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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Illinois CPA Society Young Professionals "Present" Themselves Well!

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Illinois CPA Society Young Professionals "Present" Themselves Well!

On Wednesday of this week, we had the pleasure of working with the Illinois CPA Society Young Professional's group for our second consecutive workshop. This time our topic was on Presentation Skills. 

These guys really grasped the concept of what it means to use positivity to mentally prepare and visualize their presentations, prepare for speaking engagements by thinking outside of the box, and how to use story-telling and authenticity to better relate to audiences. 

There were talks of superpowers,  equations (yep, all Erin) and even a few dance parties. Most of all, it was a fun and engaging learning experience for all! We had a blast and can't wait to see what these guys do with their newly enhanced skills!

You guys, rock! YES- you do! 

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New Hires at Mesirow Financial "improve" their Presentation Skills!

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New Hires at Mesirow Financial "improve" their Presentation Skills!

We had a blast yesterday with the recent hires at Mesirow Financial in our Presentation Skills workshop. These guys got out of their comfort zones and were fantastic participants from start to finish. For some, it was their very first day on the job! We'd like to this think it was a first day they will NEVER forget!

These guys were positive, thought outside of the box and used story-telling to improve their presentation skills. These "superheroes" created abstract stories, practiced the art of saying "Yes"  and mastered the art of the "Chicken Dance." We were so happy to be a part of this experience. Thanks so much for having us, and best wishes to this talented group. You guys, rock!

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improve it! Challenge #3 "Collaboration"

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improve it! Challenge #3 "Collaboration"

Welcome to the improve it! challenge! This challenge is all about collaboration and validating others' thoughts and ideas.

Here's how to play: 

1) Watch this 38 second video for this week's challenge
2) Tell us how you used "yes, and" to validate another person's thoughts and offered up a suggestion to take the conversation to the next level.
3) On Friday, September 11th  a winner will be chosen based off their response and highlighted on our social media pages. 

*In addition, all winners will receive a spot for themselves and three friends in our Q4 Public Workshop as well as receive a $10.00 Starbucks gift card.*

We look forward to hearing your results!

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Improv to the Rescue! How Improv Can Save You in a Meeting When You're Unprepared

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Improv to the Rescue! How Improv Can Save You in a Meeting When You're Unprepared

After back-to-back client meetings, my boss hung up the phone, looked at me, and said, “let’s eat.” It had been a productive, albeit very tiring morning full of meetings and negotiations and we both needed to get some lunch before continuing on with the day.  What I forgot was that I blocked off my lunch hour in order to prepare for an operations meeting that was occurring in the afternoon.

Instead of checking in with my team and seeing where the progress on a project stood, I was enjoying a bowl of chicken chili, a green smoothie, and talking with my boss about the NHL Playoffs. 

How many times has this happened to us? Where a meeting runs over and we don’t have time to prepare? Or, let’s be honest, we simply forget that we had a meeting? It’s happened to me more than a few times.

Rather than letting our unpreparedness set us up for failure, here are a holster of improv tactics that will not only make you look completely ready, but also allow you to effectively participate, stay present, and add value in any business meeting...

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The winner of our improve it! Challenge #2 is...Beth Emperor

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The winner of our improve it! Challenge #2 is...Beth Emperor

Congrats to our improve it! challenge #2 winner, Beth Emperor! Here's how Beth recently supported her team:  "I read a really great article in "Red Eye" this week about the impact of "flaking" out on a commitment, whether you have or someone has "flaked" out on you, and used the article for a team building event. During the event, a coworker shared they want to help the homeless population with developing job skills and the article may have been the catalyst to jump start his plans. Great feeling x10!"

Beth started a conversation with her team, that supported another teammate's vision of helping the homeless population develop job skills. We can't wait to see what her encouragement will do for her teammate's dream!

For winning the challenge, Beth will receive a spot for her and three friends in our Q3 Workshop, as well as a $10 Starbucks Gift Card.

Thanks so much for playing, Beth. Stay tuned for our improve it! challenge #3, where YOU TOO can be a winner!

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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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improve it! Challenge #2 "Support"

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improve it! Challenge #2 "Support"

Welcome to the improve it! challenge! This week's challenge is all about showing support for the people in your professional life. 

Here's how to play: 

1) Watch this 25 second video for this week's challenge
2) Tell us how you've supported your team by focusing on their strengths in the comments section
3) On Friday, May 29th  a winner will be chosen based off their response and highlighted on our social media pages. 

*In addition, all winners will receive a spot for themselves and three friends in our Q3 Public Workshop as well as receive a $10.00 Starbucks gift card.*

We look forward to hearing your results! 

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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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Going Up - Episode 3

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Going Up - Episode 3

As seen in Episode 2, The Spotty Truth has used improv to "elevate" their professional lives by applying the fundamentals to their current positions. We know that if improv helps them in their day to day, it had to help them LAND the job by conducting a flawless interview. 

To shake it up a bit, we wanted to see what happens when we asked The Spotty Truth to improvise based on the suggestion "awkward interview moments." This team was so much fun that our founder, Erin Diehl, even jumped in for a bit!

Now get cozy in your cubicle and be prepared to laugh, because this is a Going Up! episode you won't want to miss!

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Going Up - Episode 2

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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.

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Going Up - Episode 1

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Going Up - Episode 1

Welcome to improve it!’s video blog, Going Up! In this series, you will find our founder, Erin Diehl, riding some of the finest elevators in Chicago, with some of the most accomplished and inspirational improvisers in town.  

This vblog will give you insight into how the fundamentals of improv have “elevated” our guests in both their professional and personal lives. And, what better place to find out how they’ve reached new heights, then in an elevator? (Beware, this is not for the acrophobic or claustrophobic!)

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improve it! Public Workshop

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improve it! Public Workshop

On Wednesday, November 19th we held our first workshop open to the public at Robert Morris University, entitled "Use Improv to Improve Your Soft Skills." Participants in this unique and exciting workshop got out of their comfort zones, and discovered the impact that improvisation techniques can have on their communication skills and overall professional presence!

In our two hour workshop, guests participated in an interactive lecture and series of improvisation-based exercises led by one of our improv teams, Knuckleball. Everyone gave 100%, supported one another, and had a blast in the process. 

By the end of the workshop participants practiced how to use verbal and non-verbal techniques to enhance interpersonal communication skills, how to more quickly build rapport, and how to establish trust with others. 

We will have more workshops open to the public in 2015. Stay tuned for more updates!

 

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We Did It! improve it! is a RedEye Big Idea Awards Winner!

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Over three hundred people came out on Friday, November 14th to The Chop Shop in Chicago to find out who would be announced the winners of The RedEye Big Idea Awards. improve it! was the winner of the Art & Design category and we could not be more thrilled!

We are so thankful to have had such a great group of friends, family and supporters in attendance. We passed out our improve it! hand clappers with our tagline "Applause for a Cause," members of The Spotty Truth performed improvised games found in our workshops, and we raffled off tickets for our public workshop on Wednesday, November 19th. We had fun with friends and were able to introduce others to what improve it! is all about! 

If you missed it, be sure to check out the recap video. We look forward to what the future has in store!

 

 

The RedEye Chicago Big Idea Finale! →

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The RedEye Chicago Big Idea Finale!

We did it! We made it to the final round of the RedEye Chicago Big Idea Awards! Thank you so much for the support we received from so many of you during the semi-finals --- we seriously can't thank you enough for your kind words, encouragement and votes!!

We would like to personally invite each of you to the final round which consists of an in-person event at Chop Shop on Friday, November 14th at 7:00pm. The event will feature each of the sixteen finalist companies and the winners from each category will be selected based on votes that are cast at the event! 

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