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How to Hire a MASTER Event Host

Read this to Discover Six Secrets for Identifying The Perfect Master of Ceremonies for Your Next Meeting

Work with a M.A.S.T.E.R. emcee for your next event. Here’s how you can identify a host who personifies the word “master” in master of ceremonies. In this article you will discover the six key components of fantastic corporate, educational, sales, and non-profit event emcees.

MASTER of Ceremonies Secret #1: MAKE CONNECTION

Your event host is the face of your meeting. Your MC represents you. A masterful MC should model the heart of your company.

For this reason, you must understand this next point…

A good emcee is not an “add on” to your program. No. Your master of ceremonies should feel like an extension of your organization. MCs who have mastered this role are connectors.

Here are three ways a great emcee will connect with your attendees:

A terrific master of ceremonies will learn the language of your team. Do you use certain “buzz words” or acronyms in your organization? A smart emcee incorporates this inside language into his remarks. This way he can speak in front of your audience in a manner that feels congruent with your corporate culture.Your people will connect with a master of ceremonies who gets your group. Hire an emcee who is willing to do a deep dive into the jargon, lingo, and key phrases used by your attendees. Tip: provide him/her with this type of language before your meeting.

A superb event host will involve members of your audience. The days of a passive audience listening to a lecture are gone. Work with an MC who is skilled at interacting with audience members like yours. Examples of this kind of participation: facilitating Q & A times, ad-libbing with your attendees, giving out prizes, conducting a trivia game show about the history of your organization, interviewing speakers and audience members, and more. The key is involvement. A “connected” master of ceremonies will interact with your people. Avoid emcees who don’t bring this type of engagement to your event. Remember, if your emcee is stiff, your event will feel stiff too. A great emcee will help your attendees feel involved and included in the program.

An experienced emcee will put the spotlight on key people in your group. Wonderful MCs have a keen sense of “relationship radar” when it comes to knowing and highlighting the key leaders, partners, vendors, donors, VIPs, and customers in your audience.Suggestions:

Have your master of ceremonies invite board members to stand and be recognized.

Your host can thank your event sponsor and invite her up to the platform for a round of applause.

If your emcee is entertaining, she can do a funny interactive segment on stage with your new CEO or COO. This can help your people find a more personal connection with your leadership team.

MASTER Secret #2: ADVANCE THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM

In my own work as a master of ceremonies, I know it’s not about me. I see myself as a “mission realization” emcee. What does that mean? I want to help an organization—and the meeting organizer!—fulfill the mission of the meeting.

When I host an event, I follow these 10 Steps to make the meeting stay on task …

A super event host will advance your agenda by:

#1: LEARNING about your organization and WHY you are having the meeting

#2: DOING RESEARCH about your group long before the event happens

#3: Having PRE-EVENT PHONE CALLS with you to understand your program goals

#4. DISCOVERING the big takeaway(s) you want your attendees to experience

#5. AVOIDING distractions, controversies, inappropriate language, and other event “downers”

#6. KEEPING the meeting ON TIME so attendees remember your big WHY

#7. REINFORCING the THEME of your program

#8. ACCENTUATING the positives about your company

#9. LEADING the audience toward your event objectives

#10. ENDING the program in a thoughtful (and thankful) manner

Keep this in mind: YOU are the meeting planner / event coordinator. The MC’s job is to further your agenda—not his or hers! It’s your meeting. Make sure you hire an emcee who helps you realize the mission of your meeting.

The above applies to any type of program you are producing: your donor dinner, training conference, gala fundraiser, sales meeting, awards show, community concert, or annual convention.

MASTER Secret #3: SET UP THE OTHER SPEAKERS and VIPs

This is one of the central tasks of the master of ceremonies. He/she should put your program and the other presenters in a great light.

First, let’s talk about how amateur emcees often mess this up. Here are some big mistakes weak emcees often make.

Mistakes Bad MCs Make:

Speaker introductions that go on and on and on. Don’t confuse a bio with an intro!

Going for laughs during a speaker introduction. A great emcee makes the next speaker look important—not silly—before they come up to the platform.

Walking off the stage before the next speaker comes up to shake hands. Professional emcees know that an empty stage creates a dead spot in your show.

Forgetting to give a good “outro.” What is an “outro”? It is what the master of ceremonies says about the speaker after she shares her message. Example: “Thank you Christina Chang with our HR team…that was wonderful. Let’s all give her another round of applause.”

Forgetting about the next speaker’s sound/staging needs. A polished emcee is like a great chess player. He’s always thinking about the next key move.

Example: If the CEO is about to come up and needs a podium on the stage before he speaks, a solid emcee makes sure the CEO has that lectern on the platform before making the onstage introduction.

Now, let’s look at some powerful ways a fantastic master of ceremonies will help your speakers and VIPs succeed on stage.

Your ideal MC will…

Highlight 3 or 4 positive credibility-boosting things about the speaker being introduced:

Who they are

What they have accomplished

How they are connected to the company or organization

Why this will be wonderful and relevant for the audience

Recognize the contributions your leaders are making. Example: “John, that was an incredible talk. Thank you. Did you know that sales are up 45% since John became our VP of Sales & Marketing? Let’s show him our appreciation.”

Build enthusiasm in the audience about who is coming up to speak.

Praise the other presenters and organization leaders. This does two things: It reminds your group that they are part of a vibrant tribe. It also makes your speakers and leadership team feel more empowered—and acknowledged—on the platform.

Look for ways to verbally “call back” and honor the presenters at the end of the meeting. Example: “It’s been a great night! Can we take a moment and thank Monique, Taylor, Brian, and Melanie for inspiring us this evening?!” (The MC then leads the audience in applause).

MASTER Secret #4: TRANSITIONS MATTER

A magnificent master of ceremonies is a master of transitions. It’s music to an emcee’s ear, when the meeting producer says, “Hey, nice job with that smooth transition.”

For an excellent emcee, a good segue is a thing of beauty. Transitions are the spaces-in-between. When I emcee an event, I like to speak with the program producer or event coordinator about these crucial transitions, long before the attendees arrive at the venue.

Questions an Emcee should consider about specific transitions:

What is happening in the meeting room as attendees arrive, before the program begins?

How are we opening the show?

Will someone introduce me as the MC or will there be a V.O. (voice over)?

Am I making announcements at the top or end of the program?

When can I give the audience a stretch break? Between speakers? Between sessions?

Are we showing video clips during the meeting?

What is the best way for me to set up this video?

How should I transition from that emotional—or low-key, or funny, or intense—segment before I bring up our next speaker?

How and when will I recharge the audience?

Do we have the presenters seated near the stage so we can keep the program m-o-v-i-n-g?

How shall I close the program and dismiss our attendees?

The wrap-up: What do I tell attendees to do next (or where to go)?

If you are emceeing a meeting, here’s a tip for great transitions:

Listen first. Then reflect back to the audience what they are feeling at a particular moment. If you sense they want to applaud a speaker for an extended time, help them do it.

If you sense that that audience is getting bored or restless, lead them in a standing/stretching exercise.

If you are following a moving story, impact testimonial, or emotional video, give the audience a moment to take it in. “Wow…that was powerful. Let’s take a second to let that sink in. (Pause) That was so uplifting. Thank you, Madeline…”

Big Tip: As the meeting organizer, the BIG secret to great transitions is simple, but often neglected. Go over your working schedule (I call it a “run sheet”) with your MC prior to the meeting.

In fact, make sure all of your presenters have a printed copy of this timeline!

MASTER of Ceremonies Secret #5: ENCOURAGE

The fifth ingredient of a marvelous emcee is his or her ability to encourage your group to laugh, think, applaud, take action, appreciate, and feel glad they attended.

What you are looking for is an MC who knows how to uplift your attendees. Here is another acronym you may find helpful here.

Oh no, not another acronym! Yes, you’ll love this one.

The right emcee at your event, the one who knows how to create memories that last long past your event date, is one who uses her head and lots of HEART: Humor, Encouragement, Attitude, Reliability, and Team spirit.

HUMOR

A fine emcee knows how—and when!—to tell a good joke. Select a witty (but warm-hearted) host. Someone who will keep your attendees feeling great…with feel-good humor.

Warning: This does not usually mean that you want to hire a comedy club comedian to emcee your event! That can be a bad idea for a number of reasons. (They don’t work clean, they don’t have experience sharing the stage, they don’t understand your business, etc.)

Some things to remember about the laughter factor:

The emcee’s humor should:

Be tasteful

Invite audience participation

Appeal to everyone in the room

Not turn political or divisive (unless you are hosting a political event, of course)

Be personalized for your group

Focus on self-deprecating not insulting humor

Never be offensive!

Be F U N

ENGAGEMENT

The best emcee for your meeting is the one who will keep your audience fully engaged in your event. Your meeting host must know how to:

Make attendees feel included and involved

Listen to what’s happening on the platform and make adjustments

Interact with audience members (usually with a handheld microphone)

Create moments of audience participation during the program

S-t-r-e-t-c-h when time needs to be filled

Cut his/her funny commentary down if the event is running over time

Help audience members up and down from the platform as needed (Suggestion: Make sure you have a set of steps to the stage.)

ATTITUDE

This one is tricky. You are looking for an MC who exudes confidence for sure. Yet, you do not want an arrogant master of ceremonies. What is the ideal attitude?

Your host should bring a spirit of gratitude, enthusiasm, and energy to your meeting.

Get this: Your host sets the tone for your meeting. Your meeting won’t be fun if your emcee is boring. But if you are hosting a serious symposium on software, you probably don’t want Max, the funny guy in your sales department hosting the meeting. You need a pro.

Think about the FEELING you want your attendees to have at your event. Your emcee should be connected to that vibe.

RELIABILITY

Don’t overlook this one.

What good is a super-talented host at your event if she arrives late, won’t take your pre-event call or cancels on you?! Masterful MCs are consistently great. This means they understand that in “Show Business” the word business is the longer, and more important word.

An emcee with real heart cares about the outcome of your special event. Make sure you can reach your MC before, during, and after your meeting (to debrief with him).

Here’s one way you will know that you are working with a masterful emcee. They show up early.

A true pro wants to meet you, see the room, check the sound, greet the other speakers, and set you at ease. Like the classic insurance slogan… you want to know “you’re in good hands.”

TEAM SPIRIT

If your master of ceremonies can’t get on board with what your organization stands for, hire someone else. It’s a cliché, but it’s true: There’s no “I” in team. Please note: There is also no “I” in “event.” Great programs = great partners.

The master of ceremonies at your meeting is your key production partner.

The emcee is the ringleader, cheerleader, and orchestrator. She should bring out the best in your presenters and highlight what’s great about your program.

Tip: A professional emcee knows not to applaud at an audience but with them. A host with heart will display team spirit by encouraging your group to applaud your speakers and agenda (and will lead by example).

The best compliment I can ever receive as an MC is when an attendee asks me: “How long have you been on staff with XYZ?” The means I am representing them—and the whole team—and not just myself.

MASTER of Ceremonies Secret #6: RAPPORT

This last one is arguably the most important of all.

Rapport rules.

Here’s another word for it: Likeability. Your audience is silently asking themselves: Am I going to enjoy this meeting? Will I like this host?

An MC who bonds with people quickly is an invaluable asset at your meeting.

As a professional MC, I do three things to make sure I develop rapport quickly with an audience.

First, I care about the dress code for the program. If the audience is wearing shorts and aloha shirts, I’m not going to wear a suit and tie. If the event is red carpet formal, I will wear a tuxedo. Make sure your emcee looks the part. Creating rapport begins with what you wear.

Secondly, I want to learn as many of the attendees names (and faces J) as possible. People love it when you refer to them by name. I might say: “We are so glad Sarah and Julie are here tonight! And look, Miguel is sitting in the front row, because he’s a star…” You get the idea.

Finally, a stellar MC finds ways to affirm the audience. Here’s an example. If I am emceeing an event for educators I might talk about the life-changing impact a teacher had in my life. You’ll know you have a maestro as an MC when you notice that he/she recognizes the importance of your people—and validates the work they are doing.

Before we get to THE END of this article, let me remind you:

A splendid master of ceremonies can help you turn your meeting into a masterpiece. I hope the insights, tips, and suggestions in this blog have inspired you to partner with a wonderful event host.

Now go and create a magical meeting!

—

Adam Christing has been called “The Tom Brady of emcees.” He has hosted more than 1,000 company meetings, special events, major donor weekends, sales conventions, annual meetings, gala celebrations, and award shows. He is the author of the forthcoming book: How to Be A Great MC which will be published by Markin Books, and founder of CleanComedians.com.

The post How to Hire a MASTER Event Host appeared first on Adam Christing.

from Adam Christing https://adamchristing.com/blog/how-to-hire-an-event-mc/

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20 Great Quotes To Help You Deliver A Killer Speech

Want to make your next speech more powerful? Use superb quotations and use them well. In this article, I will share 20 of my favorite quotations for beginning and professional speakers. And I will tell you when and how to use them.

But before we get into these specific sayings, here are a few introductory suggestions for using quotations when you are a  keynote speaker, giving an inspirational message, annual report, sales presentation, after-dinner talk, Sunday sermon, teaching lesson, or any speech you are preparing.

Use no more than 3 to 5 quotations in your speech. Remember that a quotation is like seasoning on a fine meal. Don’t overuse quotations in your talk. That’s like dumping an entire saltshaker worth of salt on top of your meal. Think of quotes as delicious flavor additives, not the main dish.

Avoid using quotes that are already well known to your audience. The real (secret) power of a great quotation is its ability to surprise your listeners.

Take the time to find the ideal quotes for your talk. Go deeper than a google search. Read inspiring books, check out relevant articles, visit your local bookstore or library. Keep a journal and collect the sayings, proverbs, quotations, and bits of wisdom that move your heart and mind.

Whenever possible, cite the source of your quotation. Give credit where credit is due. And be sure your source is accurate. You will lose credibility if you quote George Washington as an expert on social media! If you cannot track down the original source of your quote, you can simply say, “It has been said…”

Make sure your quotations support your main message. Sometimes it’s tempting to sneak a great quip or quote into your talk because you love it. First decide if it’s apt for what you want to communicate.

Here Are 20 of the Best Quotations for Your Next Speech Use One of These Great Quotes When You Want to…

Create LAUGHTER

Quoting a comedian, famous wit, ancient proverb, or even a child’s wisdom can generate an instant laugh during your presentation. And trust me, your audience wants to laugh! Here’s the key: Pause before and after you share the funny quotation or short joke. A humorous quotation will surprise, shock, exaggerate, and often convey a tough truth in a way that delights.

“If you’re looking for a helping hand, there’s one at the end of your arm.” ~Yiddish Proverb

Make them THINK

A powerful quotation will give your audience food for thought. First of course, you must determine what you want your audience to understand, believe, and embrace. Then, choose a quotation that packs a punch.

“He not busy being born, is busy dying.” ~Bob Dylan

Grab their ATTENTION Usually the shorter the quotation, the more powerful the punch. Long quotes, like long speeches, will leave your audiences yawning. To open your speech, you may want to grab your listener’s attention with a short quotation or aphorism. If you are giving a talk about dream casting or goal-setting for example, here’s a fine quotation:

“If you know what you want, you can have it.” ~RH Jarrett

Prove your POINT You don’t have to agree with every source you quote. Sometimes who you quote, is as important as what you quote. Here’s an example. Though I obviously detest this famous leader, this quotation makes a powerful point. When I am stressing the power of passion, I sometimes share this one. Note: After I give the source—which always shocks the audience—I remind them that he was evil and that we must use the power of passion for good.

“Only a storm of hot passion can turn the destinies of people. And he alone can arouse passion who bears it within himself.” ~Adolf Hitler

Illustrate an IDEA A good quotation is like a good story. It’s a window in your house. Use it to let the light in. Help your audience see what you are saying. A good metaphor is one of the most helpful tools in a speaker’s toolbox. To get your idea across, use a strong word picture. Imagine giving a talk to a group of schoolteachers. Your goal is to affirm them for the great work they are doing. You want to remind them that what they do—educating children—matters forever.

“A school is a building with four walls, with tomorrow inside.” ~Lon Watters

INSPIRE your audience The best speeches lift hearts! If your goal is to motivate your audience, insert a quotation designed to inspire the dreams of your audience members. Connect with their emotions. Choose a statement that is filled with hope and encouragement. Here’s one of my favorites, because it strikes such an emotional chord:

“If your heart is in your dream, no request is too extreme.” ~Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio

Issue a WARNINGYou can use a quotation to sound an alarm. You may want to shake your hearers into stopping/starting a behavior. The key here is choosing a quotation that lights a fire under your people. What mindset do you want them to change? What do you want them to do?

“Unassertive salespeople have skinny kids!” ~Zig Ziglar

Make people CARE Many speakers make the mistake of thinking that their talk is primarily about content. While content is important, the best speakers transfer their conviction to an audience. Your group doesn’t want more information. They are looking for takeaways and transformation.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou

Capture an INSIGHT Many times the quotes that will rock your speech are what I call “zingers.” What is a “zinger”? It’s a pithy statement that expresses a flash of insight. Zap your audience with a truth in capsule form. People love to read the fortune inside their fortune cookie—and often the words aplly to their lives. When I am giving a speech that talks about how we learn, I love to share this one:

“I respect wisdom but I obey pain.” ~12 Step Recovery Saying

EDUCATE your attendees Don’t make the mistake many speakers make. Never confuse a statistic with a quotation. Remember: facts tell, stories sell. Search out stories and quotations for your talk that provide “teaching moments.” Tip: Do an Amazon search for aphorism You’ll discover some great gems and nuggets for your next speech. An aphorism, like a proverb, teaches a memorable lesson-in-a-few-words.

“Don’t expect your ship to come in—unless you’ve sent one out.” ~Belgian Proverb

STRENGTHEN your case Know exactly what you want to say to an audience. Then you will be in a position to find the perfect quote(s) for your next keynote speech, workshop or seminar. If you are giving a talk on leadership, select a quotation from an inspiring leader. Are you motivating athletes? Choose a motivational saying from an accomplished football, basketball, or soccer player. Most importantly, know your audience. This will help you know which quotation will best support your speech.

“We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.” ~Anais Nin

Make your speech MATTER A good question to ask yourself is: “Who cares about what I am saying?” By the way, this is the very question your audience is asking when you start your speech. How does this matter to me? Reverse engineer your speech. Think about the big takeaway you want your group to get from your presentation. Then craft your message—and the quotes that will make it pop—based on the actions you want your audience to take.

“The meaning of communication is the response you get.” ~NLP maxim

Use the power of REPETITION One of the great speeches in U.S. history is Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. And one of the factors that makes it so powerful? MLK’s repeated use of his awesome title: “I Have a Dream.” Consider repeating a strong quotation again and again during your talk. This can help you re-state your core message. You can also hammer home a big point with a quotation that repeats certain words to great effect. Notice how Winston Churchill did this often. (“Never, never, never give in…”), He and MLK are two of the greatest orators of the 20th Both leaders repeated words to maximize the impact of their language.

“We are all worms. But I do believe that I am a glow-worm.” ~Winston Churchill

Enhance a CELEBRATION Maybe you will give your speech at a wedding, an anniversary party, or an awards program. You can pump up the proceedings with a special quote. Identify a sparkling statement that will raise spirits…and maybe wine glasses. Here’s the key to doing this well: Keep the focus on who/what is being celebrated. Your quotation should amplify the purpose of the event. Honor the bride, toast the award-winner, congratulate the champion. Get clear on the reason for festivities. Your quotation should put a spotlight on what your guests are celebrating together.

“Life is short, wear your party pants.” ~Loretta LaRoche

POKE FUN Want to make sport of a competitor? Handle a heckler? Or lampoon an idea you don’t like? A good quote can work wonders. Just be careful about coming across as mean-spirited. Humor helps.

“Lord, help me make my enemies look ridiculous.” ~Voltaire (French Philosopher)

Increase your AUTHORITY Don’t get the wrong idea here. Quotations are not the source of your authority, you are. But a compelling quote can boost your credibility as a speaker. Select a quote that comes from a recognized name or organization that will resonate with your audience. Quote an expert. Better yet, become one.

“I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.” ~Muhammed Ali

Speak with CONFIDENCE Want to know a speaking secret? Your listeners aren’t paying that much attention to what you say. But they are tuned in to how you say it. They are listening for your confidence. What do you do if you don’t feel confident? Act like you are. And to take it to the next level—instill confidence in your audience too. Model it.

“Feel the fear and do it anyway.” ~Susan Jeffers

Bring CLARITY One of the gifts you can bring to people via of your message is clarity. Help your audience see the path, cut through the clutter, and take decisive action. Make a statement, or share a quotation, that simplifies things for people. Sometimes this can be phrased as a question like, “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?” Other times you will want to give them the answer straight up. A great quote can help you do just that. You want to communicate with great clarity. And show your audience the way forward.“If you don’t have a plan for your life, somebody else does.” ~Michael Hyatt

Issue a call to ACTION! You can wrap-up your speech with a mighty quotation to finish strong. Make sure that your final phrase captures the heart of your main message. Don’t end on something cliché like, “Thanks for listening” or “My name is Blah Blah.” Your end quote, if you use one, should empower your audience and echo the main thrust of your talk. And get this: You want to invite your audience to take action.

“The way to get started is to quit talking and start doing.” ~Walt Disney

Create your own CATCH PHRASE Few people remember speeches, but many people remember speakers. Can you create an original quotation that fits your personal brand? Tap into what makes you unique. What makes your message special? The final words of your speech can remind people about who you are and what you had to say. What is your signature “sign off” sentence? It might be a parting piece of advice. It could also be a statement you design to capture the way you want the group to remember the experience you created for them.

“The tribe has spoken.” ~Jeff Probst, “Survivor”

By finding and utilizing quotations that appeal to you, you will heighten the impact of your speech. Plug one or two of the above quotations into your next speech or special presentation. Better yet, discover the pitch-perfect quotes for your talk. Weave them into your speech and speak with gusto. You’ll be glad you did. And your audience will be pleased too. You can quote me on that.

Adam Christing is a professional keynote speaker, master of ceremonies, and author. He has written four humor and personal transformation books including: Comedy Comes Clean 1 & 2: A Hilarious Collection of Wholesome Jokes, Quotes, and One-liners, Your Life is a Joke: 12 Ways to Go from Ha Ha to AHA! and Bob Dylan Can Change Your Life: 61 Ways to Invent a Legendary You.  Adam has been studying and collecting quotations for more than 25 years.

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from Adam Christing https://adamchristing.com/blog/how-to-quotes-introduction-keynote-speech-events-funny/

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How Listening (and Not Just Talking) Helped Me Become a Great MC

I’ve been making a living as a master of ceremonies for 25 years. Here are 7 lessons I have learned that may improve your next meeting or special event.

Why do event planners need a great emcee?

Attendees are silently begging to be led A meeting is a lot like life. We all want to know where we are going and how we will get there. A professional emcee tells the audience: You are in for a great time and I’m going to be your host and guide for a great meeting. You set your guests at ease when they know you have hired a polished professional who will lead the proceedings.

A likable host helps your group relax Meetings should feel successful not stressful. Your audience wants to relax and recharge at your event. By hiring a likable master of ceremonies, you will maximize the enjoyment of your attendees and you will exceed their expectations. People enjoy meetings led by hosts who are warm and witty. Don’t invite a “party pooper” to host your party!

You want an energy-booster on the platform A great emcee knows how to raise the energy in your room. This is vital. Your attendees need to grasp the information and takeaways you want them to get. This is more likely when they are actively engaged and feel energized. A professional MC will tune in to how your audience is feeling. If one of your speakers is boring your group with too many slides, he/she will pump them back up during the next transition. Work with a host who knows when and how to reenergize your attendees.

You can improve the image of your organization People are constantly and instantly evaluating your meeting. Most event producers spend a lot of time thinking about what is being presented, but not enough time focused on WHO is doing the presenting. Give some careful thought to who will be presenting your presenters. A fine MC will give your guest speakers and VIPs strong introductions. Make sure you are working with an experienced emcee who can welcome your attendees to your meeting and welcome your speakers to the platform.

You will avoid your meeting going off the tracks Many unexpected things can happen during a live event. What if one of your speakers runs way over time? What if you suddenly need to fill an extra 30-minutes in your program? What if you have to add some time-sensitive announcements to your agenda because of the weather? A strong master of ceremonies can entertain and inspire your audience as needed. And a great emcee knows that the greatest ability is flexibility. A great MC knows how to make adjustments during a program—to make sure your meeting stays on course.

Your attendees want more of the laughter factor Laughter is not only the “best medicine” for healthy living–humor is also magic at your next meeting. A fine emcee will bring more fun to your gathering. He or she will know how to use humor in a way that brings people together and builds community. You don’t have to hire a famous celebrity for this role, but make sure you secure an entertaining emcee. Your people will thank you for it, I promise.

Listening is the Emcee’s secret sauce Your host should be looking and listening for ways to enhance the enjoyment of your people. Is an attendee celebrating a birthday or work anniversary? Are some of your top customers in the audience? Can he/she recognize and applaud your key vendors? Your master of ceremonies will help you make your event a winner when he or she is making notes before and during the meeting so that your people and your event goals are always in mind. Don’t just hire a good talker. Hire a great listener the next time you book an MC.

“I can see how hiring a great MC helps. But how do I find one that will help guarantee my group has a great time?”

Here you go:

The key to finding the right host is based on this question: Is this a person you’d invite into your home? You are looking for someone you feel great about connecting to your work family. Can you trust them with your program goals?

Don’t confuse “life of the party” with host of your meeting. You may have some funny co-workers who can crack up the office, but a great emcee puts the spotlight on your event, not on themselves.

Go with a host with tons of event experience. You would never visit a doctor who was doing her first-ever surgery on you. Make sure your MC has hosted many events like yours with a winning track record.

Look at video clips. If your emcee candidate does not have a demo video, they are not a full-time master of ceremonies. The word “demo” has the same root as “demonstrate.” You want to see for yourself that this host knows how to delight an audience and will be a good fit for your company culture. Look also at audience reactions in the video clip.

You don’t want an actor, you want an “interactor.” Find an MC who is adept at involving your group. Today people want to participate and not just watch from a distance. Make sure your host can actively engage your people via humor, interaction, and appropriate ad-libbing.

Look at the MC’s past list of clients. Some hosts work only in single categories like fundraising or sales meetings. Speak with your potential host about his/her experience in your arena. And make sure they are not bringing their own personal or political agenda to your people! You are looking for a master of ceremonies who cares about your agenda.

A great MC has a very specialized skill set. Is this person: Likable, engaging, warm, funny, experienced, and there to serve your meeting agenda? Whatever you do, do not hire an emcee without first having a conversation with him or her about your needs and event goals. Have this phone or in-person meeting well before your public meeting.

The best compliment I can ever get as an emcee is this: “How long have you worked for this organization?” This happens frequently for me because I do a deep dive into the culture of every association, business, non-profit group, or company long before I hit the platform and say, “Good evening!” Provide your emcee with lots of background about your group and the unique people you serve. Have your host incorporate your key words, acronyms, and inside language into their comments on stage.

“What about using an in-house MC?”

Here are 5 reasons why that is usually a bad idea:

Your group will thank you for hiring a pro When you bring in an experienced host you communicate to your attendees that this event is important, and that you want to delight them. Asking “Joe in accounting” to host your meeting is like having your neighbor fix your air conditioning. It might work, but why risk it?

An amateur MC may make your event look amateurish There are so many aspects to emceeing a meeting. Does your emcee know how to tell a joke, make a superb introduction of a notable guest, think on their feet, reinforce your messaging, and wrap up your meeting in a wonderful way? Probably not if they are not doing it full time. Work with a host who has the experience to make your event a super success. See: 7 Reasons to Avoid an Amateur Emcee at Your Next Event

You will benefit from the perspective of an event expert If you make the mistake of asking an organizational insider to host your meeting, you lose out on the insights a seasoned emcee can bring to your meeting. Here’s an example: A great MC can summarize the key points of your meeting theme in a fresh and fun way. The danger with using an “insider” is that they tend to go deeper into corporate speak. You want a host who can connect with everyone at your event including employees, customers, vendors, and first-time guests.

Some people in your audience may not like your co-worker It’s impossible to get along with everybody. When you ask someone within your organization to host your event, there may be some people within your group who are not fans of this person. It doesn’t mean they are a bad person. But some attendees will project baggage on to them. When you hire an outside emcee, your audience sees the guest host in the best light possible—the spotlight on an elevated stage.

If your associate bombs as the MC, it will hurt them and you The worst thing you can have happen at your meeting is embarrassing yourself or your organization. Saving face is more important than saving money. Be careful about putting any of your people in a bad light with the choice of your master of ceremonies. Remember to hire a “Master” to handle your ceremonies. You won’t regret it.

Here is another big mistake to avoid…

Some meeting and event planner’s make the error of having no emcee at their meeting. This is not wise. Not having an MC running your program is like inviting your guests into a car with no one behind the wheel. Make sure you have someone steering your event into a wonderful time for everyone who will be in attendance.

To sum up, here are six keys based on the word “MASTER”:

You want to work with a host who is a MASTER of Ceremonies:

Meeting-oriented. Hire an MC who keeps the focus where it should be—on your meeting.

Audience-tested. Don’t let someone learn on the job at your program!

Super-flexible. You want a host who can adapt to problems and make changes as they come up during your meeting.

Tuned-in. Secure an emcee who really listens to your event goals, your other speakers, and the energy level of your audience.

Engaging & fun. Your attendees are hoping you will provide them with a fun experience. Look for a host who has mastered the use of positive humor and lots of participation.

Rapport-building. Employ an emcee who can create a sense of community with your attendees.

What about the “ceremonies” part? Don’t worry, I’m not going to describe that word as a long acronym. But this is important: The original meaning of master of ceremonies, puts the emphasis on the ceremonies part.

The ancient idea was that the ceremonies were of tremendous importance—sacred even. And the host had the serious role of protecting the process and leading attendees into a deep communal experience.

You may not think of your sales meeting, awards show, or annual dinner as a “holy” meeting. But your program matters. Your meeting is important to you and to your organization. So, remember, the person you put in charge of the proceedings will be the one guiding your guests into a great experience.

Bonus tip: Have a meeting before your meeting. This is where your MC meets privately with your other speakers, the AV team, and with you the event producer. This is not a formal rehearsal or even a walk-through. This is a “talk-through” meeting usually lasting 10 to 15 minutes. You can schedule this meeting to take place 30-minutes prior to the start of your program.

In this “huddle” you want to cover the Who, What, When, and Where of your on-stage presentations. This is where you confirm podium and microphone needs, talk through transitions, and make sure that all of your presenters are on the same page. Speaking of pages, here is a vital one for your meeting:

The One Event Document that Makes a Meeting Better…

This leads me to a final thought on this topic. Document your success. Here’s what I mean: You can help your master of ceremonies hit a home run at your meeting by providing him or her with a printed working schedule. This is a valuable tool for your emcee.

This document should fit on a single printed piece of paper. A one-sheet working schedule or “run sheet” becomes the at-a-glance map for your meeting. Your MC will use this as the outline for your platform program. Here’s what you should include on your working schedule:

The name of your meeting room. I.e. “The Pavillion Ballroom”

The timing of your pre-production meeting.

What time your program begins/ends.

The names of each of your presenters.

The time frames for each segment of your program. Example: Shelly Jones/Keynote Speech (45 minutes)

Transition time between speakers–usually 1 to 3 minutes.

Rule of thumb: For every 2 hours of program time, allow for a 20 to 30 min restroom and refreshments break.

Wrap-up segment. This is where the master of ceremonies wraps up your meeting with closing comments, announcements, thanking sponsors, and dismisses your attendees.

What not to put on your working schedule doc.

A working schedule is an outline–not a complete script—of your meeting agenda.

You do not need to share much about the content of your program on this “run sheet.” You are capturing the flow of the sessions here.

The working schedule does not show speaker bios or intros. (But you should provide your MC with those separately).

This document is not for the eyes of your attendees. It is for your presenters and production team only.

By hiring an outstanding event emcee—one who really listens to your program needs—you will ensure that your meeting is a memorable one. A working schedule document is a key guide for the man or woman who will be guiding your meeting.

Now get the party started.

—

Adam Christing is a professional master of ceremonies. He has been called “The Tom Brady of Emcees” and an “Event planner’s dream.” He has worked with more 500 private and public organizations and hosted more than 1,500 live events.

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Why Low Morale Can Kill Your Business And How Humor Can Fix It

For a business to succeed, it must have employees who enjoy and are inspired coming to work each day. From the owner to the entry-level staff, each person should walk into the office with a good sense of humor. Motivated to greet the workday, these team members will yield better performance and help catapult the business to the next level.

While this might seem obvious, many companies operate in just the opposite manner. In fact, owners and managers of all kinds of businesses fail to recognize the impact that morale can have on everyone. In addition to employees, the right attitude will spill over into other areas as well. Vendors, customers and business partners will all appreciate working with a company that consistently has an upbeat attitude.

Stress comes with running a company. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to let it make you a grump. Instead, stress can be turned into a positive for everyone in your camp. Whether you use essential oils, yoga or some other form of natural stress management, you can share these with the team to reduce their stress as well.

It is absolutely vital that those in ownership and managerial positions are able to maintain a good attitude. The goodwill naturally flows outward to others and reflects positively on the company itself. Of course, it must be natural to be effective.

Laughter is good for the body, mind, and spirit. Try to incorporate it into the workday during appropriate times. Learning how to tell jokes artfully can be an indispensable management tool to bring tensions down. Of course, in an environment where laughing is encouraged, natural comedians will jump in as well.

Just as humor can break the tension, so can inspirational thoughts. In moments when laughter isn’t appropriate, reflections might be. Inspirational quotes and writings can also be effective in keeping morale high. Signs and posters throughout the building can help to accomplish this.

If everyone arrives around the same time, a team meeting can be a great way to get the day started. Rather than make time to berate employees for their wrongdoings or shortcomings, praise the work accomplished the previous day and lay out what you expect for the next day. When done right, employees will walk away from the meeting excited to jump in and do their parts.

When morale is low, people are more likely to call in sick, even when they aren’t. Some folks will go to lengths like taking unpaid days off just to get away from a toxic work environment. Likewise, unhappy employees might arrive a few minutes late and leave a bit early for the same reasons.

Low morale will also reduce productivity among the staff who do trudge through the doors each day. Poor work performance reflects back into the community and will harm your reputation.

As you can see, improving morale through humor and inspiration is essential to your business success. Although it might take some effort to change your mindset and get everyone on board, you will be much happier with your company once you have!

— Adam Christing is a popular Event MC and Funny Motivational Speaker. He is the author of Your Life is a Joke: 12 Ways to Go from Ha Ha to AHA! (For more information go to AdamChristing.com)

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4 Tips For Increasing Audience Participation At Your Next Trade Show

4 Tips For Increasing Audience Participation At Your Next Trade Show

If you are looking to improve your trade show results, you are going to want to increase your audience participation that you can get from them. Below, we will talk about some of the different things that you can do to improve your audience engagement at your next trade show.

Here are four tips for improving engagement:

1. Booth Design.

One of the main things that you are going to want to focus on would be booth design. By improving and optimizing your booth design, you should be able to increase not only the number of people that are interested in your booth but also the amount of engagement that you receive. By improving your design and doing things to make it stand out, it is going to allow you to get more people aware of your booth and actively engaged with it. Your design is crucial, and it would be wise to focus on it if you are looking to generate the most interest from it.

2. Social Media.

If you are going to be attending a trade show, you will want to come up with a social media engagement strategy that is going to allow you to get more people involved with your booth. You can come up with some hashtags for Twitter that will help you get more eyes on your content, people to your booth, and more engagement from those that are attending. This is one of the best ways to get more people actively engaged with whatever you are showcasing.

3. A Contest.

Another thing that you can do to improve your engagement ratings is by having different contests for the attendees. By having contests, you should be able to get great results with your efforts because you are going to get more people involved with your booth and interested in whatever you are selling or offering. People love to enter into contests because everyone wants to win something. You can turn your contest into an effective way to engage with the audience at the trade show by making it fun, exciting, and rewarding.

4. Hand Outs.

Another good thing that you can do to improve the results that you can get from your trade show would be to offer handouts or gift bags. By giving things away at a trade show, you are going to get many more people going up to your booth to see what you are offering. This is a great way to get more people aware of your booth and interested in it.

Overall, there is a lot that you can do to improve the level of engagement that you could get at just about any event or trade show. By following the tips above, you should be able to increase the level of engagement by a significant amount. Be sure to focus on standing out as much as possible to generate more awareness at the event and then incorporate a lot of the engagement tips for better overall attendee engagement.

— Adam Christing is a popular Event MC and Funny Motivational Speaker. He is the author of Your Life is a Joke: 12 Ways to Go from Ha Ha to AHA! (For more information go to AdamChristing.com)

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Train Customer Service Reps Using Humor, Interaction & Fun

Customer service is all about communication with people, so interactive training might as well be part of the deal. You want to make it fun for your employees, and you might as well make them laugh, too. You do want them to be serious about learning to handle the needs of your customers, but you want them to enjoy their jobs. Here are some valuable tips for training your customer service team with humor & interaction, making the experience fun for all involved.

Everyone has heard of the telephone game. Do your employees handle customers on the phone or in person? Regardless, teaching them to listen intently to the needs of customers is essential. There are many games you can play with your customer service team to get the point across. The Telephone Game not only does just that, but it also helps your team interact better with one another. This is a really fun game that you can get them to play in different ways.

Have you ever been part of an employee training program that was quite dull? I’m not talking about just the material, but the program itself just wasn’t, well, cool. With a diverse group of employees in front of you, every idea you come up with isn’t going to be a winner with everyone either. You want to try and focus on making the training program fun, witty, engaging and lively. You want your employees to have a good time at work while learning.

As you make things fun, here are some tips you need to focus on teaching them. You want your customer service representatives to be adaptive, patient and consistent. Listening requires patience, and problem-solving requires adaptability. You also want your employees to know how to transition between customer experiences properly, and you want them to be able to practice patience and control. They are at times going to be dealing with unhappy customers.

Teach them to deal with unruly customers in a fun way by doing some role-playing. You know your business well, and you can come up with situations where customers might get a little perturbed. Have your employees act out scenarios so that they can get a funny and goofy look at how they might handle those predicaments. This activity will play out very interesting indeed, and your employees will enjoy the situational role-playing.

You want to make sure you focus on the professional aspects of customer service of course, and not all of them can be made into a joke. You want to keep your employees on their toes with fun activities and a little humor. As you do that, tell them what you expect in regards to work ethic and daily duties. Teach them the knowledge they need to know to get the job done. Don’t give them modules to look at because they aren’t going to absorb all the information they need to learn. Make the employee training program fun, and help your staff help your customers.

— Adam Christing is a popular Event MC and Funny Motivational Speaker. He is the author of Your Life is a Joke: 12 Ways to Go from Ha Ha to AHA! (For more information go to AdamChristing.com)

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How To Break The Ice At The Next Corporate Meeting Or Networking Event

Most of the meetings in today’s business settings are all about showing up and little participation. The employees will hand out their business cards but have little or no gainful interactions with others. Much of this can be attributed to the atmosphere setting during the start of the meeting. It should be one the helps all attendees get acquainted and comfortable with each other and ensure that they stay energized and actively involved in the event’s proceedings.

Icebreakers can help in that regard. However, the term icebreaker is more often than not considered as something (an activity) done at the start of a meeting to make all participants loosen up and be actively involved. But, icebreakers can as well be used to refocus attendees after a break, to reinforce a point, or to revitalize full participation. Below are some tips on how to break the ice at such meetings or events.

1. Introductions are essential Introductions are perhaps the most natural way of breaking the ice in any meeting or event. They should start with the meeting’s chair, and then the attendees can do the same (if the number is small). The objective is to solicit a response from the others by trying to get them to share their names, and this can help strike up a conversation.

2. Ask questions to get opinions Try to get the opinions of what those in attends think about the event or meeting and the expectations they have. Ask leading questions about the agenda of the day and allow the attendees to converse among themselves before they give their answers. Let them talk about the issues they know best because it will ease them into talking about themselves and making them open to hear about their colleagues. Also, this helps them find common ground and discover shared interests, which is useful in building valuable relationships, both at a professional and personal level.

3. Allow for a bit of entertainment Once everyone has talked with two or more people, the meeting can start. However, it would be unwise to jump straight into the agendas of the day. A bit of entertainment can also help liven up the proceedings and ensure that everyone is actively involved in the event. The entertainment should also be thrown in in the course of the proceedings to ensure attendees are at ease and attentive. The entertainment should be something exciting a game being an ideal option.

4. Make people laugh Much of the meeting should not be focused on ensuring things are on the straight and narrow, professionally speaking. Straying a bit from the norm is healthy. Injecting some humor even when trying to point out a crucial issue can still help drive the point home. Laughter relieves tension and a good laugh now and then will help the attendees enjoy the meeting and participate actively.

5. Bottom-Line When it comes to breaking the ice and setting the right mood for a corporate meeting or networking event, it is vital not to overthink things. Avoid trying to predict how attendees will react or what they will say. Take a deep breath, be entertaining and humorous and everything will flow.

— Adam Christing is a popular Event MC and Funny Motivational Speaker. He is the author of Your Life is a Joke: 12 Ways to Go from Ha Ha to AHA! (For more information go to AdamChristing.com)

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How Humor Can Help to Boost Morale and Build Teamwork

What is the culture at your office like? Do people feel like they can, and should, work together or is everyone out for themselves? Do people work hard and play hard, or are they leaning too far towards one or the other? Hiring a funny keynote speaker might be the answer for you and your employees.

In some industries, there is a tendency for people to behave in a juvenile way. The tech industry is known for hazing, ‘tough’ culture and in some cases a little too much joking around. It’s also known as an industry where “presenteeism” is important, and putting in long hours can be prided over being productive. The same is true to an extent in finance and even in medicine – the emphasis is on working hard, on ‘being busy,’ and on keeping your mind on the end goal.

Those qualities can be commendable, but sometimes it’s important to be able to laugh at yourself, and with yourself. When used correctly – at the right time and in the right context, humor can boost morale, support teamwork, and improve the overall culture at the office.

Humor Helps Us Deal With Stress

Stress can have a massive effect on people – not only on their morale but also on their physical health. Stress can lead to burnout, and it can reduce your employee’s motivation. Stress can also reduce a person’s self-esteem, which will make them less effective and will likely have an impact on their productivity. If you want your staff to take appropriate risks, to be daring, and to challenge themselves in ways that will make the company better, then you need to make sure that they feel comfortable challenging themselves.

Humor Makes People Like Each Other

Most of us spend around half of our day, if not more, at work – so that time needs to be fun. If you’re constantly talking about nothing more than getting things done, then people are going to find you stressful to be around. Humor is a great way to break the tension, and it can make the working day pass a little more quickly too.

The challenge here is finding humor that is not objectionable, and that is going to smooth over differences, rather than create them. It takes some social skills to ensure that the jokes you make are not misunderstood, or not unintentionally hurtful to a member of the team.

As a manager, it’s your role to create boundaries and to ensure that communication between employees is always open and civil.

Good Leaders Make People Happy

A good leader can find the balance between working efficiently and being the office clown. Laughter by itself doesn’t get anything done, but the laughter that is used to augment a serious point can help to get people on board and get them motivated to work towards a common goal.

It helps if the people on your team have a positive attitude already and are open-minded. You can shape the office culture to an extent, but you can’t control it if your team does not include the right kind of people. — Adam Christing is a popular Event MC and Funny Motivational Speaker. He is the author of Your Life is a Joke: 12 Ways to Go from Ha Ha to AHA! (For more information go to AdamChristing.com)

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Does Doing One Thing at a Time Really Help You Get Things Done Effectively?

For a long time, multitasking has been viewed as the best and most efficient way to get things done. People who were able to multitask were considered to be hardworking and to be in control’ because they could juggle tasks effectively.

More recently, however, mono-tasking has become the new desired character trait. According to Professor Gloria Mark of the University of California, if you get distracted from a task, it takes 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back into the flow. How much time do you find yourself wasting because of 23-minute chunks of interruption and ‘context switching’?

The Value of Doing One Thing at a Time

Doing one thing at a time can help you to focus. There’s evidence to suggest that the information overload that exists on the web today is harmful to the way that our mind works. It is possible to become addicted to social media, and when we’re flipping through Facebook and swiping through Instagram, we’re feeding our brains with short bursts of entertainment that make it harder to focus on other tasks.

Those in favor of multitasking may feel that it makes you seem more productive. However, those who do one thing at a time tend to get things done more efficiently and get more done too.

With monotasking, it’s possible to focus on one task and get it done as efficiently as possible, and once that task is complete, you can move on to the next. Your brain is forced to think about one thing at a time, and when one task is resolved, you move on to the next. If similarly typed and themed projects are grouped, you’ll develop a productive workflow, and you’ll be able to move seamlessly from writing that blog post about the new product you’re launching to answering customer service emails about that product. It’s much harder to simultaneously do your accounts and study some CVs to find a new hire.

Finding Those Uninterrupted Blocks of Time

In the world of productivity, there’s a concept called Pomodoro. A Pomodoro is a 25-minute block of time where you will sit and work without interruption. The idea of Pomodoro is that you force yourself to focus on that task, and then you’ll take a five-minute break (ideal for stretching your legs and resting your eyes) before getting back to work. Meaning, that for every hour, you’ll work for 50 minutes. That’s pretty efficient considering the amount of time wasted with context switching.

Big Tasks Done in Small Chunks

Doing one thing at a time doesn’t mean getting one massive job done all in one go. It’s that fallacy that encourages people to multitask so much. Rather, it means breaking tasks down into more manageable chunks and doing a piece at a time. You won’t write a novel in one year. You could write 1000 words at a time, a few times a week, though – and you’ll be more likely to finish it if that’s how you do it.

— Adam Christing is a popular Event MC and Funny Motivational Speaker. He is the author of Your Life is a Joke: 12 Ways to Go from Ha Ha to AHA! (For more information go to AdamChristing.com)

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7 Ways to Boost Your Efficiency At Work

You should treat every minute of your life as gold, but many people don’t do this. Making the most out of your time is a great approach. You have two options when it comes to increasing your output  working smarter or putting in more hours. Here are seven ways you can boost your efficiency at work.

1. Track your time It is hard to estimate the passage of time, although many people think they can do it. Knowing how much you are spending on a given task will give enable you to know how much time that task is costing you, and what you can do to make it more efficient. You will find yourself avoiding distractions in order to complete a given project within a particular time.

2. Take regular breaks This can sound counter intuitive, but scheduling breaks have been shown to help with concentration. Taking the short breaks when doing long tasks will help because you will be able to maintain a constant level of performance. Failing to give yourself breaks between long tasks will have a large impact on your performance, and you will not be able to complete the task as good as you would have if you had taken a break.

3. Set self-imposed deadlines It is normal to think of stress as a negative thing, but having a self-imposed and manageable level of stress can help in giving focus and meeting your goals. If you are working on an open-ended project or task, you should consider giving yourself a deadline and then stick to it. You will be surprised at how productive and focused you become.

4. Quit multitasking Many people think multitasking is an effective tool for increasing efficiency, but you might be achieving the opposite. Studies have shown trying to do several things at a go can cause waste of time and lower productivity. You should try your best to focus on a given task and give it your all until you finish before moving on to the next.

5. Turn off notifications It can sometimes be hard to resist the alert when it comes because you want to know the content of the text, voicemail, or email. The notification will inevitably cause an interruption, and your focus will start shifting to something else. You will not be able to focus the way you were before the notification, and it will take some time to get back in the zone. Turn off the notification when working on something, then turn it back on when you are finished.

6. Standing Meeting Standing meetings have been shown to be effective because it increases group performance, decreases territoriality, and increases group arousal. You will see an improvement in the work and the meetings will be more productive.

7. Take exercise breaks Taking some time off to do a little exercise has been shown to improve productivity. Sitting down for an entire day on your chair will tank your productivity, and a short walk can boost it. Once your blood starts to pump, you will get a clear head and be able to focus on your work more.

— Adam Christing is a popular Event MC and Funny Motivational Speaker. He is the author of Your Life is a Joke: 12 Ways to Go from Ha Ha to AHA! (For more information go to AdamChristing.com)

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7 Effective Ways To Encourage Strong Leadership Within Your Organization

For a company to grow and thrive, it needs strong leadership. A good leader is someone who leads by example, and who also works to ensure that they are building up future leaders to support and to take over specific roles and projects.

Here’s a quick run-down of seven ways that you can encourage and support leaders within your organization.

1 – Practice Humility

Good leaders are humble. They accept that they will make mistakes, and they take on board criticism. They acknowledge the contributions of others, and they make everyone in the team feel wanted and appreciated. No one wants to work in an organization where they feel like they are just a cog in a machine. For people to give their best, they need to feel invested in the organization.

2 – Accept That People Make Mistakes

Just as you are not perfect, your employees are not perfect either. Your team leaders and line managers will be more tolerant of the mistakes that their direct reports make if the culture of the organization is not one of blame. One area where a lot of companies fail is that employees feel that they have to protect their jobs, so if a problem does arise, they work to cover it up, rather than resolve it.

3 – Lead By Example

Good leaders inspire people. When times are hard, they are the ones working the hardest. When the right thing needs to be done, even if it isn’t always fun, they’re the ones that do it. You cannot make good leaders if you do not model good leadership yourself.

4 – Never Stop Learning

Good leaders do not allow themselves to get set in their ways. It is crucial that you never stop learning yourself, and that you also support your employees to keep learning as well. Provide people with the time and the opportunity to work on personal projects, and emphasize the importance of continuing professional development.

5 – Accept and Support Questions

Show that you are confident and secure and that you are committed to the betterment of your organization by encouraging questions. Leaders do need to make tough decisions and to lay down the law, but there are a time and a place for it and a time and a place where questions and communication will have more value.

6 – Understand the Images You Present

Teach the people that you are building up as leaders to consider how people perceive them. A good leader presents an outward image of calm, even when they are not. A good leader will work with his team, but will always be the calming presence that inspires confidence.

7 – Value People’s Time

Time is the one resource that people have very little of, and it is something that you should treat as invaluable. Respect people’s time and they will respect you. That is something that more managers need to understand. Make it a part of your company culture, and your company will thrive.

— Adam Christing is a popular Event MC and Funny Motivational Speaker. He is the author of Your Life is a Joke: 12 Ways to Go from Ha Ha to AHA! (For more information go to AdamChristing.com)

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Habits Of Successful Leadership At A Company: Top 5 Traits Of A Great Leader

Becoming a great leader is never easy; however, excellent leadership skills are paramount in the running or management of any business. A leader in any company should stand as such during the good and the stressfully troubling times. The helm of leadership is demanding and a complicated position that requires commitment and the proper service administration to the subordinates guiding them as they strive to accomplish their respective duties.

A real leader knows the factors that come with holding such a position and will do what is required to help others achieve their goals, individually and collectively for the benefit of the business. Moreover, the leader also understands the need also to develop himself or herself. As such, a great leader at any company will have the following leadership habits:

1. Confidence: The subordinate staff will look to the administrative/management staff for guidance and answers. The leaders in the respective positions should exude confidence when judging every situation presented to them and giving answers or directives that are applicable.

2. Honesty: Every lasting relationship is founded on honesty, be it professional or personal. The atmosphere in any business with several employees will be ideal if they have trustworthy relations with each other, both at a professional and professional level. The leader should advocate for such relationship where everyone is open and host.

3. Communication: Honesty is portrayed in how people communicate, both in words and actions. A great leader at any company will strive to establish open channels of communication across the board, from the management to the subordinates. Moreover, the leader should communicate the business’ mission, goals, and vision to its employees and ensure they work in line with the same.

4. Delegation: Leadership is often about delegation but not restricted to this; the leader should know how to do this with utmost fairness and when he or she will need to do the job instead of delegating it to others. Delegation is also a show of trust in those assigned to do something. However, the leader should take the time to make the employees know that they are chosen not only because of their level of performances but also on the merits of developing them professionally to grow their productivity.

5. Positivity: Any good leader understands and appreciates the fact that not everyone will know everything, that mistakes are bound to happen. As such, the leader will know how to address such issues as they occur and help those under him or her to know how to avoid making such mistakes while pointing out that these should not happen again.

Above all, leadership is often a position that is a source of inspiration for those that look up to it for guidance. The leader in any business should be completely inspired and invested in the growth and success of the company, starting with self and then to rest of the management and to the subordinate staff. Also, the leader should have some humor because it is a necessary component in how efficient the leader will be when trying to communicate, delegate, and inspire positivity and commitment.

— Adam Christing is a popular Event MC and Funny Motivational Speaker. He is the author of Your Life is a Joke: 12 Ways to Go from Ha Ha to AHA! (For more information go to AdamChristing.com)

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from Adam Christing https://adamchristing.com/blog/habits-of-successful-leadership-at-a-company-top-5-traits-of-a-great-leader/

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How An On-Site Motivational Speaker Can Help Train Your Team

Do your team members need some training? If you’re currently trying to train your crew members, you may want to consider hiring an on-site motivational speaker. The right speaker can make a world of difference.

They Can Provide Your Workers With Some Much-Needed Encouragement

It can be difficult to do a job if you don’t feel like your work is appreciated. It’s likely that a lot of your employees are struggling to stay motivated. If you think your workers could benefit from a more positive outlook, you should think about bringing in a motivational speaker.

Numerous studies have shown that workers can accomplish more when they feel motivated. Look for a motivational speaker that has an excellent track record. If a speaker has helped motivate other teams, they should be able to provide your team with the same kind of motivation.

They Can Impart Valuable Knowledge To Your Team Members

Training workers can be a challenging task, especially if you’re trying to teach your team a wide range of skills. If you want to make sure your team members absorb the knowledge you are trying to teach them, you should make sure they learn from a motivational speaker.

If you hire the right speaker, they’ll be able to impart information in a way that is memorable and easy to understand. Your team will remember everything that the speaker teachers them. They’ll be able to implement that knowledge while they work for you.

A Motivational Speaker Can Give Your Employees Strategies

If someone is truly going to be successful in their field, they need to learn a lot more than the basics. They need to be able to deal with all kinds of situations. A motivational speaker can teach your employees how to strategize. If your employees can think on the fly, they won’t be tripped up by the obstacles and challenges they will inevitably encounter on the job.

Teaching someone to think strategically isn’t an easy task. If you have your employees take advice from the right motivational speaker, they’ll be able to improve their problem-solving skills.

Listening To A Speaker Can Be Inspirational

Inspiration is an extremely powerful motivator. If someone feels like they have something to aspire to, they will work hard to bring their dreams to fruition. One of the reasons humorous emcees are so great at motivating others is that their speeches tend to be inspirational.

You should try to inspire your team on a regular basis. Having them listen to an accomplished and inspirational motivational speaker will help you to train your team in the present and the future.

As you can see, an on-site motivational speaker will be able to help you train your team effectively. If you hire a talented speaker to address your team directly, your crew will be able to enjoy all of the benefits above and more. The speaker won’t just help you to train your team; they can provide your team members with the skills they need the most.

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Adam Christing is a popular Event MC and Funny Motivational Speaker. He is the author of Your Life is a Joke: 12 Ways to Go from Ha Ha to AHA! (For more information go to AdamChristing.com)

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from Adam Christing https://adamchristing.com/blog/how-an-on-site-motivational-speaker-can-help-train-your-team/

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5 Sales Management Training Tips And Using A Keynote Speech To Empower Your Team

Training is a very important part of business growth. Not only do employees get the opportunity to climb the corporate ladder, but it also makes your business stronger. With trained managers who know what they are doing, you can establish a successful business in a difficult economy.

But how do you get the most out of the training program? More specifically, what is the best way to approach training? Here are five sales management training tips and how using a keynote speech can help to empower your team.

1. Provide A Clear Objective

There shouldn’t be any confusion as to what the training aims to address. For example, will the training be customer oriented? Or will it be based on office management? These are objectives that need to be clarified before the training starts.

2. Engaging Training Tactics

It’s one thing to have people sit in a conference room and take notes all day, while practical experience is something else. Of course, proper training courses requires solid theories that have to be understood. But theories don’t mean anything if they can’t be executed.

Focus on using training techniques that can boost execution as well as making the theory more engaging. In other words, don’t limit the training to a conference room and a boring speech maker, because it won’t be as effective as you think.

3. Clear Communication

Many employers accept communication as a given. They assume that by owning a business or managing a team, they naturally have this talent to convey what needs to get done.

Unfortunately, it’s not always the case, and you need to face this issue. Sometimes it’s going to take a different voice or opinion to reach every member of your team.

4. Keep Employees Motivated

With all the pressure and routine that comes with a long-term job, it’s not surprising that employees start to lose morale after a while. And when sales management training comes their way, they are not very inspired to perform at their best. Instead, they go through the motions just to get things over with.

As the leader, you need to keep them motivated. You have to take the initiative and connect with your team if you want to bring out the best in them.

5. Learn To Listen

A big part of effective training is able to listen. Not every employee is going to find the same aspect of the program challenging, and they may have different views about executing the information they have gained. Whoever handles the training has to listen and pay attention to these issues.

So, why should you use a keynote speech or a funny MC to empower your employees? Because keynote speakers have specific abilities. And they include lifting morale, increasing motivation, establishing clear goals, and expanding perception.

Keynote speakers are naturally social, and their ultimate talent is to communicate on a universal and entertaining level. There is no better way to give your team a necessary boost in confidence and motivation than through a powerful keynote speech.

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Adam Christing is a popular Event MC and Funny Motivational Speaker. He is the author of Your Life is a Joke: 12 Ways to Go from Ha Ha to AHA! (For more information go to AdamChristing.com)

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from Adam Christing https://adamchristing.com/blog/5-sales-management-training-tips-and-using-a-keynote-speech-to-empower-your-team/

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What Is A Change Management Speaker? Why Is This Kind Of Keynote Speaker Important For Companies?

Change is a characteristic of innovation. To develop new products, systems, and services, a business must think and act differently from what their competition is doing. As such, a business must push the boundaries of imagination and adapt to the new ways of thinking and doing things. To be innovative, a business organization must be willing to embrace change. In fact, if a business aims to disrupt their industry, they must seek change and the innovation. Failure to seeking change is, in essence seeking failure.

However, business organizations tend to have a laid out and well-entrenched culture that helps to define the organization. This culture and the business’ policy and work ethic help the organization function and forge ahead on a daily basis. Importantly, it is familiar and thus many people in the organization have an inherent liking to it. As such, many business organizations tend to refrain from substantial changes in their culture, policies and thinking.

Change management speakers are usually a keynote speaker who guides business organizations how to manage change and indeed take advantage of the change to spur growth and development of the company. Typically, the change management speaker is someone who has experienced and taken an organization through the significant change in the past, and, therefore, he or she is qualified to speak on matters of change.

By seeking guidance from an individual or a group of individuals who are vastly knowledgeable on matters of change, a business organization as a whole and in particular its management team is able to reconcile the need for change that is a necessary ingredient for innovation and the inherent resistance to change that is characteristic of human behavior and come up with an equilibrium that works. Therefore, the organization develops means of embracing change and even culture of seeking change with the intention of pushing forward innovation.

Having a change management speaker is an important investment for businesses owing to the following:

The management staff is taught on how to embrace change. The management needs to have an intricate understanding of how change works (including understanding the various stages of change). This will make the process of change a lot better smoother, and, therefore, better suited for businesses.

The business will also acquaint themselves with the best techniques of change. Implementing change should never be done on a whim or without a plan. Otherwise, a lot of profitable opportunities will be lots while on the cost front, change will be more expensive.

 Drawing from their experience and expertise, they can provide an effective guide for employees to take when faced with policy changes, culture changes, and work ethics changes. While the change management of the business will have to guide the organization through the change, much of the changes will have to be implemented by the employees. It is therefore paramount that the team members of various departments are well-guided on matters of change as well.

Depending on the business, other benefits that organization can accrue from a change management keynote speaker include:

Attaining the knowledge of how to retain your talent pool during the change period,

How to implement change in a timely manner,

How to become change resilient,

How to avoid making mistakes during the change period, and much more.

In a nutshell, a change management speaker will guide you in making sure that change is bearable and beneficial to your business.

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from Adam Christing https://adamchristing.com/blog/change-management/

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How to Manage Stress Among Your Employees

The workplace is a stressful environment for a lot of people, and it can be hard for employers to manage that stress while also ensuring that your employees remain productive. Finding the balance between the urgency of deadlines and a sense of responsibility, versus giving people the leeway they need to de-stress or to cope with pressures in their way is something that experts are still trying to figure out.

One thing that some companies do is host corporate events, or send their employees to major events so that they can network, learn, travel, and feel rewarded for the work that they are doing. This is still something that is work-related, but because it is out of the office, it puts the fun back into work. Most people love to learn new things, and love to break up the monotony of day to day training. Having the opportunity to travel and to do new things is a lot of fun, and it is something that benefits both the company and the employee.

It’s possible to go a step further when it comes to corporate events, by having the best keynote speaker that talks on issues such as stress, work/life balance, and ways of coping with industry-specific challenges. For example, a worker in the software industry may be struggling with crunch time. In systems administration or medicine it could be the stress of being on call. In high-risk industries, it could be the constant pressure of safety questions. Whatever the challenge, everyone benefits if these issues are out in the open, and a good keynote speaker can discuss those issues, raise real-life experiences, and explain to people the ways of coping with them. Keynote speakers carry a lot of weight so their words can start a conversation that otherwise people might have been reluctant to have.

It Doesn’t End When The Conference Ends

It’s important to take stress seriously, however. Don’t make “de-stressing” be a one-off thing. Be open to feedback from your employees, and give them options to take some load off them, for example:

– Flexitime – Working from home – Training – Flexible holidays

Create a culture where people are not scared to ask for time off, and where people are not scared to ask for extra resources or support with their work. Many people, especially those who have worked for smaller, over-stretched companies, may have an in-built nervousness about admitting that they cannot cope with the work that they are being asked to do, out of fear of being replaced by “someone who can.” Burnout is a real issue in a lot of industries, and too many employers simply replace burnt-out employees instead of letting them take time off or giving them access to resources that they need to stop the burnout from happening in the first place. If you buck that trend, you will retain staff for longer, and you will find that morale is higher. You will enjoy lower training costs and higher overall employee productivity.

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from Adam Christing https://adamchristing.com/blog/employee-stress/

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How to Keep Millennials Engaged With Keynotes and Trainers

Millennials are an unusual breed. A lot of older executives love to gripe about the entitlement and the sensitivity of the generation. While it’s unfair to consider them in that light – so many millennials are excellent workers who are well educated and highly motivated. There is a lot to be said about the fact that millennials, having grown up with the growth of the Internet and in a time when cultural expectations are changing, are slightly different to their older counterparts. They have different hopes and aspirations, and they consider their role in the workplace differently because of that.

If you want to get millennials on your side and working for your company, then you have to have a mutually beneficial relationship with them. This means providing them with training that is of value to them and that will let them be of value to you. It means that if you’re hosting a conference for industry, and if you want to appeal to millennials, you need to work with them from the start. Get a keynote speaker who is still relevant to the industry. One who has done work recently, and knows what it is really like on the ground. Where some older managers do see the value in “paper qualifications” and “theory crafting,” the younger generation put a lot more of their respect for people who have done things for real.

A funny keynote will discuss real issues, with real-life stories and a person that speaks from experience. It’s hard, to sum up, the thoughts or feelings of a generation because every individual is different but you are more likely to appeal to millennials if you can show both an understanding of why they are jaded about some things and an understanding of the optimism that they have. As a generation that faces difficulties, but is still young enough to be optimistic, engaging with them means being pragmatic, but showing a willingness to try new things.

When it comes to training, it pays to be able and willing to answer the “why” to a lot of the things that they are being told to do. As education has evolved, people, in general, are becoming less willing just to do as they are told, and are more likely to ask questions about every instruction that they are given. This is both a blessing and a curse. Previous generations were taught “to be good workers” – to turn up, sit down, do a task by following a process, and leave. This worked for the factory era but it is not so good for knowledge workers, and that’s where the struggle starts to come in. If you want your employees to do a good job, then you will need to make sure that they have the tools and the confidence to think for themselves. Millennials have the willingness to do this and to test boundaries, but are you willing to provide them with the training to do it well?

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from Adam Christing https://adamchristing.com/blog/motivating-millennials/