Scott Friedman

Scott Friedman, CSP and former President of the National Speakers Association (NSA), is an internationally sought after speaker and author. As a motivational humorist, Scott inspires and entertains with fun-filled, interactive and content-rich programs. He speaks on a variety of topics over 80 times a year. Scott’s main area of expertise is as an employee engagement speaker and innovation, celebration, and customer experience expert.

In addition to being the CCO—Chief Celebration Officer—at Friedman & 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 “A Celebration a Day! 365 Ways to a Happier, Healthier Workplace.” He is also the co-author of four additional books.

Scott’s opportunity to entertain and engage as President of Salesmen with a Purpose (SWAP, now Sales Professional International) in 1985 created his desire for a career in professional speaking. He took the marketing director position with Speech Masters, a company that trains lawyers, executives, and professional speakers in presentation development. This lead to the start of his professional speaking career in 1986. For three decades, Scott has combined improvisational comedy, quick wit, and engaging material to become the speaker he is today. Scott’s mission as a speaker and Chief Celebration Officer is to improve organization performance and productivity through the power of celebration and humor.

As a Certified Speaking Professional (as designated by the NSA) and trusted member of the speaking community, Scott continues to have a strong presence both domestically and globally. Scott is the 2013 NSA Cavett Award Recipient, 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 awarded the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) 2013 Recognizing Industry Success and Excellence (RISE) Award. ”This award honors those rare individuals who by visionary hard work and creative insight have positively changed the global meetings and events industry community (MPI).” In 1988, as the President of the National Speakers Association of Colorado, he founded the Meetings Industry Council of Colorado (MIC), a coalition of professional meetings industry-related organizations. He is proud to continue involvement with MIC and their latest event which included over 800 meeting professionals in March of 2013.

In 2002, Scott was awarded the International Association of Speaker Bureaus (IASB) Pace Setter Award, given annually to an individual outside the IASB who played an integral role in partnership with IASB to further advance the speaking industry. The IASB recognized Scott for successfully developing and executing “an alliance between the NSA (National Speakers Association) and IASB [to encourage] partnering among bureaus and speakers to further advance the client relationships that serve both.” In April 2005, Scott’s vision brought the first Global Speakers Summit to Singapore with 300 international speakers and meetings professionals from 20 countries attending this event. Scott has remained actively involved in the Global Speakers Summit events in Dubai (2007), Cape Town (2009), Amsterdam (2011) and Vancouver, Canada (2013).

Scott now spends 30% of his time speaking throughout Asia and other locations around the globe. His international clients include Singapore Airlines, the Singapore Government, Gold Fields of South Africa, Young President’s Organization, Hyatt Asia, HSBC, and many Fortune 1000 companies. He offers all his clients a global and culturally sensitive perspective on how to get more out of work and life.  His varied experiences have brought him success in many industries including hospitality, meetings, real estate, insurance, health care, education, government and just about any association.  Scott’s customized programs are a perfect fit for kick-offs, closings, lunches, and midnight snacks. Participants will come away with tools to enhance their work, their lives, and their future, helping them to start celebrating and live happily ever laughter.

Apart from speaking, Scott is very involved in philanthropic projects. Scott founded Together We Can Change The World (TWCCTW.org), an organization creating sustainability in children’s homes throughout SE Asia by helping poor, neglected children and women, and providing them with a safe, secure haven and educational opportunities. Currently Scott organizes global speaking tours to create awareness, raise money and celebrate with the kids in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Cambodia. Check out his philanthropy page to see the latest tour! He has been honored as Volunteer of the Year with Family Services of Colorado and was on the national board of directors for Camp to Belong for five years.

Celebrate! Lessons Learned from the World’s Most Admired Organizations

“Celebrate!” helps organizations create happier, healthier, more connected workplaces. With lighthearted humor, engaging interaction, and the latest relevant research and examples, Scott illustrates how to create a culture of innovation and celebration. Discover how turning on your “GPS”—Gratitude, Play and Surprise—will guide you and your organization toward increased productivity, better team performance and a happier, more profitable future.

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 marketplace? A culture of innovation! In fact, the #1 killer of employee innovation is a culture which doesn’t honor it. When self-expression 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. inspired to create a better future for themselves and their organizations.