WHY COMEDY

Often workshops are seen as dull events where the attendees are simply there to absorb knowledge. Someone drones on about something while the attendees stare at the clock and doodle on the pads provided by the hotel or convention center. This is not a formula for success in the US or Canada.

Making the event a more enjoyable experience maintains the attention of the attendees. Focus on the facilitator increases the absorption of knowledge. They are focused because it might cause them to laugh, which is enjoyable. Rewarded attention in a physically positive way is a great way to motivate people to listen.

Interviews with many workshop attendees after a lecture have proven that little knowledge is retained. When knowledge is not directly related to the day-to-day activities of the attendee or not utilized soon after the event, often the knowledge is lost. If retention of knowledge is important to the company then practical methods must be used.

Fun events increase knowledge retention and short-term recall. Often attendees talk to their friends about the event or try to repeat jokes. Through association between the jokes and the event, the knowledge is recalled and is kept fresh in the memory. These fond memories of an event are key to remembering as opposed to an event that they want to forget.

Having workshops feel like a requirement are seen as something that has to be done as opposed to something to enjoy. Therefore, attentiveness during the event is already undermined by the nature of the event.

When the workshop is seen as a positive experience and the attendees anticipate the event, they are more receptive to the messages being delivered. Attendees are more likely to provide active participation allowing for affirmative adjustments to be made in content and to increase the interactive elements enhancing knowledge retention. By increasing the positive nature of the training, you also are enhancing the results.