Gary did a fantastic job of using business cases and metaphors that helped our leaders see the real-world impacts and implications of deliberate cultural change. He helped set the tone for our leadership summit and his talking points were referenced throughout the day during our critical thinking sessions
Gary Garfield
Former CEO of Bridgestone Americas, Inc.
Featured Topics
Fee Range
Please contact us for pricing
Gary Garfield
Biography
As critical as change is in our ever changing world, most organizational and group change efforts fail. Why? Because change is hard, very hard. Habits are stubborn; they do not die easily. Studies have shown that about two-thirds of all change efforts fail to reach their goals.
As an expert on successfully driving change, as well as leadership and corporate culture, Gary is a sought-after speaker, author, consultant and coach. Gary is the former CEO of Bridgestone Americas, a 55,000 person company with operations on five continents and the successor company to the iconic Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. During his tenure, he successfully drove radical change throughout the organization, including the culture, the strategy, the vision, and, where necessary, the people. Unlike most change efforts, it worked. The company’s profits grew by an astounding 500 percent in six years. Gary comes from a position of hands-on success.
In his book, Driving Results: Six Lessons Learned in Transforming an Iconic Company, Gary details the six essential elements to achieve meaningful change in any organization, group, or team. He brings these essential elements of change to life in his captivating and highly acclaimed keynote address. He also is available to help his clients, advising and coaching them as they drive change to achieve their goals.
In addition to being a keynote speaker for many companies and industry associations, Gary has been a guest lecturer at some of the country’s most respected academic institutions, including Wharton, Yale, West Point, Vanderbilt, and Ohio State, among many others.
Gary Garfield
Featured Video
Current: Speaking Reel
Time 06:32
Gary Garfield
Featured Keynote Programs
A Company as a Community Partner
The marriage of a tire company CEO and green initiatives seems unlikely, however that is what Gary Garfield former CEO of Bridgestone Americas brought together under his leadership. While serving as CEO, Gary oversaw the reduction of CO2 admission in Bridgestone plants as well as becoming the first tire company to recycle 100% of its waste in three of its plants. In this personal and forward thinking talk, Gary will show leaders how corporate social responsibility does not have to hurt the bottom line. This is evidence by Bridgestone Americas turning a record profit each year Garfield was the CEO. A company is part of a community therefore, it must be part of a better tomorrow.
Culture First
What must a new CEO must do when its globally recognized brand has grown stagnant and the company is performing poorly? (Chris, the first thing we did was set high expectations, made profitability the focus of the entire organization, and created line of sight on business performance)
Gary Garfield, former CEO of Bridgestone Americas, focused on changing the culture. Garfield brought innovative means to answering the age-old questions of how does a company break down silos, better handle conflict within the organization, and break out of its rut. By answering these questions in a new and fresh way, Garfield took Bridgestone Americas and its 55,000 employees to a 13% increase in revenue and increased profitability by 500% in six years. Garfield led the charge of how to create a better environment for people to work in and how leadership listened to its team members. After hearing this keynote, audiences will have new ideas about how to improve their culture, why it is important to look at how your employees view their jobs, and how to spark innovation in your company.
Leaders Make The Necessary Changes
Turning around a company that has had years of low profits, poor cash flow, and stagnant growth to six years of record breaking profits does not happen by accident. Gary Garfield achieved just this at Bridgestone Americas. Profits grew 500% during his six years as the CEO. In this keynote, Garfield will talk about his journey of leading an iconic brand through explosive growth and profit by changing the focus of the organization, breaking down silos, and changing a tire manufacturer into a marketing company. With a thoughtful approach, audiences will be able to glean takeaways for whatever change their business may be facing.
