Speech Topics

Is the Economy Headed Higher — or Off a Cliff?

The go-go days of the 1990s turned into the go-backwards days of the 2000’s. What’s next? How will China’s explosive growth shake up business? How will Fed chair Ben Bernanke and new Treasury Secretary Geithner try to get the economy recovering? Todd Buchholz, who led the White House Energy Strategy will help you figure out whether OPEC tighten the energy noose again. Learn how the “scissors economy” opens up new business and investment opportunities. Today might be the very best—or the very worst—time to finance a loan. By “connecting the dots” of the world economy, Todd Buchholz will help you develop a timely vision for the economy and the stock market.

How To Compete in A Global Economy

Never before have businesses felt so excruciating pressure to compete. While riding a roller coaster stock market, firms have struggled to raise prices, even when their costs go up. China poses a threat but also an opportunity for new sales. Loyal customers seem ready to jump to a competitor. How can your company or industry survive and thrive? What will Congress do to help or hurt your industry in the coming year? Learn how to anticipate the new trends that open up fresh opportunities for manufacturing, service and technology companies.

New Ideas from Dead CEOs

Todd G. Buchholz brings to life history’s greatest CEOs—from Ray Kroc to Akio Morita, Estee Lauder to Tom Watson Sr.—and shows how their lives, leadership and lessons can inform and inspire us in today’s chaotic marketplace. How did Sam Walton help create the “scissors economy” and go from being the owner of a single dime store to the CEO of Wal-Mart? How did Estée Lauder, a working-class woman from Queens, convince the shoppers at Saks to buy her cosmetics? How did the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 eventually lead to A.P. Giannini’s success as America’s greatest banker? Todd answers these questions and shows today’s business managers how to deploy their entrepreneurial secrets to benefit their companies in today’s hypercompetitive global economy. Todd uses his experience as a White House economist, Harvard scholar, and Wall Street professional to show investors what kinds of CEOs to invest with, and what kinds of companies to steer away from. In addition, Todd lays out a forecast for the economy and the financial markets. The audience will come away from the presentation with a fresh understanding of the competitive pressures we face today, and a roadmap to finding success.

China: The Threat and the Opportunity

Everyone knows China offers 1 billion potential customers. But China also provides 1 billion workers eager to compete with American workers. The Chinese Communist party has shed its communist ideology, but it still struggles to keep its people under control. By showing audiences how to anticipate China’s next moves, Todd Buchholz will help you take advantage of the incredible business opportunities ahead, while avoiding the landmines.

Obamanomics 2010: The Inside Story on the White House, the Fed and Congress

Former White House adviser Todd Buchholz takes you on a tour of Washington power centers. Who’s pushing the buttons on economic policy and industry regulation? How will President Obama reshape the economic and business landscape? Will the disastrous markets of 2009 create a backlash against trade and investment? Will Ben Bernanke work hand in hand –or at odds– with the next administration? Will new environmental regulations invigorate or cripple the business climate? Todd Buchholz will help you figure out whether the shenanigans in Washington make life easier or tougher for your company.

The Hope and Danger Behind World Politics

Since September 11 the world has changed, looking even more dangerous than during the Cold War era when the Soviet Union aimed missiles at the U.S. Todd Buchholz takes his audience on a world tour to gauge the “hot spots” that threaten us. At the same time, though, we must appreciate the successes: the countries that have turned from dictatorships to democracies; the economies that have dumped communism for capitalism. As a former “point man” for the White House during the Gulf War, Todd Buchholz shows his audience how to handle the risks while keeping hope alive. Recently, The New York Times editorial page called on Buchholz to make sense of the terrorism threat.