People love a good lesson, but they love a good laugh even more.
American comedian, producer, and writer Tony Tripoli loves to share his top tips on engagement as much as he loves giving a witty comeback. Best known for his work with Joan Rivers, Tony is one man against an ocean of misconceptions… against a mass of misinformed corporate L&D leaders who just won’t learn that engagement leads to doubled ROI.
Smart, witty, and immensely likeable…Tony has the secret all figured out. As the co-executive producer and head writer of Fashion Police on E! and Joan and Melissa: Joan Knows Best?’s star, Tony’s appearances have been nothing short of fascinating. His on-screen appearances also include Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, Fashion House, and Two and a Half Men.
But beyond the punchlines, Tony understands something that corporate trainers, educators, and business owners need to learn: people engage with people, not just information.
So is content not important, then?
It most definitely is…especially for Tony, who was scouted by Joan Rivers like this: “If you do not agree to be my head writer on Fashion Police, I will lock you in the basement and starve you until you agree!” Joan knew Tony had what it takes for a room to become completely engrossed with what was being said.
“But learner engagement”, says Tony, “is what truly matters at the end of the day. You can have a room full of craning necks, booming laughter, and teary eyes. But how much will the people remember by the end? This is the mistake organizations make. Most companies pour resources into perfecting their training materials. They focus on slides, scripts, and handouts. They are meticulous to the last detail…and isn’t that…monotonous?”
But do our learners feel involved? Think about it: How often have you sat through a presentation packed with great information but tuned out because it felt boring? Compare that to a moment when someone captivated you with humor, storytelling, or genuine interaction. Which one stuck with you?
“If you want your training sessions, meetings, or sales pitches to make an impact, you need to think like a comedian. Firstly, read the room. Great comedians adjust their material based on audience reactions. The same goes for trainers and speakers. If your audience looks disengaged, change your approach in real-time. Second, tell a story. Facts are easy to forget, but stories stick. They make you want to know more.”
According to Tony: “The more interactive the session is, the more memorable it is. The more memorable, the more adoption of the learning objectives. And, THAT, my friends, is how you get an ROI the C Suite will be thrilled with!”
“Companies often measure ROI on training programs, marketing campaigns, and employee development. But too often, they overlook the simplest way to improve results: keep people engaged. If your team is bored, they’re not learning. If your customers are disengaged, they’re not buying.”
