Just Humor Me comes to South Bay

Shannon McDevitt forces companies to ask the question: Is your office fun inspired or fun-impaired?

While most offices probably don’t consider fun a priority in the work place,McDevitt proves to her clients that having a little fun once in a while not only boosts morale, it also creates a more productive and successful atmosphere.

“People need humor. Co-worker conflicts, rude customers, uncaring bosses and things to be stressed about are everywhere, but the good news is so is humor. The challenge lies in finding it and using it,” McDevitt said. When she started her business several years ago, she began by teaching business etiquette classes. It was then that she realized by incorporating humor into her workshops, she had a better response. By creating dozens of games that involve dancing in a conga line, building a marshmallow tower, playing a “game show” or even using a hula hoop or potato sack, McDevitt gets peopleto play together, work together, and understand themselves and each other with a different perspective.

However, her workshops are not all about playing games. McDevitt uses her time with her groups to take and make suggestions about office environment and policies as well as the relationship between management and staff.

“Don’t just celebrate when it’s a person’s birthday, but take a little time each Friday and give out funny recognitions, like who had a great hair week or who was never late to work or who was the best dressed. It doesn’t take that long to do, it’s fun and it brings people together,” she advises.

McDevitt said the biggest challenge is getting people to understand the importance of implementing the ideas once they’ve left the workshop. “I work a lot with managers in getting them to really follow through with what was suggested,” she said. “I work with staff so that they know how to approach a manager so that their ideas and suggestions are listened to.”

Besides going into the workplace, McDevitt also hosts workshops at the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach where she covers topics such as: How finding a sense of humor can actually make you wealthier; dealing with difficult people; and how character, manners and a snazzy suit will help outclass your competition.

“Everyone has humor inside them somewhere, the ability to lighten up and remember who they are outside of their problems,” McDevitt said. For more information about Just Humor Me, visit www.justhumorme.com or call 318-9395.