Across the country and around the world, the forces of commoditization have created a race to the bottom where all that matters is how much cheaper your product or salary is compared to the competition. By learning the relevance mindset, you can rise above the fray, and chart your own course and define success on your own terms.
PHIL STYRLUND As CEO of The Summit Group, Phil is a recognized thought leader on sales transformation and development as part of the go-to-market strategies of some of the world s premier organizations in the public and private sectors, including Cisco, Xerox, General Mills, Marriott, 3M, Medtronic, Pfizer, Abbott, and U.S. federal government agencies. In addition to keynotes and training programs delivered in more than 45 countries, Phil serves as a coach, mentor, consultant, and advisor to top leaders across a range of industries. Recently, Phil was elected to the board of directors for SAMA (Strategic Account Management Association). He also leads the CEO Forum as part of the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. Phil has written for, or been cited in, articles in leading publications that include: The Wall Street Journal, the National Account Management Journal, the Los Angeles Times, Inc., and Fast Company, as well as in several best-selling books, including Adversity Quotient and The Power of Purpose. His career includes key leadership positions with US West and ADC Telecommunications. Phil also teaches in various university and executive education programs, and has master s degrees in business administration and telecommunications science. He recently initiated a doctoral program at Middlesex University in London. Phil resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Santa Barbara, California. summitvalue.com
TOM HAYES As the founder and owner of Riley Hayes, an advertising agency now in its third decade. Having started his advertising career as a copywriter, Tom has now returned to his love of writing with Relevance: Matter More. He has put the book s principles to use throughout his business, applying them to employee and agency evaluations, and using them in creative briefs, new business pitches, and strategic planning. As a result, Riley Hayes is recognized for work that helps client brands and products matter more to their customers, achieving relevant results. The agency is honored to serve some of America s most prestigious clients, including Delta Air Lines, U.S. Bank, Walgreens, 3M, Allen Edmonds, Alerus Financial, Tradition Capital Bank, Korn Ferry, Scholarship America, and Dunn Bros Coffee. Tom takes particular pride in the ways Riley Hayes has been able to help clients, large and small, enjoy sustainable success. Tom s thoughts on relevance, advertising, and marketing are published in a variety of publications and websites, and can be found on Tom s site, tomhayesmattermore.com. In addition to his agency leadership and writing, Tom shares his thinking about the principles of Relevance: Matter More through speaking engagements and strategic planning sessions. Tom s avocations include helping underserved communities move forward, supporting underserved youth in the pursuit of higher education, and spending as much time as he can in nature. Tom is blessed with a large, loving, Irish-American family, including his wife, Sheila, and adult children Katie, Pat, and Ryan. Tom lives in Shorewood, Minnesota, a short walk from his family s ancestral home. rileyhayes.com tomhayesmattermore.com
MARIAN DEEGAN As the founder of Fortuni, Marian writes for business and health care innovators. Her work is grounded in more than 20 years of national advertising experience and is informed by multidisciplinary credentials in law, philosophy, and the arts. Marian understands the subtle intangibles that bring the facts to life in her profiles of CEOs, surgeons and community leaders. She is a contributing writer and editor for the Immunization Action Coalition and MD News-Minnesota, and a lecturer and consultant on business writing. Marian is committed to client collaborations that support thoughtful, healthy, and inspired communities. fortuni.com
"Relevance is that one book that deserves the coveted perch at the very top of the reading stack for anyone striving to make who they are, what they do, and what they offer to others really matter. This wisdom-laden book is emotionally profound and immensely practical. It’s an automatic classic." --Paul G. Stoltz, Ph.D. Founder and CEO PEAK Learning®
