Katie Mares

This keynote delves into the criticality of decision-making. Research shows that executives who make decisions effectively are 12 times more likely to be high performers (McKinsey & Co.). This talk explores how to make choices that resonate both personally and professionally, inspired by my TED talk, “The Art of Choice.”

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the psychology and statistics behind decision-making.
• Learn strategies to make confident choices, improving performance by up to 95% (Harvard Business Review).
• Balance intuition and logic, key to 90% of impactful decisions (Forbes).
• Explore the impact of choices on personal growth, crucial for 80% of career advancements (Journal of Applied Psychology).
• Master decision-making in leadership roles, increasing team productivity by up to 40% (American Management Association).

Focusing on decision-making in leadership, this topic addresses how effective choice-making can lead to a 35% higher retention rate in organizations (Gallup). Leaders who make informed choices create positive change within their teams and organizations.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the role of choice in leadership, impacting organizational success by 70% (Leadership IQ).
• Develop techniques for decisive and ethical decision-making, boosting team morale by 50% (Center for Creative Leadership).
• Foster a culture of empowerment, enhancing employee engagement by 60% (SHRM).
• Navigate leadership challenges confidently, crucial for successful project completion in 75% of cases (PMI).
• Cultivate adaptability, key to overcoming 80% of business challenges (Bain & Company).

“Resilience Through Choices” explores how strategic choices enhance resilience. Studies indicate that resilience can lead to a 50% decrease in workplace burnout (APA). Drawing from my experiences, this talk offers insights into making choices that bolster both personal and professional resilience.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how choices affect personal resilience, essential for 65% of successful career transitions (Harvard Business Review).
• Apply decision-making skills to overcome adversity, key to 70% of personal recoveries (Journal of Positive Psychology).
• Build a resilient mindset, increasing problem-solving effectiveness by 40% (University of Pennsylvania).
• Enhance professional resilience in challenging environments, linked to a 30% increase in workplace productivity (Deloitte).
• Turn obstacles into opportunities, a strategy employed by 85% of successful entrepreneurs (Entrepreneur Magazine).

This keynote of Katie Mares, “Choosing Excellence in Customer Service,” delves into the profound impact of customer-centric choices on business success. It’s about understanding that every interaction with a customer is a chance to build or break your business. I draw from my extensive experience of building five star experiences and the principles outlined in my book, “CustomHER Experience,” to illustrate how prioritizing customer needs leads to lasting success and growth.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the critical role of customer service in business success, with statistics showing a 20% increase in customer satisfaction leading to a 15% increase in sales revenue (Bain & Company).
• Develop strategies for creating a customer-focused culture, which can lead to a 50% higher market share (Deloitte).
• Learn how to make every customer interaction count, as 73% of customers fall in love with a brand due to friendly customer service (RightNow).
• Explore the link between customer service and brand loyalty, with 80% of consumers more likely to do business with a company after a good service experience (American Express).
• Master the art of customer-centric decision making, which can result in a 60% improvement in profitability (McKinsey & Company).

“Choosing to Rise” is an invigorating keynote that illuminates the pivotal role of decision-making in forging women’s resilience and success. This presentation delves into how confident choices can be transformational, both personally and professionally. Citing statistics like women being 20% less likely than men to feel ready for a promotion (HBR, 2019), the talk underscores the need for women to embrace confidence in their decision-making. I intertwine my own experiences with research, highlighting the profound impact that decisive action can have in surmounting obstacles and crafting the life and career women aspire to.

Learning Objectives:

• Grasp the Influence of Decision-Making: Understand how making informed, confident decisions is crucial for women’s advancement and success, affecting key areas like career growth and personal fulfillment.
• Cultivate Confidence in Choices: Learn the importance of confidence in decision-making, critical for achieving goals and leading to a higher likelihood of career advancement and personal satisfaction.
• Overcome Societal and Personal Barriers: Address common barriers that women face in decision-making, including societal pressures and internalized doubts, and strategies to overcome them.
• Develop Tools for Empowered Decisions: Explore practical methods and tools that women can use to enhance their decision-making skills, leading to better outcomes in both personal and professional spheres.
• Transform Challenges into Opportunities: Discover how to turn everyday challenges into opportunities for growth, a key trait observed in successful women leaders and entrepreneurs.
• “Choosing to Rise” is more than a keynote; it’s an empowering journey that equips women to confidently navigate the complexities of their choices, transforming both their personal and professional lives.

This inspiring keynote addresses a universal truth relevant to women globally: “You Always Have a Choice.” Katie Mares, a trailblazer from the automotive sector, one of the most challenging industries for women worldwide, shares her journey of resilience and choice. Katie’s  talk transcends industry-specific challenges, focusing on how personal perspective shapes one’s journey irrespective of gender, race, family status, or birthplace.

Participants will learn to view situations as opportunities rather than obstacles, emphasizing the power of choice in challenging circumstances. The keynote blends motivational anecdotes with practical strategies, providing a toolkit for developing resilience, adaptability, and a ‘find a way’ attitude in professional and personal realms.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the Impact of Perspective on Success: Participants will explore how their viewpoint on challenges influences success, with an understanding of global statistics on gender disparities.
• Recognize the Power of Choice in Challenging Situations: Gain insights into the critical role of choice in overcoming personal and professional hurdles, and how it leads to empowerment and success.
• Develop Resilience and Adaptability in Professional Settings: Learn strategies to build resilience and adaptability, applicable across diverse, often male-dominated industries.
• Explore Mindset Shifts for Overcoming Industry Limitations: Discover ways to shift mindsets to navigate and excel in slow-evolving industries and organizational cultures.
• Learn from Real-Life Experiences in Overcoming Barriers: Through the speaker’s experiences in the automotive industry, attendees will learn actionable approaches to tackling significant life and business obstacles.
• Empowerment Through Self-Agency: Emphasize the importance of self-agency and the ability to find innovative solutions in the face of challenges or limitations.
• Cultivating a ‘Find a Way’ Attitude: Encourage the adoption of a proactive approach to navigating and circumventing obstacles, fostering a mindset of resilience and determination.