Ron Kaufman

Ron Kaufman is a customer service, business and leadership keynote speaker, recognised as the world’s #1 Customer Service Guru. A bestselling author and global educator, Ron is best known for creating Uplifting Service, a proven methodology that helps organisations build stronger service cultures, improve customer experience and inspire lasting performance.

Ron’s early career was shaped by education, sport and international connection. After attending Staples High School in Connecticut, he studied International Political History at Brown University, where he co-founded and captained the Brown University Ultimate Frisbee Team. He later studied in Europe through the Institute of European Studies and Vanderbilt in France, developing a global perspective on culture, collaboration and human connection. Before entering the corporate service world, Ron founded Discovering the World, organising flying disc tournaments, festivals and friendship tours across Europe, China and the Soviet Union. These formative experiences taught him how shared purpose, encouragement and positive teamwork can bring people together across borders. They also laid the foundations for his later work in service, leadership and organisational culture.

Ron’s professional achievements have made him one of the most respected authorities in customer service and customer experience. In 1990, he moved to Singapore to work with Singapore Airlines and the Singapore Government’s National Productivity Board, helping to create a national service quality training organisation. He went on to serve as Director of Customised Service Training at the Service Quality Centre, designing programmes for businesses, public agencies and global organisations. In 1994, Ron created the Uplifting Service model, which became the foundation of his worldwide education and consulting company. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller ‘Uplifting Service’ and 14 other books on service, business and inspiration. His work has supported major organisations including Google, Pfizer, Sony, HSBC, Toyota, Harvard Business School, Singapore Airlines, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, HP and Marina Bay Sands. Ron has been ranked #1 Customer Service Guru by Global Gurus, named one of Speaker magazine’s Top 25 Who’s Hot Speakers, received the Asia Professional Speakers Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Ultimate Frisbee Hall of Fame.

Ron is hired by organisations that want to strengthen customer loyalty, energise teams and create a culture where service is everyone’s responsibility. His keynote topics include customer experience, service leadership, business performance, service culture, internal service, teamwork and leading through change. These themes are vital for modern organisations, where customers expect consistent value and employees need a clear reason to care about the work they do. For conferences focused on business, leadership and motivation, Ron delivers a memorable keynote that inspires people to serve better, care more and create lasting value.