Speaking Engagements
“In retail, there is no such thing as a “new normal.” There never has been, and certainly not now.”
Most forecasters assume that the future will simply be an extrapolation of the present, but retail has never worked that way.
That’s what makes the industry so fascinating, and at the same time, so difficult to predict. As Steve Jobs was fond of saying, it’s called a “paradigm shift” because no one can see it coming.
Of course no one can predict the future. However, it is possible to develop a clearer sense of where the puck may be headed, as long as one casts a skeptical eye towards the received wisdom and stands apart from the prevailing orthodoxies.
With a willingness and ability to grapple analytically with the nuance and complexity, I weave together lessons and findings from multiple disciplines, tease out the possible second and third-order effects, while still accounting for the contingencies of what we do not and simply cannot know.
With an impassioned style that captures and holds your attention, I pull no punches and give it to you straight. I challenge your biases, scramble your preconceptions, and ultimately leave you with a better understanding of both where we are and where we’re going.
That’s what you’ll get from me, whether the subject is the future of brick-and-mortar, the prospects for new business models, the resiliency of our Downtowns and Main Streets or the case for/against certain public-sector interventions in the marketplace.
Who I Speak To
Conferences
I deliver keynote addresses designed to be attention-grabbing, eye-opening, and thought-provoking, sometimes even uplifting and inspiring, as well as presentations intended to offer practical guidance in specific realms.
City Councils
I distill complicated retail concepts, market dynamics and policy considerations into clear and accessible language for elected officials without much exposure to the field, while providing a broader perspective grounded in industry trends and national/international analogs.
Corporate Boards
I provide color on the trends and trajectories in specific categories, formats, and markets, as a basis for better understanding the opportunities and challenges inherent in different strategies for individual retailers, brokers, landlords, developers, lenders, and others.
Teaching & Guest Lecturing
I open the eyes of students and others to the basics of how retail “happens,” how retailers think, how stakeholders are incentivized, how districts are revitalized, and other subjects rarely taught but absolutely essential to good planning, good policy, good development, and good places.
Michael J. Berne is available for
speaking and writing engagements.
Seeking fresh insights into retail’s future for your publication, conference or lecture series? Whether you’re an editor craving compelling and thought-provoking content or an event coordinator seeking a dynamic and captivating speaker, Michael delivers clarity and confidence in navigating the complexities of today’s ever-changing landscape.
Michael J. Berne is available for
speaking and writing engagements.
Seeking fresh insights into retail’s future for your publication, conference or lecture series? Whether you’re an editor craving compelling and thought-provoking content or an event coordinator seeking a dynamic and captivating speaker, Michael delivers clarity and confidence in navigating the complexities of today’s ever-changing landscape.
