Go ahead and laugh . . .
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"Excellent experience in freeing up the creativity and 'stiffness' within the team to be open to experiences, ideas leading to increased collaboration and teamwork." -- Rajeev Agarwal - GE Healthcare From where you're sitting, it looks like magic. A group of energetic men and women jump on stage, ask for a random word, image, or anecdote ...
And suddenly, it's an epic story. An opera. A ballet. A swift Shakespearean comedy tied off with the perfect couplet. Even once would be miraculous. But this is what we do, what we've done thousands of times, every week for over 27 years. Tens of thousands of audience members have witnessed Theatresports, Unexpected Productions' signature attraction and the longest running show in Seattle. And with our popular team building workshops, we translate those Theatresports games into activities that will get your team on their feet, playing together, and doubling over with laughter. Wait, what is Theatresports again? Good question. Take 60 seconds and see for yourself: What if your job was that much fun, even for one afternoon? Drop us a line now at bookings@unexpectedproductions.org or 206.587.2414 for more information.
Want to know more about how improv can improve your workplace? Think about the skills it takes to conjure these spontaneous scenes. You find yourself asking, "How do they do that?" Meanwhile, you're looking at your latest performance evaluations, wringing your hands about employee loyalty and destructive silos, and asking, "What do our competitors have that we don't?" Those two questions are connected. Why else would Microsoft, Amazon, REI, Nintendo, Group Health, and scores of top corporations and non-profits in the Northwest turn to Unexpected Team-Building?
London, England (CNN) -- In a business world that's more uncertain than ever it pays to be able to think on your feet ... In performance improvisation it means listening to what someone else says, accepting what they say, and then building on that. In business terms it means accepting any idea that's brought to the table and then taking that idea further."
-- CNN, Why using improvisation to teach business skills is no joke Not for Everyone
It's true. No matter how much everyone else is having a blast, there's always going to be that one guy in the back of the class with his arms folded and a scowl on his face. Isn't improv just a bunch of silly games? Do I have to be outgoing? Do I have to be funny? How much can "soft skills" really make a difference? If that sounds like you, we should probably let you in on a little secret: That stuff that Mr. Skeptic hates? We hate it too. That's because improv isn't about wasting your time with pointless nonsense. It's not just about being funny. It doesn't even take an extrovert to "get it." So forget what you've heard. Forget what you've seen on TV. The skills we're talking about here are universal: If you can talk, you can improvise. At Unexpected Productions, we provide a safe environment led by professional improvisers. We focus on essential, applicable skills ... not fluffy babble that sounds like it's ripped from a 1970's self-help manual. And because we're so frank and open about our process, it's surprising how many skeptics open up. Yes, over the years, after working with hundreds of teams from every imaginable discipline, we've noticed something: As long as you have an open mind, you are cable of astonishing yourself ... and your team ... with hidden talents that no one saw coming. It's amazing what a few simple techniques can unleash. Soft Skills. Real Results.
"As our society gets more complex and our people get more complacent, the role of the jester is more vital than ever before. Please stop sitting around. We need you to make a ruckus." -- Seth Godin, Linchpin What divides companies who collapse under pressure and those who thrive? Simple: The ability to adapt. You may know this logically, but are you following through? Consider a recent study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers:
What are your percentages? Can you afford to let it slide? In a separate study measuring the benefit of soft skills training, Sprint and FPL reported startling results:
How does that translate to the bottom line? Sprint Corporate Research also documented a 25% improvement in sales call/close ratio following soft skills training. ` And when you make an investment in team-building, you deserve real results. As Martin Kihn put it, there are too many consultants out there who will "steal your watch and then tell you the time." That's why Unexpected Productions isn't just a group of flighty actors. Our ensemble includes a roster of seasoned experts in a range of disciplines beyond the theater ... including communications, psychology, healthcare, law, human resources, marketing, and education. This interdisciplinary approach pays off: Recently, Harvard psychologist Shelly Carson published the results of her extensive studies on creativity and real world advantages. The researchers found that an "absorb brainset," divergent thinking, creative access of emotions, and a balance of deferring judgment and sharp evaluations ... all skills that improvisation happens to sharpen ... can yield striking results:
Forget the workplace. It would be a revelation just to get these results in your daily life! Fewer ruts. More "aha" moments. Less stress. More progress. Less wasted time. More diems carpe'd .... it all tends to spill over into everything you do. Ready to Take Your Team to the Next Level? If you're not ready to bust out of silos and get moving, if you're already wildly successful, creative and satisfied, then by all means, tab back over to Gawker or pick up where you left off on Angry Birds ... But if you've seen Unexpected Productions in action, you already know what we're capable of--and by extension, you've witnessed your own team's potential once you get started with our program. Everything we'll show you about leadership, communication, and innovation will seem so clear, it will be a wonder you didn't start on this path years ago. While you're thinking about it, drop us a line at bookings@unexpectedproductions.org or call 206.587.2414 and ask to speak to Jeremy or Jay. We'd be happy to answer your questions or offer feedback on how we can make Unexpected Team Building catered to your needs. Our bookings are starting to pile up, so the earlier you set up your appointment, the better. And relax. We won't ask you to perform miracles. We'll let you discover them for yourself. |
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