Stand Up Communications is about fighting the forces of absurdity with humanity and common sense. We take a cue from stand-up comedy, the artists who make language simple, emotional, and craveable. But we don’t stop there. We use our experience working in the corporate world, and — yes — a bit of attitude, to stand up for better communication.
We’re not alone — it’s happening in the scientific community. And in legal and political arenas too.
We’re here to help you stand up and stand out with authenticity, a hint of curiosity, and a sense of humor. Because when your audience is laughing, it’s because they agree with you. Or you have mustard on your shirt. But they’ve surely been there at one time or another too. It’s those genuine connections that give your communications their power.
So stand up with us. All you have to do is rise to the occasion.
Note: All techniques are intended to be
used for good only; do not use for evil.
The Team
Erika Parker
On a search for sparkle, I stumbled upon a career.
With just one semester left of college in the mid 1990’s, one last hurdle stood between me and my Marketing degree. Standing in front of the class and delivering my final presentation.
As classmates stacked their transparencies and tested their sharpies, I took a different approach. I gambled on a new elective called Business Communication Skills. Few of us knew what that even meant, and we were skeptical of what there was to learn. But rumors circled around two related words I couldn’t ignore. Powerpoint … and magic.
Majoring in a study about how images can make or break success, I figured it might not matter what I said if my words were quite literally spinning off the screen.
It took a portable setup the size of Volkswagen and tech support to hook it up. But my bet paid off and I walked rolled into the sunset with my diploma, headed for NYC.
Beyond the dazzle of drop shadows and dissolves, I’ve learned what communication is truly about. Creating art from the science of understanding:
- How perception can shape reality
- How influence can drive intention
- How well-articulated opinions can trump facts
- How sometimes it’s about saying nothing at all
Twenty years later in the era of infographics, virtual reality, and Periscope, I’m still using the skills I learned in college every day. I work with start ups, Fortune 100 companies, and organizations everywhere in between to help leaders tell stories that engage audiences, transform culture, and inspire action.
Through Stand Up Communications I’m sharing many of my experiences, helping others form more authentic connections using humor, emotion … and when called for … a bit of bling.
Cara Jurkowski
Several years ago, I began a journey that changed my life.
It was a journey that deflated my ego. Altered my vocabulary. Changed my perceptions of how to do what I do. A journey where merit is rewarded with small explosions of joy, and failure is served up a loud chorus of “YOU SUCK!” delivered by drunk college kids in backwards hats.
It was a journey into stand-up comedy.
It wasn’t a long journey. And no, Oprah, I didn’t do it to “learn to laugh again,” or “find my inner performer.” Hell no. I’ll tell you now the LEAST empowering place for a plus-sized woman telling Spanx jokes is at 1 a.m. on open mic night. See earlier reference to receiving the “YOU SUCK!” chorus sung by a handful of men who could all play college date-rapists in a Lifetime movie.
Despite a wonderful 17-year career in internal and external communications; working for Fortune 500 companies and Fortune 20 companies and Fortune NotInThisLifetime companies; freelancing for and consulting with amazing agencies… I realized what I had learned was a better way to communicate.
What I learned:
I learned how comics engaged with audiences. How they kept them entertained and laughing on the way out the door (without frat guys throwing lime slices as you slink away). I learned how they masterfully handled hecklers with a simple word or phrase. I learned the simple fact that is entirely overlooked by audiences:
Good comedians communicate so effectively, we don’t even realize they truly are masters of communication.
Comedians communicate so well that people actually pay to hear them talk about everything from fried chicken, to old boyfriends and taking their kids to the emergency room. Can you imagine what would happen if we took their techniques, tips, and tricks and used to to make business communication fun and interesting – and even inviting – to audiences?
I can. I do. Every day.
Since then, I’ve been working ceaselessly to translate those strategies into workable solutions for anyone who communicates professionally. It doesn’t matter if you’re a leader addressing an entire organization. A manager connecting with reports. Internal and external communicators, with messages of strategy, solutions and service for vast audiences.
I’m on a mission to help companies transform their culture from stiff, executives-in-suits driven “boredom factories” to conversational, collaborative, social media-steeped workplaces. Places where employees are free to speak, laugh, take selfies, and most importantly, want to contribute.
I’m here to help you make work human. Fun. To help you stand up and communicate: with humor, authority and passion.