A very simple way to add some fun to the start of any meeting or to inject some humor into a business presentation is to reference a funny quotation. There are hundreds of sources on the web, and dozens of funny quotation books (and yes, you should have at least one in your office library for reference). If you're going to quote someone in a talk or meeting (as opposed to writing it down on your reception area or meeting room whiteboard, which is another simple way to add some fun), then here are four tips to up the funny factor:  

 

1. Frame the name. Always start with the name of the quoter, since the punch line is in the quote itself: "As comedian Steven Wright once observed, 'You can't have everything. Where would you put it?'"

 

2. Brevity is levity. A quote that's shorter is more of a snorter.   

 

3. Relevance is eloquence. The more relevant the quote is to your topic/industry/profession/situation... the funnier it will be.  

 

4. More sunny, more funny.  A study from Coventry University in England found that people rated jokes a whopping 50% funnier when people quoted funny people vs. more serious people. So the exact same joke, when credited to a Ricky Gervais vs. a Prime Minister David Cameron, was always rated more funny. Lesson:quoting Hitler or Stalin is never a good idea. Ever. Seinfeld or Tomlin - much better choices. And including the source of the quote will increase the funny factor. (And yes, you can quote me on that.)