Bernard Salt

Bernard Salt

Well-spoken, engaging, and enlightening, Bernard Salt is one of the most well-known writers, media personalities, and business advisors in Australia.

Specialist Profile

Bernard Salt is arguably today's foremost advisor to leading property investors and developers.  Over an outstanding career, Bernard Salt has established an enviable reputation in business matters with his acute understanding of market forces.

Media commentary
Best known to Australian business for his media commentary, Bernard Salt specialises in the business implications of demographic and social change.  He is a columnist with The Australian, Wish magazine, and Property Australia, and is the author of the popular best-selling book 'The Big Shift: Welcome to the Third Australian Culture', and his 2006 release, 'The Big Picture'.

Entertaining and persuasive
An entertaining and persuasive speaker, Bernard Salt has been operating at the high end of business for more than a decade, so the market has had ample opportunity to test his advice.  Bernard Salt's blue-chip client base just gets bluer each year.

 

Key Points


  • Bernard Salt is a KPMG Partner based in Melbourne who has established an enviable international reputation as a trend forecaster for business and government.
  • Bernard is engaged by both the private and public sectors to present a perspective of how social, cultural and demographic change might shape the future business environment.
  • His presentations stimulate thought provoking discussion at conferences, seminars and workshops.
  • Bernard is the best-selling author of three popular books on demographic change and a columnist with The Australian and Melbourne Herald Sun newspapers. He is also one of Australia's most quoted social commentators, appearing regularly on many radio and television programs.
  • An entertaining and persuasive speaker, Bernard has operated at this level for more than a decade and the market has had ample opportunity to test his advice his blue-chip client base just gets bluer each year.

Biography

Bernard Salt, partner at KPMG, is one of the most well-known writers, media personalities, and business advisors in Australia. Used to large crowds and the cameras, Bernard has the uncanny ability to explain even the most complex ideas in a way that everyone in the room can understand. Well-spoken, engaging, and enlightening, a business event featuring Bernard is sure to be a hit.

In business, Bernard’s specialties lie in tracking and understanding demographic and social changes in his country of origin and the rest of the world, including the United States, New Zealand, and Asia. He focuses on the evolution of consumer cultures, how the most recent generation will fit into today’s business world, and how companies can get the most out of their customer base and employees.

Bernard Salt works regularly as a columnist for The Australian and Wish magazines, and has authored two books, The Big Shift: Welcome to the Third Australian Culture and The Big Picture. He routinely appears as a commentator on a variety of television shows in both Australia and the US, including Business Sunday, A Current Affair, 60 Minutes, Today Tonight, Today Show, and Nightline.

His experiences and insights have earned him speaking engagements at numerous outlets, including: Suncorp Metway, Colonial First State Property, Shopping Centre Council of Australia, Australian Property Institute, Macquarie Equities, Australian Council for Infrastructure Development, Franchise Council of Australia, Byvan Property Management, Australian Centre for Retail Studies, Coles Myer Limited, NSW Department of State & Regional Development, Westpac Regional Investment Services, Property Council of Australia, Australian Pharmaceutical Industries, and Queensland Treasury.

Testimonials

“Excellent.  Very entertaining, gives a different perspective. Thought provoking.”
Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd

“An unqualified success … riveting …the anecdotes and verbal illustrations were worthy of the most highly acclaimed entertainer.”
Franchise Council of Australia

“I continue to receive very positive comments from attendees who thoroughly enjoyed your lively exposition … excellent presentation.”
CEO  AusCID

“Your presentation was excellent and was the perfect mix of fun and fact.  The participants left with much to ponder in terms of the impact on their business (and personal lives) of the very interesting demographic and cultural trends you identified.  I would be surprised if you do not get some speaking invitations.”
IMA Pty Ltd

“Excellent presentation style… clear, humorous and informative.”
Finance & Treasury Association Ltd

“Excellent - informative, but good fun too. Had obviously put some work in to make the presentation relevant to Adelaide - everyone could relate to it . Feedback has been excellent.”
Workcover Corporation

“Excellent. Bernard would rate in the top five speakers we have ever had. His delivery was seamless and professional, his content very relevant and most importantly his data up to date and easily interpreted. His is one of those presentations that will be referred to by our members for a long time to come.”
Farm Management 500

“Excellent.  He presented with energy, enthusiasm and passion. He obviously knows his subject matter well. His presentation hit the mark and provided the framework for the morning session as well as setting the tone for the remainder of the business sessions during that week.”
Zurich

“Excellent.  Participants at the UDIA Congress were very impressed with Bernard’s presentation – he had everyone’s attention from beginning to end providing an excellent mix of fact, positive comments and light heartedness. His presentation was easy to follow and provided very interesting cultural and demographic trends – something for everyone present.”
UDIA SA – Urban Development Institute of Aust (SA Div)

“Fantastic presenter. He had the audience in every state fixated. Bernard is an entertaining, informative speaker that I would highly recommend.”
Aviva

“Bernard was a outstanding presenter. What impressed us most was his subject matter knowledge and the thought and intelligence with which he delivered his messages.”
Pitcher Partners

“The presentation was well received by the delegates. The feedback from the delegates on their feedback form was very positive. The information presented was relevant and well prepared and presented.”
Showstopper Events Pty Ltd

“Bernard Salt was excellent and our Rotarians enjoyed hearing his thoughts on the future for us all. He was both informative and entertaining.”
Rotary District 9640 Conference

“Bernard was an entertaining and insightful speaker who was very well received by our customers. He was able to tailor his speech for each state, so that the audience could relate more closely to the information provided. Bernard mixed well with our customers and the feedback we received was very positive.”
Kimberley-Clark Australia Pty Ltd

“Bernard’s presentation was a total surprise to the audience who I am sure were geared for a ‘dry’ paper.He took the room totally by surprise right from the beginning and they loved him. We have not as yet received back the Evaluation Sheets from Adelaide, however, the energy in the room was palpable and Bernard totally met their enthusiasm and kept them completely enthralled throughout his session. Consistent comments: this is how statistics should be presented…..I love it!”
NESA

“Topical, focussed and importantly entertaining presentation. Bernard’s depth of knowledge on his subject has significantly enhanced his ability to deliver not only the prepared presentation, but also to further delve and discuss broader issues relative to the topic and particularly relative to the audience.”
Southern Cross Broadcasting

“Bernard Salts presentation “Australia’s Changing Demographics” received an overwhelming response of 99% of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing that the presentation was engaging and interesting. Respondents were acutely impressed with Bernard’s ability to deliver statistics in such an interesting and entertaining format.”
National Employment Services Association

“Bernard's style was really good for a dinner, which is a time that can be difficult to work. I haven't heard any negative comments from the people I have spoken to about his presentation. He has certainly generated a lot of interest and discussion.”
Toowoomba City Council

“Bernard’s presentation was outstanding , his topic was excellently researched and was presented in an extremely professional manner, and his audience have been overwhelming in their praise of his presentation. We would have no hesitation in recommending him as an exceptional speaker.”
City Of Burnside

“Excellent. Bernard spoke well and for an appropriate length of time. He also contributed to the Panel discussion and audience participation section as we had hoped he and other panellists would which benefited the event. He seemed well prepared and well-disposed to the event.”
City of Melbourne

“Bernard was an excellent presenter. We have had feedback from our delegates that he 'certainly knew his business'. He made an impact for most of our financial planners in the way they operate their business and make contact with prospective clients. We thank you Bernard for your business savvy!”
Bridges Financial Services

Speakers you may find interesting
  • Graeme Alford
    Graeme Alford is Australia’s number one expert on how to “bullyproof” your organisation. Graeme is the CEO of Complex Consultancy Services which provides OH&S solutions for the “white collar industry.” His speciality is Bullying, Cyber Bullying and Workplace Harassment, as well as in customer service practices.
    read more
  • Brent Coker
    World-renowned internet consumer psychologist Dr Coker cracked the code on what makes Marketing go viral.
    read more
  • Emanuel Perdis
    Managing director and co-founder of world-renowned Napoleon Perdis Cosmetics, Emanuel Perdis is a successful and highly-requested public speaker, host, and workshop organiser.
    read more
  • Glenn Capelli
    Author, songwriter, and media personality, Glen Capelli has a unique gift for melding information with entertainment.
    read more
  • Glenn Cooper
    Humorous and creative Australian businessman, Glenn Cooper’s presentations are always timely, informative, and useful.
    read more
  • Peter Bush
    Peter Bush’s career has involved working for some of Australia’s leading companies. He was appointed managing director of McDonalds Australia (2005-2010) and in 2011 was appointed Chairman of Nine Entertainment Holdings.
    read more
  • Ralph Plarre
    Ralph Plarre has turned sustainability into profit, overcome major succession challenges, grown a business tenfold, and enjoyed every minute of it!
    read more
  • Stan Gordon
    Stan Gordon is a true Australian success story, via South Africa. Since moving to Australia with his family in 1996, he has become a major franchisor with four brands under his belt - including Mr Whippy, Pretzel World, Cold Rock and Nutshack. His philosophy is to make money and have fun.
    read more