Archives for January 2015

26 January, 2015 by Cris Popp

What Makes A Good MC

Not everyone can make a good MC which is why it’s important to get a really good one days before your scheduled event. A good MC can make or break an event whether that’s a wedding, performance or corporate function. Sometimes though the MC might not show up for a number of reasons and you may be forced to step up to the plate and do your best.

So, what makes a good MC?

Take Appropriate Pauses

If this is your first time MC’ing an event then chances are you’ll be a bundle of nerves and you may end up breaking just more than a sweat. To avoid making a wreck of everything it’s important that you speak slowly and take your time to breathe while at the same time making an effort to pause at full stops.

Be Organized

Make a point of sitting down with other speakers for the night to understand what order to introduce them to the audience as well as how to go about it. If you have trouble remembering names feel free to put down names of presenters to avoid embarrassing moments on stage.

I Thought That Speech Would Never End

The most efficient way of keeping your guests bored is by making lengthy announcements and speeches. Generally attendees like to talk to other guests while enjoying a sumptuous meal, so keep your time on stage brief and be sure to make succinct statements.

Don’t be Obnoxious

The last thing you want is to be memorable for all the wrong reasons. Humor is a great way to break the ice just don’t ruin your personal reputation while at it. Let your jokes come across as witty however be smart enough to let the spotlight fall on other areas of the event.

You are the Master of Ceremonies

Of course you shouldn’t domineer over others in playing your role. Much of the event’s success will depend on how great you play your role. Are all the speakers present? Are all the guests seated? You should even be prepared to take on roles that others may be unwilling to undertake.

Kris has hosted numerous events with roaring success. His LaughterWorks sessions also include a keynote speech that is sure to leave your audience motivatied. To have him MC your next event call him on +61(0)438 545 607 or send him an email info@laughterworks.com.au.

The Beginner’s Guide to MC’ing your own event. via @crispopp http://t.co/B6wju5Lt1G

— Cris Popp (@laughterpopp) January 25, 2015

19 January, 2015 by Cris Popp

How To Increase Productivity With Laughter

Take a stroll through a kindergarten and compare that environment to an office space full of people. One thing that really stands out is the somber mood that is characteristic of any workstation. While young kids in a play ground laugh and giggle at the same time developing their young minds, adults tend to outgrow fun (or so it seems) when they get a job. Tradition dictates that silence and seriousness is essential for maximum production. However, recent studies now tell us that laughter goes a long way in enhancing performance in the workplace.

In recent times laughter has been touted as “the best medicine” for becoming an efficient remedy to gloomy workdays as well as improving the general atmosphere of organizations. Funny enough, as a result of all the research laughter is now taken very seriously.

Some of the benefits that are credited to laughter at the workplace include:

Acts as a coping mechanism
Significantly reduces stress
Enhances memory retention
People who laugh the loudest are also the most creative at problem solving
Laughter enhances productivity

Among the many studies conducted was one involving Canadian financial institutions that concluded that managers who were considered humorous had a greater level of employee productivity. Stanford University’s Dr. William Fry found that laughing 200 times boosts energy levels and leaves you feeling more alive as well as burns the same number of calories as rowing vigorously for 10 minutes.

Comedian Leigh Anne recommends the following techniques for laughter at the workplace:

Give out crayons and paper for creative doodling.
Use funny quotes in correspondence
Organize “extra-curricular” activities
Encourage employees to laugh at their own foolishness
Make use of improvised games as stress busters and icebreakers

Other ways include having caption contests or impromptu theme days at work. Now that there’s scientific proof that work shouldn’t feel like punishment why not get that list of practical jokes ready!

Kris uses his immense experience as a conference speaker as well as a laughter expert to integrate laughter into any workplace during conferences or workshops. Get in touch +61(0)438 545 607 or send him an email info@laughterworks.com.au.

Never Underestimate Laughter At Work Ever Again. via @crispopp http://t.co/KL07MKbgGy

— Cris Popp (@laughterpopp) January 20, 2015

12 January, 2015 by Cris Popp

How Laughter Makes For a Better Team

Every organisation wants to be full of winning teams – and much of the work of HR, and leadership and management is to help create those conditions. They can include things like inclusion, shared decision-making, distributed leadership, a good physical environment, a safe place to work, security – and respect for all people, despite their level and role. One thing that all of these methods try to achieve is to create a conducive environment for workmates – one where happiness will keep team members satisfied with their various roles in the organizations and hence become, or stay, more productive. And how do we know when people are happy – they laugh. In light of this, why not just cut to the chase and make your employees happy by making them laugh?

Some of the reasons why laughter may come in handy are:

Communication

When management is keen to create a light atmosphere, it encourages team members to speak openly about how they feel about the company and its policies. This feedback is imperative for any organization that realizes that happy workers equal greater productivity. A manager who good-humoured, and openly lasts – even one that makes fun of him-or herself breaks down the barrier that is ubiquitous in many employer-employee relationships. People who laugh are good to be around and comes across as one of the team.

Reduced Stress

Life is certainly more hectic now than it was a few decades ago. As adults, we laugh far less than we did as children (about 80% less), and as a community we laugh far less than we used to. Strain interferes with a person’s ability to focus on their work which leads to a significant reduction in productivity. By injecting laughter into your people’s daily routine, the effects of tension are greatly mitigated making it possible for a team’s operations to go on with little or no interruption.

Enhanced Creativity

Think of a situation where formalities are the norm; where tension thrives amongst employees and where unbreachable barriers exist between management and the rest of the workforce. It is much harder to get novel ideas from workers as they may be too intimidated and think that their ideas will be automatically rejected. Contrast this to a situation where employees are encouraged (with the aid of humor) to air their views without fear of reprisal. It shouldn’t be surprising that those in the last scenario will suggest even the wildest of ideas which ultimately may be the solution to a common problem due to their out-of-the-box thinking. However, even if their ideas are not adopted the light atmosphere keeps them from taking it personally. Laughter before a creativity workshop – does wonders to help build innovation.

In fact, Edward DeBona, the father of lateral thinking, says that humour and creativity are very close together. Laughter is what happens when you get lots of humour.

Kris has many years’ experience running laughter workshops for both teams and organizations. Give him a buzz on +61(0)438 545 607 or send him an email info@laughterworks.com.au.

For leaders keen on building an effective team. via @crispopp http://t.co/hHMWSJhTGv

— Cris Popp (@laughterpopp) January 11, 2015

5 January, 2015 by Cris Popp

Laughter is a Better Energizer Than Coffee

Coffee continues to be one of the popular drinks of the 21^st century. Its benefits have been touted by various professionals and health journals as the magic drink and its reputation as an energy booster doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Luckily though for those who can’t stand the smell of coffee or its taste there’s a new energy booster that has been proven time and again to be more effective than coffee- laughter.

Yes, that’s right. A healthy dose of laughter is good for your body’s energy levels plus a whole host of other benefits. So how do we know for a fact that laughter is much better than your regular cup of Joe? Well, studies carried out by researchers at the University of Maryland show that laughter is just as good as coffee if not better. (Just thinking about it is making me laugh).

Immune Response

Recent studies show that there’s a correlation between increased stress and a weak immune system. Some of the studies also show that when applied, humor may be used to raise the level of antibodies leading to a more robust immune system. So just imagine what a laughter therapy session would do for you.

Comedy and Blood flow.

Sounds like a badly written script, but believe it or not there’s a link. Research from the University of Maryland shows that blood vessels act normally, that is contract and expand easily, when people are watching a funny comedy. That is certainly not the case when people are watching dramas; their blood vessels get constricted leading to constrained blood flow. However we know that in laughter workshops – everyone comes out of feeling better.

Laughter is also good for lower blood sugar levels. What?

Indeed, a study involving 19 respondents all of whom suffered from diabetes proved this to be true. When given a meal and after attending a wearisome lecture the blood sugar levels of all the attendees was found to higher than when they ate the same meal and watched a comedy instead.

With so many benefits credited to laughter why not just switch over from coffee and experience the full benefits of laughter as well as get to find out for yourself whether laughter is truly the best medicine.

Kris has years of experience running successful laughter workshops for both organizations and teams. Get in touch with us to make your next event a roaring success: Call Kris on +61 438 545 607 or send an email to info@laughterworks.com.au

Laughter is a Better Energizer Than Coffee. http://t.co/pYc4Xlhx2p

— Cris Popp (@laughterpopp) January 5, 2015