Some folks probably think that humor, comedy, levity- whatever you want to call it- doesn't belong in the workplace. They could not be more wrong. In fact, you know what really doesn't belong in the workplace? Boring, stultifying, dry and overly serious. Sure there are times when a relatively somber, no-nonsense approach is needed to communicate some very technical and official information. But most of the time, a heaping bowl of necessary words is so much more attractive and ingestible when covered with a spoonful of sweet humor! Many of the best business, political and organizational achievers know when and how to tell a joke, spin a yarn, and enhance an important point with a zinger.
What situations in business are excellent opportunities to leverage smart humor to make a big impact and eclipse the more boring competition? Let's start with any sort of spoken presentation. Many industries have awards dinners or luncheons, where top salespeople, managers or franchisees are recognized for top performance at a widely attended special event. The person hosting or presenting said awards event should do at least 5 minutes of introduction up top, where they can make jokes about the company, the venue and city in which the event is held, and the company's competition and important clients. Another, perhaps edgier way to go, is to make some jokes about specific award honorees, assuming that the company culture and nature of those individuals is such that some good-hearted ribbing would be enjoyed and not cringed at.
There will be other occasions in which you may be asked to speak to a large crowd within your industry, as an honored expert, perhaps as part of a professional society or organization. The audience will not be bound by being employees of the same organization, but rather by being in the same field, with shared areas of professional experience and knowledge. Often this is called a 'Keynote' speech, and such speeches almost always strongly technical aspects, elaborating on a somewhat technical or "inside" aspect of the profession. These speeches are prime placement opportunities for light, clever punchlines, woven into highly specific references and also slightly tangential asides. With excellent situational comedic writing, this addition of humor interspersed throughout your keynote or other professional address speech will not disrupt or hinder the flow, it will enhance it.
That's all for this installment of Using Humor in a Business or Corporate Environment. Keep an eye out for other chapters covering this wide and important topic.
Adam Gropman has been custom writing comedic/humor content for clients for private, business and public speaking events for over 12 years. Through Funny Biz Speech Writers he creates funny speeches, roasts, presentations and custom novelty videos for clients across the US and in other countries.
