Improvise This!: How to Think on Your Feet So You Don't Fall on Your Face

by Molly Cox, Mark Bergren, Jim Detmar

Book Overview

Businesses are sending their top managers to improvisational classes to learn how to give presentations, how to talk to clients, and how to finesse difficult situations. But those same skills can be... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786867744
• ISBN13: 9780786867745
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Hyperion Books
• Length: 214 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Improv: Techniques for Training & Development in a Fast-Paced Society

Today's business works at a faster pace than ever--opportunities open and close quickly, and may be lost if one isn't prepared to react to them. In addition, today's workers expect a more collaborative workplace than ever. The techniques adapted from improv theatre are a great match for the intersection of these two phenomena, and many organizations are taking advantage of those techniques when offering their employees professional development opportunities. Successful business people are adapt to the constant changes in their work environments, taking advantage of new opportunities and letting go of those that become stale. They enthusiastically engage the task of the moment, listen actively to others, trust both their own instincts and the sensibilities of their teammates, and build onto the ideas of others to create improved ideas...all elements required for successful improv theatre, as well. The authors are careful to detail ways in which these elements can be transferred to and applied in employee's work and personal lives. Across eleven chapters, the authors provide detailed directions for 15 improv exercises adapted for business and life. Ten of those are designed for individuals (fairly rare in the training and development world). These include activities for breaking the inhibitions to risk-taking to innovative brainstorming approaches to having fun with telemarketers. (True, this last one seems to be unfair to the hapless telemarketer...but truly embodies spontaneity.) The group activities will develop skills in active listening, building on the ideas of teammates, and trusting your teammates. Other activities written into the narrative round out the ideas you can take, use, and adapt for yourself. In the four years I've owned this book, I have used or adapted 11 of these activities for training programs and found successes with each one. This book provides some rich resource material for the reader to think about innovation, adaptability, risk-taking, and active listening. The activities are both enjoyable and thought-provoking, as are the interviews with six people who practice and apply the underlying principles.

Ken your Ken

Know your material and be yourself for god's sake. This is the best I've reviewed to date. Thanks Mark

Dog-eared with a broken spine

I pull this book off the shelf so often that I'm thinking of naming it and teaching it to fetch. As an acting teacher, I not only find the games energizing and useful for my students, but I value the advice and suggestions. It really helps with the side-coaching, with reviving the essential spirit of the work that got all of us into this. As a mostly human being, I sometimes let this book jump up onto my lap simply for the giggles. These are people who not only know what they're talking about, but who write with great wit about wit. Hey . . . this book may be the solution to that pesky old form vs. function debate. This is a really, really good book that continually inspires.

I love the messege!

In a world where the corporate climate is becoming more and more concerned about don'ts, than dos, more worried about what can't be said, than what can, this delightful book is the perfect reminder of the power of play. I love the messege. Let's get out of our heads and have some fun. Then let's see how that fun effects our work product.The authors give us inspiring examples of humor in the workplace, and a series of excerises to loosen up even the most button downed office. They manage to give sound advice while keeping tongues firmly in cheek. I found it an easy read, perfect for the airplane. This is a great beginner's book for Improv in the workplace. Now,I would love to see a more in-depth work from this joyful team. Improvise This! has whet my appetite.

Practical advice

This book is unusual in that it takes something almost intangible and makes is accessible and realistic--and it's funny! The exercises are explicit, step-by-step guides for beginners and pros, which is something you don't find in other books of this genre. This is a great tool and an entertaining read.