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Robert Stephens          

Founder of The Geek Squad, Former CTO at Best Buy, Author

With $200, a bicycle, and a subsequent collaboration with Best Buy, Robert Stephens transformed the small, cryptic world of tech support and made it glamorous and accessible when he founded The Geek Squad in 1994. Known for his engaging presentations that stimulate creativity and innovation, Stephens captivates audiences with his perspectives on advancing technology, smart marketing, thoughtful business strategy, and what he thinks is the next "big thing."

In 1990, Stephens left the Art Institute of Chicago to pursue his passion for all things technical and a degree in computer science at the University of Minnesota. As a student, he landed a job fixing computers at the Human Factors Research Laboratory and within three years, rose to head engineer. In 1994, he started a computer consulting business called The Geek Squad, which he grew until 2002, when he sold it to Best Buy. Since then, The Geek Squad has become the world's preeminent tech support service, with over 20,000 global agents, with Stephens' story featured by leading media outlets, including CNN, Newsweek, Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal, and Rolling Stone. Stephens served as the CTO for Best Buy until 2012.

The author of "The Geek Squad Guide to Solving Any Computer Glitch," Stephens was applauded for creating a manual using plain language, demystifying the most commonly used hardware and software, including quick fixes to common glitches and smart maintenance advice. Additionally, he is currently involved in a new venture, Assist, which aims to revolutionize business-consumer interactions across various industries. His speaking topics include branding, entrepreneurship, marketing, social media, technology, artificial intelligence, and blockchain, offering powerful content and accessibility in explaining major trends.

Speech Topics

Beyond Social Media: The Sharing Economy

Stephens offers fascinating insight on upcoming developments on and off the web, and reveals why he predicts that the biggest trend of the coming decade will be the "Sharing Economy,” outlining what that means for society and business and why he is betting on it.

The Geek Squad Saves the World

What do you get when you take $200, a crazy idea and passion for all things technical? Learn how Stephens transformed the boring world of computer support and made it exciting and glamorous. This is a can’t-miss presentation, full of inspiring entrepreneurial spirit and valuable business tips, starring one Chief Inspector, 12,000 Double Agents and Geekmobiles, The Rolling Stones, The CIA, The Oscar Mayer Weinermobile and more than 5,000,000 messed up computers.

Marketing is a Tax You Pay for Being Unremarkable

The best thing to happen to Geek Squad founder Robert Stephens is that he had no money or resources when he started his business. He explains why this was so valuable, touching on the origins of Geek Squad, the purposeful choice of a non-technical brand for a technology company, and all of the detailed decisions that made the company successful. From the cars, to the messaging, to the culture, he provides entertaining and encouraging insight on how starting out with nothing was the catalyst for creating his successful and unique brand.

Founder The Geek Squad

News

If you don’t have a brand, you don’t truly have a purpose
It’s easier than you’d think to get into an argument with Tom Peters. You just have to follow him on Twitter and bring up the word “branding.” That appears to be all it takes to send the author of the influential management bestseller In Search of Excellence into paroxysms.
Making Geekdom Cool and Profitable
Robert Stephens, founder of Geek Squad, remembers the first time he saw the Internet – in a research laboratory at the University of Minnesota, circa 1990 – and likens the moment to the California Gold Rush. By 1994, the former computer-science ....
CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. Name Geek Squad Founder Robert Stephens Keynote Speaker
CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. have announced that Robert Stephens, the founder of Geek Squad, will be the keynote speaker at their 2015 National Conference which takes place the week of November 14 aboard the brand-new Norwegian Escape.

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