Speakers: Sarah Sladek

Sarah delivers clear value to audiences committed to bridging the generational gap and creating sustainable organizations.

Sarah Sladek was leading the charge for organizations and companies to adapt to younger members and workers long before anybody else. Her accolades are substantial.

Sarah Sladek

Generations Expert | Author | Demographic Shifts | Talent Management |
Multi-Generational Workforce | Leadership Development |
Future-Ready Associations | Succession Planning

www.xyzuniversity.com | Download a pdf with more information.

Based in Minneapolis, MN.

About Sarah

Entrepreneur

In 2002, Sarah launched one of the nation’s first and only generation-focused companies.  As CEO of XYZ University she helps organizations nationwide bridge gaps, increase ROI, and remain relevant to future generations.

Author

Sarah is the author of The New Recruit: What Your Association Needs to Know About X, Y, and Z (2007), the first book to address the generation gap in membership associations, and Rock Stars Incorporated: Hiring the High Maintenance High Performance Hotshots Half Your Age (2008). In fall 2011, her third book will be published by the American Society of Association Executives.

Trendsetter

Sarah is the founder of the RockStars@Work Conference, the nation’s first generation-themed business conference and awards program addressing the talent gap. The inaugural conference was
hosted in Minneapolis in 2009 and brought in such notable companies as DreamWorks Animation, Fortune, Jobing.com, Quicken Loans, and Best Buy.

Speaker

Not surprising, Sarah has become a sought-after speaker. Backed by years of experience and supported by solid research, she is committed to helping organizations engage every generation to thrive and prosper in the new economy. Her candid, yet motivational and solution-driven presentations have been referred to as “rockin’,” “a wake-up call,” “thought-provoking,” and “hugely relevant.”

HOT OFF THE PRESS!

The American Society of Association Executives is publishing XYZ University founder Sarah Sladek's third book. The End of Membership As We Know It: Building the Fortune-Flipping, Must-Have Association of the Next Century will be available for purchase in early August. 

Synopsis

In 2008, demographic shifts, changes in technology, and a declining economy merged to create the perfect storm for associations and weakened their grip on the marketplace. Associations observed a great amount of change—and loss—in a very short period of time.

As a result, associations are challenged more than ever before to retain membership, market to prospective members, and raise revenue.

Rather than negotiate and haggle your way back to the top using traditional methods, this book will introduce your association to revolutionary membership models to put your association on the fortune-making fast-track.  Learn ways in which other associations have tapped into member needs, stayed relevant, and generated revenue in the aftermath of economic decline.

These fortune-flipping concepts will help your association build a sustainable, prosperous, next generation association that will corner the marketplace and keep members coming back for more.

Most Requested Presentations for Associations

Membership SOS: Fortune-Flipping Membership Models

Associations are challenged more than ever before to retain membership, market to prospective members, and raise revenue. Rather than negotiate and haggle your way back to the top using traditional methods, learn revolutionary membership models to put your association on the fortune-making fast-track.  These concepts will help your association build a sustainable, prosperous, next generation association that will corner the marketplace and keep members coming back for more.

What Your Association Needs to Know About X, Y, & Z

Generations X and Y are the most elusive, skeptical, tech-savvy generations in history. By 2015, these generations will comprise the majority of the workforce and Generation Z will be entering the workforce. You need the membership and leadership of these generations for your association to survive. Learn how your association can be relevant to, engage, and capitalize on these emerging and influential member markets.

Additional Topics

• Amplify Association ROI: Giving and Getting the Greatest Return on Investment
• Engaging the Next Generation Without Alienating the Loyalty Generation
• Membership Growth: What’s Love Got to Do With It?
• Show Me the Money! Profit-Building for Non-Profits

Most Requested Presentations for Business

Generations@Work

A core challenge over the next decade will be to attract and retain a skilled workforce. This situation is exacerbated as companies find themselves managing four generations–each with their own distinct values and attitudes toward work. To successfully integrate these generations into the workplace, companies will need to embrace radical changes in recruitment, benefits, and culture. Learn how to successfully foster a culture of collaboration, acceptance, and productivity.

Next-Generation Employers of Choice

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting a shortfall of 10 million workers within the next few years. Now more than ever it’s important to keep young employees challenged, motivated, and dedicated to their jobs. This presentation focuses on the keys to talent capacity-building and next-generation workforce development. Learn what some of the most influential companies in America are doing to develop a strong bench of future leaders, further employee engagement, and emerge as next generation employers of choice.

Additional Topics

• Hiring the High Maintenance, High Performance Hotshots Half Your Age
• The Next Generation of Leadership
• Millennials Rising: Why Generation Y is So Darn Special
• Workforce 2020: Preparing for What (and Who) the Future Will Bring

Testimonials:

Sarah truly did a fabulous job and the data and the insight she presented during her presentation was invaluable to the attendees.
Jennifer Wilson, American Nurses Association

The information Sarah Sladek presented to our audience of entrepreneurs was tremendous and well appreciated. Her insights on what the data means and how it impacts small businesses was very valuable. Plus, I asked participants to complete a speaker’s survey after her session and she received a nearly 100% rating! Awesome!
Kathleen Riopelle, Metropolitan Economic Development Association 

Sarah’s generational perspective was very well received by our members and very timely for our industry as we work to determine not only our customer of the future but what our association will look like in 2015. She engaged our chapters to think in different ways about engagement, the use of technology, and her ‘what’s in it for me’ outlook translated well for our membership strategies.
Elisa Brewer Pratt, The Associated General Contractors of America

Ms. Sladek did a terrific job of engaging the entire audience and really made sure that all generations were included. Also, quite impressive was her dedication to making the presentation one that really applied to the industry. All in all, Ms. Sladek’s presentation was a great success. Attendees raved about her content, as well as her ability to captivate and engage the audience.
Jenica Hickey, Minnesota Multi-Housing Association

Our challenges ranged from declining membership to generational differences. Thanks to Sarah's insight, as well as her organizational management acumen, we were able to implement some very significant changes within our organization.
Teresa Foster, National Athletic Trainers Association

Sarah’s presentation provided creative ideas, encouraged people to think outside the box, and motivated us to proactively reach the younger generations. Our audience was so impressed!
Kathy Messerli, Minnesota Medical Association