New York Times and Amazon best-selling author, speaker and consultant Louis Patler is President of The B.I.T. Group, a strategic business consulting and training company.
Two of his innovation books were on the recommended reading list of Apple’s Steve Jobs.
The J. Walter Thompson Agency named him one of "The 20 Most Creative Minds in America."
He was named Sociology Alumnus of the Year/Commencement Speaker, Wayne State University (April, 2017)
He has been chosen to be the Author-in-Residence at the NASDAQ Entrepreneurial Center (July, 2016).
His new innovation-training program, Innovating for Results, is offered worldwide.
He has written more than 100 articles, and authored five books:
Make Your Own Waves: The Surfer’s Rules for Entrepreneurs and innovators (July, 2016). American Management Association Books (AMACOM) links the preparation and passion of elite Big Wave surfers to the world of business. It was named “Book of the Month” by NASDAQ, and Amazon #1 (July 2016).
The Consistent Consumer: Predicting Customer Behavior Through Lasting Values (2006 & 2013) offers fresh research into generational differences.
TrendSmart: The 21 Trends That Will Change the Way You Do Business (2002) on macro business trends.
Don’t Compete, TILT the Field: Irreverent Lessons For Leading Innovation in the New Economy (1999) a “Top 10 Business Book of the Year”.
If It ain't broke . . . BREAK IT! Unconventional Wisdom for a Changing Business World (1991), a New York Times bestseller. Excerpts have been translated into 17 languages and 28 million copies.
Louis’ diverse client list includes American Express, Dell, Joie de Vivre Hotels, Bank of America, General Dynamics, Barclays, BAE Systems, Sun Microsystems, Safeway, and dozens more. He has led projects in South Africa, England, Canada, Mexico, Singapore, Latin America, and the United States.
He arranged the first meetings of the United States’ and the Peoples Republic of China’s Supreme Court Justices.
He has twice received awards from the National Endowment for the Arts for his writing, and was the editor of the prestigious American Trend Report.
He received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to integrate leadership and innovation among educators.
He is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors and has served on three corporate and many community not-for-profit boards, as well as 12 years on the Board of a liberal arts college.
With a PhD in Sociology, he has held faculty positions at three universities, and lectured at such institutions as Stanford University, the University of San Francisco, Mendoza School of Business at Notre Dame University, and multiple voyages on the Semester at Sea program at the University of Virginia and Colorado State University.
A former professional baseball prospect, he plays on amateur baseball teams that have recently won five World Series Championships.
A must Read, Louis New Book, "MAKE YOUR OWN WAVES, The Surfer's Rules for Innovators and Entrepreneurs"
“Innovation has to be everybody’s everyday job”
Always following an unconventional path to knowledge, after years of examining the mindset, skillset and toolset of Big Wave surfers, he offers entrepreneurs, innovators and companies a roadmap to success.
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““You absolutely captivated our audience with your concepts, illustrations and humor. In my opinion, yours was one of the best programs that the Chapter has had in several years.”
—Paula Swanson, President
American Society of Training and Development (ASTD), Golden Gate Chapter
“Your presentation for our Professional Growth Weekend has quite quaked our complacency. Your message registered high on our personal Richter scales!”
—Joan Emerson, President
International Furnishing and Design Association
“Your presentation really set the tone for the entire symposium. I was quite pleased that many of the speakers referred to your concepts and ideas in their own presentations.”
—Thomas Costello
McLaren School of Business, University of San Francisco
“I have been coordinating seminars for the Chamber of Commerce for almost five years now and feel your presentation was definitely one of the best.”
—Janet Condron
Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce”
““Louis Patler’s keynote address was the most riveting content of the entire day (which comprised Fortune 100 speakers, mind you). His ability to personalize the message that “innovation is everybody’s job/transform through simplicity” went across multiple industries in the convention hall – not an easy task when you have the world’s largest retailer, hundreds of consumer packaged good executives, education, banking, hospitality, and startups all listening in for relevancy. He will always be welcome to participate in this annual event!” ”
What Louis is thinking about...
What people are saying about Louis...
Dr. Patler was the keynote speaker for our recognition event for Baroswky Business School undergraduates. The themes he shared from his N.Y. Times bestselling book, "Make your own Waves," were extremely motivational, challenging and relevant for the students. We received lots of positive feedback on Dr. Patler's remarks from students and faculty, alike. I highly recommend Louis if you want someone who can connect with and inspire young professionals! - Nancy Rehkopf, Adjunct Faculty, Barowsky School of Business, Dominican University of California
"Louis Patler is immersed in the real world--he takes the time to understand, he rolls up his sleeves and becomes part of the solution." - Linda Parker Hudson, CEO Emeritus, BAE Systems
“Louis Patler’s keynote address was the most riveting content of the entire day (which comprised Fortune 100 speakers, mind you). His ability to personalize the message that “innovation is everybody’s job/transform through simplicity” went across multiple industries in the convention hall – not an easy task when you have the world’s largest retailer, hundreds of consumer packaged good executives, education, banking, hospitality, and startups all listening in for relevancy. He will always be welcome to participate in this annual event!” – Bill Akins, President NWA Tech Council
“Louis Patler’s keynote address was the most riveting content of the entire day (which comprised Fortune 100 speakers, mind you). His ability to personalize the message that “innovation is everybody’s job/transform through simplicity” went across multiple industries in the convention hall – not an easy task when you have the world’s largest retailer, hundreds of consumer packaged good executives, education, banking, hospitality, and startups all listening in for relevancy. He will always be welcome to participate in this annual event!” – Bill Akins, President NWA Tech Council
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More of What people are saying about Louis...
Dr. Patler was the keynote speaker for our recognition event for Baroswky Business School undergraduates. The themes he shared from his N.Y. Times bestselling book, "Make your own Waves," were extremely motivational, challenging and relevant for the students. We received lots of positive feedback on Dr. Patler's remarks from students and faculty, alike. I highly recommend Louis if you want someone who can connect with and inspire young professionals! - Nancy Rehkopf, Adjunct Faculty, Barowsky School of Business, Dominican University of California
"Louis Patler is immersed in the real world--he takes the time to understand, he rolls up his sleeves and becomes part of the solution." - Linda Parker Hudson, CEO Emeritus, BAE Systems
Louis Patler gives us strategies to let us change with the times and accomplish our goals" - Millie Hughes-Fulford, NASA astronaut
Louis Patler tells it like it will be, his ideas both a crystal ball and a magnifying glass. By focusing on the present, he writes a history of the future." - Jay Conrad Levinson
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The B.I.T. Group is the proud sponsor of the Tibetan Women's Soccer Team, first of its kind and training for the 2020 World Cup!