Risk and Failure – Part 2
In part 1 I I talked about why risk and failure are critical to success. In fact, chances are that if you succeeded without any failures along the way, you may be in trouble – that success is likely built on luck more than honed through the flames of failure, and it may be a matter of time before it faces something it can’t handle. By the way, I’ve known a few people who...
Read MoreRisk and Failure – Part 1
If at first you don’t succeed… Most home-run hitters also strike out a lot. When you tee off on a pitch with enough power to knock it clear the park, you’re also going to miss…a lot. Most big success stories start with a lot of failures. They had to screw it up before they got it right, Apple was recently named the most valuable brand in the world. Just...
Read MoreBe Obvious
I’ve always been a pretty smart guy. Sometimes that’s to my benefit, other times, well, not so much. But we are what we are. You’re smart too. I know, because you’re reading this! (Okay, I don’t know you personally, so you MIGHT be a complete idiot…but you’re a complete idiot with good taste in blogs.) Being a smart person, you’ve probably been in situations where you’re...
Read MoreHave Fun!
I’ve looked at 5 major improv principles so far: Overaccepting Co-creating Yes, and.. Keeping it real But if there’s only once principle you pay attention to, it’s this: Improv Principle: Have Fun Business Reframe: If you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, do it differently or do something else – your enjoyment or lack thereof will speak volumes your customer “What...
Read MoreKeep it real, and have some depth
I accidentally skipped ahead last time – even though my master-list of principles isn’t in any particular order. Acting on impulse is an occupational hazard for an improvisor To recap so far: Over-accept Make your partner look good Say “Yes, and…” But this principle is something that’s often gets overlooked, and it’s something that’s getting more and more...
Read MoreBecoming a “yes man”
Improv Principle: Yes, and… Business Reframe: Take in what your customer \ associate says, and add a little something of your own. Quote from a bigwig who gets it: “Creative teams, the participants are told, now need to behave more like improv actors – story building’ instead of storytelling – so they can respond in real time to an unpredictable audience. “ Fast Company Magazine...
Read MoreThe Joy of Co-creation
After a broad overview of how to use improv principles in your business, I talked about making your partner look good. And now the next principle… Improv Principle: Discover the joy of co-creation Business Reframe: Your business is built creating a dialogue WITH others, not by doing a monologue Quote from a big-wig who gets it: “Self sufficiency appears to be a worthy goal, but it’s now...
Read MoreIt’s Tuesday! (Improv in Business)
I want to continue looking at the huge changes going on in how business gets done, and why the biggest business authors out there today are urging you to the use improv principles in your business. So let’s start with… Principle #1: Make your partner look good Business Reframe: Your customers and associates are real people, not statistics or cogs – treat them as living, breathing, feeling...
Read MoreOur Annual Report in the Style of Tennessee Williams…
Improv has suddenly become a very hot topic for business. Sometimes improv is mentioned directly (like in Fast Company Magazine, or in Chris Brogan’s bestseller “Trust Agents”). Others like Gary Vaynerchuk and Seth Godin, have focused on some principles of improv as new paradigms of business (without mentioning improv by name). I recently attended a presentation by David Sibbet (founder...
Read MoreDefining “Win”
A new book about video games and society explains the benefits of the "flow" state gamers often get. Improvisors get it too, but how can we get better at getting into "flow" and how can we get more "flow" in everyday life.
Read MoreElsewhere on the web…
