2026 Sales Smart Series: Claim Your Space - Why Customers Choose You, Ignore You, or Can’t Tell the Difference
Thursday, July 9, 2026 (11:30 AM - 1:00 PM) (CDT)
Description

Join us for a lunch-and-learn presentation by Gene Lewis on Claiming Your Space, Why Customers Choose you, Ignore You, or Can’t Tell the Difference. Gene is a strategic growth advisor and the founder of Empower Strategies, where he helps companies develop growth strategies that scale through foundational positioning, story-based messaging, and structured growth systems. With more than 35 years of marketing, brand, and business strategy experience, Gene has worked across consumer products, SaaS, technology services, construction, finance and accounting, professional services, business coaching, executive recruiting, and other industries. His background includes leadership and consulting experience with large brands such as Sara Lee, Mrs. Smith’s Bakeries, The Schwan Food Company, Tyson, and Nestlé, as well as hands-on advisory work with more than 30 small and mid-sized organizations. Gene’s work centers on helping business leaders clarify what makes them different, communicate their value more effectively, and turn scattered marketing activity into a repeatable system for growth. He brings deep experience in positioning, messaging, lead generation, sales communication, full-funnel development, and strategic planning. Known for combining practical business insight with a bias toward action, Gene helps organizations move from ideas and good intentions to focused strategy, clearer execution, and measurable forward progress. His approach is especially valuable for business owners and leadership teams who know they need to grow, but need greater clarity, structure, and confidence in how to make that growth happen. Through Empower Strategies and the Empower Growth Operating System™ Boot Camp, Gene teaches business leaders how to stop guessing at growth and start building the structure, messaging, and systems needed to create consistent momentum. Session Description Every day, customers make decisions between businesses that often look remarkably similar. The challenge isn't always having a better product, better service, or better people. The challenge is helping the market understand why you're different. In this highly practical session, strategic growth advisor Gene Lewis will introduce the same positioning principles he uses with organizations ranging from local businesses to growth-stage companies across the country. Attendees will discover: • Why many businesses struggle to stand out in crowded markets • The hidden cost of weak positioning • The four questions every customer asks before making a buying decision • The most common mistakes companies make when communicating their value • A practical framework for identifying and owning a differentiated position • How strong positioning becomes the foundation for marketing, sales, and growth This session serves as an introduction to the principles taught inside the Empower Growth OperatingSystem™ Boot Camp, where participants learn how to transform positioning, messaging, and execution into a repeatable growth system.
2222 9th Street
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Smart Series