5 Tips to Encourage Risk-Taking at Work

/
5 Tips to Encourage Risk-Taking at Work

We have a saying we like to repeat here at improve it!, “Be comfortable with the uncomfortable.” It’s short and sweet, and reminds us that a great deal of the best moments in our careers (and our lives) are spent outside of our comfort zones. This is all well and good, but there’s a little something missing from that phrase - the how. How do we create an environment where people are encouraged to take risks and do things outside of their comfort zones at work?

Click to read 5 tips for you to encourage risk taking at work today!

Read More

What My Mother’s Italian Cooking Taught Me about Sales and Improv

/
What My Mother’s Italian Cooking Taught Me about Sales and Improv

Every year around the holidays my mother, Mama Booth, slaves away in the kitchen for hours preparing a feast for the entire family and friends; appetizers, mains, desserts, the whole shebang.  Every year, she complains after the meal that she’ll never do it again, and yet the following year, she’s back in the kitchen trying out new recipes in an attempt to outdo herself.  Mama Booth is the master of large Italian meals.  She succeeds because she’s not afraid to take risks and always leaves us wanting more.  If you want to succeed in sales and improv, take some notes from Mama Booth.

Read More

An evening with improve it! (An Inside Glimpse into our Q3 Public Workshop)

/
An evening with improve it! (An Inside Glimpse into our Q3 Public Workshop)

A smiling and well dressed gentleman greets you as you arrive for an evening of improvisation, networking and experiential learning. You are then whisked to a private elevator that leads you to a gorgeous retail warehouse and office in Chicago's dapper West Loop neighborhood.

Upon exiting the elevator, you are greeted by more kind faces, provided snacks and a notebook, and surrounded by a room full of smiling strangers. You have an idea of what is in store for the next hour and a half, and you mix-and-mingle with other successful professionals before the workshop begins.

 

Read More

Going Up - Episode 2

/
Going Up - Episode 2

The Spotty Truth is one of our three improvisational teams here at improve it!, and the “truth” is, we pinch ourselves daily that this talent is a part of our organization.

The Spotty Truth has been performing improvised biographies together for over two years. They have performed at The Den Theater, Studio BE, Bughouse Theater, Donny’s Skybox, Stage 773, Collaboraction Theater, Elgin Studio and all over Chicago. They have appeared in the St. Louis Fringe Festival, The Detroit Improv Festival, The Chicago Improv Festival and The Twin Cities Improv Festival. Spotty members have trained at comedy institutions The Second City, iO Theatre, the Annoyance Theatre, Comedy Sportz and 500 Clown Theatre.

The Spotty Truth has worked with us on a variety of workshops and performances, and are always high-energy, engaging and above all FUN to work with. Don’t believe us? Watch the video for THE (spotty) TRUTH.

Read More