Team building

Improvisation is a natural skill which we all have in some degree. In its simplest definition, improvisation is simply doing or saying anything that is unscripted and unrehearsed. We all do this in every day of our lives. After all, how many conversations do you have every single day which are unrehearsed? We often have an idea what we want to say, but we don't often go through the trouble of writing it down or memorizing the words and motions we will use to convey our messages.

Having said that, some people are better improvisers than others. Why is that? Are they really that much smarter and quicker on their feet? What are the skills and abilities which help us to become better improvisers? Improvisational training helps develop skills in a wide variety of areas. Some of these skills include:

Communications skills
Articulation
Listening skills
Quick thinking
Acting skills
Creativity
Concentration
Public speaking
Teamwork

Articulation, Listening and Communication:
How many times have problems occurred in the workplace because something was misheard? Was the statement not clear in the first place, or were others simply not listening? Or perhaps we felt someone was insincere because of their body language? When we say things more clearly it helps other people to understand what we are saying. Likewise, if people do not listen, they are unlikely to get the full picture someone is trying to present.

Quick Thinking:
There are many times we are put on the spot and asked questions in pressure situations. Quite often, it is not the quickest thinker that comes up with the solution first, but the person who was paying the most attention. However, without a doubt, being able to come up with intelligent responses quickly is an asset in any environment, and one which we can also build upon.

Acting Skills:
Sometimes there is a negative feeling associated to acting because it doesn't seem honest. By acting skills we aren't talking about our ability to lie. Rather just the opposite. Acting skills can help us emphasize what we mean and truly aid in presentations, customer relations, and sales. People always underrate their acting ability, and also underrate just how often they use it. Sometimes our body language can give a meaning we do not intend because we are tired or have something else on our mind. Acting skills can help us be more aware of just how we are presenting ourselves.

Creativity:
Necessity is the mother of invention. When necessity calls, what are we left to rely on to come up with the ideas that will save our skin? Creativity and imagination together with our own life experiences give us the tools to cope with necessities. Particularly useful when brainstorming. When the same old thing won't do - get creative!

Concentration:
The sun's rays through a magnifying glass can start a fire. While we hope our thoughts won't make us spontaneously combust, there is no doubt that the ability to focus is crucial when dealing with others. If we concentrate on any given project, whether it be buying anew car or selling one, we can't help but do a better job if we are able to clearly focus.

Public Speaking:
They say that many people are more afraid to speak in public than they are of dying. How many times have you seen the person who presents his ideas the most effectively come out on top of someone who had better ideas but presented them poorly? Unfortunately, it does happen. What makes some presenters better than others? While there are many answers to this question, depending upon the audience to whom you are presenting, the basic skill sets which will help you become a better public speaker are the same.

Teamwork:
A biggie. A team which works well together can accomplish things a disjointed and uninspired group never will. From further job and personal satisfaction to increased productivity, teamwork is essential in today's environment. Through fun, interactive games, we explore the many ways and levels that people must work together. Excellent in the corporate and non-corporate world alike.

There are many side issues that pertain to the workplace and the individual we also explore, including Stress relief, and Confidence. We try to emphasize both in all of our sessions, and find they are a natural side effect to Improvisational learning and exercises, as well as another important side effect: FUN!

In our improv workshops, we concentrate on building the skill sets that help us build our improvisational 'muscles' in a fun and charged atmosphere.

Interested? To find out more about our rates and availability, please email Eric at info@improvateers.com !