News in...

Jest kidding 
By Sally O‘Reilly

A new breed of experts are entering the nation's offices in an attempt to push the funny buttons of stressed-out staffers. Sally O'Reilly swaps jokes with Jack Milner and the humour consultants 

Monday February 26, 2007
The Guardian 

Download full article here

Some more quotes from stand up comedy and sketch writing workshops run by Jack Milner for Channel 4.

"Would love to do more of the same - great stress reliever. thanks."

"Really fun and easy going. Thoroughly enjoyed it!"


Quote from Ambassadors Group
"...participants have been extremely enthusiastic in their responses.... some of the most well received sessions we have ever done!"
Julia Potts, Group education manager, Ambassador Theatre Group.

And from CSE
"One of our few trainers to receive a 100% mark from a client..." 
Communication Skills Europe

And from Ignito Ltd
"...the workshop went extremely well... in fact it was excellent and a lot better than I expected. Jack was absolutely 1st class and did a superb job in both warming up the troops and getting them focussed on the important issues. We definitely have to do this again."
Peter (CEO)

And Berkeley PR
"We had a wonderful and memorable day and the event has already helped the way we do our pitches. The teams are doing a much better job at getting their natural selves to come through which is what I wanted from the day." 
Chris Hewitt CEO, Berkeley PR 

… Oh yes and Brands 2 Life CEO after a team building workshop
(Jack) gave our team a great afternoon that gave people some good tips on presenting and was an excellent team working exercise…

Testimonials from recent training days:

Download Holmes and Marchant testimonials here (PDF)
Download Procters Media testimonials here (PDF)

More Quotes...

From Jack Milner's most recent Stand Up Comedy Course, which finished on December 13th. 

"Jack Milner's teaches the way all teachers should - like he isn't teaching you at all. Jack provides a space for you to be yourself, find the authentic comedy that is in you and then tease it out gently. Quietly phrased suggestions that seem innocuous at the time turn out to be razor-sharp observations - and you realise that within this benign comedy uncle there is a sharp and experienced comedic sensibility coupled with a deep understanding of performance and how to get the best out of you, no matter who you are and whatever your angle. Quite simply one of the best things I've ever done and, crucially, one of the most fun. They say you can tell an expert because they make what they do look effortless. Jack is one of those experts and also the kind of person who cannot help but make your world better by simply being Jack."
Mark Stevenson

“Jack, again, can't thank you enough. And your compering was marvellous on the night too.”
Mark

“Thank you Jack for sharing your knowledge with us and giving us great advice.” 
Ange x

“Jack, your a legend mate. Nearly every laugh we had was because of you and your help. You ran the course brilliantly and we all think you're great…”
Howard

Research on depression, to be reported at an international conference on the effects of humour shows that stand up comedians have a significant effect on depressed people. Dr Jason Goodson of Utah University says, "We put together tapes of stand up comedians. Patients watched the tapes for 30 minutes a day for four weeks. In the beginning they had a depression score of 19, and anything above 13 is indicative of mild to moderate depression. The whole group dropped to 11 after watching the tapes - a 42% reduction, which is incredible."
The Independent 24th May, 2001

... Jack's training has made a big difference to the ability of my staff to conduct their meetings and make presentations. Jack's blend of humour, teaching and asking difficult questions has given all of them much more confidence in dealing with clients and potential clients as well as standing up in front of an an audience of other professionals - even if they don't do stand up comedy!
                                       Bridget Rosewall (M.D. Volterra Consultation)