Client Testimonials

Greg Bell, corporate keynote speaker, author of Water The Bamboo: Unleashing The Potential Of Teams And Individuals and What’s Going Well? The Question That Changes Everything, and accomplished thought-leader, collaborates with organizations in a variety of industries to improve company culture, productivity, and results. Greg’s leadership and corporate development methodologies have been adopted by world-class organizations, including Nike, PBS, AT&T, ManpowerGroup, and Kaiser Permanente. He has been recognized as one of the top keynote speakers in the country and has been accredited as a Certified Speaking Professional by the National Speakers Association.

Through his Water The Bamboo® philosophy, Greg helps organizations flourish with easy-to-implement strategies for success that include a focus on culture, engagement, courage, and integrity. View our clients’ testimonials about their experience with Greg as their corporate keynote speaker, and how it has impacted the performance of their organization for the better.

 

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"I loved Greg's message to our players and coaches, and so did they. Thank you for the presentations. Go Blazers and Water The Bamboo!"

— Terry Stotts, Head Coach, Portland Trail Blazers


"Whatever your professional 'bamboo' is, Greg and Water The Bamboo can help you and your team achieve tremendous growth."

— Mark Few, Head Basketball Coach, Gonzaga University
NCAA Winningest Active Coach


"To our players, Greg’s analogy of Water The Bamboo is that you have to keep driving, keep playing, and it will pay off in the long run. And that's what those guys understand."

— Chip Kelly, Head Football Coach (2009-2013), University of Oregon
Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year


"Greg got it. He really connected with who we are and what we care about. His talk was right on target – no fluff. Everyone got on board. They called it inspiring, excellent, and upbeat. Since then, others have asked to bring Water The Bamboo to their department. Word is spreading. I doubt our work with Greg is done."

— Reva Kopel, Performance Management Leader, Kaiser Permanente


"Greg brings focus and simplicity to a complicated environment. It allows me to take a break in the day to think about what matters the most in leading this multinational organization. There are times that I have failed to water but with your help I have made the droughts fewer and shorter and our bamboo is thriving."

— Adrian Kurre, Global Head, Hilton Garden Inn


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"Greg's presentation was a large highlight of our kick-off event. Each person walked away from the presentation with a newfound energy for both work and personal lifestyles. It will be hard to top in upcoming events!"

— Stephanie Huston-Robertson, Market Communication Manager, AT&T Mobility


"We were thrilled when Greg agreed to present his agrarian wisdom at our team event for Leadership and Innovation. Greg took a great deal of time and care to understand our event objectives as well as the target audience. The result was very well received; team members of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives all remarked as to how personalized the event felt. Greg has a unique ability to craft his timeless messages into a variety of formats – for any situation or context. Our team came away from the event both energized and reflective. Feedback received from event participants was exceedingly positive. I highly recommend Greg as a speaker. "

— Cliff Milbank, Senior Project Manager, Nike


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"One of our main goals as an organization this year is 'Investing in Training & Development.' Greg worked with us to create a leadership development program based on his book Water The Bamboo. Greg spent time learning about our organization and our development needs, and wove into the program a curriculum that was specific to our culture. We have graduated 6 cohorts of leaders from the program, and expect to have another group attend the program in the upcoming year."

— Tim Morgan, President & Chief Executive Officer, AAA Oregon/Idaho


"Greg's ideas about maximizing potential and living into your values resonated with our leaders. If you are looking to connect your leaders with success attributes, Greg would make an excellent keynote speaker for your next leadership meeting."

— Kim Barger, Human Resources Manager, Allstate


"I had witnessed Greg's style and message in the past, and I knew I had to secure him for an upcoming hospitality industry summit. Greg has a unique way to grab your attention so that you are focused on the message, and you retain that message. He does so with compassion and humor. I recommend Greg for both keynotes and educational sessions, and I look forward to my next opportunity to learn from him!"

— Robin Akkerman, Conference Co-chair, Meeting Professionals International
Washington State Chapter


"Greg Bell was one of the best keynote speakers SMPS has ever had at our national conference. Not only did he keep our full attention with meaningful stories, he gave us specific takeaways that were easy to implement. We continue to receive rave reviews from his keynote session as well as the breakout session he led afterwards. Water The Bamboo is a life concept; thanks so much for sharing it!"

— Beth Harris, Conference Co-chair, Society for Marketing Professional Services


Attendees at the ALA Region 5 Conference said, "'What a powerful speaker! He caught our attention and maintained it throughout the session.' 'Greg was not only a good motivator, but his common logic, passion for life, and understanding of self and human value was refreshing' and 'he is engaged and engaging, focuses on what is truly attainable and positive, and challenges the audience to believe in their leadership potential.'"

— Attendees at the Region 5 Conference, Association of Legal Administrators


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"Greg Bell is a great speaker! He delivered an inspiring and engaging keynote that garnered rave reviews from the team and unique lessons to take back to the office. His insightful message will benefit any high-growth company; we’re all motivated to water our bamboo now! I highly recommend Greg for speaking sessions and anticipate working with him more in the future."

— Simeon Turner, Group Vice President, Evanta, a Gartner Company


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"Greg has such an incredible, uplifting vision for how to improve yourself and your company. He really provided a boost to our leadership team at a recent retreat, he was definitely the star / best thing on the agenda. I try to put Greg's concepts to work each day, and when I focus on these I know that my performance as a CEO, husband and dad are all improved!"

— Steve Landers, President and Chief Executive Officer, VNA Health Group


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"Greg's "Water the Bamboo" presentation was the highlight of our annual conference. Great wisdom imparted with wit, humor and humility. Highly recommend Greg for your similar needs."

— Dave Burstein, Director, PSMJ Resources, Inc


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"Greg delivers a message we all need to hear. In today's world, it's increasingly easy to become self-centered, with our first-world problems. Losing sight of what is going good happens to the best of us. Greg has a gentle way of reminding us that we often have so much going well. Engaging in conversations about it helps bring us back to a better, healthier place.

After hearing Greg speak, I changed my approach when talking with people. Instead of asking, "how are you?" I started asking, "what's going well." First, people felt an increased closeness with me, and the simple question change told people I was genuinely interested in them. Second, the conversations we're always positive. More than once, I got statements of how much they enjoyed the conversation.

Greg's message is uplifting and powerful. I would recommend Greg for speaking at any corporate or academic function. Those hearing the message will walk away with a genuine desire to improve their, and others, dispositions."

— Chad Heese, Chief Lending Officer, Rogue Credit Union


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"We invited Greg to keynote our annual Hospitality Conference and he certainly delivered! The "What's Going Well?" message carried through the entire event inspiring attendees to use that question to start conversations. Greg does a fantastic job of connecting with his audience and leaving a lasting message they can easily integrate within their own teams."

— Lori Little, Director of Communications, Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association


"Greg’s material and message is so applicable to my industry and situation. I can’t wait to go apply some, if not all, of his concepts!"

— Tim Mitchell, President, Norris & Stevens


"Thank you for your invaluable contribution serving as the keynote speaker for our Annual Management Conference. Your talk on ‘Watering The Bamboo’ was one of the most interesting topics in the conference. The average rating for your presentation was a 9.39 out of the possible 10 points. You are a generous and inspiring speaker, and we wholeheartedly recommend your presentation to others."

— Patrick Lupsha, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Hotels & Resorts


"Greg was a huge success with our brokers and office leaders. I appreciated how he worked with us and interweaved his message with our philosophies and our 2014 convention theme. He created a great buzz with his message and I have received great feedback and gratitude. Thank you for making our convention a huge success! We look forward to working with Greg in the future!"

— Jeff Cohen, Vice President of Professional Development, John L. Scott Real Estate


"It was absolutely more than what we expected. I was very impressed with the preparedness that Greg and his team did. The presentation itself knocked everybody out. I caught some on TED and on video before the meeting, and the in-person is way beyond that. I would recommend it to anybody."

— Bob Proffitt, President & Chief Operating Officer, Alpha Broadcasting
(KINK, KXL, KBFF, KXTG, KUPL, KXFD)


"Greg Bell's presentation to our Association members was one of the best we've ever had. We all found he concepts discussed by Greg very pertinent and timely to issues we face each day. All of the Executives present came away both motivated and anxious to share the insights with their own staff members."

— Deborah R. Lark, Vice President, International Association for Healthcare Textile Management


"Greg Bell and his Water The Bamboo program was a great centerpiece for our annual retreat. Greg is an engaging and positive presenter and focused our people on positive individual attitudes and interpersonal relationships. He really gets at what matters in an organization."

— Don Burns, Managing Partner, Miller Nash Graham & Dunn LLP


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"Greg Bell is an incredible speaker. He delivers insight and encouragement with the right dose of reality.  We brought Greg in as a Keynote Speaker to a conference for retailers and online entrepreneurs — folks with plenty of issues to worry about. The ones who were the most doubtful of the benefits of listening to a motivational speaker were the ones who came away the most impressed — and with real concrete ideas. We’re going to get Greg to do it again at future conferences as well."

— Brian Elliott, Chief Executive Officer, Monsoon Commerce


"Greg is a great speaker with powerful presence. He’s authentic and makes you feel like you’re the only person in the room. His message about planting seeds and having these little growths resonated with everyone. People are coming forward and talking about what is going well for them. Our staff is more engaged and our business is skyrocketing this year."

— Jodi Guffee, Chief Operating Officer, Radiant Senior Living


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"It was an outstanding session to watch and Water The Bamboo is a terrific book that helps guide my leadership efforts."

— Roger Thompson, Vice President of Enrollment, University of Oregon


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"The time-tested concepts Bell presented have helped my staff personally and professionally as they focus on the long-term goals and objectives while achieving short-term ones, too. They also learned how to work together to do so."

— Ed Stoner, Former Athletic Director, Multnomah Athletic Club


"Greg's Water the Bamboo formula is simple, yet effective. We enjoyed having Greg present his seminars to our management team over the past year. I know those on the team who followed his program saw results! Greg is an inspiring speaker and facilitator, and I have made a number of positive changes in my daily habits, both personal and work related, as a result of Greg's program. Greg helps you realize it's the little things that can make all the difference in the world. Just keep watering that bamboo!"

— Scott Williams, Partner, Delap, LLP


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"We were very fortunate to have scheduled Greg as the keynote speaker for our annual convention. Our attendees – top commercial real estate brokers and business owners – came away focused, motivated and singing the praises of the presentation. We followed that session up with a separate break out for our top producers. Greg hosted the event and delved in greater depth on personal production, planning and effectiveness. It went over very well. We highly recommend Greg Bell."

— Ross Ford, President, Chief Executive Officer & Board Member, TCN Worldwide