Scott Friedman

Sometimes, the best way to learn is by laughing! Scott Friedman is a motivational humorist who gets audience members laughing while opening their minds to new ideas. An internationally recognized professional, Scott speaks over 80 times each year to companies, associations, and youth. Scott knows how to connect with audiences worldwide. With a sharp sense of cultural diversity, Scott appropriately crafts his message to bring relevant value to his audiences. He brings a fresh global perspective to his programs about the changing worlds of employee engagement, customer engagement, branded customer service, personal branding, humor as a tool in sales, service, public speaking, and change management. His improvisational skills, customized humor, and delightful nature add a refreshing quality to each program.

Scott’s book, Using Humor for a Change is chock-full of great ideas to lighten-up the workload. Scott’s unique ability to compose humorous poetry on the spot adds a dimension to his presentation that your group will long remember. His improvisational comedy training, quick wit, and thought-provoking material make Scott a master at holding the attention of his audience. Scott customizes all programs to meet the specific needs of each group. He is perfect for kick-offs, closings, lunches and midnight snacks.

    

TOPICS

CELEBRATE! Lessons Learned from the World’s Most Admired Organizations

“Celebration” is one of the most effective ways to engage employees, improve team performance and raise productivity. In this entertaining, interactive, content-rich session, you will learn how to create a culture of innovation and celebration leading to more innovative, authentic, responsive employees. Learn what the most admired organizations are doing to honor, celebrate, engage and retain employees and customers. Your reward will be a happier, healthier, more engaged workplace.

The Best Way to Predict the Future Is to Create It

In these globally competitive, disruptive times, resourcefulness and innovation are essential to survival. This program is a fast-paced, humorous call-to-action that will show your attendees how to become a victor—rather than a victim—of change. They will learn to be driven not by circumstances and emotions but by purpose and values.  Scott’s easy-to-use ideas will help build more team spirit, greater productivity, elevated team performance and a happier, healthier culture. This program is an ideal kick-off or closing. It always leaves participants feeling energized, inspired and more accountable to create a better future for themselves and their organizations!

Connecting with Customers

Customer expectations have dramatically changed over the years. Today, satisfying the needs of your customers by providing fast, efficient service is no longer enough. The most successful companies move beyond customer satisfaction and engage customers in a memorable experience that is consistent with their brand promise. Every employee must take pride in a service culture that honors and rewards both employees and customers. This entertaining and insightful program will help you establish a deeper connection with your employees and customers, leading to better team performance, higher productivity and more loyal customers. You will find that connected employees create connected customers.

SELL-E-BRATE! Winning the Hearts and Business of Tomorrow’s Customers

This useful and entertaining program explores how to use celebration, humor and value-adding creativity to give your sales team a competitive advantage. These important tools, along with the “Sell-e-brate Mindset”, will help generate new clients and keep your existing customer base consistently engaged and satisfied. By creating a culture of celebration and honoring your employees and customers, you will create happy, eager prospects ready to buy. Learn ways to differentiate yourself and build perceived value that highlights what you do best. Let your “GPS”—Gratitude, Play and Surprise—guide you to better connections with customers, leading to the discovery of hidden objections. As you learn techniques used by the world’s most admired organizations, you will discover that he or she who celebrates, sells!

Using Humor for a Change

Become unforgettable. Jump-start your creativity. Ease conflict. Gain control of tense situations. Win impossible business. Create a positive culture. Engage employees. Engage customers. Reduce burnout. Improve communication. Enhance problem-solving. Build better relationships. Raise productivity… and enjoy work more than ever before! How do you make this happen? Through the effective use of humor, creativity and engagement strategies to bring more positivity and productivity to your organization building deeper relationships and better results. By using the tools from this fun, relevant program, you will soon discover that those who laugh, last!

Employee Innovation for Disruptive Times

What does it take to stay relevant and competitive in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing global marketplace? A culture of innovation! In fact, the #1 killer of employee innovation is a culture that doesn’t support it. Employees are more mobile, versatile and appreciate their personal freedom more than any time in the history of work. The needs and demands of today’s workforce make the task of employee engagement more complicated. When self-expression is welcomed, when employees feel free to be authentic when employees are empowered to take risks, when creativity is rewarded… innovation flourishes. A connected culture leads employees to brainstorm, create and thrive. Learn to build a culture that engages employees, creates connection and lets employees know what they do matters. Your reward will be more productive, creative and happy employees.

Happily Ever Laughter – How to Engage Any Audience

To truly engage the distracted audience member of today, you must not only educate and enlighten but entertain as well. Humor may be your most useful tool for it breaks preoccupation, develops rapport, increases retention and connects with your listeners. In this interactive skill-shop, participants will learn how to play off any audience—be it a meeting of five or an auditorium of 5,000.  From developing original material to uncovering an organization’s “humor hot buttons”, this program will cover the basics and beyond for becoming a more charismatic, humorous, effective presenter. Learn to tell funny stories that appeal to a culturally diverse audience. From “half-the-words” to “what if” to the “power of the pause”, you will learn story-telling techniques that will make your stories come alive.

How to Hold an Audience without a Rope

To be a great leader, you must be a great communicator and to be a great communicator, you must speak with clarity, power and purpose. The best speakers build perceived credibility through authenticity, vulnerability, humility and the art of storytelling. In this program you will learn the secrets of great speakers from the conference room to the podium. You’ll learn how to overcome stage fright, establish perceived credibility and create an authentic connection with your listeners. Your value as a leader will dramatically increase as you learn to hold an audience without a rope.

Educational Programs
Scott provides programs tailored to educators and students (both youth and adults). He skillfully challenges people to take control of their lives and offers concrete ways to do so. Specifically, he assists participants in mastering change, relieving stress and burnout, developing their own sense of humor, and adding value to their careers through a number of his educational programs.

 

Full Biography

Scott Friedman, Certified Speaking Professional, and former President of the National Speakers Association (NSA), speaks over 60 times a year on employee innovation & engagement, customer experience and how to create a happier, healthier workplace.

In addition to being the CCO—Chief Celebration Officer—at Friedman & Associates, Scott has written “Celebrate! Lessons Learned from the World’s Most Admired Organizations,” ”A Celebration a Day! 365 Ways to a Happier, Healthier Workplace,” “Happily Ever Laughter—How to Engage Any Audience,” and “Using Humor For A Change.” He is also the co-author of four additional books.

Scott is the 2013 NSA Cavett Award Recipient, presented annually to the NSA member whose accomplishments over the years have reflected outstanding respect, service, honor, and admiration in the Association and the speaking profession. Scott was awarded the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) 2013 Recognizing Industry Success and Excellence (RISE) Award. ”This award honors those rare individuals who by visionary hard work and creative insight have positively changed the global meetings and events industry community (MPI

Apart from speaking, Scott is very involved in philanthropic projects. Scott co-founded Together We Can Change the World (TWCCTW.org), a 501c3 foundation focused on anti-trafficking, social business, clean water, and the health and education of less fortunate girls and women. Currently they have over 25 projects in seven SE Asian countries.