In August 2008 Marc Hogan was bet £1 that he couldn’t become a standup comic in less than 12 months and perform a one man comedy show at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in August 2009 for 21 nights. He won the bet!

I’ve just returned from a job in Tenerife (not as glamorous as it sounds, I saw daylight for about an hour!)

Anyway as part of the presentation there was a lot of really interesting stuff about emotions, which I thought I’d share with you! Psychologist Robert Plutchik Professor Emeritus at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine wrote more than 260 articles, 45 chapters and eight books on emotions.

He argued that there are 8 universal emotions:

• Joy (Happiness) & Sadness

• Fear & Anger

• Surprise & Anticipation

• Trust & Disgust

All other emotions are made up of these basic 8.  What’s really interesting is that regardless of race, culture, age, sex we are all brilliant at recognising these emotions when we meet people…



As a public speaker and comedian, its really important that I “show not tell” my emotions through my facial expressions and body language as people noticeably respond to my facial expressions (more about that in part 2) and this is incredibly important if you want to change the audience’s emotional state.

What’s even more interesting is that with just a few words you change the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves.  The concept is beautifully illustrated in two studies published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

In the first of these studies, conducted by John Bargh and his colleagues at New York University, participants were asked to rearrange a series of scrambled words to form a coherent sentence.  Half of the participants were shown mixed up sentences that contained words relating to the elderly, such as

“grey, wrinkled, croaky,”

The other half of the participants were shown the same mixed up sentences but the words relating to youth, such as

“smooth, shiny, plump, strong, hair…”

Once a participant had carefully worked their way through the sentences and been thanked for taking part, the experimenter gave directions to the nearest set of lifts.  The participants thought the experiment was over. In reality, the important part was just about to start.  A second experimenter was sitting in the hallway armed with a stop watch. When the participants emerged from the laboratory, the second experimenter secretly recorded the time taken from them to walk down the hallway to the lifts.

Those that just spent time un-scrambling the sentences that contained words relating to old age took significantly longer than those who would spend time with the non-elderly sentences.  Just spending a few minutes thinking about words such as wrinkled, grey, bingo, and incontinence, had completely change the way people behaved!

Without realising it those few words added years to their lives and they were walking like elderly people!

A similar study, conducted by Ap Dijksterhuis and Ad Van Knippenberg (Why can’t they be called Smith?) from the University of Nijmegen  in Holland, asked participants to spend five minutes jotting down a few sentences about the behaviour, lifestyle, and appearance of a typical football  hooligan, whilst others did the exact the same for typical professor.

Everyone was then asked about 40 Trivial Pursuit questions, such as what is the capital of Bangladesh, which country hosted the 1992 Soccer World Cup, and so on.

Those who spent just five minutes thinking about a typical football hooligan managed to answer 46% of the questions correctly, whereas those who  wrote about a typical professor were right 60% of the time.

It makes you think, just how we are affected, without even noticing it by what others say to us. How are we affecting our friends, family, colleagues and customers by what we say? Something to think about when you go into your next meeting…

In Part 2 I’ll be sharing how you can affect people’s mood and behaviour through a process called emotional contagion….

Click here to watch Marc’s showreel. If you would like to find out more about Marc, visit www.marchoganlive.com or to book him for a speaking event please contact your favourite speaker bureau.

In August 2008 Marc Hogan was bet £1 that he couldn’t become a standup comic in less than 12 months and perform a one man comedy show at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in August 2009 for 21 nights. He won the bet!

A lot of people come up to me after a Funny Business corporate event and ask, “how can I get into comedy?”  Well people, here’s your chance…

This Tuesday, 7th December I will be hosting the first Desperately Seeking Stagetime comedy event at the Queen’s Head pub, Piccadilly, London.

Desperately Seeking Stagetime isn’t a gig. It’s a place for new (& old) comics to get together and try to make each other laugh. And for other people to come down and watch them.

OK, that does sound a bit like a gig. But no money changes hands, except to the bar staff in exchange for refreshing drinks. And you don’t have to bring all your chums down, just to get a five minute spot. Though if you want to, that would be lovely. I’m bringing mine…

How To Get A Spot

If you’re a comic we’d love to see you do your stuff, however you can’t book a spot in advance!

Arrive early (I’ll be there from 6:30 pm!) to claim one of the 8 guaranteed spots. Arrive nearer to 8pm and you’ll have to put your name in the hat… but you’ll probably get on anyway.

The show starts at 8pm and runs until… somewhere between 10 and 11pm, depending on how many people turn up. There are only two rules. Please buy a drink because the pub are giving us the room for free. And please stay until the end, to support the other acts.

Stand up, impressionists, musical comedy, sketches, ventriloquists, mentalists, whatever you like really. Come. It’ll be fun. Sit in the front row and we’ll give you chocolate.

Here are the details:

The date: First Tuesday of every month (except Jan 2011)

The time: 8pm – 11pm

The venue: The Queen’s Head, Piccadilly Circus, Denman Street (next to Piccadilly Theatre), London W1D 7HD

http://www7.beerintheevening.com/maps/?pcb=W1D+7HN

The price: FREE!

You can join the Desperately Seeking Stagetime Facebook group here!

Look forward to seeing you there.

Marc

Click here to watch Marc’s showreel. If you would like to find out more about Marc, visit www.marchoganlive.com or to book him for a speaking event please contact your favourite speaker bureau.

In August 2008 Marc Hogan was bet £1 that he couldn’t become a standup comic in less than 12 months and perform a one man comedy show at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in August 2009 for 21 nights. He won the bet!

We all have our comfort zones whether they be where we choose to live, our job, our friends, even our weight!

Management theorist, Alasdair White describes the comfort zone as,

“a behavioural state within which a person operates in an anxiety-neutral condition, using a limited set of behaviours to deliver a steady level of performance, usually without a sense of risk.”

Now of course operating within your comfort zone is a very sensible idea, no anxiety, no worries about failure, and a steady level of performance.  But what if we need to improve our performance, or get out of a rut, the truth is we have to change something, which may be uncomfortable!

White in his article “From Comfort Zone to Performance Management” goes on to say,

“ …to move a person out of their comfort zone and so enter the optimal performance zone, it is necessary to increase the level of stress they face, either by increasing the anxiety or increasing the motivation, but, at the same time, ensuring that the increase in stress does not become disabling.”

So we need to find the balance between feeling anxious and uncomfortable and complete paralysing fear.

The truth is real change only occurs when we are outside our comfort zone, when we try to learn something difficult, change the way we do something, or take on a challenge.

Now I’m not suggesting you go completely out of your comfort zone. When I took my Edinburgh challenge I was completely out of my comfort zone and on more than one occasion I was actually sick with fear. I’m not suggesting you should be faced with the same level of nausea, but I am suggesting you try something new. By far the best strategy is to move slightly outside your comfort zone and build on those experiences.

When we were children we all fell off our bikes a lot when our parents removed the stabilisers, but as we watched the older boys and girls whizz by on their big bikes we were determined to catch up. The prize of new games, new adventures and increased speed overcame the fear and pain of falling off.

So the next time you are faced with a new challenge you might want to ask yourself,

“Am I turning down this challenge / opportunity because I’m afraid I’ll fail or find it uncomfortable?”

The truth is, fear of failure and feeling uncomfortable is part of life. Trying to avoid those feelings is avoiding life…

Click here to watch Marc’s showreel. If you would like to find out more about Marc, visit www.marchoganlive.com or to book him for a speaking event please contact your favourite speaker bureau.

In August 2008 Marc Hogan was bet £1 that he couldn’t become a standup comic in less than 12 months and perform a one man comedy show at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in August 2009 for 21 nights. He won the bet!

Key three is not just about asking for help, it’s about asking the right questions…

Last week I was presenting to a housing association who really understood the importance of innovation and implementing change to ensure that they continue to deliver the best customer service and ensure the future of their organisation. It was clear to me that they answered some serious questions before they embarked on their change process.

So before you begin change for change’s sake you may want to consider your answers to the following questions:

What are the signs that change is needed?

For example:

.  Are we losing sales?
.  Are we off target in our attempts to achieve our goals?
.  Have customer complaints risen?
.  Are we losing good staff?
.  Have costs risen?

If you have the evidence for any of the above, and you want to introduce change you should then ask:

1) Will this change make a significant difference in our ability to achieve our business goals?

2) Have we given our people a compelling reason for this change? Do they see what’s in it for them?

3) How soon will this change pay for itself?

4) Is there a more cost-effective way to deliver this change?

5) Will our people approach this change was excitement and enthusiasm?

6) How do we communicate this change inspirationally?

As I have said in many of my previous blogs, perceived or actual loss of control will be a major cause of stress for your people.  Before you embark on any change programme, you need to involve your people and listen to them, whilst at the same time ensuring that they fully understand the importance of the change – I never said it would be easy.

You may also want to check out my blogs in June and July which discuss how to implement change…

Click here to watch Marc’s showreel. If you would like to find out more about Marc, visit www.marchoganlive.com or to book him for a speaking event please contact your favourite speaker bureau.

In August 2008 Marc Hogan was bet £1 that he couldn’t become a stand up comic in less than 12 months and perform a one man comedy show at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in August 2009 for 21 nights. He won the bet!

Leadership and management are not one and the same. Leadership is about influencing people to follow, whilst management focuses on maintaining systems and processes. In my experience leadership is about generating the “will” in your people to achieve a goal, whilst management is about supplying the “skill” (training, equipment, processes) to achieve that goal.

I could spend the next year writing on leadership, but instead here’s a quick overview on how really effective leaders work with their people:

1) Opportunities are all around us

Great leaders, rather than being frustrated when team members have issues preventing them from doing their job effectively, see these issues as opportunities to serve (yes I really did say serve) and help those people. They look for ways to make things better for their people and get personal satisfaction from doing it!

2) Edit your Editor

The Editor is the niggling voice we all have in our heads that tries to protect us from making mistakes.  As a leader you need to recognise when that voice is correct and when it’s not. Leaders understand that change is necessary and though it can be difficult and frightening, maintaining the status quo is not always the best option. They then go about explaining (in person, not via email), as many times as is necessary why it’s important to change and the benefits of such a change. They share successes and get other team embers to share success stories, because they realise that they have to help every other team member edit their own Editor.

3) Ask and you’ll receive

Have you developed a personal connection with the people you lead? Do you know their hope stories and dreams? Have you built a relationship based on trust and respect? If people like and trust you they will be more inclined to help you! Furthermore, when you are faced with a challenge your first thought should always be, “who can I enlist for help and advice?” Do you have regular brainstorming sessions and ask for ideas (large and small) on how they could make working there better? Leaders do all this and more.

4)   All the world’s a stage

If a leader observes an undesirable action or quality in a team member,  they must first make sure they are not exhibiting the same trait before they address it with the team member. Leaders continually work to ensure their words and actions are consistent with one another, and more importantly they do what they should rather than what they want because they are setting an example to others.

5) If first you don’t succeed

Every past success and failure you’ve experienced is a valuable source of information and wisdom. Success teaches what you are capable of doing and gives you confidence. However your failures teach you greater lessons. They reveal wrong assumptions, character flaws, errors in judgement and poor working methods. Rather than try and cover up your mistakes, analyse them. If you fail to learn from your mistakes you are going to fail again and again…

6) Take risks… little ones

Leaders understand that the best way to inspire and engage a person is to empower them to make decisions; they understand that they cannot micromanage. They understand that the benefits of a fully engaged team member far outweigh the risks. Leaders also understand how a big change can be paralysing for a team who are very set in their ways. They know by breaking down big challenges into more manageable goals and building on those successes will mean your team will have faith in you and their abilities when even bigger challenges come along.

7) Be a compass not a weathervane

Leaders look at trends and try and spot problems that will impact the outcomes on initiatives. They examine the conditions and understand how factors such as resources, finances, talent, timing, morale and culture will effect an initiative. By understanding these issues they can help navigate the ship through choppy waters. They understand that whilst the ship can be occasionally blown off course, they continually communicate with their team to ensue they are always heading towards the ultimate goal.

Click here to watch Marc’s showreel. If you would like to find out more about Marc, visit www.marchoganlive.com or to book him for a speaking event please contact your favourite speaker bureau.

In August 2008 Marc Hogan was bet £1 that he couldn’t become a stand up comic in less than 12 months and perform a one man comedy show at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in August 2009 for 21 nights. He won the bet!

Last night’s comedy gig went brilliantly!

I’m never that nervous when I do a Funny Business Corporate Keynote as the audience is usually not drunk – hung-over maybe – but not drunk.

However a comedy gig, well that’s a different matter entirely.  You’re never sure if the heckler at the back might turn into a raging psycho at any moment.

My job as compere is to get the audience “on side” quickly and fortunately, last night the audience were lovely!

The headliner, Brian Gittins – who supported Ricky Gervaise last year – was very funny.   Brian actually came to my Edinburgh show, which he said he really enjoyed so that was lovely.

Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2010 nominee (no less) Tom MacDonnell was on top form.  His Rage Against The Machine Christmas Song is brilliant.

An unexpected delight was Kishore Nayar, a relatively new comic who I had not seen before, but would thoroughly recommend.

It’s always nice when your new jokes “work” and the audience was genuinely great. If only every comedy gig could be this good…

Next month on Nov 25th we have TV’s Paul Foot, Ant Dewson, Phil Higgins and William Lee.  It should be another great night!

On December the 6^th I launch Desperately Seeking Stage Time in London for all new budding comics. After every keynote a member of the audience always asks how they could get into stand-up?  Well now’s your chance!

More details coming soon…

Click here to watch Marc’s showreel. If you would like to find out more about Marc, visit www.marchoganlive.com or to book him for a speaking event please contact your favourite speaker bureau.

In August 2008 Marc Hogan was bet £1 that he couldn’t become a stand up comic in less than 12 months and perform a one man comedy show at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in August 2009 for 21 nights. He won the bet!

Once you’re bitten by the comedy bug, you can’t keep away!

Compering at the Funny Roundabout Comedy Club Thursday 28th in Hemel Hempstead with Brian Gittins, Tom Mcdonnell and Kishore Nayar! http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Funny-Roundabout-Comedy-Club/107791562612908

Click here to watch Marc’s showreel. If you would like to find out more about Marc, visit www.marchoganlive.com or to book him for a speaking event please contact your favourite speaker bureau.

In August 2008 Marc Hogan was bet £1 that he couldn’t become a stand up comic in less than 12 months and perform a one man comedy show at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in August 2009 for 21 nights. He won the bet!

Last night whilst watching the Apprentice, it suddenly struck me that Sir Alan, sorry Lord Sugar, can’t really say, “You’re fired” – it’s actually an interview process and the candidates don’t have a job. Surely he should be saying, “I’m sorry, but unfortunately on this occasion due to a higher than expected number of candidates we won’t be taking you forward….”

Click here to watch Marc’s showreel. If you would like to find out more about Marc, visit www.marchoganlive.com or to book him for a speaking event please contact your favourite speaker bureau.

In August 2008 Marc Hogan was bet £1 that he couldn’t become a stand up comic in less than 12 months and perform a one man comedy show at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in August 2009 for 21 nights. He won the bet!

In these uncertain economic times, short of blackmailing your boss with some compromising office party photos how do you become indispensable at work?

1) Become a “yes” man or woman!

I know, I know, but trust me your boss needs people who will tackle those difficult tasks, who will gladly take on extra responsibilities and look for ways to make things work.  I know sometimes the voice in our head (the Editor) thinks, “that will never work” when the boss comes up with a new idea to set up a new procurement procedure to procure some new procurement software that will make procuring easier… But if you see flaws in a proposal, rather than thinking what a stupid idea it is, perhaps you could suggest a way to make that stupid idea work…?

2) Don’t be half hearted

If you do take on an extra project or an implement a new idea, don’t do it begrudgingly.  I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of saying to our people, “I know this won’t work but we’ve got to do it anyway.”  There is nothing more corrosive in a company than this kind of attitude. I’m not saying become a mindless autonoman who does everything you are told to, but if you take on a project at least do your very best to be excited and passionate about it and pass that passion onto your colleagues, because whether it works or not at least you will know you really did your best.

3) Take responsibility

At Edinburgh I had good, bad, and indifferent reviews. Sure I could blame the reviewer, but the truth is, if I messed up a joke, forgot my lines, or let my nerves get the better of me it wasn’t the reviewer’s fault, it was mine… Taking responsibility for your actions and results, good and bad, will earn your boss’s respect.

4) Remember the little stuff

We all hate paperwork don’t we? (I’m writing a book at the moment and it’s slowly killing me…) But these little things are important – our bosses like to see reports.  If they are always late and slap dash because you’re too busy doing ‘real work’, your boss  might not mind if the company’s doing well, but when things are a bit tighter, that paperwork becomes crucial in letting them know that you’re working hard.

5) Become a team player

I know teams are made up of lots of individuals, but it’s up to you to be part of the team, to look for solutions, to help each other and find better ways to achieve your team’s goals.  Simple things can help, always be on time for team meetings, don’t blame each other for not doing things, offer to help individuals who are having problems, and certainly don’t sulk in a corner checking your Blackberry every ten minutes…

6) Know that this too will pass

Everything is cyclical, every economy, company, team will have good times and bad times. No matter how difficult your current situation, things will improve, we just need to be a bit more creative and dig in a little bit more and always remember it could be worse, you could be David Milliband…

Click here to watch Marc’s showreel. If you would like to find out more about Marc, visit www.marchoganlive.com or to book him for a speaking event please contact your favourite speaker bureau.