Every workshop is customized and thus different, but one thing you can expect NOT to happen is for you or your team to feel embarrassed or ridiculous.  The workshops are experiential and much of the work will seem new and the exercises will be unfamiliar and challenging.  There will be a lot of laughing, but no one will be made to feel silly or disrespected.

Our workshop configurations vary in length and have ranged from half to full to multi-day models, as well as retreats, post-workshop follow-up coaching, and one-on-one intensives.  Anything is possible!

Our products are always entirely customized to the client’s identified needs and goals.  Typically, workshops proceed from a beginning orientation and welcome, through basic skill-building exercises and into intensive play-through sessions focusing on partnering and spontaneous creativity. 

The latter portion of the workshop features storytelling and scenarios—using improv skills to communicate vision and to practice the discipline of improvisation in real-life work situations.  “In-the-moment” feedback is given throughout the workshop and, at the end of the session, trainers and participants reflect together on the day’s activities and note the synergies between the improvised “fun and games” and the important creative and collaborative strategies that add real, measurable value to a business. 

The outline below is a more detailed approximation of a Bizprov workshop:

ORIENTATION
In the first 15 minutes of any of our workshops, you and your team will receive an orientation on the theory, protocols and basic rules (yes, there are concrete rules!) of improvisation, and an overview of the workshop day.

WARM-UP
We prepare participants to improvise, building our pace gradually but steadily through a series of warm-up’s for the body and mind.  We have all the tools we will need, and we are laughing and relaxed so as to explore and build new skills freely!

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & MODALITIES
We sharpen the tools by focusing on skills of acute and active listening, affirmation, interactive observation, and close collaboration in targeted improvisation drills and exercises.  Patterns and strategies emerge in participants’ work in compelling and entertaining ways. 

Possible activities include:
  • Partners ‘give-and-take’ instant descriptions and creative uses of imaginary objects in the room. 
  • “Word-storm” free-association titles for improvised group portraits. 

SPONTANEITY & FLOW MODULE
Our trainers guide participants in exercises designed to highlight the assets of risk-taking and collaborative, creative initiative-taking.  These exercises further develop modalities of quick reaction, problem-solving, and team alignment toward a common, emerging goal. 

Possible activities include: 
  • Mini-scenes where improvisers must communicate and agree using non-English signals.
  • Narrating or dubbing silent movies—the voices and actors have no idea what’s coming next, but draw inspiration from each other. 

NARRATIVE & MESSAGE CLINIC
Often, we include a story-telling component, carefully configured to illustrate the benefits of thinking creatively in the moment, maintaining focus and cohesion while crafting and selling a message or product. 

SCENARIOS LAB
The workshops begin a role-playing module, heavily customized but always drawing upon the techniques mastered earlier.  This section puts a fine point on the skills by demonstrating their practical application in simulated business scenarios. 

Possible scenarios to improv-manage: 
  • You’re conducting “difficult conversation X” with senior management, requiring some creative, compelling advocacy and managing up. 
  • Your team nears a deadline and the client has just called in with conflicting or incomplete data.

FEEDBACK & ENGAGEMENT
Throughout the day and in a final conference, our trainers engage participants in reflective questions and draw clear connections between the workshop experience and the client’s bottom-line goals.  We develop skills systematically in our clients, and Bizprov trainers highlight participants’ “wins” right as they happen, in the moment.  The written take-away materials we provide reinforce the skills learned in the workshop and how they apply to building real-time value for our clients in the workplace. 

We can also provide detailed, individualized feedback by email for each participant after the workshop!


Our Workshops
"Jay is an extraordinary teacher...caring, nurturing and supportive...[with a] high standard of ability and professionalism.”

--Brian Honan
Director of Marketing
Major Hotel Chain

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