Team Building with Youth from WorldChicago

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Team Building with Youth from WorldChicago

Last week we worked with WorldChicago, an organization that facilitates professional and personal interactions for international leaders during official visits to Chicago through U.S. Department of State exchange programs.

We worked specifically with their youth delegation from South Korea and Japan to enhance this all female group's comradery during their two week stay in Chicago. This group was brought to Chicago to develop a community program to take back and implement in their own communities. We found these women to be supportive, imaginative and know that this great group of women will go on to be top leaders in whatever field they so choose!

This group of young woman surprised us with how creative and fearless they were from the beginning to the very end of the workshop. We could not have been more honored to be a part of their Chicago experience and wish them nothing but the best in their future endeavors!

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American Marketing Association's Kick Off Event

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American Marketing Association's Kick Off Event

On Thursday morning of last week, we were honored to be a part of American Marketing Association's Kick Off Event at the Hard Rock Hotel in downtown Chicago with all 70 internal employees! Five improve it! improvisers from a mixture of our teams helped facilitate: Max & Patrick from Knuckleball, Cristy & Sam from The Spotty Truth and Stephanie from Stranger!

We helped kick off AMA'S move to their new space by providing our Team Building workshop. Throughout the course of the two hours, an Improv Chicken Champions were crowned,  new products were invented, and the buzz word of the day was "YES!" These guys were a fantastic team who truly support their peers and know what it means to "show up" for one another.

We had a blast and are looking forward to seeing what other amazing things this organization will do! We think it's safe to say that American Marketing Association rocks! YES, you do!

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How to Use Improv to Network Like a Pro

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How to Use Improv to Network Like a Pro

By Guest Blogger: Chuck Feerick

There is a very small subset of people who get excited when they look at a meeting agenda and see the dreaded “Network and Cocktails” time slot. Before beginning improv, excited was the last word that came to mind when I thought about networking. My initial response was usually, “I hope I can find a group of people I know to go with” or “I hope something good is happening on Twitter so I can spend the next hour playing on my phone.” Neither of these options helps to make any new connections.

There is a better way to make it through a networking event, and a way that can actually lead to making some new friends or identifying business opportunities. What if networking events could actually be fun? Well, they can be if you embrace some of these general improv techniques that will help you get rid of the anxiety, make new friends, and most importantly, have FUN at your next event!

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The winner of our improve it! Challenge #1 is... Kristine Porter!

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The winner of our improve it! Challenge #1 is... Kristine Porter!

Congrats to our improve it! Challenge #1 winner, Kristine Porter! Kristine is the Creative Director and Trainer for Styling and Staging. Here's how Kristine "Show's Up" for her team: "When I stage houses to sell, I have a few assistants join me to help. When we move the furniture, instead of just discuss out ideas, more ideas seem to "just happen." My theory is "change happens in movement"... which often gives us better ideas than any one of us originally had."

She's what we like to call a "mover and shaker" and accomplishes tasks by showing up and committing 100% to her team and clients. For winning, Kristine will receive a reserved spot in our Q2 Workshop as well as a $10 Starbucks Gift Card.

Thanks so much for playing, Kristine! Keep an eye out for improve it! Challenge #2 where YOU TOO, can be a winner!

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improve it! Challenge #1 "Showing Up"

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improve it! Challenge #1 "Showing Up"

Welcome to the improve it! challenge! This week's challenge is all about showing up for your co-workers and peers.

Here's how to play:

1) Watch this 37 second video for this week's challenge
2) Enter your results in the comments section on our blog page by Tuesday, March 24th
3) On Wednesday, March 25th a winner will be chosen based off their response and highlighted on our social media pages. *In addition, all winners will receive a spot in our Q2 Public workshop as well as receive a $10.00 Starbucks gift card.*

We will be showcasing a new challenge each week, and look forward to hearing your results!

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