Companies Seeking Humor in Dour Economy

All the negativity surrounding the economy has more companies seeking humor for their educational and motivational speaking needs.

Carrie Perrien Smith, who books speakers for companies through her company Soar With Eagles, said in the last few months it has become important to her clients to mix a little entertainment with the motivation.

Smith said it’s not always easy to find “clean” corporate comedians, but that many motivational speakers have added a few funnies to their message and that puts them in high demand.

She said she’s been busy booking speakers this year and that many local companies are doing well and investing in education for their teams. She also said even a more expensive speaker can end up costing less per attendee than the meals for larger groups.

Smith, who does speaking engagements herself in addition to booking others, published “Currency: Striking Relationship Gold in a Relationship Economy” in October 2008 as a guide to making the most out of networking beyond piling up contact lists. She said sales have gone pretty well and have helped her gain a few gigs herself.

She, too, is incorporating a little humor to her work.

“Funny how you’re more of an expert with a few hundred glued-together pages,” she said.