Scott Friedman

Biography

Scott Friedman, CSP, (Certified Speaking Professional), 2004-05 President of the National Speakers Association, is the author of 2 books and co-author of 4 others. Scott`s latest book, "Punchlines, Pitfalls and Powerful Programs - Ten Surefire Ways of Adding Humor to Your Presentations," is the perfect resource for those looking to connect with their audience ... whoever that may be. Scott outlines effective methods for engaging and educating an audience through humor and storytelling.

His book, Using Humor for a Change, is chock-full of great ideas to lighten-up the workload. The "One-Minute Humor Break" proves to be the perfect remedy for stress and burnout.

An internationally recognized professional, Scott speaks on a variety of topics over 80 times a year. His areas of focus include employee and customer engagement, branded customer service, and using humor to engage an audience or a customer. Scott`s varied experience has brought him success in many industries including: hospitality, meetings, real estate, insurance, health care, education, government and just about any association. Scott`s greatest strength is his ability to customize the perfect program to fit the needs of any particular group. His improvisational comedy training, quick wit, and engaging material make Scott`s valuable programs a bunch of fun to listen to while you`re learning innovative new approaches. He is a perfect fit for kick-offs, closings, lunches, banquets, and midnight snacks.

Scott spends 25% of his time speaking throughout Asia and other locations around the globe. His international clients include Singapore Airlines, the Singapore Government, OCBC Bank, DBS Bank, Gold Fields of South Africa, Young President`s Organization, Hyatt Asia, and many of the Fortune 1000 companies. He offers to all of his clients a global and culturally sensitive perspective on how to get more out of work and out of life. He is always sure to do his homework to ensure that all groups feel at home no matter where they might be.

Scott has been an established and trusted member of the speaking community for many years and continues to have a strong presence. In 1988, as the President of the National Speakers Association of Colorado, Scott founded the Meetings Industry Council of Colorado, a coalition of professional meetings industry-related organizations. The council`s underlying purpose is to strengthen the relationships between participating organizations through increased communication. In 2002 Scott was awarded the International Association of Speaker Bureaus` (IASB) Pace Setter Award, given annually to an individual outside the IASB who played an integral role, in partnership with IASB, to further advance the speaking industry. The IASB recognized Scott for successfully developing and executing "an alliance between the NSA (National Speakers Association) and IASB ... [to encourage] partnering among bureaus and speakers to further advance the client relationships that serve both." Finally, in April of 2005, it was Scott`s vision that brought to Singapore the first Global Speakers Summit. 300 international speakers and meetings professionals from over 20 countries attended this event. Subsequent global speakers summits, hosted by the Global Speakers Federation, have been held in Dubai, UAE, Cape Town, South Africa and will be in Amsterdam, Holland April 14-16, 2011.

Publications

Using Humor For a Change:
101 Clever Ways to Lighten Up the Work Load
Feeling weighted down by job stress? Deadlines hanging over your head like a dark cloud? Then it`s time to LIGHTEN UP! Scott offers 101 fun, unusual and unique ideas to reduce tension at your workplace. Make the first move to take the pressure off yourself and your employees. Order today and bring more fun to work.

With change, uncertainty, and job insecurity sweeping through America today, stress is at record highs. Studies show that up to 75% of all doctor visits are for stress-related causes. Many people cite humor as the most effective method they`ve found to counter stress. This book is a compilation of clever ideas you can put into immediate use whenever you feel the stress creeping up your back and shoulders and into your neck.

Titles

"The Best Way to Predict the Future Is to Create It"
This entertaining program is fast-paced, humorous, and full of useable ideas on becoming a victor instead of a victim of change. It makes a great kick-off, closing, or banquet talk.

"Using Humor for a Change"
Personnel directors in America`s largest firms believe showing a sense of humor is a prerequisite to success. Positive humor, when used appropriately in a business setting, dramatically increases productivity. Studies show how humor enhances problem-solving skills, improves communication, creates better employee relationships, elevates morale, and reduces burnout. This entertaining yet highly educational program delivers a multitude of techniques proven to add levity to work environments`? and lives.

Employee Engagement and Empowerment through Humor
Employee engagement, also called Work engagement, scores account for as much as half of the variance in customer satisfaction scores. This translates into millions of dollars for companies if they can improve their scores. Studies have statistically demonstrated that engaged employees are more productive, more profitable, more customer-focused, safer, and less likely to leave their employer. Leaders with a sense of humor breed more loyal employees and happier customers; and business people who are considered humorous are vastly more likely to get their messages across-in sales presentations, customer meetings or employee gatherings. In these turbulent times, employee engagement is essential to an organization`s survival. In what is guaranteed to be a fast-paced and humorous session, Scott will provide you with many strategies for becoming a victor in times of change instead of a victim. Sharing how you can create teams of employees who are driven by your organization`s values and purpose, rather than circumstances beyond their control ... all through laughter!

"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sale"
Participants explore ways to differentiate themselves from others and build perceived value in the eyes of their customers through humor, creativity, and trust-building strategies.

"Punchlines, Pitfalls, and Powerful Programs: 10 Surefire Ways of Adding Humor to Your Presentations"
If you want to make an impact and truly connect, with audiences, your programs must entertain as well as educate. This program is full of practical, imaginative ideas for using humor to increase the educational value of presentations across your organization. Participants learn to play off the audience, develop original material, and uncover an organization`s `humor hot buttons. They determine where to find clean, appropriate humor and who to poke fun at in a meeting. As they bring more humor into their presentations, they reap the rewards of increased enjoyment and learning.

"Connecting with Customers"
Today, providing fast, efficient service is no longer enough for the customer. Surveys (including a recent Gallup poll) have shown that customers are increasingly looking for an engaging experience while being served. When you engage your customers, they will be transformed into loyal advocates for your company. In this entertaining and insightful program, you will learn to build perceived value in the eyes of your customers and highlight your uniqueness. Discover how to build customer loyalty and trust through consistent, reliable service and creating positive experiences. Develop a competitive advantage through a service culture and discover that he or she who engages wins!

The Celebration Factor: How to Build a Healthy Culture Through Celebration
Celebration in the workplace is one of the most effective ways to honor your employees, create a culture of authenticity and innovation, and a way to brand your organization internally and externally. In this entertaining, interactive session, we will explore celebration strategically; how to choose the best celebration for the right occasion while also providing the greatest impact. You will discover that those who celebrate stay engaged.

"How to Hold an Audience Without a Rope"
This program examines proven techniques and concepts in successfully conveying your message. Overcome stage fright, establish perceived credibility, and learn to touch a listener`s heart, mind, and funny bone.

"So, You Think You`re Funny!"
Great leaders are great communicators. Humor can be one of your most effective tools in becoming a great communicator. In this fun, highly interactive program, Scott will give you practical, useable ideas on using humor to increase your value as a communicator and leader. Learn the secrets of developing your unique sense of humor, including the highest form of humor, self effacing humor.

Learn to be a more effective storyteller in telling your brand story. You`ll become more engaging as you truly connect with your listeners. A sense of humor translates into better relationships, greater creativity and productivity and more fun on this journey we call life.

Come to your senses of humor as Scott teaches you the how to use humor as a tool and live happily ever laughter.