Greg Schwem

Greg Schwem

Hi. I’m Greg Schwem. Business humor specialist, corporate emcee and the guy who the Chicago Tribune called “the king of the hill in the world of corporate comedy.” I’ve always believed the world doesn’t laugh enough. Sometimes we are afraid to laugh; other times we just don’t think it’s appropriate.

A Middle-Aged Dude Rents a Scooter…and Lives to Tell About It

I had seen scooters in other cities, usually out of the corner of my eye seconds before I leapt out of the way to avoid them. In Washington, D.C., a gaggle of scooters nearly ran me over outside the White House. My guess is the occupants chose our nation’s capital to demonstrate how scooters are improving the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Conversely, they are harming the environment by adding to debris on public thoroughfares, mostly in the form of injured bodies.

Forget Lemonade…Here’s What Kids Should Sell This Summer

Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently signed what he referred to as a “common sense” bill, allowing kids throughout the state to set up lemonade stands, and sell the beverage, without vendor permits or health inspections. The bill was inspired by an incident in Overton, Texas, where police did, in fact, shut down a stand run by two 8-year-old sisters. That incident occurred in 2015, in case you’re wondering how long it takes the Texas government to apply common sense.

Apple is Killing iTunes…and I am Freaking Out

I loaded music from bands that defined my high school and college years into iTunes. I also loaded music I was too embarrassed to admit I listened to in high school. Yes, I briefly went through a John Denver phase, followed immediately by a Molly Hatchet phase. Surprisingly, I did not take drugs in high school.

Sure, I’ll alter video…if it makes my kids look better

If I had just sped up that video of my daughter running hurdles during freshman track season, who knows? Maybe she would have received a full track and field scholarship. It would have been more realistic than superimposing her head onto the body of a famous athlete, something the parents implicated in the college admissions scandal now realize was a very bad idea.

Four Phrases Waitstaff Really Need to Stop Using

I found myself siding with the serving community, who, for the most part, cheerfully spends their days depositing meals in front of us and then listening to us complain our salads contained arugula and we SPECIFICALLY requested it be removed, which is why I usually tack 25 percent onto my bill. Post tax.