John Sweeney
As a keynote speaker, Sweeney has captured the imagination of some of the most respected companies in the world. Not because he owns the nation's oldest comedy theatre; not because a quote from his first book appeared on millions of Starbucks coffee cups; and because he danced shirtless on national television earning him "Fan of the Year" accolades from the Today Show. Rather, we believe Sweeney's success is a result of how deeply and effectively his improvisational speaking and training programs have resonated with a broad spectrum of forward-thinking leaders.
One of Sweeney's early corporate clients, Phil Fawcett, a Microsoft employee since 1985, expressed it like this, "I have worked one on one with both Stephen Covey and Tom Peters and I find John Sweeney's ideas to be as valuable. His message and
methods are fantastic!" Since that kind remark years ago, Sweeney has trained and entertained thousands of audiences.
Audiences come to understand, appreciate, learn and practice an improv-based mindset that helps them live and work better. Sweeney first conducts rigorous pre-event research and information gathering. He then uses the obtained client knowledge and his 15 years of speaking expertise to create on-target, personal, and memorable experiences uniquely punctuated by an authentic and experienced brand of professional humor that further greases the wheels of learning and retention.
Sweeney is backed by a team of insightful, hands-on, authentic performers and trainers who possess uncommon business insight and unmatched event experience. His long list of repeat clients include Hilton, Unitedhealth Group, Honeywell, Microsoft, Land O' Lakes, Target, General Mills, US Bancorp, Medtronic, Thomson and approximately a hundred more.
Whether helping companies achieve greater innovation, improve teamwork and productivity, sell better, embrace change, personalize customer service, or renew workplace enthusiasm, Sweeney is undeniable in his ability spark laughter, deliver messages, provoke thought, and initiate change.
As a keynote speaker, Sweeney has captured the imagination of some of the most respected companies in the world. Not because he owns the nation's oldest comedy theatre; not because a quote from his first book appeared on millions of Starbucks coffee cups; and because he danced shirtless on national television earning him "Fan of the Year" accolades from the Today Show. Rather, we believe Sweeney's success is a result of how deeply and effectively his improvisational speaking and training programs have resonated with a broad spectrum of forward-thinking leaders.
One of Sweeney's early corporate clients, Phil Fawcett, a Microsoft employee since 1985, expressed it like this, "I have worked one on one with both Stephen Covey and Tom Peters and I find John Sweeney's ideas to be as valuable. His message and
methods are fantastic!" Since that kind remark years ago, Sweeney has trained and entertained thousands of audiences.
Audiences come to understand, appreciate, learn and practice an improv-based mindset that helps them live and work better. Sweeney first conducts rigorous pre-event research and information gathering. He then uses the obtained client knowledge and his 15 years of speaking expertise to create on-target, personal, and memorable experiences uniquely punctuated by an authentic and experienced brand of professional humor that further greases the wheels of learning and retention.
Sweeney is backed by a team of insightful, hands-on, authentic performers and trainers who possess uncommon business insight and unmatched event experience. His long list of repeat clients include Hilton, Unitedhealth Group, Honeywell, Microsoft, Land O' Lakes, Target, General Mills, US Bancorp, Medtronic, Thomson and approximately a hundred more.
Whether helping companies achieve greater innovation, improve teamwork and productivity, sell better, embrace change, personalize customer service, or renew workplace enthusiasm, Sweeney is undeniable in his ability spark laughter, deliver messages, provoke thought, and initiate change.
From Fear to Discovery: An Improviser's Guide to A Better Workplace
For more than a decade, John's work with some outstanding organizations on the topic of innovation has led us to discover that innovation is almost always a reflection of the workplace culture, particularly employee motivation and commitment. With economic challenges we face, a constantly changing global business environment and rapid technological progress it is increasingly more important for employees and leaders to stay nimble, fresh, alert and productive. This often means reevaluating...
Building a Culture of Innovation One Behavior at a Time
We all seek a workplace culture where employees and leaders are nimble, engaged, alert and productive. It is common for companies to evaluate how they conduct business, communicate, and co-create value with customers; but many fail to ask a simple question, do we have a workplace where people and their ideas flourish and we capitalize on both? As improvisers, we know that if we do not create a culture where ideas are cherished and each of us is heard, we will fail. We live that culture...
Innovation at the Speed of Laughter
Sweeney's work on the topic of innovation with some of the best organizations on the planet has led us to discover that innovation is almost always a reflection of individuals reacting from a place of fear rather than a mindset of discovery. In this workshop, John applies improvisation-based behaviors and skills to behaviors that ignite innovation in the workplace. Using a mindset of discovery and addressing those behaviors that keep individuals from finding their most innovative self,...
Engaging Your Audience Through Storytelling
Communication is key to improvisation and storytelling is a fundamental for improvisational communication. Our stories need to be razor sharp, crystal clear, and emotionally charged. It is through story that we increase the engagement of our audience. Communication skills are equally vital in business; leaders and employees who are able to effectively express their point of view are much more prone to engage their internal and external audiences. Common learning points of this session...
Being Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
After hearing from numerous clients how individuals and teams are reacting to a business climate of uncertainty and rapid change, John developed a speech designed to help them battle prevalent non-productive behaviors and attitudes. As improvisers we work in an environment of uncertainty and change all the time and have learned to embrace and maximize it. This session demonstrates the behaviors and skills improvisers use to stay productive; and helps participants practice how to be...
The Art of Selling
Improvisation is especially applicable to the sales process and profession. Being able to define, understand and then communicate your value proposition and point of view are vital in providing solutions to your client and to creating long lasting business relationships. We've found that the process we have used for more than 50 years to create a successful comedy sketch mirrors many of the elements and steps of a sales process. Sketch writers use their skills to refine content information...
One Plus One Equals Three
Core to improvisation is the ability of several people to share space in time with different points of view and create something from nothing, together. When this process is successful, the product they produce is rich and diverse and oftentimes, hilarious, authentic, and undeniably impactful. It is more than just the combination of the parts; it is a new and innovative solution that has been affected by all group members. And it is infinitely more interesting than any one group member's...
Act the Way You Want Your Company To Be
We've found that great leaders understand how important it is to establish a culture that empowers, encourages and rewards people for being "their best selves." In this session, leaders learn how to create a more innovative and appealing culture - one that instills the expectation from employees that ideas will be met with an initial positive reaction rather than disagreement or judgment. As improvisers, it is necessary for us to create, on stage, an environment that is completely...
Using Exceptional Customer Service to Drive Growth
Many people find the "sales process" hard, awkward and uncomfortable. As improvisers, we view "sale" as a scene: the authentic interaction between two people with different points of view working to find a resolution by listening and building from each other's point of view. Translated, it is a conversation with the goal of finding a solution to a customer's need. It is simply just another version of customer service. In this session, John actively demonstrates tips and tools to overcome...
Building Idea Machines
John believes everyone has unlimited creativity locked inside them and when successfully tapped will lead to more and better ideas. Performing an improvisational scene on stage is often referred to as being able to ride a bike while you are building it. In addition to listening to the audience's reaction, the point of view and strategy declared by your teammates and the logistical elements of the scene, an improviser must be in a constant state of idea generation. Since improvisation is...
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