Key Speakers Bureau
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Howard Behar

Former President of Starbucks North Americas & Starbucks International

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Biography

Howard Behar is a renowned business leader, author, speaker, and mentor who has influenced the lives of numerous men and women at all stages of their careers and at all levels and roles. Shaped by his experiences working in his parents Seattle market, schooled in operations and management in consumer-oriented retail business, and part of the leadership triumvirate that built the Starbucks brand, Behar is the ultimate “servant leader” who is known for such memorable lessons as “The Person Who Sweeps the Floor Should Choose the Broom” and “Only the Truth Sounds Like the Truth.” For 21 years Behar led Starbuck’s domestic business as President of North America, and he became the founding President of Starbucks International opening the very first store outside of North America in Japan. During his tenure, he participated in the growth of the company from only 28 stores to over 15,000 stores spanning five continents. He served on the Starbucks Board of Directors for twelve years before retiring. Howard now serves on the boards of several for-profit and non-profit organizations, including Education Element, iD Tech, The School of Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University. He is on the advisory boards of Anthos Capital, University of Washington Foundation, and a Trustee for The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation. Howard is committed to the development and education of our future leaders and has been a longtime advocate of the Servant Leadership Model. After the successful publication of his first book, It’s Not About the Coffee: Lessons on Leadership from a Life at Starbucks (Portfolio, 2008), Howard now travels the world speaking to leaders, corporations, and students. His motivational message inspires everyone to be servant leaders and to lead with their values first. Behar lives in Seattle, Washington, with his wife Lynn, and enjoys spending time with his children and five grandchildren. Boating is his favorite hobby, exploring the waterways from Seattle to Alaska. Throughout a lifetime of filling his cup, Howard has sustained a work ethic and level of integrity which has had a profound impact on his own life the hundreds and even thousands of people who have been touched by his example.

Speech Topics

  • It's Not About the Coffee

    During his many years as a senior executive at Starbucks, Howard Behar helped establish the Starbucks culture, which stresses the importance of people over profits. He coached hundreds of leaders at every level and helped the company grow into a world-renowned brand. Now, he reveals the ten principles and the memorable wisdom that guided his leadership and success—and not one of them is about coffee.

  • Servant Leadership

    Howard Behar has said countless times that Starbucks' real business is not coffee, but people. This type of thinking, instilled throughout the Starbucks model under servant leadership principles, is one of the keys to its success. In this keynote speech, Howard will talk about the importance of serving others, that the boss's role is to make his employees prosper and develop as people to their full potential and the principles of servant leadership.

Videos

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How can I check Howard Behar's availability or request a quote?
    You can inquire about Howard Behar's availability or get a customized quote by contacting Key Speakers directly. Our team will help you determine fit, logistics, and budget options for your upcoming event.
  • What is Howard Behar's speaking fee?
    The typical range for Howard Behar's speaking fee is $14,000–$32,000. The low end of the fee range represents their standard virtual fee. The high end of the fee range represents their standard fee for a US-based in-person speaking engagement. Appearances which require an extended schedule of activities or international travel will possibly exceed this fee range. Speaker fees update frequently. To receive a personalized quote for Howard Behar to speak at your event, please consult with a Key Speakers advisor for up to date information and assistance.
  • What factors influence the speaker's fee?
    Other factors that influence a keynote speaker's fee include their reputation, expertise, demand, experience, duration of the presentation, travel requirements for the event location, and any additional services, activities or customization options they offer.
  • Are travel expenses included in the speaker's fee?
    Travel expenses are typically not included in the listed speaker's fee and are quoted separately. If the speaker needs to travel internationally, fees will be higher. These expenses may include airfare, accommodation, ground transportation at home and in the event city, and meals. We can provide more detailed information about travel expenses and arrangements once you've selected a speaker.
  • How do I book Howard Behar for my event?
    The speaker booking process typically involves the following steps: contact Key Speakers to confirm Howard Behar's availability, fees, and any unique requirements (we can also help negotiate fees and terms); submit a firm offer to extend the invite to your speaker, with the details used to create an agreement once the speaker accepts; coordinate and finalize the terms of the booking, including contract terms and conditions; and confirm the booking by signing the contract and making the necessary payments.
  • What types of events do keynote speakers typically speak at?
    Keynote speakers can speak at a wide range of events, virtual or in person, including conferences, corporate meetings, industry conventions, seminars, workshops, fundraising galas, educational programs, and other special occasions where an inspirational or informative address is desired.
  • How do I select the right keynote speaker for my event?
    When selecting a keynote speaker, consider the following factors: the speaker's expertise and knowledge relevant to your event's theme or industry; their speaking style, ability to engage the audience, and deliver impactful messages; past client testimonials, reviews, or references; and the speaker's availability and fee within your budget.
  • What are the payment terms and conditions?
    A deposit is required upon signing the contract, with the remaining balance due 2–4 weeks before the event. If the event is taking place within 30 days, the full balance is due upon signing.
  • How far in advance should I book a keynote speaker?
    It is generally advisable to book a keynote speaker as early as possible, especially if you have a specific speaker in mind or if your event is during a peak season holiday. Ideally, booking a speaker three to six months in advance can increase the chances of securing your desired speaker.
  • Can you help me with the logistics and technical requirements for the speaker's presentation?
    Yes, we can assist you with the logistics and technical requirements for the speaker's presentation. We stay actively involved during pre-event planning to coordinate with you and ensure that the necessary audiovisual equipment, staging, lighting, and other technical aspects are in place for a successful presentation.
  • Are there any special requirements or accommodations that need to be considered for the speaker?
    Keynote speakers may have specific requirements or accommodations that need to be considered, such as travel arrangements, accommodation preferences, dietary restrictions, or accessibility needs. Some speakers have a performance rider we include in the contract, others have minimal requirements.
  • Do keynote speakers offer customization options for their presentations?
    Yes, many keynote speakers offer customization options for their presentations. They can tailor their content, examples, or case studies to align with your event's theme, industry, or specific audience. Discuss your customization needs with us so we can guide you accordingly.
  • Can the speaker participate in pre-event activities such as panel discussions or Q&A sessions?
    Some keynote speakers are open to participating in pre-event activities such as panel discussions, Q&A sessions, or meet-and-greet sessions. Please share your specific requirements with us during the firm offer phase, so we can work on getting you everything you need.
  • How long is a typical keynote speech?
    The duration of a standard keynote speech can vary depending on the speaker and the event's schedule. Typically, keynote speeches range from 30 minutes to 90 minutes, including any Q&A sessions or interactive elements. Some speakers can accommodate half or full day sessions and extended keynotes. Discuss the desired duration with your representative to determine the appropriate length for participation.
  • Can I provide feedback or reviews about the speaker's performance?
    Yes, we encourage and appreciate feedback about the speaker's performance as well as our services. You can share your feedback via email after the event, or via our survey feedback form. Your feedback can help us improve our services and assist other clients in making informed decisions.
  • Are there any discounts or special offers available for booking multiple speakers or multiple events?
    Often, yes. It's worth inquiring about such possibilities with your Key Speakers representative to explore any available cost-savings options.
  • Why book Howard Behar through Key Speakers?
    We provide a comprehensive service that takes the guesswork out of hiring a speaker — from speaker selection to logistics to post-event feedback. We know you have lots of responsibilities on top of finding and coordinating event speakers, so having a committed and proactive partner on your side that is an expert with the talent booking process is crucial. Every time you book a speaker with Key, your dedicated events manager will support you throughout the entire planning process. We help you negotiate contractual details such as speaker fees and travel terms so that you end up with the most favorable deal. With our highly communicative booking and proposal model, you'll never be left in the dark with the status of your speaker. To put it simply, Key Speakers is your one-stop resource for finding, booking and managing speakers for your event.

Speakers Like Howard Behar

Marc Randolph

Marc Randolph

Marc Randolph is a veteran Silicon Valley entrepreneur, advisor and investor. Most recently, Marc was co-founder of the online movie and television streaming service Netflix, serving as their founding CEO, as the executive producer of their web site, and as a member of their board of directors until his retirement in 2004. Prior to founding Netflix, Marc was a co-founder of more than half a dozen other successful start-ups in the e-commerce, media, enterprise software and portable device markets – all of which went on to IPOs or other liquidity events. Marc currently serves as an advisor to numerous startups, serving variously as a mentor, CEO coach, or board member. He is a co-founder of Looker Data Sciences, a Santa Cruz based business intelligence startup. Marc is a frequent speaker at industry events, works extensively with young entrepreneur programs, and is a board member for the non-profit National Outdoor Leadership School.


Fee Range: $50,000–$100,000
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Jonas Kjellberg

Jonas Kjellberg

As co-creator of Skype, Kjellberg worked as Managing Director, helping generate 90 percent of their revenue stream. Currently, Kjellberg runs Gear Up Ventures, a company that focuses on implementing the innovation and entrepreneurship model set out in his book Gear Up. Kjellberg also lectures on the subjects of entrepreneurship and “How to Create a Winning Sales Culture” in his keynote talks and at Stanford University and the Stockholm School of Economics.


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Uri Levine

Uri Levine

Uri Levine is a passionate serial entrepreneur and mentor to young entrepreneurs. He is the co-founder of Waze, one of the world’s largest community-based traffic and navigation apps, which was acquired by Google in June 2013 for the outstanding sum of $1.1 billion. He co-founded and is an active chairman of FeeX, which allows users to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars in their retirement savings and long-term investment plans. Levine Delivers highly engaging keynotes to entrepreneurs and companies offering them a recipe for success


Fee Range: $25,000–$60,000
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Alvy Ray Smith

Alvy Ray Smith

Dr Alvy Ray Smith is the co-founder of two successful startups: Pixar, an animation studio which was sold to Disney, and Altamira, a software company which was sold to Microsoft.Smith also co-founded the Lucas film Computer Division which developed computer graphics software including early renderer technology.


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