Michael Kerr

Why choose between humour and content, when you can have both?

Michael Kerr, Speaking Hall of Fame member, is an award winning, international speaker and the author of six books. He is known as one of North America's leading authorities on how 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 of any presentation at a conference. In fact, Michael has traveled the world researching inspiring workplaces to ensure his audiences receive the most insightful and inspiring ideas as possible.

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

One of Michael's books, Putting Humour to Work, has been described as the "bible of humour in the workplace," while his book Inspiring Workplaces – Creating the Kind of Workplace Where Everyone Wants to Work has been called "an inspiring blueprint for workplace success." Michael's company, Humour at Work, also offers books, training DVDs, audio CDs and numerous support resources to help any organization build a more successful workplace culture.

Check out Michael Kerr's Blog Entries:

Make Fun an Integral Part of Your Next Meeting

Use Your Next Event to Generate Ideas by Asking Powerful Questions

• 1. Putting Humour to Work for Less Stress and More Success!

  Why choose between content and fun when you can have both? Putting Humour to Work presentations offer practical, relevant ideas delivered in a fun, energetic and memorable style.
  
  You will laugh as you learn:
  
  - It's not about being funny: How humour can help you choose a more positive workplace attitude
  - Why humour at work makes dollars...and sense: The compelling business case for more fun at work
  - Three reasons why humour is one of the most powerful stress busters
  - The "3 R's" of putting humour to work to manage stress and deal with change in the workplace
  - Using humour to communicate effectively: It's not always what you say, it's how you say things in the workplace that matters
  - The humour advantage: Using humor stand out from the herd to be heard and to turn customers into raving fans for your business 
  - Why teams that laugh together, work better together
  - Sparking creative thinking through the power of humour: Why HA + HA = AHA!
  - Practicing "safe" workplace humour: Humour that laughs with people, not at people

• 2. Inspiring Workplaces: The Way Work OUGHT to Be!

  Why choose between content and fun when you can have both? Inspiring Workplaces offers practical, relevant ideas geared towards creating more inspiring, innovative, fun and successful workplaces, delivered in a humorous and memorable style.
  
  You will laugh as you learn:
  
  - Choosing your workplace attitude before it chooses you
  - Why inspiring workplaces value their values and what it means to truly honour your workplace values 
  - Dreaming of a better future: Why a compelling vision matters
  - Why (and how) inspiring workplaces put humour to work for great success
  - Creating an inspiring customer service mindset towards customer and employees
  - Inspiring creativity and innovation at work to mange change and prepare for the future 
  - Inspiring communication in the workplace: The difference between efficient communication and truly effective communication 
  - Inspiring employees: the top five motivating influences in any workplace
  - Thanks a lot! Creating a culture of celebrating, recognizing and rewarding
  - Guiding lights for creating more inspiring workplaces

• 3. Putting Creativity to Work: Ideas Are the Currency of Success

  Do you want to get more ideas from your employees? And better ideas? Do you want to eliminate "but-headed thinking" ("But, we can't do that!")? Putting Creativity to Work offers simple, practical ideas on how to foster a more creative workplace, delivered in a fun, memorable style.
  
  Audiences will learn:
  
  - Why creativity is one of the most valuable workplace commodities
  - The creative process simplified
  - Creating a culture of questioning, a culture of curiosity  
  - Storming the brains: how to inspire more creativity 
  - The humour connection: Why HA + Ha = AHA!
  - Simple ways to get generate more ideas
  - Eliminating idea-squashing language and behaviour
  - Turning failure on its heads
  - What blocks ideas, what helps ideas
  - Advancing and selling your ideas: turning your best ideas into winning results

• 4. Inspiring Leadership

  What does it REALLY take to inspire, motivate, and engage employees, especially during difficult times?
  
  How do you create a "WANT to" kind of workplace, rather than a "HAVE to" kind of workplace? How do you develop future leaders? What's the difference between being a manager and a truly INSPIRING leader?
  
  And how do you make sure your workplace doesn't end up in tomorrow's Dilbert strip? Inspiring Leadership is designed specifically for supervisors and managers with any level of experience. Inspiring Leadership is packed full of relevant ideas that leaders can immediately implement. And as a bonus that audiences have always appreciate: Michael's thought-provoking ideas are delivered in a unique, high energy and hilarious style.
  
  Audiences will learn: 
  
  - The "vision thing": how inspiring leaders inspire an inspiring collective vision
  - The truth about those workplace values you value so much
  - Inspiring communication: Why great leaders don't necessarily have to speak like Winston Churchill (sure it'd be nice, but it's not necessary...and here's why)
  - Inspiring creative thinking: Why great leaders ask a lot of leading questions
  - Leading with laughter: Why your sense of humour may be your best secret weapon
  - Thanks a lot! Recognizing all the obvious and not-so-obvious ways we recognize employees at work
  - The real truth about workplace motivators and de-motivators
  - Getting to know you, getting to know all about you (No, you don't have to be best buddies, but inspiring leaders really do need to get to know their employees...and here's how)
  - "He shoots! He scores!" How goal setting, workload, work-life balance, and the meaning of life impact inspiring leadership
  - Take me to your leader: are you part of the problem or part of the solution?

• 5. Inspiring Ideas for Inspiring Presentations

  It's not so much WHAT you say that matters, it's HOW you say it! How you say it, how you make that sales pitch, how you deliver that speech at the annual conference or how you present an idea in the boardroom, means the difference between success and failure. Or at least between being mediocre and brilliantly effective.
  
  It can mean the difference between boring your audience into a catatonic stupor and keeping them awake; the difference between alienating your audience and connecting with the audience; the difference between having absolutely no impact on your audience (and really, how depressing is that?) and inspiring your audience to action, whether it be an audience of 3 or 3,000.
  
  Inspiring Ideas for Inspiring Presentations workshops offer practical tips designed to help any level of speaker improve both their confidence and their speaking skills. Here's what audiences will learn from a veteran professional speaker and presentations coach with more than 25 years experience:
  
  - Mastering your nerves before they get the best of you
  - Preparing the presentation, why 90% of the presentation is in the plan
  - Getting to know your audience: why you need to know your audience
  - How audiences learn best
  - Organizing your talk: Why structure and editing is critical
  - Using PowerPoint effectively: The do's and definitely don't do's!
  - Adding spice to the mix: How to use humour, anecdotes and other tricks of the trade to keep people engaged and to make sure your messages pack a punch
  - Keeping it simple: why direct language matters
  - Managing a Q & A effectively 
  - Introducing introductions: the best ways to poem
  - Conclusions about conclusions: Your best exit strategies

• We were drowning in tears of laughter - Michael is a very dynamic and upbeat speaker. His presentation was an excellent way to end our conference.
  Industry Canada
• Michael Kerr is awesome! I obtained enough electricity to shock my hospital into shape.
  Capital Health Region
• Your name and topic brought a record crowd to our dinner meeting. Your presentation not only provided us with an opportunity to laugh, but also with a chance to look at how we can use humor to make our workplaces truly exciting and fun places to be!
  Human Resources Management Association of Manitoba
• As our opening speaker, your contribution was considerable. Your presentation was delivered with humor, passion, commitment and tremendous energy. You truly inspired participants and energized our workplace.
  Public Works and Government Services Canada
• We could not have chosen a better speaker for the engagement. I would highly recommend Michael for any speaking event.
  Bell Canada
• Just what we needed! His topic was delivered with the right blend of 'important corporate message' and humour! Michael was captivating, enlightening, and inspiring. We are in the process of reviewing our plans for 2006 in hopes that we can bring him back to the college for another event.
  Durham College
• Our participants rated you as the speaker with the highest quality and relevance.
  Alberta Human Resources
• Many of the head office staff thought you were the best keynote speaker we've ever had!
  Shell Canada
• The best keynote speaker ever! You've left a lasting impression with us!
  Medicine Hat College
• Michael presents valuable, pertinent, and USEFUL information in a manner which is highly amusing and effective.
  Alberta Sustainable Resources
• We were in stitches laughing so hard during our meeting. Michael is very entertaining and humorous, which held our attention while teaching us valuable information.
  Meeting Planners International
• We could not have asked for a better presenter or topic to begin our day.
  Total Care Technologies
• Your presentation exceeded our expectations and we're so happy we selected you as one of our keynote speakers!
  Administrative Professionals Conference
• Michael Kerr was amazing! Not only was he thoroughly entertaining but he also delivered a valuable, pertinent message at the same time. His delivery was great.
  Bell Systems
• Your presentation was the perfect end to our conference! You sent people away with a humour tool kit they can use in their offices." Feedback from delegates included: 'awesome!,' 'terrific closer,' and 'we need more of this!'
  Peel Mutual Insurance Company
• It was a fun-filled day that went all too quickly. You gave us lots of ideas and inspiration to make our workplace full of laughter and an understanding of the use of good safe humour that will lead us on the path to more productivity.
  Indian Oil and Gas Canada
• Your energy was contagious! Some participants went home with sore stomach muscles from laughing so hard!
  Scotiabank
• Thank you for your exceptional presentation and relevant and important messages. You received rave reviews from staff!
  Department of Alberta Energy
• The feedback for your informative and energizing workshop was extremely positive. Some of the comments included" 'This was your best workshop yet - every employee should participate in this workshop.
  Calgary Regional Health
• Your workshop was full of energy, creatively presented and jam packed with worthwhile advice. You have a unique ability to inspire confidence and foster significant improvements in people at any level of ability.
  Parks Canada
• View More Testimonials

• 
  January 2012

  You Can't Be Serious: Putting Humor to Work

  You Can’t Be Serious! provides a compelling argument for taking humour, laughter and play more seriously in our workplaces. This 222-page book offers more than 200 ideas on how you can add humour to your workplace and includes dozens of examples of business that put humour to work.

  
  
• 
  January 2006

  Inspiring Workplaces: Creating the Kind of Workplace Where Everyone Wants to Work

  Inspiring Workplaces offers more than just inspiration – the book offers practical ideas on how to bring about real change in any workplace. Each chapter ends with an “Inspiring Action” checklist of ideas on how to implement each chapter’s recommendations. And of course, Michael Kerr’s unique style and sense of humour is reflected throughout the book.

  
  
• 
  May 2005

  What's So Funny About Alberta?

  Part travelogue, part humour guide, this hilarious book takes readers on a rollicking road trip through Alberta and includes fun Alberta trivia, Alberta jokes, top-ten lists, silly visitor questions, and travels to some of Alberta's quirkiest locations.

  
  
• 
  April 1998

  When Do You Let the Animals Out?

  When Do You Let the Animals Out? is in its 6th printing (or is it the 7th or 8th –we’re losing track now!). This wildly popular, bestselling book is a must-have for anyone who wants to call themselves a Canadian, or for anyone who wants to say they visited Canada, or for anyone who still has a pulse.