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Is Your Business as Welcoming as it Could Be?

Today is official Dance Like a Chicken Day. But if that doesn’t get you clucking, maybe the fact that it’s also Receptionist Day will get a better reception in your office.  In addition to thanking your receptionists for all the great work they do, it’s also a good day to take stock of how welcoming your business is at every point of contact and how a bit of humor might help.  

– Start with your website. Does your website invite people to linger and stick around for a while? Is the language welcoming and conversational, or is it full of deja moo (“the feeling we’ve heard this bull before”)?  How about a fun welcome IMG_0012video from employees that invites people to pull up a seat and stick around for a while?

– Are people feeling welcomed when they phone your office or are they sucked into a vortex of frustrating computerized options that make them feel like they’re in a scene from The Matrix?  Zappos, unlike most call centers, measures the quality of their customer service calls, not the quantity, so customers never feel rushed off the phone. Shutterfly, the online photo sharing site, offers a “pirate version” of all their voice mail options. Adding a bit of humor and building relationships the way Zappos does, is what being receptive is all about.

– Is your parking lot welcoming? One business has parking lot signs that say things such as, “Reserved for Customer of the Century,” and, just to be silly, “Reserved for Anyone Named Dave.”

– Are your front doors open five minutes before the official opening time so it doesn’t look like employees are watching every nanosecond on the clock?

– The Winnipeg Airport has a Hug Rug at the base of the arrivals escalators. The airport in Nice, France has a Kiss N’ Fly drop off lane. Can you ad a funny sign, or offer a funny sentiment for people arriving at your workplace? (Hey, even the IRS has one office with a welcome sign on their door reading: “Sorry We’re Open!”)

– Is your reception area truly welcoming? Does it have something to occupy the kids? Or the dogs? How about some fun reading material, a funny welcome mascot, a humor bulletin board or a popcorn machine?

– Finally, have your employees been given the proper training and tools to fulfill their potential role as “Director of First Impressions?”  Because as we all know, first impressions are lasting impressions.

Michael Kerr is a very funny motivational speaker and international business speaker who speaks on creating inspiring workplace cultures.  His next book is called The Humor Advantage: Why Some Business are Laughing all the Way to the Bank.

 

Rave Reviews

“Your presentation was beyond excellent! You have the unique ability to both entertain and educate. It was the perfect mix of a serious business message, along with a very funny delivery.”
Dave Thompson, CFO & President, Sandvik Canada, Inc.
“Michael was brilliant! An incredible session that received a standing ovation. The content was a welcome and valuable divergence from typical educational sessions. If you need to leave your audience energized with great content, I highly recommend Michael Kerr!”
Dana Cooper, Executive Director, Orthotics Prosthetics Canada
“Michael held the full attention of our senior management team for a full 4-hour presentation! His management philosophy is a fantastic approach that I have encouraged my team to carry forward.”
Martine Rothblatt, Chairman & CEO, United Therapeutics
“It was evident, almost from the first word you spoke, that you would be one of the most memorable parts of the two days. Your high energy, fast-paced, powerful style had everyone on the edges of their seats. Beyond being incredibly entertaining, you gave the leaders pragmatic tools and ideas that are easily transferable to their jobs.”
Mark Breslaw, Human Resources Business Partner, Telus
“Michael’s Leading and Laughing During Turbulent Times was the best presentation I have seen in my 40 years in business.”
Rodney Meadows, Director East Alabama Home Medical
“That was one of the best virtual presentations I have been on and the best one since this pandemic! It was the highlight of my week and gave me a resurgence of positivity, motivation and energy.”
Natasha Purnell, Chief Culture Officer, Park Insurance
“Michael Kerr delivered an absolutely outstanding performance – virtually! His energy and humorous content had our event attendees wanting our company to book him again!”
Kylene Donaldson, Western Financial Group
“Michael Kerr’s humor, messages and energy was not lost at all in the virtual format and allowed us to continue an important tradition of having fun and being together. His messages on how to  build resiliency were delivered in an engaging way that really hit home!”
Brier Albano, Associate Registrar, Medicine Hat College
“With his high energy and animated presentation of over 90 minutes, he had everyone’s full attention!”
Jolaine Arsenault, Retail Market Analysis and Liaison Specialist, Co-op Atlantic
“Just wanted to say “WOW!” – that was awesome! We’ve had many speakers over the years, but none the likes of Michael Kerr.”
Richard Dansereau, President, NAPA Autopro BDG
“One of the most enjoyable keynote speakers we have worked with. Not only was it entertaining, it contained valuable lessons for our managers to take back to the office.”
Peter Panaritis, President, Brinks Canada Limited
“Many of the head office staff thought you were the best keynote speaker we’ve ever had! Thank-you for your invigorating and energizing keynote presentation.”
Tanya Dusyk, Territory Manager, Shell Canada
“Your dynamic and interactive presentation was the highlight of our conference. To this day, years later, we will often refer to the topics you enlightened and enriched our lives with!”
Steve Enns, Vice President and General Manager, TGS Harvard Management
“I wanted to share with you the amazing customer comments below. We’ve been employing various techniques that you described and I wanted you to know that your work makes a difference!”
Kevin Walsh, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer, Showdown Displays
“Yours was one of the most effective, enlightening, and entertaining presentations we’ve ever had at a conference (and we’ve had a lot!).”
Mario Bernardi, Executive Director, ClimateCare Co-operative
“You were by far the best rated speaker. Michael’s energy influenced my entire experience at the conference.”
Mary Anne Yurkiw, Food Matters Conference Chair
“YOU ROCK! Michael had everyone in stitches and offered amazing workplace food for thought.”
Janice Vilaca, Program Administrator, Co-operative Education, Wilfred Laurier University
“I’ve seen Michael four times – he’s amazing. You come away with knowledge on how to make your workplace better and you don’t even realize you were being taught because you are so busy being entertained.”
Michelle Kimura, Owner, MicAr Marketing
“Thanks to your suggestions, staff feel engaged and empowered to start creating an inspiring workplace. You have made a huge, positive impact in just 90 minutes!”
Paola Zurro, Senior Director, Real Property Branch
“Michael exceeded our expectations in every aspect. He was nothing short of the star of our event. By far, the best speaker we’ve ever had!”
Rod Smith, VP, Business Development, Century Vallen
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Michael Kerr

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