" The question is this: what are you trying to do or make? What kind of innovation are you going for? And how do you think about the culture that can make it?
-
3. Be Better [CEO]
We know the world has changed from when we made cars and even chips. But how we do manage in the 21st century world in such a way that works for current day economies. How do we create personal accountability, efficiency, creativity, and creating unbelievable human experiences? How do we define that which is immeasurable and how to do we get the skills necessary to co-create rather than silo our work. And how do we do that so it enables organizations to thrive, human beings to engage, and our larger economy to benefit? Collaboration, that's how.
-
2. What SuperHeroes Can Teach Us
Whenever we think about leadership, we think of characters that figuratively wear the cape like Batman, but we deny or defuse the impact of the role of collaborators, like Alfred was in the iconic Batman storyline. Yet all modern day work that uses creative talent needs a mix of roles from directing, to guiding, to sidekicks, to enabling leaders. What is that mix for each of us and for our organizations that is the question, and one this talk answers.
-
1. Rebels and Subversives: We Want You
The truly kick-ass people in our organizations dont wait for permission to lead, innovate or strategize. They do what is right for the firm, regardless of status. They bring a combination of "curiosity and passion" which Thomas Friedman once said, "are key components in a world where information is readily available to everyone and global markets reward those people." There's a different set of rules & assumptions by which we'll thrive and succeed in this new, networked society and it comes down to this: while you can be a rebel or a subversive without being a leader, you can rarely be an effective leader without also having a little bit of rebel in you.
VIDEO
Nilofer Merchant Videos
BOOKS
FAQS
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How do I book Nilofer Merchant to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Nilofer Merchant for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Nilofer Merchant, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Nilofer Merchant or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Nilofer Merchant for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Nilofer Merchant, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Nilofer Merchant are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $20,000 - $30,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Nilofer Merchant, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Nilofer Merchant speak about?
Nilofer Merchant is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Business, Authors, Innovation, Creativity, Social Media, TED, Leadership, Consulting, Technology and Strategic Leadership. -
Where does Nilofer Merchant travel from?
Nilofer Merchant generally travels from Silicon Valley, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Nilofer Merchant?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Nilofer Merchant for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Nilofer Merchant for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Nilofer Merchant or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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