Scott Friedman

Scott Friedman, CSP, and 2004-05 President of the National Speakers Association (NSA), is an internationally sought after professional speaker and author. As a motivational humorist, Scott inspires and entertains with fun-filled, interactive and content-rich programs. Scott's main area of expertise is employee innovation and engagement and customer experience.
In addition to being the CCO—Chief Celebration Officer—at Friedman and Associates, Scott has written "Celebrate! Lessons Learned from the World's Most Admired Organizations," "Happily Ever Laughter - How to Engage Any Audience," "Using Humor for a Change," and his latest book, "A Celebration a Day! 365 Ways to a Happier, Healthier Workplace." "A Celebration a Day!" is a handbook of practical ideas for jumpstarting your creativity in building a culture of celebration and innovation, and it's available now! Learn to bring more joy, gratitude, spontaneity, and playfulness into your workplace and watch productivity and team performance soar!
For over three decades, Scott has combined his improvisational comedy experience, the art of storytelling, and relevant content to help his clients achieve their objectives.
As a CSP, Certified Speaking Professional and trusted member of the speaking community, Scott continues to have a strong presence both domestically and globally. Scott is the 2013 recipient of NSA's distinguished Cavett Award, 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 also honored with the 2013 RISE Award from MPI, Meeting Professionals International, for global leadership. In 2013 he earned the Global Speaking Fellow designation, for global speaking competence. (Fewer than 50 speakers hold this designation, worldwide).
Scott now spends 35% of his time speaking throughout Asia. His client list includes Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Gold Fields of South Africa, and Young President's Organization, Hyatt Asia, Marriott, Starwood, SHRM, ATandT, IBM, Cisco System and many Fortune 1000 companies. Having captivated audiences ranging from 10 to 10,000, Scott customizes each of his programs based on your company's needs, thus maximizing value for participants. His varied experiences have brought him success in many industries including: hospitality, meetings, real estate, insurance, health care, education, government and a variety of associations.

MOST REQUESTED PROGRAMS:

"Celebrate! Lessons Learned from the World's Most Admired Organizations"

Imagine a workplace where productivity is at an all-time high, where employees look forward to the work day, where people are matched to their strengths and are recognized accordingly, where you can "recalculate: mistakes and turn them into opportunities.  This can be YOUR workplace, your people, and your reality!

With lighthearted humor and refreshing honesty, Scott offers techniques for turning grievances into gratitude, dismay into play, and failure into lessons learned, all ripe for celebration. Scott weaves pertinent research with ready-to-use examples showcasing the power of the "Celebration Mindset" in action. He shares how turning on and applying the "GPS"- Gratitude, Play and Surprise- will guide you toward your greatest potential in your organization and your life.

Learn how to transform you workplace for the better, from the top to the bottom line. "Celebrate!" offers practical, effective tools to help you better engage and honor your employees, your clients, and your accomplishments.  With new strategies for improving your organization's brand, Celebrate! will help you create a culture of authenticity and innovation, where productivity, performance and profit potential soar.

"The Best Way to Predict the Future Is to Create It"

In these globally competitive times, resourcefulness and innovation are essential to survival. This fast-paced, humorous call to action will show you how to become a victor-rather than a victim-of change. Boost your self-awareness as you learn to be driven not by circumstances and emotion, but by your values and purpose. Scott's easy-to-use techniques will help you foster results-oriented creativity and team spirit. An ideal kick-off or closing, "The Best Way to Predict the Future is to Create It" always leaves participants feeling energized and inspired 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 live service and take pride in a culture that honors and rewards both employees and customers. This entertaining and insightful program is full of tools and techniques that will help you to engage your customers and
build perceived value. Learn to build long-term loyalty as Scott reveals the secrets to connecting with customers and employees.

"Sell-e-brate! Winning the Hearts and Business of Tomorrow's Customers"

This insightful and entertaining program explores how to use humor, celebration and value-added creativity to keep your team at the top of their game. These important tools along with the "Sell-e-brate Mindset" will generate new clients and keep your existing customer base consistently engaged.  By creating a culture of celebration and honoring your employees and customers you will create happy, eager prospects, ready to buy.  Encourage creativity and innovation with refreshing new ideas for inspiring yourself and your team. 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. Raise productivity. Build better relationships. And enjoy work more than ever before! How do you make this happen? Through the effective use of humor in the workplace.  This lively, interactive program explores ways to use humor, creativity, and engagement strategies to bring positivity and productivity to your organization. You will learn to tap into your unique sense of humor-a skill essential to creating the rapport that will pave the way to better relationships and better results. By putting the tools from this insightful program into play, you will soon discover that those who laugh, last!

"Employee Innovation for Turbulent Times"

What does it take to stay relevant and competitive in today's fast-paced, ever-changing arketplace? A culture of innovation! In fact, the #1 killer of employee innovation is a culture which oesn't honor it. When selfexpression is welcomed, when employees feel free to be authentic, when employees feel a part of the mission and vision,innovation flourishes. An action-oriented environment leads employees to thrive, brainstorm and invent. This program will show you how to encourage independent thinking and problem solving, how to evolve through calculated risk, and utilize mistakes as lessons learned. Learn to build a culture which celebrates and engages employees, boosts teamwork and rewards creativity. Your reward will be more productive, creative and fulfilled employees.

"Happily Ever Laughter, How to Engage Any Audience"

To truly connect with an audience, you need to both educate and entertain. Of course, you don't have to use humor. . . unless you want to break preoccupation, develop rapport, increase retention, and fully engage your listeners! "Happily Ever Laughter" offers practical, imaginative ideas for using humor to increase the value of your presentations.

Participants will learn how to play off any audience-be it a meeting of five or an auditorium of 5000. From developing original (and appropriate) material to uncovering an organization's "humor hot buttons," this program will cover the basics and beyond for becoming a more charismatic, effective presenter. As participants begin to take risks and tap into their own unique style they will reap the rewards of an entertained and captive audience.

"How to Hold an Audience Without a Rope"

Throughout history, most every great leader has been a great communicator. And to be a great communicator takes humor, storytelling and proven techniques to ensure your message is conveyed with clarity and power. You'll learn how to overcome stage fright, establish perceived credibility, and create authentic connections with your listeners. Your value as a leader and presenter will dramatically improve when you know how to engage others from the conference room to the podium. You'll leave this program thinking, feeling, and celebrating your way towards speaking success.