Business Improv – Creative Brainstorming
I’m currently working on an instructional systems design project with a long-term client. One of the steps in the process we enjoy doing is what I’ll call group design. In reality, it’s more like brainstorming activities and exercises that we can 
Both of us have been in the training field for a while, so we know many of the same activities. That’s why I’m always searching for books containing training exercises to get my creative juices flowing. Thank goodness the folks at McGraw Hill were kind enough to send me a copy of the book “Business Improv” by Val Gee and Sarah Gee. The book contains 75 experiential learning exercises covering a wide range of topics.
The exercises include:
- Listening Skills
- Suspending Judgments
- Paraphrase
- Non Verbal Communications
- Trust
- Collaboration
…and many more. Each activity is assigned a risk level, offers background information, defined learning objectives, along with the instructions for the activity and a recommended debrief.
The beauty of “Business Improv” is it takes away the preconceived notions we have that improv always has to be funny. The book defines improv as being flexible and fluid. It’s about dealing with the spontaneous. Facilitating new discussion and dialogue versus a planned training outcome.
If you’re looking for some new training activities – maybe for your upcoming manager’s planning meeting or to incorporate into that new customer service training program – then “Business Improv” might be worth checking out. I can already see this book being a go-to resource on my bookshelf.
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