Rick Cheatham

SVP, BTS North America

I help leading companies redesign how their go-to-market systems work in an era where AI has made “more” meaningless. More leads. More content. More dashboards. All easy. What’s hard, and what moves the numbers, is building better systems: sharper focus, faster execution, and deeper human connection.

My work sits at the intersection of big-picture strategy and everyday execution. I push teams to drop outdated playbooks, turn strategy into clear choices, and practice until new habits stick. The result: revenue growth, stronger customer relationships, and leaders who know how to embrace change instead of resisting it.

I’ve partnered with executives at Google, J.P. Morgan, Nike, and others to diagnose what's holding them back, scale real practice with simulations and bots, and align culture with strategy so teams adapt as circumstances change. I know my clients don’t need someone to tell them about their markets. They need fresh perspective, the courage to challenge old habits, and systems that work under pressure.

As a former sales leader and CMO, I take every project personally. I thrive on shaking up how people think, decide, and win.

Industry expertise: Rick has extensive experience in manufacturing, technology, insurance, and financial services.

Publications

Podcasts
May 1, 2026
5
min read
The hardest parts of leadership in the age of AI
How do leaders move fast with AI without losing direction, alignment, or judgment? This episode tackles the real leadership challenges of the AI era.

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Podcasts
September 19, 2025
5
min read
4 things nobody is telling you about the future of work
Discover 4 things no one is telling you about the future of work, and how leaders can unlock real AI adoption, culture shifts, and lasting impact.

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Podcasts
June 24, 2025
5
min read
Are you leaving employees better off or burned out?
In this episode, Steph Peskett and Abi Scott talk about the second major trend from their recent research: human sustainability.

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Podcasts
June 24, 2025
5
min read
This is why your best people are quietly disengaging
In part one of this two-part conversation, Steph Peskett and Abi Scott unpack one of the biggest trends reshaping talent development.

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Podcasts
June 17, 2025
5
min read
Why AI experiments are key to workplace learning
Rebecca Stern, Head of Learning at Udemy, discusses how her team is using AI to build a stronger learning culture. From skills mapping to hands-on experimentation, Rebecca shares how Udemy is helping employees get comfortable with AI, stay curious, and build the skills they need to grow

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Podcasts
June 3, 2025
5
min read
Built to shift: How great organizations move with the moment
BTS CEO Jessica Skon shares insights from top Fortune 500 leaders on how to navigate change, build agility, and lead through today’s seismic shifts.

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Podcasts
March 31, 2025
5
min read
Thriving through change: How HR leaders can build a future-ready workforce
How can HR leaders can build a future-ready workforce in uncertain times? Rick Cheatham and CRF’s Richard Hargreaves share insights on agility, critical roles, and driving impact.

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Podcasts
March 13, 2025
5
min read
Future-back thinking: The roadmap to effective leadership profiles
Discover how future-back thinking helps organizations create leadership profiles that prepare leaders for success in the rapidly evolving world of tomorrow.

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Podcasts
February 18, 2025
5
min read
Transforming the future of work: AI’s impact on leadership and innovation
Discover how organizations can navigate AI adoption through awareness, experimentation, and impact. Learn how mindset shifts can drive business growth with AI.

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Podcasts
January 24, 2025
5
min read
5 mind traps limiting your sales team’s performance
Discover the five key mind traps limiting sales team performance and learn how leaders can overcome them to foster a winning mentality and drive success.

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Three circular portraits of smiling professionals: a bald man in a suit and tie, a woman with long hair and pink lipstick, and a man with glasses and gray hair, against a dark and gray abstract background.
Selling Today: Navigating the Chaos with Confidence
In this session, we’ll work through what it takes to lead and sell now and how to build the muscle your team needs to thrive no matter what the marketplace throws at them.

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Join us

Interested in joining the BTS team?

BTS is working to modernize business culture around the globe. We’re looking for creative, courageous, and empathetic individuals who want to help individuals and teams find a greater purpose in their work. We love what we do, and we think you would too.

Four smiling women standing together at a conference, wearing badges and business casual attire.