Michael Bergdahl Biography

Michael Bergdahl is a professional international business speaker, author, and turnaround specialist. Prior to this, Bergdahl served as the Director of People at the Walmart headquarters office in Bentonville, Arkansas, reporting directly to the company's founder, Sam Walton, who gave him the nickname "Bird Dawg." He also has experience in the FMCG Industry, having worked for PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division in both sales and headquarters staff roles. Apart from his roles at Walmart and Frito-Lay, Bergdahl has demonstrated his expertise as a turnaround specialist through his tenure as VP of HR at two Fortune 1000 companies, American Eagle Outfitters and Waste Management.

With more than 25 years of experience in Human Resources, Bergdahl also served as a Plant HR & Safety Manager at J.M. Huber, a privately owned $2 billion Manufacturing Company. He has been recognized professionally with the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) lifetime certification from SHRM. Bergdahl's academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Behavioral Science from Pennsylvania State University.

Bergdahl gains international acclaim for his in-depth knowledge of the best practices of Walmart & Sam Walton. He has appeared on several internationally recognized platforms such as CNN, CNBC, CNN FN, MSNBC, CNN International, Univision, CBS National Radio, and Bloomberg TV. His written works and articles about him have been published worldwide. Moreover, he has contributed to numerous trade publications including Hardware Retailer Magazine (NRHA), Progressive Grocer Magazine, and the Retailer Association of India, STORAI Magazine. He also moderates two LinkedIn discussion groups related to Walmart and Sam Walton's leadership practices, boasting a combined membership of more than 10,000 professionals globally.

As an author, Bergdahl has penned several books, with two notable titles being "What I Learned from Sam Walton: How to Compete and Thrive in a Walmart World" and "The 10 Rules of Sam Walton: Success Secrets for Remarkable Results." His books have been widely received, reaching audiences across the globe with translations in multiple languages.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 09/02/2025.

Michael Bergdahl Speaking Topics

  • The 10 Rules of Sam Walton

    In Michael Bergdahl's book called, The 10 Rules of Sam Walton: Success Secrets for Remarkable Results, he unveils the tactics of the world's most successful entrepreneur.

    In this speech, he discusses Sam Walton's 10 self-professed rules for success, which Walton embraced as he grew Wal-Mart from a single store to a 7000+ store global enterprise. Did you know that when he died Sam Walton was the world’s richest man? He was worth US$100 billion which at the time was almost double the wealth of Bill Gates! Conference participants really want to learn the success secrets followed by the world’s wealthiest man and now they can!

    Based on his second book, The 10 Rules of Sam Walton, Michael Bergdahl will discuss “The Sam Walton Way” through a discussion of the tactics behind Sam Walton’s self-professed rules for entrepreneurial success. Sam Walton credited these 10 rules as the reason he became the World’s Richest Man.

    Your conference participants will gain actionable ideas, from the tactics followed by Sam Walton, which they can adapt, and utilize in their businesses and personal lives. In this speech, Bergdahl uses great stories only an insider can tell about Sam Walton’s unique brand of leadership!

    Growing Your Business “The Sam Walton & Wal-Mart Way"

    When he died, Sam Walton was the wealthiest man in the world with an estate worth over US $100 billion dollars! How did he achieve such phenomenal success in just over 30 years? How does Wal-Mart focus its 2 million employees, 7100 stores and 120 massive distribution centers? What were Sam Walton’s secrets for growing Wal-Mart to become the world’s largest company?

    Wal-Mart’s successful growth is a result of specific strategies and tactics put in place long ago by the company founder, Sam Walton. Sam Walton had a vision, a specific game plan, and rules upon which he focused his team to grow his business. In this speech Bergdahl discusses the success strategies and tactics of “The Sam Walton and Wal-Mart Way.”

    Audience members will learn the success secrets of the world’s most successful merchant, Sam Walton, and the best practices of the world’s largest company, Wal-Mart. The focus of this program is to help audience members transfer the knowledge gained into action to grow their own businesses, through innovation, risk taking, and thinking outside the box “The Sam Walton & Wal-Mart Way.”

  • Picking Wal-Mart’s “POCKETS

    Based on his first book, What I learned from Sam Walton: How to Compete & Thrive in a Wal-Mart World, this speech reveals “The Wal-Mart Way” through a discussion of the 7 key strategies of Wal-Mart.

    Using storytelling, humor, inspiration and his real world experience working with Sam Walton as examples, Bergdahl unveils those seven strategies. He uses the acronym, “P.O.C.K.E.T.S.”, which stands for Price, Operations, Culture, Key Item Promotion, Expenses, Talent and Service. Bergdahl believes, “Finding your unique niche in the marketplace or “POCKETS” is the key to success no matter what market or business you are competing in!”

    In this speech he explains the key to each of Wal-Mart’s seven strategies, and the Best Practices, that have made Wal-Mart the World’s Largest Company. More importantly, Bergdahl will discuss specific strategies that audience members can take away from “The Wal-Mart Way” to make their businesses even more successful.

    Conference participants will learn techniques other companies have used successfully to compete, survive and thrive in a Wal-Mart World! Bergdahl also reviews a checklist of success strategies and tactics audience members can implement in their businesses immediately upon return.

    Whether your conference participants love Wal-Mart, or hate Wal-Mart, if they are in business anywhere around the globe, they will benefit by “Picking Wal-Marts POCKETS!” Note: Bergdahl will tailor his remarks to support your brand and conference theme!

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Michael Bergdahl Videos

HEATKTE - High Expectations Are The Key To Everything

HEATKTE - High Expectations Are The Key To Everything

H.E.A.T.K.T.E. is about how to bring out the best in you! This speech is based on the book Bergdahl and his wife Sheryl co-wrote after she suffered...

Michael Bergdahl at NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores)

Michael Bergdahl at NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores)

Uploaded by Michael Bergdahl on 2016-03-16.

Michael Bergdahl Keynote Speech at CACDS

Michael Bergdahl Keynote Speech at CACDS

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  • What topics does Michael Bergdahl speak about?

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Michael Bergdahl is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as The 10 Rules of Sam Walton, Picking Wal-Mart’s “POCKETS, The Sam Walton Way: What Would Sam Do? and High Expectations Are the Key To Everything. The estimated speaking fee range to book Michael Bergdahl for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Michael Bergdahl generally travels from Pittsburgh, PA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Libby Gill, Dr. Jackie Freiberg, Jason Young, Robert Spector and Dennis Snow. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Michael Bergdahl for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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