Improv to Innovate
Momentum Improv is the training experience people talk about — and use — for years to come. Not only is it fun — it introduces a serious and effective set of creative business problem solving skills.
Momentum Improv instructs participants in how to use Improv techniques to solve complex business problems — with a focus on innovation challenges. This course goes beyond the basic value of energizers and team building. It does those things, but the goal is problem solving and culture building.
This course is not about being funny — it’s about opening the door to creativity and using it to achieve business results.
Gregg Fraley and colleagues expose teams to the classic games and exercises used by Improv actors. Then participants learn how to focus the games within the Momentum CPS problem solving framework. Momentum Improv mashes-up the classic Improv games with the various stages of structured problem solving. Improv games are applied to one or more of these problem solving phases:
- Exploration of challenges
- Problem Framing (Ideation Platform questions)
- Integration of Consumer Insights
- Generating Ideas — alone or with groups
- Developing and Refining Ideas, and,
- Creating more exciting Action Plans, and Pitches
Benefits:
- Instructs participants in how to use Improv techniques to solve complex business problems
- Exposure to the Momentum CPS framework
- Access to spontaneous thought while “on your feet”
- Participants discover strengths and weakness as creative collaborators
- Builds creative confidence for doing presentations, pitches, and facilitation
- Learn how to design future ideation or strategy sessions on their own using an adaption tool kit
- Teams have a seriously fun and memorable experience that strengthens team bonds
- Tell better, more entertaining and imaginative, business stories
Gregg Fraley studied with Players Workshop of Second City, and Improv Olympics (IO) both in Chicago. He continues to perform as an Improv player and a performance storyteller. He uses Improv games and exercises in his strategy and idea generation sessions with corporate customers. He integrates these games and exercises directly in problem solving — not just as energizers and for mood setting.
This workshop requires two instructors in order to demonstrate Improv techniques. Optionally, additional players can assist Gregg in workshop facilitation.
Participants need no experience in Improv or public speaking. The course starts with basic non-threatening games and as confidence builds it progresses towards more advanced practice. Introverts are taken care of in this course — they will be challenged at times, but can opt out of performance at any time and are included in active observational roles.
The emphasis is not on getting laughs — that happens a lot — the emphasis is on using Improv to stimulate creative thinking.
Timing: Half Day (3 hours) or Full Day (6 hours)
Contact Gregg Fraley for a workshop proposal.