Jim Knight: Business Catalyst

Jim Knight is a keynote speaker and culture transformation expert who helps organizations build rock star employee experiences and high-performing workplace cultures that drive measurable business results.

Quick Facts:

Highlights:
  • Bestselling author of Culture That Rocks and expert on organizational culture transformation
  • Renowned keynote speaker for corporate events, conferences, and educational institutions
  • Specialist in employee engagement, service excellence, and leadership development
  • Former senior leader in hospitality training with decades of practical experience

Formats: Keynote speaker

Audiences: Organizations, corporate leaders, HR teams, and event planners seeking dynamic culture-focused expertise.

Outcomes:
  1. Clear strategies for building and sustaining a high-performance workplace culture
  2. Practical tools for elevating employee engagement and service behaviors
  3. Fresh leadership insights that inspire immediate and lasting organizational change
Reading time: 2 min
Reviews: (0 reviews)
  • Travels from: Winter Garden, FL
  • **Fee range: $20,001 - $35,000

Talent Services

Talent Short Bio

Jim Knight is a distinguished keynote speaker, author, and training and development expert recognized for helping organizations of all sizes create exceptional workplace cultures. Drawing on a foundation in education and a long career in hospitality leadership, Jim teaches companies how to ignite employee engagement, elevate service delivery, and build the kind of internal brand identity that fuels long-term success. His bestselling book Culture That Rocks provides a practical, actionable roadmap for leaders who aim to shape dynamic, people-first cultures capable of thriving in competitive markets.

Known for his high-energy delivery infused with rock and roll storytelling, Jim translates complex organizational behavior insights into clear, memorable, and implementable strategies. He has presented to audiences across the globe, working with small businesses, national associations, and Fortune 500 organizations seeking to unlock their full potential. Jim’s approach blends proven training methodologies with creative leadership techniques to help teams innovate, adapt, and perform at elite levels.

Jim Knight is a renowned keynote speaker, author, and training and development expert known for his expertise in helping organizations of all sizes achieve excellence and what he often refers to as “rock star” status. With a background in education and a passion for helping individuals and organizations reach their full potential, Jim Knight has made a significant impact in the field of training and development.

Jim Knight has authored several books, including “Culture That Rocks: How to Revolutionize Your Company’s Culture,” which delves into the importance of organizational culture in achieving success. He provides practical advice on creating a vibrant and dynamic company culture that inspires employees and drives positive results.

Jim’s engaging speaking style, combined with his practical advice and entertaining rock ‘n’ roll anecdotes, has made him a sought-after keynote speaker at conferences, corporate events, and educational institutions. He has delivered impactful presentations to audiences across the globe, inspiring them to reach new heights in their personal and professional lives.

His unique approach to training and development, his focus on creating a culture of excellence, and his ability to weave in rock ‘n’ roll themes have resonated with a wide range of organizations, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies.

In essence, Jim Knight is not just a training and development expert; he is a motivator, a culture shaper, and a rock star in his own right. Through his teachings, he empowers organizations to achieve their full potential and attain the coveted “rock star” status in their respective industries.

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Talent Videos

Jim Knight Speaker Reel Bureau Friendly Version

A high energy speaker reel showcasing Jim Knight’s dynamic keynote delivery, actionable culture strategies, and rock and roll infused approach to building legendary customer experience and employee engagement.

This 12 minute speaker reel highlights Jim Knight’s signature approach to organizational culture, customer service, leadership, and team building. The video opens with high impact stage introductions, emphasizing his reputation as a keynote speaker known for energizing audiences and elevating performance. Jim frames the core challenge he sees across all industries: organizations want rock star results but are unsure how to create the behaviors that produce them. Drawing from 21 years leading training and development for Hard Rock International and two decades of global speaking, he emphasizes that all business outcomes are rooted in human behavior.

Jim explains that success depends on attracting, hiring, and retaining the right people because training cannot compensate for a bad hire. He reinforces that every behavior in an organization is learned and that employees arrive with established dispositions shaped long before joining the company. After outlining the realities of the employee life cycle, he stresses that culture must be built through intentional people decisions. Once teams understand that culture is shaped by who they are and how they behave, real change becomes possible.

He then focuses on customer experience, noting that leaders should care most about whether customers will return, spend more, and recommend the brand. According to Jim, organizations must personalize and individualize every interaction to create emotional attachment and true customer obsession. He underscores that modern consumers crave memorable experiences and reward brands that deliver them.

Key Moments

  • 02:05 Core premise that business results are driven by human behavior and the importance of attracting the right people.
  • 04:18 Learned behaviors, hiring challenges, and the impact of employee disposition on culture and performance.
  • 06:40 Customer experience focus and the three critical questions that determine loyalty and advocacy.
  • 08:55 Defining company culture as the sum of people and behaviors, not tools or aesthetics, and how culture shifts with each hire and departure.

A focused virtual clip where Jim Knight breaks down the core drivers of memorable customer experience, showing real estate professionals how service delivery becomes the differentiator that wins and retains clients.

This 5 minute 20 second virtual session captures Jim Knight delivering key principles from his program Service That Rocks, tailored for real estate professionals navigating shifting client expectations. He opens by clarifying that although his sessions are infused with rock and roll energy, the real value lies in the practical best practices that elevate service experiences. Jim emphasizes that most high performers share an internal drive for more, no matter how successful they already are, and positions the session as a way to level up that hunger into stronger client outcomes.

He introduces the iceberg analogy to illustrate the gap between what customers see and what is happening behind the scenes. While clients experience the visible end result of buying or selling a home, most influencing factors reside below the surface. Location, amenities, layout, and price are largely beyond an agent’s control. What remains fully within their control is the service delivery itself. Jim stresses that outstanding service becomes the only true differentiator and that agents must consistently “bring the thunder” by offering experiences clients cannot get anywhere else.

He then highlights hospitality industry statistics that mirror real estate behavior. He notes that only a small percentage of customers leave due to relocation, product dissatisfaction, or external relationships. The overwhelming majority stop engaging with a business because of how they were treated. Jim cites data showing that poor service now accounts for 89 percent of customer attrition across industries. This, he argues, is both alarming and empowering because it is the one factor wholly within the agent’s influence.

Key Moments

  • 01:00 The iceberg analogy explaining visible client experience versus unseen influencing factors.
  • 02:08 Emphasis on service delivery as the only controllable differentiator in real estate.
  • 03:05 Hospitality statistics showing why customers leave and the dominance of service failures.
  • 04:20 Updated data on poor service driving 89 percent of attrition across industries.

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Talent FAQ's

Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.

Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.

The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.

Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.

Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.

  • Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
  • There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
  • Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
  • When browsing speakers, consider their location to keep travel costs down.
  • Personal connections to your organization or event location can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker.
  • Be upfront about your needs and expectations to ensure a successful partnership.
  • Speaker bureaus like Speakers Inc help guide you through the booking process to negotiate the best deal with favorable terms.

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