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About Me
If you're organising an event to set goals, solve problems, celebrate success or launch a product, then you want that event to inspire your people, have them talking about it afterwards and energised to achieve their goals. Maybe you're organising a gathering to present dry or complex information and your people really need to 'get' it? I host such events, grabbing attention before and between your business presentations so your people listen, retaining your key messages and information. I don't just introduce speakers and thank the caterers for bringing a plate. I add value, influencing the state of your audience with a series of fun interactivities to optimise the environment for you and your speakers.
I have a degree in history and a post-graduate degree in management, but my original trade is as a trainer. My view is that the techniques of training and learning are the most useful management skills. On the comedy side, I find it all the more powerful if a funny story can weave some learning within the entertainment.
"We contracted Terry as our MC for the Annual eResearchNZ conference (and have invited him back for 2018). Terry has a natural gift of humour, and the ability to bring together a room full of strangers, and make them feel like a cohesive unit. He brings with him an ability to take charge of any situation and can take a muted crowd to being pumped and ready to go. From an organiser's perspective he gives the reassurance that everything you need him to do is taken care of. You do not need to give him copious amount of notes or direction, just an overall idea and he’ll run with it wonderfully. Nothing beats being busy trying to organize a million things to hear your MC say, "Don’t worry, I got it”. He goes over and above what other MCs do and for that I will always appreciate him. Undeniably, Terry's sincerity, professionalism, talent and wonderful energy will inject success into every conference or event he hosts!" - Dayrel Williams Organiser eRsearch Conference 2017, nzGenomics
Clients include:
Project Management Institute, Singapore HR Summit, University of Auckland, The Icehouse, TVNZ, Compass Group, Airways NZ, NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants (Wgtn), NZ Dairy Industry Awards, Zeacom, Mike Pero Mortgages, Mercedes, Sony, TelstraClear, Robert Half International, Automobile Association, GS1, Yellow Pages, Drake International, NZI, Auckland University, Asia-Pacific Venue Management Association, Pulp & paper Industry Technical Association, All Blacks v France Eden Park Hospitality Marquee, All Blacks v Canada Waikato Stadium Hospitality Marquee, Orix Racing Team, Frucor, Otago Museum, Corporate Events Guide, Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce, NZ Biotechnology, APL+ Software, Rothbury Financial Services, Tauranga Master Builders Association, Trimble Navigation, Hachett Livre Publishing, Franchise Association, Macpac, Nelson Jazz Festival, SmartNet, Mortgageworks, RadioWorks, Human Resources Institute of New Zealand, Institute of Environmental Health, Concrete Society, Investors in People, Northland Regional Council, TMP Hudson, Compaq, Customer Contact World, Local Government Customer Service, Ministry Of Justice, Waitakere City Council, Magazine Publishers Association, Hawkes Bay Youth Theatre, IPENZ, SOLGM, ALGIM, INGENIUM, Manukau Festival Celebrity Debate, First Time Principals, Educational Leaders' Forum, Delegats / Oyster Bay Wines, Otago Primary Principals' Association, SafeGuard / Thomson Reuters, Pet Food Industry Association, MIOMO, Alzheimers Auckland, Hawkes Bay Cystic Fibrosis Association, Red Vespa, William Buck Christmas Gouwland Accountants, RemNet, VanBurWray Accountants, Life Health Foods, Co7.com, Mitre 10 Mega, Pak n Save, RepCo, Thomson Reuters, John Andrew Ford, McCains, Auckland Transport, New World, Kensington Swan, Compass Group, Vet Enterprises, Four Square, ANZ, MacConnel Dow, Golden Bay Cement, NZ Sugar, Turners & Growers, Komatsu, Hawkins Construction.
Serious AND comedy
- Manager Customer Relationships for an organisation of 800+ people
- Implemented the Actionline call centre, finalist for tuanz call centre of the year award 2001 and 2003
- Bachelor of Arts (History) Canterbury 1987; DBA (Management) Massey 1996
- Performed alongside the best current New Zealand comedians including Paul Ego, Jeremy Corbett, Mike King, Michele A'Court, Brendhan Lovegrove, Mike Loder, Jeremy Elwood
I'm not just a comedian who entertains business people. As Manager Customer Relationships for an organisation of over eight hundred people, I proved I understand business. As a comedian, I create sophisticated and relevant comedy for corporate crowds and perform it with empathy. Often used as a motivational writer or speaker, I've strongly differentiated myself with thinking comedy. Or, if you wish to be witty and charming yourself but your lack of wit and charm (or time) is balanced only by a large discretionary income, you could hire me to be witty and charming on your behalf. I already ghost-write humourous articles for professional journals, presentations for conferences and speeches for events. (I'd mention names but they also pay for discretion.) You'd be surprised. I've even had a chapter published in a book in Norway but you probably already knew that. Under my own name, I have a monthly column on the back page of New Zealand's 'Employment Today' magazine called 'The Last Laugh', again combining some serious business learning with an accessible and humourous writing style.
I thoroughly research your organisation, industry or topic. I use interactivities, humour and storytelling to present my findings and key points, in person and / or in print. I often use my own customer service operation as a case study. I deliver a stimulating balance of sound content, real-world experiences and a re-energised audience. Or if you just want a stand-up comedian, I do that too. You're the customer!
I gained skills as a comedian that I find beneficial in the real world outside comedy. These include communication skills, rapport building, self-confidence and quick thinking. Now I help people in business learn from my 'serious comedy' experiences without even having to get on stage.
I was born the year Sergeant Pepper was released by the Beatles and I appreciate that album a whole lot more now than I did then. A South Island lad working his way up the country, I've sold building supplies, driven forklifts, sold insurance, played National League Basketball, developed business analysis models, married, trained retailers, managed call centres, had two kids, worked with politicians and managed tourism operations. Staff, budgets, change projects, outsourcing - these things I've dealt with. On special occasions I zip into the nearest phonebox and become Super-Presenter. (Vulnerable only to kryptonite and the high cost of parking at, or near, most inner city conference venues.)
Education
Massey University 1994-96:
- Post-graduate DBA (Management)
University of Canterbury 1985-87:
- Bachelor of Arts (History)
University of Auckland 2006:
- Creative Leadership
- Project Management
- Resilient Leadership
Sheffield Consulting Group:
- Behavioural Event Interviewing
Oakley Brown Associates:
- Criterion Referenced Instruction
- Training manager Workshop
Watkins Emerson:
- Managing Effective Relationships
Eric Jensen:
- Accelerated Learning 1 & 2
Rich Allen:
- From the Front of the Room
- Storytelling
