I came across this photo from 15 L-O-N-G years ago when I presented a session in corporate entertainment to a business group. We used the “Let’s Make A Deal” theme and the crowd loved it! Although I had just a *little* more hair then, my solid applications using humor in the workplace have more [...]

I recently blogged about how one of my clients (The Air Force) was able to make up some missing budget by partnering with their convention hotel. Read that article here.
The Renaissance Hotel in St. Louis was as happy with the arrangement as the Air Force was.   I was thrilled.
Check out this video [...]

On a recent trip to St. Louis were I spoke to the Air Force, my client came up with a brilliant idea. It was so good I’d love to claim credit, but he reads my blog and he’d rat me out.
[See video from the hotel job here.]
My speakers fees were greater than the budget [...]

I recently worked for the DAU — Defense Acquisition University — in Huntsville, Alabama. This is a hardworking group of military and civilians who need to understand the very complex acquisition process. It’s a tough and tedious job. And it’s important. (Just ask the men and women who need parts [...]

Recently I worked for the Denver Broncos.   They brought in everybody in the football organization except for the coaches and players… a surprisingly huge group.
One of the most delightful sentences I heard from them when we talked about my fee was, “Would you be interested in bartering for a portion of your fee?”   Heck yeah, [...]

Motivational Speakers as an Investment
The meeting industry is being scrutinized more than ever before.  And that means YOUR meeting is being scrutinized more than a Presidential nominee…. How can we possibly consider any investment in motivational speakers worth while?
What?!  Your organization has suffered through lay-offs and you’re considering bringing in a funny motivational speaker?  He’ll [...]

I realized that I would NEVER accept a fee from a client who was less than delighted with what I had to offer them.  So if that is my informal policy, why not make it formal?
I just wrote up the formal policy here: Guaranteed Motivational Speaker
(By the way, one of my favorite things about [...]

A while back I spoke at a huge Las Vegas conference for McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants.
I had a ball…. and let me tell you why.They took the time to coach me about their corporate culture… which helps me a great deal. And then, even better, I had a chance to visit with their executive [...]

Folks, I’ve been speaking and performing for a long time. A very long time. Guess what: I actually:
1. Am not burnt out.
2. Still have family members that talk to me.
3. Still have that vest (I think – – or is that what I saw the kids lining the doghouse with?).
4. Still have my dignity. A [...]

I just got a great note from my client, FBLA Wyoming. It was great being your motivational speaker. folks. Thanks for the kind words!
(Read about my experience with these high school students and the keynote here.)
What’s my point? If you’re looking to hire motivational speakers or humorists for ANY type of group… [...]