David Salyers: Culture Speaker
David Salyers a former Chick-fil-A marketing executive turned speaker teaching organizations how to cultivate remarkable cultures and raving fans.
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- Architect of Chick-fil-A’s marketing and culture strategy over four decades.
- Co-author of Remarkable!, a book focused on creating value-driven, people-centered cultures.
- Speaker on culture, values-driven leadership, and service excellence with real-world case stories.
- Formats: Keynotes (45–60 minutes), Virtual sessions and customizable live formats
- Audiences: Executives, HR teams, customer-experience leaders, and organizations seeking cultural transformation and brand differentiation.
- Outcomes:
- Clear strategies for creating “raving fans” who advocate for your brand through value creation.
- Practical insights on “moment-ization”—designing positive, memorable customer interactions.
- Inspiration to shift from transactional business models toward purpose- and culture-led leadership.
- Travels from: Atlanta, GA
- **Fee range: $20,001 - $35,000
Talent Services
Keynote Topics:
Spark a Revolution
What organization doesn’t want to create more sales?
But truly Remarkable organizations aren’t focused on increasing sales, they’re focused on creating raving fans.
Raving fans are people who
- are happy to pay full price,
- come more often and
- tell other people about your organization.
In this talk, Former Chick-fil-A Marketing VP David Salyers recounts Chick-fil-A’s biggest successes and shares the principles and strategies behind those successes that you can use to connect deeply with customers, who ultimately demand and fund your business growth.
Remarkable
How many businesses do you come across in a day that are just plain unremarkable? They have nothing unique that sets them apart from their competitors, and they exist only to extract value from their customers. To put it simply, there’s nothing about these types of organizations that’s worth remarking about.
But what if we could shift the paradigm? What if we could truly understand what makes certain businesses “remarkable” and apply those principles to our own organizations?
In this signature talk, David Salyers powerfully does just that. In “Remarkable,” David will walk through how the shift from extracting value from other people to creating value for other people can radically change your business and the impact it will make to your customers, employees, stakeholders and even your bottom line.
Exploring key themes on culture, values, and mission, “Remarkable” is an engaging and memorable speech that has the potential to impact you and your organization to the very core.
Creating a Service-Centric Environment Through the Power of “Moment-ization”
When businesses consider their customer experience strategy, they often focus on mitigating the negative experiences – making up for the slow service, apologizing for the inconsiderate employee, refunding for the lost order. By focusing only on the problems that need to be fixed, they set the bar at average or, at best, forgettable.
But there’s a new approach to customer experience, an approach that focuses on creating memorable positive experiences – “Remarkable moments” – instead of just fixing the negative ones. In this compelling talk, David will explore this paradigm shift and challenge the way your organization approaches hospitality and service, sharing about Chick-fil-A’s unique “Second Mile Service” strategy.
Using moving examples from Chick-fil-A Team Members across the country, he’ll expand on your opportunity to generate incredible ROI through creating daily Remarkable moments and will challenge you to see your business as not only an opportunity for monetization, but also for “moment-ization.”
Talent Short Bio
David Salyers spent 37 years at Chick-fil-A most recently as Vice President of Marketing and co-authored Remarkable!, a guide to culture-driven business success.
As one of Chick-fil-A’s original marketing executives, he helped shape its iconic brand identity and customer-centric ethos. Known for his engaging storytelling and strategic insights, David now delivers inspiring keynotes on building raving fans, creating “moment-ized” experiences, and transitioning from extracting value to creating value for customers and employees.
Read Full Bio
David Salyers is a visionary leader, author, and marketing expert who played a pivotal role in shaping one of the most beloved brands in America: Chick-fil-A. As one of the original two marketing executives at Chick-fil-A, David spent an impressive 37 years in the company’s marketing department, most recently serving as Vice President. Throughout his career, he was instrumental in establishing the company’s renowned brand identity, customer-first philosophy, and culture of excellence.
With a passion for leadership, culture-building, and innovation, David has dedicated his career to helping organizations redefine their approach to business. His insights go beyond traditional marketing, focusing on purpose-driven leadership and how organizations can create meaningful impact through culture and customer experience. As a keynote speaker, David delivers compelling messages that challenge audiences to rethink their approach to business, leadership, and brand differentiation.
David Salyers’ impact at Chick-fil-A was monumental, helping to transform the company into a national powerhouse known for its customer loyalty, operational excellence, and innovative marketing strategies. He was a key figure in pioneering campaigns that positioned Chick-fil-A as more than just a fast-food brand, but as a cultural and customer-centric phenomenon. His work helped the company grow into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise while maintaining its commitment to its values and customer service.
In addition to his corporate success, David co-authored the book Remarkable! with Dr. Randy Ross, a guide to building businesses that stand out by creating value-driven, people-centered cultures. His insights from decades in the business world have made him a sought-after speaker for organizations looking to transform their corporate culture and marketing approach.
Hashtags:
#DavidSalyers #LeadershipSpeaker #MarketingExpert #ChickfilA #CorporateCulture #PurposeDrivenLeadership #CustomerExperience #BrandStrategy #KeynoteSpeaker #RemarkableBusiness
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Talent Videos
What If Business Improved People’s Stories? Creating Meaningful Brands Through Culture
This keynote challenges leaders to reimagine business as a platform for impact, building remarkable cultures and meaningful brands that improve lives.
Video Summary & Key Moments
In this inspirational keynote, the speaker poses a bold question: What would the world look like if we dared to use business as a platform to improve people’s stories? He argues that the foundation of any great brand is a remarkable culture, one so authentic and inspirational that it naturally fuels brand value and loyalty.
True leadership, he suggests, is about more than profit; it’s about serving people in ways that leave them with moments worth remarking about. Meaningful brands, he emphasizes, hold a powerful competitive edge because they don’t just deliver products or services they create emotional value and improve the lives of those they touch.
The keynote envisions business not just as a vehicle for financial growth, but as a force for positive change. By focusing on creating value for customers, employees, and communities, organizations can build cultures so compelling that they spread like wildfire, inspiring both loyalty and advocacy.
Key Moments
00:00 – Opening question: What if business improved people’s stories?
00:20 – Great brands stem from remarkable cultures
00:45 – Leadership defined by improving lives and creating moments worth remarking about
01:15 – Why meaningful brands have a competitive edge
01:40 – Reframing goals: focus on creating value for others
02:05 – The power of inspirational cultures that spread beyond the organization
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Talent FAQ's
Do speakers charge a flat fee or by the hour?
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.
What is the typical duration of a keynote speech and what is included?
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.
Does the scale of the event and audience size affect a speaker’s fee?
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 and other costs
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Additional tips and takeaways
- Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
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