Inspiring Workplaces Blog

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How to Start Your Meetings on the Right Note

How to Start Your Meetings on the Right Note: How you start a meeting is critical. Opening your meetings with the proper intention sets the tone for a productive, honest conversation. Watch the video to see why setting the tone at the start of a meeting is...

An Essential Question All Culture Leaders Need to Ask

Here's an essential question that all culture leaders need to ask their employees, a question that can make the world of difference when it comes to establishing trust at work, building stronger relationships, and improving engagement and performance. One question...

Leading and Laughing During Challenging, Turbulent Times

Leaders need to step up and lead during challenging times. Okay, that sounds like a bit of a "duh" statement, but it's true! What I mean is that leaders need to be even more intentional about wearing their leadership toques and not just thinking like a manager or...

Putting Humor to Work for Less Stress During These Turbulent Times

If you're having more bad hair days than normal, trust me, you're not alone. You need to tap into your sense of humor, and your team's sense of humor, now more than ever! Find out how my three simple R's of putting humor to work can help you find the funny...

Conversations for Uncertain Times

During this remarkable time in history, perhaps we need to change the phrase "candid conversations" to "Covid conversations"? Regardless, during this unprecedented time of uncertainty, anxiety and change, you absolutely need to be having candid Covid conversations now...

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Recent Blog Posts

Videos

Why Clients Book Michael

Some clients bring me into their events simply because they want to celebrate a great year, cap off a busy season, or recognize their amazing employees. Other clients work with me because they’ve lost their mojo, they’re wrestling with unprecedented change, or they need help forging a stronger and more inspiring culture.

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Why Choose Between Content and Humor?

For more than 25 years I’ve embraced the mantra: “Why choose between content and humor when you can have both?” In this short video, I share what I think my job as a professional speaker is and how I will work with you to exceed your expectations.

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Michael in Action

Why choose between content and fun when you can have both? For a sense of my presentation style, grab some popcorn and enjoy this sampler video of Michael in Action. Whether I’m delivering a full-day workshop to senior executives, or a keynote to an audience of 3,000+, I deliver relevant content in as memorable a way as possible so those inspiring ideas stick!

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BOOKS

The Humor Advantage

Why Some Businesses Are Laughing All the Way to the Bank

The Humor Advantage is packed with ideas on how you can create a more innovative, collaborative, service-driven culture that drives outrageous results! It delivers a firehose of information that will turn your culture upside down (in a good way!).

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The Jerk-Free Workplace

How You Can Take the Lead to Create a Happier, More Inspiring Workplace

This isn’t just about giving jerky work behaviors the boot. The Jerk-Free Workplace offers up an inspiring roadmap on how to take the lead when you’re not the boss – although you’ll definitely want your boss to read it, too. If you want to work in a happier, more inspiring workplace, this is the book for you!

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Small Moments, Big Outcomes

How Leaders Create Cultures That Fuel Extraordinary Results

It’s about the small things you can do as a culture leader to intentionally build a more collaborative, compassionate, and inspiring workplace culture. Packed with practical ideas based on real world examples, Small Moments, Big Outcomes will help you lead with greater confidence and purpose.

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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

Michael Kerr