Zeynep Ton: Organizational Strategist

    • Highlights:
      • Co-Founder and President - Good Jobs Institute
      • Professor of the Practice - MIT Sloan School of Management
      • Author of "The Good Jobs Strategy"
    Reading time: 2 min
    Reviews: (0 reviews)
    • Travels from: Cambridge, MA
    • **Fee range: On Request

    Keynote Topics

    Employees can also increase sales. They know things about their local customers that no centralized system can know. They know what the customers are asking for that the store or restaurant doesn’t have.

    Of course, all this requires enough time to do the daily work and engage in improvement. Many low-wage employers think that increasing labor productivity means doing as much as possible with as few people as possible all working as quickly as possible.

    But key aspects of great service can’t be speeded up. An IT system may find an answer quickly, but it can’t listen to the customer’s problem more quickly or with any empathy. Nor can thinking about improvement and experimenting with countermeasures be speeded up.

    Zeynep Ton is a professor, author and leading expert on operations management in retail and service businesses. She is a sought-after international keynote speaker who has spoken at major conferences worldwide on topics ranging from leadership and innovation to women in technology.

    In 2017, Zeynep co-founded Good Jobs Institute, and she serves as the President. The non-profit organisation provides evaluations, workshops, and long-term collaborations to assist and support retail executives in transforming their businesses.

    Zeynep has been researching and writing about business strategy for over 15 years, focusing on how companies can create good jobs and offer excellent customer service while still achieving superior returns to investors. In 2014, her work culminated in the publication of her book, The Good Jobs Strategy.

    Zeynep’s research has been published in managerial and scholarly journals including Harvard Business Review, California Management Review, and Organization Science. She also wrote several Harvard Business School cases. Her work has been featured widely in the media, including The Atlantic, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The New York Times, PBS, and NPR.

    Zeynep Ton teaches MBA and executive education courses in operations management.  She received several awards for excellence in teaching both at HBS and MIT Sloan.  She was named one of the World’s 40 Best Business School Professors Under the Age of 40 by Poets & Quants and was featured by CNNMoney as one of eight young business school professors on the rise.

    Zeynep lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts with her husband and four children.  A native of Turkey, she first came to the U.S. on a volleyball scholarship from the Pennsylvania State University.

    Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Twitter

    Zeynep Ton | Organizational Strategy

    Videos

    Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

    Speaker Contact Form

    Enquiry Form

    No reviews available for this post.

    Was this profile helpful?

    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.

    Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!

    View further speakers

    • (7)
    The Evasons

    The Evasons are a top entertainment duo that have been honored with some of the top awards in their field. They are the first recipients of “The Mentalism Award” from the Milbourne Christopher Foundation. They were awarded the highest honor for distinguished professionalism by the Psychic Entertainers Association. The Evasons have traveled worldwide to appear […]

    • Travels from: Ontario, Canada
    • Magicians
    • (27)
    Laurie Guest

    Laurie Guest, CSP, CPAE, is a dynamic keynote speaker, author, and customer service expert known for her engaging and practical approach to helping businesses attract and retain new customers. With over two decades of experience, Laurie has inspired countless business leaders and teams to elevate their customer service standards, resulting in lasting improvements and significant […]

    • Travels from: Chicago, IL
    • Customer Experience
    • (44)
    • (3)

    Maja Kazazic is an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, renowned for her resilience and transformational journey from being a survivor of the Bosnian genocide to a powerful advocate for the disabled community. Her experiences of overcoming unimaginable hardships, including losing her leg in a bombing at age 16, have given her insights into the power of […]

    • Travels from: Tampa, FL
    • Adversity Speakers
    • (11)
    Col. Nicole Malachowski - Image 04 (April 9, 2026)

    Col. Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret.) defies stereotypes. Yes, she was a jet fighter pilot, but if you think you know her based on that, you’d be wrong. A leader, a combat veteran, the first woman pilot on the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, a White House Fellow, and an inductee into both the National Women’s Hall […]

    • Travels from: Washington, DC
    • Leadership Speakers
    • (11)
    Aerial Bartenders

    Aerial bartenders bring a unique and captivating twist to event entertainment by serving drinks while suspended in the air. Combining acrobatics, elegance, and mixology, these performers gracefully pour beverages from aerial hoops, silks, or other aerial apparatus, adding a touch of spectacle to any gathering. Perfect for upscale events, weddings, and corporate functions, aerial bartenders […]

    • Travels from: Nationwide
    • Aerial Performers
    • (5)
    Jeff Kortes

    Jeff Kortes is a dynamic and engaging speaker renowned for his expertise in employee retention and recruitment strategies. With over two decades of experience in human resources and leadership roles, Jeff brings a wealth of practical knowledge and insightful perspectives to his presentations. His engaging speaking style, coupled with his passion for helping organizations build […]

    • Travels from: Franklin, WI
    • Employee Engagement
    • (51)
    Paula Zahn

    A 30-year news veteran, journalist Paula Zahn is executive producer and host of Discovery ID`s On the Case with Paula Zahn. Paula is also the co-host of Sunday Arts, a weekly television magazine for news covering the arts in New York City. She also hosted the highly acclaimed two hour documentary for PBS called The Retirement Revolution, taking […]

    • Travels from: New York, NY
    • Motivational Speakers
    • (34)
    Tan Le

    One of the science world’s most successful and influential CEOs, Tan Le started her incredible life journey as a refugee facing a high probability of death on a treacherous trip across the pirate infested China South Sea. Today, Tan Le is the founder and CEO of the bioinformatics firm, EMOTIV, where her groundbreaking work in […]

    • Travels from: San Francisco, CA
    • Digital Speakers
    Disclaimer
    The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

    These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

    Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

    All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

    Speakers Inc.

    Connecting you with the perfect speaker.

    We connect you with world-class speakers to create impactful, memorable events.

    Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

    Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
    Your subscription has been successful.

    Newsletter

    Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

    We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

    © All rights reserved 2026.  Designed using Voxel

    AI Assistant
    Speakers Inc Logo 2024
    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.