Imagination Stimulator
Re: Westpac regional management team
"The day was informative, challenging and produced practical ideas for us as individuals and as a team to think more creatively and challenge our current thinking to improve our Business performance. Particularly liked the JAMM sessions and the ability to create ideas, not the right ides, rather many ideas that can be built on, implemented now, held or investigated further. We have used this successfully within our management team and within their teams to provide stimuli for innovation. Thank You"
Jason Stephens
Auckland Regional Manager
Re: ASB Group HR Conference
I have attended workshops, functions and conferences for a number of companies and in various roles over my career and would like to congratulate you on providing an outstanding contribution to our Group HR Conference. As you know our theme for the conference was "Good to Great" and we were looking for some presenters who could take the concept, challenge the current thinking of the team and provide some innovative ways of expanding the teams thinking about business. It needed to be fun, practical and pragmatic. Not the easiest brief. The Improv Solutions team delivered and then some. The Imagination Stimulator was a great mix of activity, fun and wise learning's which kept the whole group engaged and participating fully.
The professionalism, polish, understanding of the material, pacing and connection with the audience was well above our expectations. Rather than have me keep raving I have detailed some of the feedback we received from the team:
"Great first day – speakers were great and Improv Solutions guys were very entertaining"
"Improv Solutions were the highlight"
"Improv Solutions – Excellent presenters. Very effective and got the message across"
"Thanks for investing in Improv Solutions. Apart from being entertaining, all 4 concepts illustrated will be very useful in generating something new!"
"Improv Solutions were outstanding and great mix of fun & learning"
"Improv Solutions were brilliant, got some great ideas from them"
As with any event like this there is always the risk of people enjoying the day and not transferring the learning back into the workplace. I am delighted to report that a number of the teams have continued on with the themes you introduced and have kept the learning's alive, integrating them back into there daily work. The key theme being they have taken action. Great stuff.
Once again thanks for making this event such a success and we look forward to working again with you in the future.
Richard Griffiths
Manager Learning and Development
Re: Toll NZ leaders Innovation Day
Wade and Steve from Improv Solutions were asked to provide a workshop on innovation as part of the Toll Leadership Programme.
The Managers who had been selected for this Programme were from a broad range of disciplines within Toll and additionally were from various different management levels within the Company.
The day had some unexpected and unusual elements to it, which surprised and entertained many of the Managers who attended this course found it insightful and stimulating and some of them have already put some of the skills learned there into practice back in the workplace.
We have been and continue to be in many contexts a traditional organisation so for many of the participants so this workshop was pretty "out there" for some of our participants. However, Wade and Steve are well aware that this workshop pushes the comfort zones of many and managed this extremely well.
It has to be one of the few workshops where there were no desks, where the participants were active pretty much all day and with the most laughter that I have ever heard in a workshop situation.
Well done and thanks guys.
Sarah Caunter
HR Manager
Re: Dot Ink
"As the Managing Director of the Creative Marketing Company – Dot Ink – a key aspect of my role was to insure the company's team of twelve operated cohesively and to create a constructive, harmonious environment in which the team operate to their optimum ability. It was while searching for a team building experience that I met the guys from Improv Solutions and realized this dynamic company offered me a unique opportunity to tailor a team building program that also gave my team the skills needed to switch their much needed creativity on and off as required during the course of a working day. This may sound a little strange but the ability to switch focus from one task to another in a creative environment is not straight forward.
Improv Solutions applied the skills of their trade to a program, which gave us a valuable set of tools that enabled us to increase our focus, creativity and efficiency while at the same time inspiring and entertaining us. But it didn't stop there, over a 12 month period Improv Solutions followed up the initial workshop with on site "top ups" visiting our offices and re-generating those skills in equally as refreshing and entertaining exercises.
To this day we still use the skills acquired and simple cues can ignite the team into well rehearsed activities which help to clear the head and get the creative juices flowing... an added bonus is the warm up we all get on cold mornings.
I would highly recommend Improv Solutions for any one looking to increase the focus, the team play and the creativity of their team."
Reece Jensen
Managing Director
Re: Boffa Miskell Ltd Annual Conference
Boffa Miskell Ltd is a multi-disciplinary environmental management consultancy specialising in Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Planning and Ecology. We currently have some 45 people employed in the company's Auckland office. In the course of 2004, we utilised the team at Improv Solutions to facilitate our own version of 'the big day out'.
Given the overall focus of our business on design and design solutions, the team at Improv Solutions utilised their Imagination Stimulator module to promote creative and lateral thinking. The approach adopted in the various facilitated sessions certainly engendered participation and enjoyment on a day where team building was also an objective.
As the Office Managing Principal in Boffa Miskell's Auckland office, I found Improv Solutions to be both professional and constructive providing and tailoring suggestions for the day to our particular workplace. They were also helpful with the venues and the value they added to our day was very cost effective. People still have fond memories of the day and the things they had to do.
I would certainly have no hesitation in recommending Improv Solutions from any creative aspect of communication and team training. We would certainly utilise them again if the opportunity arises.
Carey Pearce
Office Managing Principal
Re: Imagination Stimulator programme
"The Imagination Stimulator proved to be a very insightful experience, raising one's awareness of a number of matters that play a significant role in all facets of life. The lessons on understanding behaviour patterns of one's self and of others, how to break patterns to encourage innovation, how to be 'in the moment' and 'in tune with others' and how to overcome inhibitions that can restrict innovation were all very effective and enlightening. Most importantly — it's loads of fun!"
Sharon Ludher-Chandra
Rubicom
"It was a fun, stimulating environment that challenged the way I think about creativity, communication and leadership. I enjoyed the flexible format and experiential style of the workshop as well as the great mix of people who added value to the learning. One of the most valuable outcomes is that many of the things I learned can be applied equally as well at work and at home with my family.
I was impressed by your professionalism throughout the two days and believe the content and your unique approach is extremely relevant to the corporate environment. I have no hesitation in recommending Improv Solutions to SMINZ, my colleagues and valued clients and look forward to working with you in future."
Linely Watson
Director – Peak Performance
"This course is unique, in that it puts a three dimensional activity based aspect into the principles that support most of today's personal and team orientated development. Learning and understanding these principles is enhanced by the holistic nature of the course, that not only involves your mind, but your body, emotion and spirit as well.
If you've been there, done that, and you're 'all coursed out', then Improv Solutions is an alternative that will surprise your creative juices and politely nudge you into a different view of reality. Well worth the plunge! I highly recommend.
Wade Jackson is a natural. His years of international experience with improvisation and acting really comes to the fore in what can only be described as a unique blend of full bodily participation and education. Where self-discovery through participation becomes the key to personal development. Where there are no rules or parachutes, just clean a slate and an opportunity to shine".
Stephen McLellan
Group Centre Manager
New Zealand Automobile Association
"I have been developing my creative thinking skills using your philosophies the last two years. I have attended two of your programs, the most recent being The Imagination Simulator. I am astounded at the simultaneous thought/activity I am able to perform and this has done much to alleviate any anxiety I might experience when working under pressure. I now trust my "first thought" with the result being much improved decision making, and am able to increasingly expand my creative thinking.
I have created new art forms using these alternate thinking ideas and these have contributed to my business success. While I have always been a people person, my capacity to be "in the moment" has allowed me to be more immediately responsive to others needs. Workplace communication is always an issue and my business success has been enhanced by focusing on the generation of good humour. Your program has given me a process that works quickly in any application, and helps with the change process effectively."
Pat Armitstead
The Joyologist
"The session was insightful, challenging and most of all... fun!
You are challenged to push your own boundaries and parameters, but not pressured into doing anything you aren't prepared to do. This programme is well worth doing, if you are looking for that edge in marketing and increasing sales.
Improv Solutions are exceptional and their experience is a comfort when you're faced with an exercise outside your comfort zone!"
Dan Amosa
Manager
Some Place Else Restaurant & Bar