Featured Speakers
Get inspired. Get informed. Get a front-row seat.
Sage Summit 2012 is your key to learning smarter and better ways of working. This year’s conference speakers have unparalelled insight and all the know-how you need to unlock your workplace potential.
Ron Baker
Twitter handle: @ronaldbaker
Ronald J. Baker started his CPA career in 1984 with KPMG’s Private Business Advisory Services in San Francisco. Today, he is the founder of VeraSage Institute, the leading think tank dedicated to educating professionals around the world.
Baker has been an instructor with the California CPA Education Foundation since 1995 and has authored 15 courses for it. He is the author of six books and has been appointed to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant’s Group of One Hundred, a think tank of leaders to address the future of the profession.
In 1984, Baker graduated from San Francisco State University, with a bachelor of science in accounting and a minor in economics. He is also a graduate of Disney University and Cato University and is a faculty member of the Professional Pricing Society. He presently resides in Petaluma, California.
Session
- C-0787 Baker’s Dozen Best Business Books You Don’t Need to Read
Thursday, August 16, 2012 | 8:30 a.m.–10 a.m.
Steve Geske and Howard Hansen
Twitter handles: @sgeske and @Howardhr and @healingleaders
Howard Hansen is a former broadcasting and software executive who now consults with business organizations and their leaders. He occasionally speaks to groups and at conferences on the subjects of organizational performance and leadership. He lives on a lake in Minnesota.
Steve Geske is a licensed marriage and family therapist who travels the path of "Corporate Shaman." He lives in the woods of Minnesota with his two dogs.
Sessions
- C-0905A and C-0905B Effective Leadership in These Days of Stressful Times When Anxiety is High, and Rational Thinking and Creativity Are Impaired, Is More Important Than Ever (repeat)
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 | 8:30 a.m.–10 a.m.
Thursday, August 16, 2012 | 8:30 a.m.–10 a.m.
Rob Johnson
Twitter handle: @robjohnson38
Robert Johnson is the national sales manager for Channels at Avalara. In this role, he manages the national field sales organization and key ERP software developer relationships. He and his team are responsible for managing Avalara’s rapidly growing channel sales strategy. Previously, he served as head of Channel Programs and Readiness for Sage North America.
A winner of numerous national awards, programs under Johnson’s direction help thousands of small businesses improve their business performance. Additionally, in 2004, Johnson developed the Sage Sales Academy, an award-winning comprehensive sales improvement training program.
An expert in sales management, channel design, and execution, he understands the essential components necessary to build and manage sales channels. In 2010, Johnson authored and released the highly acclaimed book Kick Your Own Ass: The Will, Skill, and Drill of Selling More Than You Ever Thought Possible. When not working, Johnson spends time with his family in Atlantic Beach, Florida.
Sessions
- C-0766 Leading and Managing: The Fundamentals of Developing, Leading, Managing, and Motivating a Team
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 | 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
- C-0767 Energy and Drive: The Secret to Unlocking Your Unlimited Potential
Thursday, August 16, 2012 | 10:45 a.m.–12 p.m.
Sarah Michel
Twitter handle: @sarahmichel
Sarah Michel is a networking expert who helps people increase their netWORTH™. She works with individuals, associations, and organizations to strengthen their connections and communicate their value to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Breaking the Ice
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She is the author of Perfecting Connecting©, A Guide to Mastering Networking in the Workplace and the national audio program, “Learning to Speak the Language of Others.” Her articles and inspirational stories have appeared in numerous books, newspapers, and national journals. Michel is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), awarded by the National Speakers Association for her ability to consistently deliver her message with high energy, humor, and inspiration, which motivates audiences to take action. She is a graduate of Central Michigan University and resides in Colorado.
Session Materials
Sessions
- Sage City: Moving You Forward (Networking Facilitator)
Tuesday, August 14, 2012 | 3:30 p.m.–6 p.m.
- C-0135 NetWORTHing – The New Social Economy
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 | 8:30 a.m.–10 a.m.
