Marketing Executive Jazz Saxophonist Tech Entrepreneur Wharton Alum Powered By Jazz BUSINESS. PERFORMANCE. Jeff Ponders II In today’s business climate, overcrowded markets have shifted the power to customers. Subsequently, professionals from all industries are forced to dig through the crates in search of insights to outshine the competition. In this dynamic keynote, Ponders will leverage his experience as a business leader and professional jazz saxophonist to unlock show-stopping lessons to help professionals develop their unique voice, enhance their skills, and unlock game- changing advantages to outperform the competition. Team work makes the dream work. But what happens when the team isn’t working well? Complex dynamics, oversized egos, and misaligned objectives amongst teams can kill productivity and profitability. With experience ranging from Broadway to boardrooms, this interactive session & performance with Ponders will help teams overcome internal conflict and competition to foster greater collaboration and co-creation. Ponders shares his lessons from the bandstand to help organizations evolve from behaving like big brands to big bands. Jazz musicians never fail. They face challenges everyday, yet they leverage the art of improvisation to turn inevitable calamity into epic performances. Pulling from 20 years experience as a professional jazz musician, Ponders will break down the secrets of jazz improv to help organizations break free from “how we’ve always done it.” Ponders shows leaders how to meet critical challenges with creativity and style to create memorable moments and successful, sustainable performance 15 years experience as a marketing professional & executive Consultant for Fortune 100 brands such as GM, Walmart, Colgate, and Campbell’s Two-time tech startup founder HIGHLIGHTS SPEAKING TOPICS THE JAZZ MASTER’S GUIDE TO EPIC PERFORMANCE THE JAM SESSION: PERFORM LIKE A WORLD-CLASS JAZZ BAND IMPROVISE TO INNOVATE: OVERCOMING CHALLENGES WITH CREATIVITY Advisor and mentor for startups Engaging Keynote speaker on peak performance, leadership, team work, and creativity 20+ years as an award-winning touring jazz saxophonist Proud Detroiter