Using Humor to Improve Communications
A Dummy's Puppet's Ramblings - from Chip Martin, Mannequin American
Using Humor to Improve Communications
It's interesting that I began my career as a corporate communicator back in the 80's when a recession had its foot on the necks of many businesses. Companies like J.I. Case, Kohler Co., Harnischfeger, Mirro and others invited me to help them communicate key messages to their employees. By including me in their meetings they not only improved communications, they also showed employees that even during those serious times, it was still okay ... and in fact important ... to laugh.
Being as humble as possible here, when companies hire me to take part in employee meetings, the results are usually hilarious, memorable and productive. Really. And I can prove it. On the walls of my office I've got framed articles from The Wall Street Journal, Nation's Business, The Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Sales and Marketing Strategies and many others that say so.
When companies retain our firm to help make their meetings more effective, they typically enable meeting participants to sound off through me. We discretely research and collect questions, concerns and gripes from audience members well in advance of the meeting.
During the meeting, when the executive behind the podium asks, "Are there any questions?" I appear from the front row, take my place on stage, and the productivity and laughter begins. The audience pays close attention because the Mannequin American (me) is asking questions that they care about. And they listen closely to the executive's responses for the same reason.
Because I'm a Mannequin American, I can say and get away with things that average employees can't. (And let's face it ... I'm not "average.") And because audience members listen more closely when I'm part of the presentation, key messages are better understood and remembered.
So if you know of a company that could use some help in improving its communications, improving morale of its employees and improving the productivity of its meetings, just forward this article to them. Show them that you're no "dummy." Click here to learn more.
Whip Out Your ... Wallet
Ladies, catch your man in the act, and get yourself some properly-sized underthings in the process. Kliktease is a clever online promotion for online lingerie retailer Lingerie Totaal.
The video claims that men don't purchase lingerie for their ladies because a) They don't know their size. b) They don't want to go to a lingerie store. c) They don't know their lady's taste in lingerie.
With Kliktease, women send some scantily clad content to their men, in the guise of an email from one of their boyfriend's buddies. (Very tricky.) Once the boyfriend is into the striptease video however, a message held by the scantily-clad model reveals that his girlfriend is actually the sender, along with her measurements and link to purchase the undies she likes. The idea is that he'll feel "caught" and embarrassed enough to purchase the lingerie for his mate. It's actually quite entertaining and a very interesting concept. What would you do if you received a message like that from your female companion?
Click here to see the video that explains the whole process. From Creativity-online.
Fun Time-Waster
Just in time for Spring. It's the Suzuki Kizashi people, and it kills snowmen. Evil snowmen. But it will never drive off the road, because it really is that drive-off-the-road proof. Click now to slay, er, play!
These Ads Are Just Gross
The new ad series for HairClub, with the tag, "Not every head looks better with hair. But yours will," isn't clever or funny. It's just gross. Now get your hair out of my beer.
