Saturday, April 1st is April Fool's Day. April Fools' Day, sometimes called All Fools' Day, is one of the most light-hearted days of the year. Its origins are uncertain. Some see it as a celebration related to the turn of the seasons, while others believe it stems from the adoption of a new calendar.

Depending upon how you look at it, you are either the mastermind of pranks or the butt of corny jokes. Ignore those and think that more importantly, April Fool's Day presents an opportunity to maximize your personal advantage in the workplace and capitalize on a promotional opportunity with your clients. Take advantage of the chance to play a joke. (Just make sure the joke it's not at someone else's expense.) When was the last time you had a good laugh? I know I can use a more humor in my life.

Think of someone you know who really needs to lighten up or simply isn't any fun anymore. What could you do that would make their week more enjoyable? Do you know someone whose door you have been trying to open? Send them a clever, yet funny, phone or email message. I'm not talking about playing jokes now. I'm talking about brightening someone's day with a chuckle or an interesting tidbit.

You need to be professional about this. You can capture someone's attention but you don't want to sound like a numbskull in the process. I'm not advocating the wholesale email of the current round of hot jokes either. That's annoying and not at all funny. A funny or clever card will suffice. Peruse what is available either online or at the card store. Pick something appropriate for that person and send in time for April Fool's Day.

In addition, consider other unique ways to open those doors. For instance, did you know that daylight savings time was 100 years old last year? Talk about trivial pursuit facts or other interesting tidbits! One of my recent favorites, the Ant Farm, just celebrated its 50th birthday. Wow, think of all the people you know that had ant farms and the ants who are busily working away. Using "kitschy" items like this is an excellent conversation starter for those of you who have a hard time creating or practicing interesting small talk.

Think quick sound bytes. You have unlimited opportunities with daylight savings time or just with time itself. Need to see more daylight in your life? Hire me.... I'm a ray of sunshine in another wise dark day and so on. These might be a little corny but it's a place to start.

The point is that everyone hears the same type of messages over and over again. In order to get yourself noticed, you need to be different from the crowd. Humor is only one tool you should introduce into your repertoire. Research proves that using humor is one of the most memorable ways to stand out from everyone else. Just think about the things that make you laugh and then use that concept to your advantage. Everyone remembers a unique opening gambit that made them laugh or made them think, "I never knew that." ?

So do be a "fool" and get some laughter or fun in your life. Remember , "Laughter IS the best medicine."

JoAnn Hines

JoAnn Hines is a packaging diva. She has nearly 30 years of experience in the industry including her work as the packaging expert to the U.S. Small Business Administration and traveling to China to lead a packaging delegation. Recognizing her expertise NBC TV featured her on their consumer segment, Can you open it? Her advice and articles appear in virtually every US packaging industry publication, numerous business and international publications, and website portals including "PackExpo.com", "PackagingUniversity", "Packaging Business", "Packaging Network", "Packaging Horizons Magazine," "Packaging World," "Packaging Digest," "Shipping and Distribution Magazine," "Warehouse Management," "Traffic World". As a featured keynote speaker at trade shows and conferences, she educates thousands of people around the world about intricacies of packaging.

Joining the packaging industry in 1976, Hines worked in sales for several years and began consulting during the 1980s. She is an accomplished author, speaker, publisher, marketer, and e-commerce expert. She has won numerous leadership awards and among other honors was named "One of the 50 most influential packaging leaders in the 20th century." She is the founder of Women in Packaging, Packaging Horizons Magazine, Packaging Career Hotline, Packaging Coach and Packaging University.