Improv Utopia Ireland

I had an amazing time this weekend at Improv Utopia in Ireland. Joining over 100 improvisers from all over the world for games, workshops and loads of fun.

An opportunity to meet an improvise with folk from the USA, Ireland and other countries all in one place. I've been to plenty of improv conventions in America over the last ten with my comedysportz troupe, and honestly didn't know what to expect from this - but it was every bit as cool as I'd hoped.

We took over Newgrange Lodge just North of Dublin with some expert teachers including Nick Armstrong, Katy Schutte, and Neil Curran as well as the lovely Craig and Carla Cackowski From L.A.

Watching improv people together in large groups is quite a thing to behold, and probably quite curious to the outside world. We played 'diamond dance' outside in the blistering sunshine. It's a game about dance moves, but also leadership...but really - dance moves! I could see the staff of Newgrange Lodge watching us, clearly a little bewildered and amused by what they were watching.

Each workshop covered a different discipline. From group work to using emotion, character and selling yourself. The weekend reaffirmed my love for improv and how it's a great tool for connecting and building relationships. Improv Utopia has been running for many years in the US, but this is the first time they have organised a residential outside of the US - and it proved to be a great success. Big thanks to all the guys who put it together, it felt like being in America without actually being in America.

Sell it! - workshop with Craig Cackowski

Links:

About John Cooper

He’s performed in hundreds of theatres around the UK and internationally as part of the CSz Manchester improv troupe. He has delivered workshops on how to use humour and improv in business, taking part in the BBC2 series ‘The Speaker’ and the BBC New Comedy Awards. John is author of Present Yourself! – An illustrated guide to speaking in public and building confidence.

Back in October I joined a programme called 'Spark 2 Scale'. A series of workshops run by The Business Growth Hub designed to boost businesses and help me grow the success of my own training sessions.

I'm at the halfway point and already seeing benefits. From practical networking to personal effectiveness and growth hacking. Here are a handful of thoughts on what I've taken so it so far.

A timely kick in the pants.
Naturally, being self employed means I have to be proactive, and speculative. With all the goodwill in the world, bad habits can creep into work patterns over time, my work patterns. The very nature of opting to go on a course to grow my business, creating a new 'business model canvas' is healthy. Being asked questions that poke at the corners of where I want to go with my niche ' stand up comedy techniques for presenting and public speaking' training is a very welcome and invited kick in the pants.

Better networking.
Delivering training on presenting and public speaking skills using techniques from my experience in stand up comedy, is a bit niche and a bit of a mouthful to explain concisely. I've always found networking a challenge not because of a lack of confidence, actually the opposite. I'm happy to talk and listen, but always found follow ups quite low. Learning that potential clients are more likely to look online for the kind of training I provide took the impetus off attending live events where I wasn't speaking.
The advantage of the focused nature of the Spark 2 Scale programme is, I find, that I'm in the room with other business minds eager to grow. That common goal really helps. Like me they're looking to pick up skills, and of course the best business offers are made when you're not looking for them.

Thinking big.
The anticipation of having a growth strategist look over my new business plan with a fine tooth comb and a big red pen was a bit daunting. Despite recent successes, it was outside of my comfort zone, and some of my hidden worries (impostor syndrome or feeling like an amateur) were threatening t show themselves.
Wonderful then to sit down and have all that negative thinking evaporate as my adviser shared my enthusiasm for what I was doing and it's growth potential. Helping open doors, look at big goals and point out flaws in a way that was practical and constructive.

Prep for the next step.
I've three new projects lined up, and as I'm writing this blog. Both leads came from the preparation I put in before starting the programme. I don't want it to sound like bragging. ( I'm currently reading the book 'How to toot your own horn without blowing it' - Peggy Klaus). However once I'd signed up to the course I wanted to have clarity about my outcomes. Updating the website, re-writing marketing content and polishing my elevator pitch, the little jobs that get pushed back received the extra attention they deserved and got results.

Supportive and sharing.
I'm aware through the many books I've read that business is people. Whatever the size. I'm influenced by my environment and the people I choose to work with. I shouldn't have been surprised when the second masterclass was on personal effectiveness. Clapping my hands under the table when the handouts touched on the 'the map is not the territory' one of my favourite phrases about planning and adapting to change.
Spark 2 Scale has provided an inspiring environment for my business goals and I'm glad to be part of it.

Links:
The Business Growth Hub