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Peter McGraw

Dr. Peter McGraw: World-renowned humor expert, helping organizations unleash creativity through laughter.

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Peter spoke to our Innovation community. He told memorable, entertaining stories from comedy and business that gave us actionable insights for our jobs and personal lives. With one of the highest-ranked talks, we would welcome him back anytime!<br>

Michael Todasco

Senior Director of Innovation at PayPal

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Why you should book Peter McGraw for your next event

Innovative Humor Strategies: Unlock the power of humor with Peter McGraw's science-backed insights, gaining practical tools to boost creativity and collaboration.
Resilient Workplace Culture: Book Peter McGraw to transform your organization into a resilient, adaptable, and happier workplace, enhancing productivity and employee satisfaction.
Co-Author of "The Humor Code": Gain insights from Peter McGraw's co-authored book, a global exploration of what makes things funny, offering a wealth of humor-related knowledge.

Unlock the Power of Humor for Your Success! Peter McGraw, a world-renowned keynote speaker, brings science-backed strategies to elevate your organization. With his engaging talks, he'll show you how humor can boost creativity, enhance collaboration, and drive innovation. Discover the secret to building a resilient, adaptable, and thriving workplace. Book Peter McGraw today and empower your team to reach new heights!

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Keynotes

Keynote by speaker Peter McGraw: Leveraging the Rise of Singles in the Workplace

How do organizations recruit and retain the best workers in a competitive marketplace? One way is to look at a huge overlooked group of employees who are becoming impossible to ignore.

Singles.

In 1960, American business was booming—and so was matrimony. Seventy two percent of adults were married, 90% would marry, and 65% of married couples had children under 18 in their household.

Fast forward to today, the landscape has shifted dramatically: half of all adults and half of the work force in the U.S. are unmarried. A look around your workplace will reveal recent college grads, never married elder Millennials, divorced empty nesters, and semi-retired widows. According to Pew Research one in four Millennials will never marry.

HR policies and management practices in 1960 were designed with the premise that employees would eventually marry and have family. With that outcome no longer inevitable, legacy practices and policies may cause single employees to feel singled out—especially those who won’t partner up, settle down, and have children.

To address this shift, Peter McGraw suggests updating three key areas—benefits, scheduling, and culture—in order to improve workplace morale and the ability to attract and serve single employees while not making non-single employees worse off.

By updating HR policies and management practices to be more inclusive of single employees, companies can not only enhance workplace morale but also position themselves as forward-thinking and adaptable in a competitive market. Ignoring this growing segment risks alienating a significant portion of the talent pool, whereas embracing it can pave the way for a more diverse, inclusive, and productive work environment.

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Keynote by speaker Peter McGraw: Selling and Marketing to Singles

In a marketplace where a 3% demographic shift is seen as a significant opportunity, businesses are overlooking a massive opportunity happening on a global scale.

As the conventional nuclear family structure of the 1960s wanes, a new dominant demographic force emerges: the single household. Half of the adult U.S. population, approximately 128 million individuals, are single—and a deliberate choice by many. Half of singles aren't interested in dating or a relationship at the moment, and many are staying single forever. Businesses should take note of the surge in one-person households, which have increased from 13% in 1960 to 28% in 2020.

Peter McGraw contends singles are an overlooked and undervalued market segment that smart businesses can engage to escape competition. He presents factors driving the striking rise of singlehood globally, delves into the unique needs and lifestyles of singles, and proposes strategies businesses can adopt to better serve this enormous customer base.

While singles are a varied demographic, their objectives, lifestyles, and resources frequently diverge from those of their partnered peers. McGraw introduces four categories of singles—Somedays, Just Mays, No Ways, and New Ways—and highlights how their distinct needs present lucrative opportunities for astute businesses. Throughout his talk, McGraw incorporates success stories and case studies, showcasing enterprises that have flourished by addressing the solo consumer's needs.

In an ever-evolving marketplace, recognizing and adapting to demographic shifts is crucial. The rise of the single consumer presents a golden opportunity for businesses willing to understand and cater to their unique needs.

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Keynote by speaker Peter McGraw: Living Single in a World Built for Two

The single adult demographic is not just growing—it's thriving. With half of single adults in the United States choosing singlehood and similar trends occurring globally, it's time to dispel myths and understand the true essence of this societal shift.

Join Peter McGraw as he explores:

The Single Surge: Dive into statistics that highlight the rapid rise of single living. From the U.S. to Sweden and South Korea, understand the extent and implications of this global trend.

Busting Stereotypes: Debunk prevalent misconceptions surrounding singles, based on hundreds of interviews and thousands of survey responses:

Are singles truly lonely and constantly seeking partnerships?

Is the choice of singlehood a reflection of an inability to commit or create a family?

Does the rise in single living signify a societal decline?

The Positive Impact of Singles: Celebrate the diverse contributions of singles to society. From community involvement to economic contributions to making great art, single adults play a pivotal role in shaping the modern world.

Lessons from the Single Life: Discover three profound lessons that even married individuals can learn from singles to enrich their lives.

With policy makers, religious leaders, and even your Aunt Sally urging people to marry, it's crucial to recognize that for many adults, this choice is neither a temporary phase nor a 'lesser' lifestyle.

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Keynote by speaker Peter McGraw: Shtick to Business: From Punchline to Bottom Line

Let the world’s funniest people show your organization how to drive growth and sustainable success. Comedians don't just make us laugh; they epitomize resilience, creativity, and innovation. Their tools of the trade can provide businesses with unparalleled strategies to thrive.

As a global expert in the scientific study of humor who has shared the with comics and spent time with them in dingy green rooms, Peter McGraw presents entertaining insights gleaned from the masters of comedy—and most creative rule breakers:

How a simple “101” comedy trick used by Chris Rock, Ali Wong, and Anthony Jeslenik can overcome biases and reveal new business opportunities.

Why Tina Fey and Amy Poehler’s approach to comedy is the model for the radical collaboration needed to implement creative solutions

What tactics Mae West, Jim Gaffigan, and the writers of The Onion use to enhance inventive thinking.

Why smart businesses are building brands like Dave Chappelle, Joan Rivers, and Sarah Silverman in order to get ahead of the competition.

How to develop Jerry Seinfeld’s comic-as-outside perspective in order to identify new growth opportunities and fearlessly smash the status quo.

The world of comedy, surprisingly, offers a treasure trove of insights. McGraw—with the help of the world’s funniest people—will help you uniquely solve problems, craft messages that cut through the clutter, and create ground-breaking products and captivating brands.

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Customer Reviews

Michael Todasco Senior Director of Innovation at PayPal

Peter McGraw was an ideal speaker for our Unreasonable Conference, as he was both entertaining and relatable to a marketing-based audience. His discussion of humor and the idea of “creating a chasm” for brands was well-received. And, our audience especially appreciated his philosophy of focusing more on creating affection with their customers, rather worrying about offending their non-customers.<br>

Tom Denari President & Chief Strategy Officer, Young & Laramore Founder, UNREASONABLE: A Modern Look at Consumer Motivations

When you work in the cable industry, you need a little humor infused with your business. Peter spoke to our corporate teams in the midst of our intense accelerator program. He helped our teams by introducing lessons they could use when talking to Fortune 500 companies and in their growing startups as well. It was actionable, insightful, fresh, and of course, funny.<br>

Rachel Biesel CMO and SVP, CableLabs

His talk earned rave reviews. Peter uses the lens of comedy to illuminate actionable and surprising insights about creativity, marketing, and business. As a speaker, Peter combines academic rigor with a joyful sense of humor and engagement. Post-event feedback from our audience described his work as ‘different, interesting and immediately rewarding,’ and assessed the content overall as ‘excellent’ and ‘compelling.’ Peter is easy to highly recommend as a speaker.<br>

Brad Bernthal Leadership Team, Silicon Flatirons

Peter McGraw

Mastering Humor for Business Success

Dr. Peter McGraw is a renowned expert in behavioral economics, humor research, and marketing psychology. As a distinguished professor at the University of Colorado Boulder's business school, he brings a wealth of academic knowledge to the forefront of corporate strategy. With an extensive background in these fields, he has garnered international recognition for his work.

Dr. McGraw's journey into the world of humor research led him to establish the Humor Research Lab (HuRL), where he spent fifteen years delving into the antecedents and consequences of humor. His groundbreaking insights have been a cornerstone of his career, culminating in the co-authorship of “The Humor Code: A Global Search for What Makes Things Funny.” This book provides a comprehensive exploration of humor, making him a recognized authority in the field.

Notably, Dr. McGraw is not confined to the academic realm; he extends his expertise to the corporate world as a sought-after keynote speaker. His engaging talks focus on leveraging humor and behavioral economics to enhance creativity, foster collaboration, and drive innovation within organizations. With a dynamic and impactful speaking style, he empowers audiences to reevaluate their approach to workplace culture.

Organizations seeking to elevate their performance and adapt to the ever-changing business landscape can “Book Peter McGraw” for keynote speeches that offer actionable takeaways. His tailored solutions address specific challenges and goals, leaving audiences inspired and equipped for success.

Peter McGraw's booking services provide a gateway to tapping into his profound knowledge and engaging presentation style. Whether it's enhancing team dynamics, boosting productivity, or cultivating a resilient workplace culture, Peter McGraw brings a unique blend of academic rigor and real-world applicability to every engagement.

In summary, Dr. Peter McGraw is not only a distinguished professor but also a keynote speaker of exceptional caliber. His ability to bridge the gap between research and practical application makes him an invaluable resource for organizations seeking to thrive in the modern business landscape. Book Peter McGraw today to unlock the potential for innovation, collaboration, and lasting success within your organization.