What if everyone on your executive team agreed on the company’s greatest competitive advantage and marketing message?
“The messaging that Michel worked on with us not only helped us establish our brand differentiation and leadership position with customers, strategic partners and analysts, it helped keep us focused internally on our core strategy. And it was absolutely a factor in our growth and success.”
~ Omer Schneider, Co-founder and CEO, CyberX (acquired by Microsoft)
What Drives Me?
What really drives me is helping companies and individuals to drill down to the core of their unique value and differentiation, and then craft their 'Core Message' that attracts and connects with audiences and stakeholders... including customers, investors, strategic partners, and top talent.
It's an 'Inside-Out' approach that digs deeper than most marketers dare to go -- and provides the rock solid platform for telling the brand story and designing a category that creates a new place in customers' minds; a place in their minds that screams, 'we need this.'
As a professional speaker, trainer, and consultant -- for over 30 years -- I've worked with leaders and sales teams in more than nine countries around the world, from Montreal to Moscow, and from Israel to Iran.
It’s all about difference. That’s why my approach is laser-focused on messaging, category design, and stories that differentiate, position, and brand organizations in the market.
I am also a musician, and I infuse my keynotes and presentations with songs and stories that take the audience along on the ride of my musical journey... inspiring people to bust through their own limiting beliefs!
I spend my days, (evenings, and weekends):
- working with organizations to help them distill their communications to the most powerful and differentiating messages.
- developing impactful, engaging and differentiating stories.
- leading workshops and training on Inside-out messaging, categories, and stories.
I spend my weekends, evenings, (and days) with my two snowboards, two canoes, one motorcycle, five ukuleles and three guitars.
Specialties: Motivational speaker | Trainer/Workshop Leader | Core Messaging | Brand Differentiation | Category Design
Below you will find short, medium, and full versions of my biography, as well as a verbal introduction, press photos, and client list.
NOTE: I generally fly out of Boston, Buffalo or Toronto and offer flat rate travel within North America. With an E1 US visa and dual citizenships, I am fully eligible to work in the United States, European Union and many other countries around the world.
In addition to keynotes and workshops, I am also available to emcee as well as participate in panels and webinars.
Biography & Verbal Introduction
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Short Bio: 83 words
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Medium Bio: 300 words
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Full Bio: 575 words
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Verbal Intro
Michel Neray is a professional speaker, consultant, creator of Inside-Out storytelling, and the founder of momondays -- a monthly storytelling event that pre-COVId was in 16 cities. Michel has helped thousands of individuals and organizations to drill down to their core message, become category kings and queens through category design, and craft more impactful, ‘Inside-Out’ stories to become more effective leaders, salespeople, coaches, teachers, trainers, speakers, and influencers of all types. He also uses the Inside-Out approach to differentiate, position, and brand organizations in the market.
Michel Neray works with companies and individuals to drill down to the core of their unique value and differentiation, and then craft their 'Essential Message' that truly connects with audiences and stakeholders... including customers, investors, strategic partners, and top talent.
It's an 'Inside-Out' approach that digs deeper than most marketers dare to go -- and provides the rock-solid platform for telling the story and designing a category that creates a new place in customers' minds; a place in their minds that screams, 'we need this.'
Michel has helped thousands of individuals and organizations to clarify their core message, become category kings through category design, and craft more impactful, ‘Inside-Out’ stories to become more effective leaders, salespeople, coaches, teachers, trainers, speakers, and influencers of all types. He also uses the Inside-Out approach to differentiate, position, and brand organizations in the market.
He combines a science degree from the University of Waterloo, an MBA from McGill University, and a career as a creative marketing copywriter, advertising agency director and marketing executive. A visionary and entrepreneurial game-changer, he created the world’s first online searchable directory of creative professionals (in 1995, before Google).
Michel co-authored The Great Crossover, which made it to Jack Canfield’s Achiever’s Recommended Reading List. He has spoken at conferences in more than eight countries worldwide. Michel founded momondays in 2012 as a monthly variety show that combines storytelling, comedy, and live music. Pre-Covid, there were up to 16 cities in Canada and the U.S. with live momondays events.
As an accomplished musician and songwriter, (MichelNerayMusic.com), Michel also infuses his keynotes and presentations with songs and stories that take the audience along on the ride of his musical journey, inspiring people to bust through their own limiting beliefs!. His musical performances combine the lyrical sensibilities of Leonard Cohen, the musical styling of Jason Isbell, and the vocal versatility of Billy Joel.
Michel Neray knows what it’s like to feel ‘different’. Born to a Jewish mother from France who had survived Auschwitz, and a Jewish father who fled Iran during WWII to join the French Foreign Legion, his parents settled in Montreal to start a new life and raise their family. Michel grew up as a French-speaking Jewish kid in an English Protestant school in a province that was overwhelmingly French Catholic.
Having a girl’s name didn’t help him blend in either.
Rather than hide his differences, he learned to embrace them. Michel credits his early childhood experiences for the foundation of his unique expertise in branding and positioning. Today, Michel is widely considered an expert in helping organizations and individuals discover and communicate their greatest strengths and differentiation, enabling them to succeed both personally and professionally.
“If you want to discover your true difference,” says Michel, “you have to dig deeper than traditional marketing approaches to see what is quite likely right in front of your nose.”
Michel has helped thousands of individuals and organizations to clarify their core message, become category kings through category design, and craft more impactful, ‘Inside-Out’ stories to become more effective leaders, salespeople, coaches, teachers, trainers, speakers, and influencers of all types. He also uses the Inside-Out approach to differentiate, position, and brand organizations in the market.
A naturally dynamic, fun, and engaging speaker, Michel helps his audiences discover their unique differentiation, and communicate it powerfully through ‘Inside-Out' Storytelling’.
That’s the most basic building block that enables individuals and companies to be the best at what they do; to have stronger relationships and better rapport with customers, colleagues, family, and friends; to stand out from the crowd and make a difference; to provide exceptional customer service driven by a genuine desire to help; and above all else, to lead a more fulfilled, more effective professional and personal life.
For his corporate clients, it’s also the key to stronger brand positioning, sales focus, and market messaging. Some of his clients have reported sales increases of 60% as a result of working with Michel.
In 1995 Michel founded Portfolios Online, the world’s first Internet search engine for advertising and creative professionals. Michel co-authored The Great Crossover, which made it to Jack Canfield’s Achiever’s Recommended Reading List. In 2005, his chapter, “Everything Starts With A Conversation” was selected as the lead for the book, Sales Gurus Speak Out and then again for Awakening The Workplace Volume 3. He has an MBA from McGill University, a BSc from the University of Waterloo and is also a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).
Since 2008, Michel has held leadership positions in the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, and has spoken professionally in more than eight countries. Michel co-authored The Great Crossover, which made it to Jack Canfield’s Achiever’s Recommended Reading List. Michel founded momondays in 2012 as a monthly variety show that combines storytelling, comedy, and live music. Pre-Covid, there were up to 16 cities in Canada and the U.S. with live momondays events.
As an accomplished musician and songwriter, (MichelNerayMusic.com), Michel also infuses his keynotes and presentations with songs and stories that take the audience along on the ride of his own musical journey. His musical performances combine the lyrical sensibilities of Leonard Cohen, the musical styling of Jason Isbell, and the vocal versatility of Billy Joel.
He has 5 guitars, 3 ukuleles, 2 snowboards, 3 canoes, 1 motorcycle, 3 stripes on his black belt, 3 children, and one wife.
Michel has helped thousands of individuals and organizations to clarify their core message, become category kings through category design, and craft more impactful, ‘Inside-Out’ stories to become more effective leaders, salespeople, coaches, teachers, trainers, speakers, and influencers of all types. He also uses the Inside-Out approach to differentiate, position, and brand organizations in the market.
Some of his clients have reported sales increases of 60%.
He combines a science degree from the University of Waterloo, an MBA from McGill University, over 30 years of experience as a creative marketing copywriter, and a career as a senior sales and marketing executive. He is also a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
Michel co-authored The Great Crossover, which made it to Jack Canfield’s Achiever’s Recommended Reading List. He has spoken at many conferences in 9 countries, including both Israel and Iran.
He is also an accomplished singer-songwriter, with a style that combines the lyrical sensibilities of Leonard Cohen, the musical styling of Jason Isbell, and the vocal versatility of Billy Joel. You can listen to his music on Spotify, Apple Music and all major streaming platforms.
And because at (Name of Company or Organization) we really do care about the person behind the title, I’ll also tell you that Michel has 5 guitars, 3 ukuleles, 2 snowboards, 3 canoes, 1 motorcycle, 3 stripes on his black belt, 3 children and one... wife.
Please join me in welcoming Michel…
TIPS FOR A BETTER INTRODUCTION:
- MICHEL is pronounced just like the girl’s name ‘Michelle’.
- NERAY is pronounced Ne-RAY (It’s a made-up name so don’t stress about how you say it.)
- PLEASE DO include your personal reasons for being interested in the presentation.
- PLEASE DO read this over a few times before the event, and speak to me if you have trouble or questions with any part of it.
- PLEASE APPRECIATE that referrals and testimonials are the primary ways that speakers get new business. Please encourage the audience to give feedback and testimonials.
- PLEASE DO NOT share this script with anyone other than the person who will be introducing Michel.
Press Photos
To download the high-resolution version of any photo to your hard drive, left-click on the photo to open/view it in a lightbox, then right-click the image and choose ‘save image as’. To close the photo, left-click again or hit your ‘esc’ key.






































Members indicated that you transformed their thinking for better problem solving, relationship building, and ultimately satisfying customer sales… a great program!
Excellent! Outstanding! Amazing! Michel is one of the most excellent communicators I have ever had the pleasure to hear speak. He is also entertaining yet so relatable. Highly recommend him for the next event you host and need a speaker to entertain and educate your audience.
As a professional speaker and singer-songwriter already successful at making a living through storytelling, I was hoping to deepen my knowledge of the craft. I was, however, a bit skeptical that I’d learn anything new. That skepticism quickly evaporated… I loved all the different methodologies and approaches to distilling the essence of your story. And the whole design of the workshop was aligned with the creative process, in that it was designed to turn off your brain, get yourself out of your own way, and put you into flow through the great prompts and the pace of it all. The time absolutely flew by and I felt like I had learned so much when I emerged on the other side. I will be back for more!
Michel, the message of your keynote was right in line with the objectives of the event. And, the more we work with our marketing company, the more we realize that the message of your keynote is also right in line with the objectives of our company. Thank you!
Michel's presentation was true magic. He was able to craft a message for the audience that combined his expertise with their immediate needs. His delivery was exemplary. By combining humor, examples, and an informal but focused presentation, he demonstrated his command of storytelling principles and gave the audience immediate useful takeaways. True learning took place - Michel left the audience left feeling excited and motivated.
One of the best storytelling programs, if not the best, I have ever seen. Remarkable in its clarity.
Michel has, for over Ten (10) years, been associated, with the Jamaica Employers’ Federation’s Annual Business & Workplace Convention, as either, its Opening or Closing Keynote Speaker and Presenter.
His storytelling and musical skills, coupled with his expertise and competence in delivery, have always engaged, motivated, and inspired our hundreds of leaders and practitioners from diverse business and professional disciplines.
We are always happy to welcome Michel and our Convention deliverables, will not be complete without his input.
I was skeptical that a keynote about storytelling could deliver anything new to an audience made up of top salespeople. But, Michel did a great job, and I was doubly impressed at another event that evening when one of the attendees shared a very powerful and moving story that he had been inspired to share as a result of Michel’s presentation. I can see why these techniques are so effective in sales, leadership, and in the work we do in advocating and grassroots lobbying.
The messaging that Michel developed with our team provided clear differentiation and a distinct value proposition for our company. It also provided a key focus for our sales and marketing efforts, which helped us grow our business by 60% per year and become the #1 vendor in our space.
I was fortunate that TATA arranged Michel to train us on 'The Art of Business Story Telling'. I never knew I needed this, I have imbibed as much as I could in the 8 hours we got with him. I am sure it is going to help me immensely in my career as I see it giving results in just a week.
Michel, we knew there would be some challenges in presenting a keynote on storytelling to our group, but you gently helped us take several steps on that journey by demonstrating how to use stories to enhance the impact of the research… and you did it with ‘aplomb’. You also left us with a wonderful reminder that we are all indeed human. On a professional — and personal — note, I want to tell you how much we appreciated your openness and flexibility leading up to the event, in tailoring the content to meet our objectives. Merci.
LeanWerks recently completed a week-long deep dive on our essential qualities, cultural foundation, and competitive positioning facilitated by Michel Neray. It was the best work on this front that I have experienced – at this company and at any other company I have been in. More than an exercise in branding and positioning, I now see how powerful the Essential Message concept is for our people and how it impacts our culture – that was unexpected.
Michel Neray was pivotal in impacting my speaking career and workshop facilitation. His workshop taught me to craft my humorous talks with a core message that changed my speaking business profoundly. His easy style and compassionate manner allowed me to open up and take my business to a new level.
It’s always a challenge to keep people engaged in virtual presentations, but your name consistently came up as one of the favorite speakers of the conference — people were truly engaged by your stories and delivery. As an event planner, I’d also say that you were easy to work with. Plus, you went over and above in your preparedness, especially with the technology, which gave us confidence leading up to the conference. Thank you!
Michel is a great speaker and one who knows his stuff. He makes you think deeply about the message you're sending and what it is that you do, so that you can send that message with integrity.
Michel was able to deliver a flawless and engaging workshop online. The content was timely and practical.
Michel's speaking classes and pointers go straight to the heart of transformation… and they’re informative and fun. They've been a key factor in helping me effectively build my coaching practice and my community.
I loved the virtual format! It ran smoothly, allowed us to meet and easily work with new people, plus everyone had a chance to be heard and participate. It may have even helped us to be more focused and present than an 'in-person' experience.
Storytelling proved to be a great keynote topic. The ability to present our results, and the pertinent details, while keeping on point, and delivering the true message is critical and Michel provided many approaches that can be adopted, and help in successful communications. The keynote was well worth it.
I was immediately impressed by Michel's quick grasp of the potential impact of my message and his keen insight into how I could have my message resonate more deeply with my audience.
The messaging that Michel worked on with us not only helped us establish our brand differentiation and leadership position with customers, strategic partners and analysts, it helped keep us focused internally on our core strategy. And it was absolutely a factor in our growth and success.
We loved the sessions and our team definitely is energized about the power of story, how we can use it in our business, and beginning an effort to master its dynamics. We are on our way!
Michel is a stunningly good speaker. Full of energy. Full of humor. Full of insight. He completely captivated the room, and though he delivered a ton of valuable information and inspiration, he also left everyone wanting more.
Michel, your Storytelling coaching helped me land a great client, which gave me a 30x, or 3,000% return on my investment!! Now I am conscious of storytelling as I never was before. Thank you!
What I loved most about the workshop is the innovative ways of how to deliver presentations in the most powerful ways. Michel's techniques will take any public speaker to the next level.
Your speech on the virtual stage was spellbinding as we received plenty of positive reviews from our advisors afterward. The musical performance at the end was a nice way to cap off the roadshow.
You did an excellent job of demonstrating the value of storytelling to enhance leadership and improve outcomes. The session also gave us new insights and appreciation for our colleagues. And while I was initially concerned about how people would take to a session on storytelling, it was gratifying to see how participants left the workshop with specific tools to help them be more structured and deliberate in their communications.
He is a great motivator, funny and experienced and he delivers true value to the audience. No one can be indifferent after hearing what he has to say.
Michel Neray's Storytelling training has not only helped internal staff be more effective in their respective roles, but it also helped us access new sources of revenue. In addition, our front-line staff reported they were more effective in the field. We would definitely hire Michel again, and in fact, we did!