Robert Stephens 
Founder | The Geek Squad
San Francisco, MN, UNITED STATES
Founder of The Geek Squad & former CTO of Best Buy discusses service culture, branding, customer experience, and the future of technology.
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Biography
A native of Chicago, Robert left a scholarship at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1990 to pursue a degree in computer science at the University of Minnesota. While attending the University, he landed a job fixing computers for the Human Factors Research Laboratory . Over a three year period, he rose to become head engineer of the lab while earning scholarships from the U.S. Navy and the FAA building flight and driving simulators. It was also during this time he started a computer consulting business.
In April 1994, after three years at the University of Minnesota, he formed The Geek Squad with $200. In 2002, The Geek Squad acquired Best Buy and opened Geek Squad precincts in all Best Buy properties worldwide. With over 24,000 Agents, The Geek Squad is now the world's largest technology support company offering online, in-store, and in-home support. Robert served as Chief Technology Officer for Best Buy until 2012 when he relocated to San Francisco with his family to pursue his next startup.
Industry Expertise (10)
Information Services
Computer Software
Business Services
VC and Private Equity
Consumer Electronics
Specialty Retailers
Retail
Information Technology and Services
Internet
Consumer Services
Areas of Expertise (9)
Technology
Retail
Consumer
Services
Trends
Internet
Startups
Brands
Culture
Accomplishments (2)
Founder - Geek Squad (professional)
The Geek Squad is the first national 24-hour task force dedicated to solving the world’s technology challenges. The company offers various computer-related services and accessories for residential and commercial clients. The Geek Squad provides services in-store, on-site, and over the Internet via remote access, and also provides 24-hour telephone and emergency on-site support.
Chief Technology Officer - Best Buy (professional)
Best Buy is a leading multi-channel global retailer and developer of technology products and services. Best Buy employees are committed to helping deliver the technology solutions that enable easy access to people, knowledge, ideas and fun. The company and its employees are keenly aware of their role and impact on the world, and are committed to developing and implementing business strategies that bring sustainable technology solutions to our consumers and communities.
Education (2)
University of Minnesota: Computer Science 1994
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago: art history, 2-d, 3-d 1989
Links (3)
Event Appearances (8)
KEYNOTE SPEECH
United Way Leadership Speaker Series St. Paul, Minnesota
2010-11-03
KEYNOTE SPEECH
Android Open Conference San Francisco, California
2011-10-10
KEYNOTE SPEECH
Defrag Conference Denver, Colorado
2011-11-10
Sharing Economy
Digital Life Design (DLD) Conference Munich, Germany
2012-01-23
Data-Driven Commerce
Technology Enabled Success Munich, Germany
2012-01-24
High Order Bit
Signal P&G: Integrating Brands in a Digital Age San Francisco, California
2012-03-08
KEYNOTE SPEECH
FedTalks 2011 Washington, D.C.
2011-10-11
Your Business Online
eWomen Network International Conference & Business Expo Dallas, Texas
2009-08-07
Sample Talks (4)
Marketing is a tax you pay for being unremarkable
The best thing ever to happen to Geek Squad founder Robert Stephens is that he had no money when he started his business. So why he is trying to convince Best Buy to integrate marketing into every single aspect of their service business? You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll wish you hadn't read the manual.
The Geek Squad Story
What do you get when you take $200, a crazy idea, and love for all things technical? Learn how Robert Stephens took the boring world of computer support and made it famous. Starring 1 Chief Inspector, 25,000 Double Agents and Geekmobiles, The Rolling Stones, The CIA, The Oscar Mayer Weinermobile and over 50,000,000 messed up computers. Don't miss it.
Driving Innovation
Ever wondered how an idea like Geek Squad got hatched? Or how your team could generate and foster ideas that are more innovative? Learn the answers and more from a pro when Robert Stephens shares his secrets on building business innovation and driving a creative culture.
Bigger Than Social Networking: The Sharing Economy
With the pending IPO of Facebook, we are seeing the culmination of Personal Computing(1980's), which led to The World Wide Web (1990's), giving rise to Mobile Computing & Social Networking (2000's). This begs the question: Now What? Robert will discuss the biggest trend of the coming decade: The Sharing Economy, . He'll argue that Groupon, AirBnB, OpenTable, ZipCar, Uber, and many others are all the same type of company and how it will disrupt every business to create new opportunities.
Style
Availability
- Keynote
- Panelist
Social