Scott McKain

Biography

Scott McKain is Vice Chairman of Obsidian Enterprises, a dynamic holding company with interests in widely varied businesses: from a finance company to butyl rubber reclamation, from manufacturing trailers to leasing celebrity coaches, from cosmetic surgery to publishing magazines. His original and uniquely perceptive insights into business not only currently provide the basis for his books and platform content, but also assisted in forming the foundation of a company that has grown from a small investment to $100 million in annual sales in a very short period. He is also the Co-founder and Principal of The Value Added Institute, a think-tank that explores the role of the customer experience in creating lifelong client loyalty. The work of the VAI has been featured in many national publications, particularly in the financial services industry. Literally thousands of organizations, readers and audience members have improved their profitability and enhanced their business from Scott McKain's concepts. Capturing the ideas that helped form one of America's "fastest growing companies" (according to a nationally respected business publication), Scott McKain has authored two bestselling business books. The first, ALL Business is Show Business from Nelson Business reached the #1 spot on Amazon.com's list of business bestsellers and has been released in several languages worldwide. Scott's most recent book, What Customers REALLY Want, has been his personal best selling work and has received rave reviews and top rankings on several well-regarded charts. Its groundbreaking look at the "Six Major Disconnections between Customers and Organizations" has made a significant impact in the manner in which the companies that use Scott's strategies and insights approach their customer and prospect base. Because of its success, the paperback was released in October 2006, and will continue to be read by thousands. Scott is also currently working to explode some of the myths about business in his new project: The 7 Biggest Lies in Business (And the Truth We Must Tell Our Customers, Our Employees and Ourselves). Scott McKain's calling is business � but his passion is the platform. His unique presentations clearly demonstrate he brings something to the platform that isn't often found in business speakers: personal experience in building and leading companies and dealing with customers and employees. Many audiences have grown tired of "book reports" � unoriginal material presented by speakers who have little or no practical expertise. Scott has both innovative theories and conceptual framework � as evidenced by his two bestselling business books � and the "in the trenches" viewpoints on execution that can only be found in someone who has been there. And, Scott's warm, engaging and revealing personal speaking style ensures that audiences will respond and remember.

Publications

Collapse of Distinction "If you cannot find it within yourself to become emotional, committed, engaged, and yes, fervent about differentiation, then you had better be prepared to take your place among that vast throng of the mediocre who are judged by their customers solely on the basis of price. It is the singularly worst place to be in all of business. If you aren't willing to create distinction for yourself in your profession--and for your organization in the marketplace--then prepare to take your seat in the back, with the substantial swarm of the similar, where tedium reigns supreme." It's as simple as this: In these challenging times customers are NOT disappearing! They ARE becoming more discriminating with where and how they spend. If you and your organization are distinct, the current conditions are tailor-made for growing market share. If you're not...you lose. Scott McKain's "Collapse of Distinction" - as well as his in person and online presentations - will clearly demonstrate the specific steps you need to take in these troubled times.

Titles

All Business is Show Business Beyond this, There is Dragons The Simple Truths of Achievement Light Seminars: The Simple Truths of Customer Service Are You Certain You Understood What You Think I Said How To Ensure Better Living All Business is Show Business