Funny Business: Humour, Management and Business Culture (Business Practitioner) Book

A study of how humour is employed at all levels of management and in different business sectors; how managers use humour to influence and persuade, to motivate and unite, to say the unspeakable and to facilitate change; how humour is a shield to deflect criticism, to cope with failure and to defuse tension; how humour plays a wider role in business, reinforcing shared values, bonding teams and organizations, shaping and perpetuating corporate cultures; and how advertisers segment consumers by the humorous cues to which they respond. This book identifies situations where humour can be used as a tool, and also highlights areas where it is likely to backfire or show its limitations. The book also presents international perspectives, comparing British management with US, French and German management. It evaluates the impact of humour in advertising and is presented in an accessible style, utilizing quotes from "celebrity" business figures such as Sir John Harvey-Jones, Sir Peter Parker, Sir Allen Sheppard; Sir Winston Fletcher and Jeremy Bullmore.Read More