Michelle Ray

Workplace Relationships and Leadership Expert

Michelle Ray is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, author, trainer and consultant who demonstrates a deep understanding of the consequences of low morale, lackluster service and ineffective leadership in the workplace. Michelle's core message: "Leadership - An Inside Job", resonates with audiences at any level, as she reminds her attendees that leadership is a mindset, not a job title. Born in Australia and now residing in Vancouver, B.C., Michelle began her career in the media industry during the recession of the early 80's. She was once told by management that she "didn't have what it takes" to succeed in the business world. With self- doubt and a lack of mentors, Michelle was inspired to create her own successful international business. She speaks passionately about personal responsibility, the impact of attitude in the workplace, the importance of outstanding leadership and the value of positive communication and influence.

Michelle is a "Certified Speaking Professional" (CSP), the highest-earned designation in the speaking industry. She has been listed in the "Who's Who" of Professional Speakers, and was awarded the "Presentation Mastery Award" from the Vancouver Chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. Earlier in her career, she was recognized as the top speaker in Canada for the world's largest international public seminar company.

Michelle's motivating keynotes and interactive presentations have a thought-provoking, amusing, common sense message. Her limitless energy, masterful use of humour and down to earth approach has earned her respect and appreciation by clients around the world. Michelle Ray's depth of knowledge and powerful message is guaranteed to energize, inform and inspire workplaces across the globe! She is currently working on her book "Leadership - An Inside Job".

TOPICS

The Power of Personal Leadership... Attitude makes the Difference
We all possess the ability to profoundly impact another person by the manner in which we conduct ourselves. When we go out in the world with a happier disposition, we impact others positively. By our own demeanor, we create an energy force that has the power to change attitudes and change lives. We should never underestimate our own personal power! This humorous, highly energized and insightful presentation offers a deeper understanding of the power of positive thinking and personal initiative, as well as specific tools to implement when faced with our own "stinkin' thinking". Whether your group needs an attitude adjustment, tune-up or makeover, audience members experience a memorable, popular keynote that reinforces the concept of leadership being a state of mind. They learn the true meaning of becoming the leader of themselves in order to make a difference in their professional and personal relationships.
Learning objectives and benefits for attendees:
- Implement immediate solutions to workplace stress and negativity
- Realign your core personal and professional values to those of your workplace
- Learn how to re-energize attitudes to co-workers and management that brings profound results
- Discover how to influence others with outstanding communication skills
- Master the art of personal leadership in all relationships
The Most Challenging Team to Lead is a Team of One
Is leadership the influence you have on others? The respect you get from your peers? Your ability to implement a business strategy? The number of sales you make? Or the number of friends you have on Facebook?
Over the course of her professional career, Michelle got hit with two deep recessions that brought her face to face with the true meaning of leadership....the challenge of leading oneself. From starting out as an administrative assistant during the first recession and working her way up to management for 23 regional radio and TV stations...to helping the largest cinema complex in the southern hemisphere increase revenue when everyone else's budgets were shrinking... to dressing up as Cat Woman to teach her team what it really takes to win business during an economic downturn... Michelle learned that the true test of leadership is how you lead a team of one.
Michelle now challenges you to be the leader in your own work and life. Are you tapping into your own innovative potential? Are you leading yourself by demonstrating unwavering confidence in your personal and career decisions in an unpredictable economy? Are you ready to lead the team of one? It all comes back to YOU. Are you ready?
Learning objectives and benefits for attendees:
- Implement specific strategies to develop an engaged workplace
- Discover power of positive influence with teams and clients alike
- Take charge of yourself... at work and in life
- Apply the incredible leverage of modeling a "do-what it takes" attitude
Operation Cooperation: How to Build Outstanding, Collaborative Workplace Relationships
In these volatile times, teams within every type of organization are grappling with the challenges presented by the different values, attitudes and expectations present in today's business climate. "Operation Cooperation" offers you a winning strategy to build an outstanding workplace culture where everyone is empowered to communicate, collaborate and connect. In this interactive presentation, the concept of cooperation will be reinforced with an emphasis on the importance of successful internal workplace relationships to achieve an atmosphere of camaraderie and respect. Our external professional relationships are compromised when the spirit of a unified team is lacking. Participants will have the opportunity to refocus, re-energize and be reminded of the value of collective wisdom... prerequisites for outstanding team relationships.
Learning benefits for attendees:
- Realign your core personal values to those of your workplace
- Discover how to influence others with outstanding interpersonal skills
- Experience first-hand the benefits of a collaborative atmosphere
- Embrace the values of cooperation and respect... essentials for a building a culture of excellence
An attitude of Gratitude... We Appreciate Your Business
The Customer Service revolution is still in full swing! Is your front line staff committed to an "attitude of gratitude" for the business your customers provide? Are they giving a gold-medal performance with every customer experience? No matter how high tech our workplaces have become, our organizations will always be about people. When we achieve an exceptional standard of excellence in workplace relationships internally, our external relationships benefit. The first point of contact with a customer can make or break the relationships within seconds. Therefore, great service starts with leading ourselves. Is your team set up to go beyond the extra mile? The theme of this exciting keynote address or workshop is based on the reality that almost 70% of customers take there business elsewhere due to an attitude of indifference!
Learning objectives and benefits for attendees:
- Recharge your attitude to client relationships: They are the reason you are in business
- Learn the six secrets of customer satisfaction to outsmart the competition
- Improve your internal client relationships to increase bottom line results
- Learn dynamic communication strategies... Master the art of diplomacy with your most annoying clients!
- Avoid the "cost of loss" ...a bad service experience with your organization has immeasurable consequences!
Leading the generations: Adjusting Attitudes in the Multigenerational Workplace
The notion of having one job and having it for life does not hold any appeal for the new generation of workers. Those days are gone forever and unless organizations are willing to invest in their people emotionally and financially, the best and brightest will unashamedly seek opportunities elsewhere, leaving you scrambling to replace them. In this context, employers must be willing to rethink existing hiring, mentoring and training practices and let go of old ideas that shaped the traditional organizational structures. In this fun and informative presentation, participants learn how to adjust attitudes regarding the secret to motivating and retaining our workforce to create outstanding intergenerational workplaces. Despite the volatility of the economy and the job market, we can develop an outstanding workplace culture by focusing on what is within our control. Developing an unbiased viewpoint and flexible approach, coupled with exceptional interpersonal skills and specific methods to keep all team members engaged, productive and satisfied. These are fundamentals for leadership success in managing our diverse workforce.
Learning objectives and benefits of attending:
- Understand the "push" and "pull" factors regarding employees' decisions to stay or leave.
- Learn how to lead yourself first and apply positive influence and motivation to all team members; regardless of age, culture and attitudes.
- Practice the language of leadership to use when giving feedback to different generations.
- Learn how to create a work environment that fosters retention by encouraging creativity, participation in decision - making, brainstorming problem solving.
- Experience hands - on opportunity to practice the power of positive connection will all generations!

References:

"We continue to receive rave reviews from everyone who attended both of your sessions! You really WOW-ed everyone with your personal, passionate, and effective take on Customer Service! Many thanks for making such a fantastic first impression on our team here at RBC." RBC Financial Group

"Michelle spent the day sharing life-skills for problem solving during disagreement, and my only sorrow is that she wasn't there to teach me those skills 25 years ago... She is hands-down the best speaker I've heard, and her message resonates with me still - it has been of benefit to me in every interpersonal relationship I have." Northern Alberta Operating Room Nurses Association

"Michelle gets her message across in a positive, unique and humorous way. Everyone in the room was engaged and the number of people who commented on the quality of her delivery was excellent. Her use of humor to get her point across is masterful." Australian Industry Group

"...to put it simply, Ms. Ray surpassed all of our expectations. Her presentation was interactive, humorous, fast paced, informative and deeply moving... I cannot recommend Ms. Ray more strongly for any organization looking for someone to stimulate and move both the mind and the heart." Insurance Corporation of British Columbia

"A combination of hilarious and brilliant. Michelle teaches valuable lessons that are extremely wise." Canadian Payroll Association

"From your opening remarks to your conclusion... you kept the audience entertained, energized and happy... you exceeded our expectations." KPMG LLP

"You took the time to learn about our group in advance and to customize the material and this made all the difference. We laughed, we cried, we learned and you left us wanting more. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive...(You) leave participants with skills that can be utilized not only at work, but in their personal lives as well." The Supreme Court of British Columbia

"I received an overwhelming amount of feedback that raved about not only the relevance of addressing the topic of the leader within, but also the engaging and meaningful delivery that you presented...I am looking forward to using the tools and message that you presented us with and have to admit that I immediately took one meaningful point and wrote it on the white board in my office!" Halton Catholic District School Board & CUPE Local 5200

"Your expert advice, combined with humourous anecdotes and entertaining props held our attention throughout the entire day. This was evidenced by the standing ovation you received at the end of your presentation. In fact, over a month has passed and we are still receiving compliments about the Professional Development Day." Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board & CAW Local 2458

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Michelle Ray

Workplace Relationships and Leadership Expert

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