Slider Posts Archives - Laughter Works

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

29 December, 2014 by Cris Popp

Laughter Helps People Bond

Someone once said that laughter is the shortest distance between two people and they were right. Recent studies have shown that laughter has a domino effect on how well people bond with each other and it’s no surprise given how it is an integral part of every human being. Even before they can speak infants interact with others by laughing and/or smiling.

The universal nature of laughter means that it can be found in every group of people in the world and is a potent instrument of breaking down barriers of culture, race, nationality, economic classes and government philosophies. Whenever anyone of us comes across something amusing the response is always the same- laughter; ranging from loud vocal outbursts to the more discreet chuckles. The result however is always the same- it unites everybody who’s laughing.

Just like a magnet, laughter draws us together and encourages us to interact- the sound of laughter eggs us on to the source of laughter. By persuading us to lower our guard, laughter reduces our tendency to be anxious when meeting strangers. If you were to quickly go through your Facebook friends’ profiles you’d notice that the funniest ones have the most friends when compared to those who are more somber and reserved.

Even more importantly laughter helps relationships thrive. Whether sharing a humorous joke around the dinner table or watching a funny comedy with friends, laughter helps us release positive emotions that help bind us together and develop closeness.

One of the quickest not to mention easiest ways to help us through the tough times is by laughing off our worries. Coping with life’s problems can sap away all of our energy and laughter couldn’t be more helpful in those trying moments.

Kris delivers laughter workshops for both teams and organizations. Why not give him a call on your next quarterly forum or team-building day on 0438 545 607 or send us an email info@laughterworks.com.au.

How laughter helps people bond. via @laughterpopp http://t.co/uXqdnBHHZB

— Cris Popp (@laughterpopp) December 28, 2014

15 December, 2014 by Cris Popp

Warming up the Room at the Start of a Conference

Conferences can often be seen as dull, stuffy affairs, relating to the inner workings of industry or focusing on the same old team-building exercises in business. They can often be reminiscent of high school assemblies, where the audience is sitting around with the look of boredom in their eyes while the speaker drones along with a jargon-filled speech. But they don’t have to be this way, and one way to do it is to shatter expectations and take to the stage, or the front of the room, with gusto. Any conference speaker’s primary goal is to get people to listen with rapt attention, and not doze off or doodle in disinterest. The best way to do this is to grab their attention right from the start.

Laughter at conferences can be a great ice breaker, and this can be achieved by telling a funny anecdote or making an amusing observation about the conference setting or its attendees, depending on the crowd. It’s not always easy to make such comments on the spot, so prepare like you would with any public speaking gig, and write up your opening speech and practice, practice, practice before you ever get up in front of that room. Sometimes it’s easiest to sound like you are speaking off the cuff when you know exactly what you’re going to say.

If you have difficulty coming up with jokes, then engage the audience from the get-go. Ask them how they’re doing or comment on the weather, like you would with any individual conversation, and have a conversation with the audience.

You may even address certain attendees by name and make direct eye contact, to let them know that you’re engaged in this conversation. Better yet, comment on something specific and relevant related to the conference, which will engage any audience member’s attention. It’s also best to practice beforehand so it comes off as natural. However, all the practice in the world won’t necessarily prevent you from freezing up as you step up in front of the audience. Most crucially before speaking at the start of a conference, you must be calm and relaxed, which can be helped by taking deep breaths and with positive affirmations. Once you’re warmed up, your speech will come out naturally, and the audience will have you full attention.

Kris has many years’ worth of experience running successful laughter conferences for both organisations and teams. Get in touch to find out how he could lighten the mood at your next conference: info@laughterworks.com.au or +61 438 545 607

Warming up the Room at the Start of a Conference. via @laughterpopp http://t.co/3JPeAoZJqm

— Cris Popp (@laughterpopp) December 14, 2014

8 December, 2014 by Cris Popp

Who is Doctor Madan Kataria?

Doctor Madan Kataria is an allopathic physician from Mumbai, India who is best known for inventing what he calls “Laughter Yoga”. He is also known as the “Guru of Giggling”.

Dr. Kataria was writing an article for a health magazine and remembered his interest in the Reader’s Digest “Laughter, The Best Medicine”. Upon exploring his curiosity, Dr. Kataria discovered a large amount of scientific evidence supporting the hypothesis that laughter is good for both mental and physical health.

Laughter reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, releases feel-good endorphins, exercises abdominal, leg, back, shoulder, and respiratory muscles, and improves cardiac health, among other things.

Dr. Kataria decided to come up with a way to take advantage of these benefits. While pacing his apartment one day at 4:30am, he thought of an idea: he would start a laughter club. And, on that very same day in 1995 he did just that, in a local Mumbai park with only four other people.

Regulars of the park questioned the doctor’s sanity at first when he just started laughing. But after convincing four others to move to a corner of the park and laugh with him, people began to get curious. Once he explained the science behind what they were doing, skeptics turned to believers and participation grew.

“In a nutshell, laughter yoga is a combination of self-induced laughter, yoga exercises, yoga breathing and stretching exercises.” Kataria explains to Wendy Jewell (http://www.myhero.ws/hero.asp?hero=Kataria). “With a little bit of playfulness it turns into real laughter. Our body produces a similar response to what we get from spontaneous laughter.”

Since its modest beginnings, the Laughter Yoga movement has grown to include over 6000 clubs in over 60 different countries. It has been covered by prestigious publications including National Geographic, TIME magazine, and the Wall Street Journal, and has been featured on the BBC, CNN, and the Oprah Winfrey show.

Today, Dr. Madan Kataria is a motivational speaker for businesses and organizations worldwide. He frequently appears on television and radio shows to discuss his ideas. He remains active in various research projects measuring the benefits of laughter and acts as a corporate consultant for holistic health, stress management, and leadership skills.

The confirmation of his theories through recent studies conducted in the USA and Bangalore, India using self-induced laughter have marked a turning point in the acceptance of Laughter Yoga in its various applications.

Laughter Yoga has since been implemented in schools, businesses, hospitals, and retirement homes, among other areas, in countries all over the world.

Laughterworks specializes in creating an environment filled with laughter. To learn more of what we could do to enhance your conference feel free to contact us: info@laughterworks.com.au or (+61) 438 545 607.

1 December, 2014 by Cris Popp

5 Secrets to Drawing Attendee’s to Your Conference

With how much time, funding, and energy planning a business conference requires, you want to be sure to optimize your profit margin. The best way to do this – besides proper budgeting – is to draw in as many attendees as possible.

Business leaders are becoming careful about which conferences they attend. They look to optimize the value of their experience by comparing travel and attendance costs with what your conference has to offer.

Follow these 5 tips to take your conference from “just another business conference” to a “must-see event”:

1. Get a head start

Don’t wait till every last detail is planned out to start attracting attendees. You are going to need sufficient time to advertise. Pick your venue and a date that doesn’t conflict with holidays or other, similar conferences and start marketing. The larger the conference, the further in advance you will need to announce it.

2. Make it marketable

Marketing firms are constantly keeping an eye on the latest trends. The goal is to borrow a trend’s existing momentum to advertise their own products or services. Search social networks like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to find out what subjects are trending in your industry, and brainstorm ways your conference can provide exclusive content on these topics.

3. Don’t skimp on the speakers

Anyone can talk about trending topics in your industry. The trick is to find experts at the top of your field, people who are seen as innovators and industry leaders. These are the kinds of speakers that bring with them the promise of inside information on the future of your field. The money you spend on expert presenters should be made back in increased registrations.

4. Interview the speakers beforehand

Introduce your speakers to potential attendees through interviews leading up to the conference. If you are able to, make video interviews and share them on YouTube. This provides registrants with a chance to preview the speakers before committing to registration.

5. Industry outreach

Send personalized letters to major industry groups. Advertise in magazines, newsletters, quarterlies, and any other media that your target audience would read. Take advantage of social networking to spread the word. Savvy marketers can hire industry bloggers to promote the event through advertising, or even contests and giveaways.

We offer laughter workshops for both teams and organisations. Have laughterworks deliver a laughter session at your next quarterly forum or team-building day. Contact us: info@laughterworks.com.au, or 0438 545 607.

5 Secrets to Drawing Attendee’s to Your Conference. http://t.co/5dIcIaV29w

— Cris Popp (@laughterpopp) December 1, 2014