Jim Knight Biography

Jim Knight, a 30-year veteran of training and development, leads courses on a range of engaging subjects, including corporate culture, world-class differentiated service, developing rock star teams, and leadership. Jim got his start in the training professionals working in the hospitality business, first at the Gatorland Zoo snack bar, then as a restaurant staff member for Olive Garden, and finally as a host and manager at Hard Rock Cafe. He ultimately rose to become the head of the School of Hard Rocks, overseeing all of Hard Rock International's global learning and development operations. Jim Knight's role at Hard Rock involved many aspects of organizational training, including creating/managing all staff & management training materials & programs, facilitating its corporate university, overseeing management training locations, producing training videos, and directing company e-Learning initiatives, despite being part of a small training group that supported all cafe, hotel, and casino properties. Jim has continually produced cutting-edge training methods by combining his knowledge and creativity. His team won coveted video Telly Awards (“Guest Service” in 2000, “Menu Rollout” in 2007, “Harassment & Discrimination Prevention” in 2008), the Training Directors Forum's 1998 prize for “Reengineering Training,” and Brandon Hall's Gold Best in Class Award for their “Service Recovery” e-Learning course during his time with the Hard Rock brand. Jim Knight was also named one of the Top 125 training firms in the world by Training Magazine, which included companies from different industries and enterprises. Since then, Jim's work has appeared in Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, Nation's Restaurant News, Business News Daily, and Fox Business News. Jim has a music degree in vocal performance and education and worked for 6 years in the Florida public school system before succumbing to the "hospitality bug." He is a lifetime member of CHART (an Association of Hospitality Trainers), has previously served on the National Restaurant Association's Certification Governing Board, and founded a local networking group (The Training Summit: CHART's 1st Regional Training Forum) in Central Florida with over 100 active members to share best practices and discuss common issues with other industry professionals. Jim is the founder and CEO of Knight Speaker, which qualifies him to appear as a breakout speaker at any organization or corporate event, in any field. He's also the best-selling author of Culture That Rocks: How to Revolutionize Your Company's Culture, which was named one of Entrepreneur Magazine's "5 Books That Will Help You Transform How You Do Business" in its second edition. Jim broadcasts a weekly leadership podcast called Thoughts That Rock with his business partner Brant Menswar, which features a rock star guest and offers two life-changing bits of wisdom in 30 minutes. Finally, Jim and Brant provide the Certified Rock Star leadership training program, which is an edutaining, Rock ‘n Roll-inspired experience for executives wanting to improve their organization in a number of ways. Jim Knight donates a portion of his book sales, podcast revenue, speaking fees, and training program proceeds to No Kid Hungry, an organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger in the United States, and Cannonball Kids' Cancer, which funds imaginative, accessible research for children with cancer to improve treatment options, the standard of living, and alternatives for those who have been told they have run out of options.

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