Greg Schwem
- Business Humorist
- Corporate Comedian
- Master of Ceremonies
Travels From
Illinois
Greg Schwem Speaker Biography
HuffPost calls Greg Schwem, “Your boss’ favorite comedian.” Indeed, Greg’s comedic take on the 21st century workplace and work/life balance has landed him on SIRIUS Radio, FOX News, Comedy Central and the pages of Parents Magazine. More than just a business humor keynote speaker and sought after corporate emcee, Greg is also an author, nationally syndicated humor columnist for the Chicago Tribune, award-winning greeting card writer and creator of funnydadinc, voted one of the top Dad humor sites on the web. His recent business travels have resulted in a hilarious web series, A Comedian Crashes Your Pad. He has shared the concert stage with the likes of Celine Dion, Jay Leno and Keith Urban.
Greg’s two keynotes – “Work, Laugh, Repeat” and “Rock, Roll & Laugh Your Way to the Top” - provide hilarious looks at today’s corporate environment and the latest tools used to conduct business. Greg’s client list includes such corporate heavyweights as McDonald’s, Microsoft, General Motors, IBM, Hyatt Hotels, United Airlines, Cisco Systems and The CIA. “Even America’s covert intelligence community likes to laugh itself,” Greg says.
What sets Greg apart from other corporate entertainers is his ability—and willingness—to customize material for his audience while working within the parameters of the corporate environment. That means no profanity or politically incorrect material. “That’s never been a part of my show anyway,” Greg recently told a reporter.
When Greg hits the stage he already has perused the company’s Internet site, combed the internal message boards and even sifted through numerous PowerPoint presentations. “There is no such thing as too much information,” Greg says. “I know corporate audiences like to laugh at themselves so the more ammunition I get, the funnier it will be. Just don’t give me a 10-K report. There is NOTHING funny about that.”
Greg’s preparation always includes a conference call with company executives and, in some cases, an onsite visit.
Customized Material from Past Shows
John Hancock: You sell the U.S. Global Leader Growth Fund. Is there a U.S. Regional Follower Growth Fund as well?
Michigan Realtors Assoc.: Your organization has been around since 1915? What kind of sessions did realtors attend at the 1915 convention? “The do’s and dont’s of selling that log cabin!”
Campbell’s Soup: You make “premium organic” baby food? Don’t you realize that, after the baby eats your incredibly healthy food, he’s gonna grab a fistful of the cat’s hair and eat that too?
Besides customized material, Greg entertains audiences with stories about tedious business meetings, SmartPhone addiction, “frequently” asked questions and his fascination with the American Girl Doll company. He also is the author of two Amazon best sellers: Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a Low-Tech Dad and The Road to Success Goes Through the Salad Bar: A Pile of BS (Business Stories) From a Corporate Comedian.
To book Greg Schwem call Executive Speakers Bureau at 901-754-9404.
YOU CAN’T CANCEL LAUGHTER
The Will Smith slap. The Dave Chappelle/Netflix controversy. High-profile incidents like this have corporate America talking about the role of humor in the workplace and the definition of “funny.” What Gen X finds uproarious, Gen Z might find “offensive” or “inappropriate” Who is correct? In a hilarious yet thought-provoking presentation, renowned business humorist and award-winning Chicago Tribune humor columnist Greg Schwem challenges his audience to realize that curtailing humor in the workplace also stifles creativity, teamwork, and employee wellness. For those who say, “we aren’t a funny company” or “this isn’t a good time for us to be laughing,” Greg disagrees. Using real-world examples, Greg explores how companies have increased sales and overcome negative publicity through humor. Unlike speakers who dub themselves “humor experts,” yet provide no answers, Greg, a 30-year standup comedy veteran, offers suggestions for how to navigate this slippery slope while laughing the entire time. Learn how to “engage but never attack” and why it’s best to avoid the “humor cop.” Greg also shows how humor helped lift this country’s emotions during the COVID-19 crisis while helping businesses cope with the worst possible scenarios. Don’t believe that’s possible? Then you haven’t heard of the suburban Chicago restaurant that offered a free roll of toilet paper with every takeout order!
Greg has delivered this presentation to the toughest of audiences, including the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Society of Government Meeting Planners (SGMP). Hey, if those groups can laugh, so can yours. The ability to research his audience and tailor his content is why companies such as Microsoft, McDonald’s, Southwest Airlines, and even The CIA have turned to Greg for laughs, and why HuffPost referred to Greg as, “Your boss’s favorite comedian.”
Work, Laugh, Repeat
Perfect for any group that needs a humorous break from the serious side of business. In spite of its therapeutic qualities, laughter is often absent from the business environment. Greg shows it is possible to laugh at work and about work. Audience members will put down their iPads and Blackberries and laugh along with Greg as he good-naturedly discusses topics such as Smart Phone abuse, social network overload, never-ending conference calls, "frequently" asked questions, and home office workers. His preparation includes company web site research, phone conferences and maybe even a personal visit
You Can't Quarantine Laughter (Live or Virtual!)
In a hilarious, multimedia-intensive presentation, renowned business humorist and award-winning Chicago Tribune humor columnist Greg Schwem will make audiences of all ages howl with laughter as he explores the role of, and the need for, humor in a COVID19-affected world. Is coronavirus a laughing matter? Absolutely not. But it did help our country recognize that humor, used creatively, can personally lift our emotions while helping our businesses cope with the worst possible scenarios. Don’t believe that’s possible? Then you haven’t heard of the suburban Chicago restaurant that offered a free roll of toilet paper with every takeout order!
Beginning with a brief video that shows some of the country’s best known stars from the comedy and music worlds who have overcome adversity to become leaders in their respective fields, Greg Schwem then takes the stage, delivering clean, customized laughs about whatever industry he is speaking for. The ability to research his audience and tailor his content is why companies such as Microsoft, McDonald’s, Southwest Airlines and even The CIA have turned to Greg for laughs, and why HuffPost referred to Greg as, “Your boss’ favorite comedian.”
But You Can’t Quarantine Laughter is hardly a straight stand-up comedy show. Greg challenges his audience to think how they can use humor to improve workplace communication and how to motivate one another in difficult times. Greg reinforces his message with stories of company personnel who have used humor to create successful campaigns and turn their businesses around.
Rock, Roll & Laugh Your Way to the Top
Greg Schwem knows a thing or two about rock and roll. As a comedian who has opened concerts for stars ranging from Keith Urban, to Celine Dion, to Pat Benatar to (wait for it) KC and the Sunshine Band, Greg has seen how rock and roll is a business. Like your business. In short? Every company and employee has "rock star" potential. Greg shows you how to achieve that potential in a presentation that combines hilarious comedy, live concert footage and a musical soundtrack featuring everything from classic rock to country to EDM (electronic dance music for you music neophytes.) Topics include "Why Every Office Needs a Keith Richards," "Are you Team Taylor or Team Kanye?," and "Don't Turn Your Company Into a Country Song." Rock on!
Meeting Emcee/Video Host
A good emcee needs to multitask. He must keep the event moving, be adept at improvisation and work efficiently with all participants on stage. Greg Schwem has hosted everything from a one-hour awards ceremony for 200 BAE Systems engineers to a three-day conference for 6,000 McDonald’s restaurant manager.
