Of the many different options available to event organisers in the field of entertainment, comedy certainly has its place. Granted, a comedian is not appropriate in every corporate function situation but, when done tastefully and in the right context, humour can be used very successfully. In general, comedy helps the audience to deal with unpleasant realities and to try to make sense of something that seems irrational or contradictory. It is for these reasons that jokes usually arise shortly after a natural disaster or some other devastating catastrophe. People may feel ‘wrong’ laughing, but no more ‘wrong’ than the injustice of the situation itself.
The therapeutic value of laughing is, indeed, its secret to success. Therefore, when implemented properly in the working environment, it can help to:
- Create bonds between co-workers as they begin to identify with a situation previously difficult for some to assimilate.
- Relax the general ambience and nerves of the audience and simply allow them to have a good laugh.
- Lift the spirits after a bad experience (such as major retrenchments or the loss of a big account).
- Inspire staff members and get their creative juices flowing as they are given permission to view a situation with a touch of humour.
- Motivate the staff to get back into a work mode (perhaps after a long break or a major disruption in the work flow).
It has been proven over and over again that employees are more productive and find more job satisfaction when they feel they are valued and important to the organisation. So, when you (as the event organiser) recognise the need for comedy, light-heartedness and identification with their concerns, you show that the organisation is genuinely concerned with their happiness and well-being. Regardless of the details, this often yields better working conditions and productivity just by virtue of the fact that employees feel valuable.
It is crucial that you hire a professional speaker that uses comedy in their presentations. Trying to encourage someone that is not adept at comedy to incorporate it into their presentation can be embarrassing for everyone involved. It is also rarely effective. On the other hand, professional comedians have years of experience in what is appropriate, and what incites a laugh in their audience. They are also able to ‘read’ their audience and adapt their presentation accordingly. This ability only comes from experience.
If your event is being held to achieve something more than entertainment, you can get a professional comedian involved in a more practical way. Many are au fait with designing exercises that encourage teamwork, help individuals to get to know one another better and allow for brainstorming.
Having to present tedious material presents you with the ideal opportunity to hire a comedian. While the basic core of the information may be less-than-riveting, this speaker can keep the audience interested by introducing humour and even acknowledging that otherwise monotonous nature of the job at hand.
There are various approaches to comic presentations within a corporate situation. Some performers simply encourage the audience to laugh at their managers and leaders in a tasteful, good natured way. Others may introduce acts such as magic, while yet others can simply give a presentation peppered with cunning wit.
Remember, though, that any professional environment is generally made up of many different types of people. They are of different ages, colours, languages, religious denominations and backgrounds. So, it is definitely not appropriate to allow the comedian to make inappropriate, lewd or racial jokes that could offend some in the audience. This should not limit his or her repertoire. In addition, any performance should never exceed 60 minutes in length as the audience will soon become restless.
When implemented correctly, comedy can be a very effective tool in the development and cohesion of your professional team.
Photo Courtesy of Howard Goodall
