Biography

Michael Kerr, CSP (Certified Speaking Professional), Speaking Hall of Fame member, is a business speaker, very funny motivational speaker, and the author of six books includingPutting Humor to Work.  He is known as one of North America’s leading speakers on humor in the workplace and how safe humor can be used  to create more productive, less stressful, more creative, and more inspiring workplaces. His hilarious, inspiring and thought-provoking programs are often rated as having the greatest impact and relevance of any presentation at a conference. Michael is listed as one of Canada’s most requested funny motivational business speakers.

Michael has delivered his captivating keynote presentations and training workshops to more than 800 audiences, from Iran to Texas, from Austria to Honolulu.  His programs offer relevant, practical ideas delivered with his memorable brand of high-energy, clean humour. “Inspiring,” “hilarious,” “energizing,” “fabulous ideas,” and “incredibly relevant and timely content,” are phrases clients repeatedly use to describe the impact of his presentations.

Michael’s books,Putting Humour to Work, has been described as the “bible of humour in the workplace,” while his bookInspiring Workplaces – Creating the Kind of Workplace Where Everyone Wants to Workhas been called “an inspiring blueprint for workplace success.”  Michael’s company, Humour at Work, also offers books, training DVDs, audio CDs, resource articles and a monthly Workplace Energizer Subscription program to help his clients achieve a lasting impact.

Michael lives in Canmore and Calgary, Alberta.

Speech Topics

Michael’s Presentations

• Putting Humour to Work for Less Stress and More Success
• Inspiring Workplaces – The Way Work OUGHT to Be!
• Inspiring Leadership: Turning Passion Into Action
• Putting Creativity to Work to Inspire, Influence and Innovate
• The Humour Advantage: Customer Service with a Laugh
• Presentation Skills Training: Inspiring Ideas for More Inspiring Presentations

Please call for more information on any of the above-listed talks; the first two are listed below…

Putting Humor to Work for Less Stress and More Success!
Highly successful organizations understand that humour in the workplace both reflects a strong culture and creates a less stressful, more innovative work environment with higher levels of employee engagement, retention, and morale. As Michael will tell your audience, there is nothing trivial about this topic: humour helps people succeed at an individual, team, and organizational level. Humour is one of the most powerful stress-busters available, and it’s a resource that can boost morale, improve workplace communication, spark creative thinking, enhance customer service, and increase productivity.

Many of Michael’s clients choose this topic because its universal messages and clean humour make it a great kickoff or closing experience. And because it’s different than what many people have seen before, it’s a great way to shake things up at your meeting, energize people, and create a truly memorable event! The presentation includes door prizes (usually copies of one of Michael’s books), as well as digital resources and e-books for you to use as you see fit.

Key Messages in Putting Humour to Work for Less Stress and More Success

• Attitude rules: The two fundamental attitude choices people make every day at work
• Building a culture that champions the role of attitude in success
• The humour advantage: How humour can help drive individual, team, and organizational success and why there’s nothing trivial about humour, fun, and happiness in the workplace
• The chicken-and-egg relationship between humour and success: How humour is both a tool FOR great success AND the product of greater success at work
• Why honoring workplace values such as humour is the key to success
• What humour at work is NOT about: No, it’s not about telling jokes, being funny, being unprofessional, or being the office clown
• What humour at work IS about: Practicing safe, professional humour that encourages people to take themselves lightly so they can work more effectively than ever
• Flexing your funny bone: How accidental humour can boost your humour sense
• Three effective Rs of putting humour to work to manage stress, change, and conflict in the workplace
• Why humour can lower absenteeism rates, promote a safer workplace, and be part of a successful workplace wellness program
• The impact of your workplace culture on employee morale, engagement, and teamwork, and how humour can help create a culture of recognition and celebration
• The importance of creating rituals and traditions in the workplace to build a strong culture
• The humour advantage as a customer service tool: How humour can help brand your business and wow your clients by helping you stand out from the herd
• Using humour to communicate more effectively: How humour helps build trust and relationships at work, helps your messages stand out, and turns your meetings into events that people actually look forward to!
• Ha + Ha = AHA! Why humour is considered one of the top catalysts for creative thinking
• Getting started: Okay, so what next? How do you build a more fun, humour-filled workplace culture? How do your turn Michael’s inspiring ideas into long-term success?

Inspiring Workplaces: The way work OUGHT to be.

Why this Topic?
Leadership guru Peter Drucker once said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” And for good reason: Workplace culture drives success, and successful organizations don’t leave their culture to chance. If you want phenomenal results, it starts by being intentional about building a great workplace culture. People don’t just want to be inspired at work, they need to be inspired at work.

Inspiring Workplaces is a fun, high-energy presentation that challenges conventional thinking about the workplace and reminds people of the vital role work plays in our lives. Because the presentation takes a holistic look at the workplace, Michael touches on many different topics, which means that everyone will find something that resonates with them. And because it’s the “40,000-foot view” of the workplace, the program will tie into almost any event theme.

Key Messages in Inspiring Workplaces *

• Why work matters: The impact of work on our lives, our families, and our communities
• What is culture? Inspiring questions to take back to your workplace
• Three key ways to build a culture of positive attitude
• What really motivates people at work: Turning employees into life-long ambassadors for your organization
• Co-creating an inspiring, collective vision and keeping the flame alive
• Valuing your workplace values: Why actions really do speak louder than words and why embracing your values should make you feel uncomfortable at times
• Creating a “service first” culture and the relationship between service, teamwork, and leadership
• Inspiring open and honest communication: It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say things that matters!
• Moving from complaining to explaining
• Why there’s nothing small about small talk at work
• The difference between efficient communication and effective communication
• You’ve GOT to start meeting like this!
• Three reasons you need to create a culture that values creativity, change, and innovation; three ways to foster more creativity at work
• Putting humour to work for less stress and more success
• Creating a culture of recognition and continuous celebration: What really motivates and engages employees at work
• Being intentional about your workplace culture: Keeping the messages and inspiration alive

* This is a list of messages that are covered in a half, full-day, or two-day workshop. For a shorter keynote presentation, Michael does his best to highlight the messages most relevant to you!