Bob Parker has spent 30 years researching and speaking to some of the world’s most influential organizations on how they can build high performing workplace cultures. The key starts with people, and how they become and stay aligned to what is important for the organization.
Born, and raised in London, Ontario Canada, a graduate of the University of Western Ontario (Western), he now lives nearby in Stratford, Ontario from where he travels internationally to speak and share his insights on improving collaborative workplaces. In 2001 he created a world class experiential learning program called, “The Pit Crew Challenge” which harnesses the excitement of car racing, and blends the principles of high performance by immersing learners into the role of a race team ‘pit crew’. After 24 years, this impactful and exclusive program has been used by organizations around the globe to improve their culture and performance in real time.
His collaborations include working with Duke Corporate Education, a subsidiary of Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business; Cornell University’s Executive Education; Randall L. Tobias Center for Leadership Excellence at Indian University; The University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Business; and the University of Virginia, Darden School of Business. He served as a Business Professor with Fanshawe College in London, Ontario teaching Human Relations Skills and Volunteer Management.
His extensive volunteer career began with volunteering at age 16 and he continues to this day to contribute to his community and profession. He currently has provincial appointments to both the Huron Perth Board of Health, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant Review Team. Notably, he was President of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers in 2014 and in 2013 earned his CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation from the National Speakers Association in the US.
His book, “The Pit Crew Challenge: Winning Customers Through Teaming”, outlines some of the key take-aways on teaming and organizational effectiveness delivered to over 21,000 past Pit Crew Challenge participants.
His business model is one of building collaborative relationships and is a key principle upon which any great organization can thrive through an ever-changing marketplace.