Learn techniques for shaping narrative for presentations using creative processes honed by performing artists and writers. Our workshops allow you to experiment with new tools and techniques for crafting content. You will make short presentations and receive relevant, real-time feedback in a fun and experimental environment.
Workshops address specific presentation issues. You may:
- Develop entertaining content
- Harness visual imagery, props and creative treatments
- Cultivate your presence and authenticity
- Craft your message
- Make strong starts and resonant endings
- Engage the audience
- Move from dispensing information to inspiring action
Participants strengthen content and presentations through four levels of feedback:
- Instructor's evaluations
- Peer feedback from other participants based on relevant criteria
- Experiencing your work as other's do through optional digital video recording.
- Self reflection and writing exercises
We have a set of standard objectives and activities for workshops, but sometimes groups prefer to develop a different focus that's informed by your organization's particular interest or need. In that case we might spend more time consulting with you and coming up with objectives and activities that would produce skills and content that address that need.
Have a particular story-based workshop in mind? We design workshops to fit your organization's particular need.
If your primary need isn't training-related, there are a number of other ways we can engage: coaching, one-on-one interviews and other forms of research and observation are part of our toolbox of culture mining equipment.
Watershed Moments: Using Metaphors, Anecdotes and Bizarre Detail to Rivet
Goals
We will look specifically at these five techniques:
- Metaphor - using unexpected objects to make your point
- Poetic Listing - introducing new terms that immerse and woo your audience
- The Other Side of the Story - looking at problems from a surprising angle
- The Clark Kent figure - exposing unsung heroes in your work
- The Personal Story - using yourself to hook, bring accountability and inspire the listener
Description
The session includes a presentation of Waterlines: an unconventional look at water use, written and performed by Stokley Towles. In the second part of the session we will use the piece as a lens through which to explore creative methods for communicating otherwise dry content and catalyzing an audience. The Stranger reviewed Waterlines here. See a performance excerpt: here (8 minutes).
Storytelling in Business
Course Goals
- Strengthen and focus your message.
- Develop fresh and creative approaches to making presentation content.
- Build confidence in your ability to speak in front of others.
- Incorporate conscious body language changes of pacing and eye contact into your delivery.
- Explore creative, yet sane uses for PowerPoint.
Description
The opportunity to practice and receive real-time feedback is the best method for improving one's skills. Our multi-week workshops divide elements of great presentation into manageable components. Each session addresses specific storytelling issues such as: cultivating presence, methods for developing original material and how to engage an audience. Evaluate and develop your skills with four levels of feedback: Instructor, peer, video and self-assessment.
Content Development Workshop
Course Goals
- Focus on techniques and strategies applied to specific work-based situations, for example: improve an elevator speech, hone a sales pitch, or express data statistics so they stay with the audience.
Description
Participants develop and revise material for particular presentations they need to give such as: brown bags, team meetings, client pitches, status calls, executive committees, manager meetings, elevator speeches, and recruiting. Workshop is custom-designed to participants' presentation development needs.
Selling Through Story Workshop
Course Goals
- Put you in touch with stories that can distinguish you from competitors
- Show how to use stories to develop and strengthen relationships with clients (internal and external)
- Help you bring more of their personal experiences and passions to bear (productively!) in your work
- Educate you about some elements of compelling storytelling
- Develop your in-the-moment creative skills to convey the work and passion you bring to your job
Description
The workshop will include opportunities for participants to present to the group, both formally and impromptu. Participants will also engage in small group and one-on-one exercises to develop awareness of stories and sharpen their abilities to gather and use them. At various points throughout the experience, the group will gain context and reflect on these learning activities through our presentations about effective storytelling techniques and the use of story to strengthen organizations.
Cultural Stories Development Workshop
Course Goals
- Develop appreciation for and retention of institutional knowledge and the important role it plays in company identity.
- Improve employees' ability to speak about the company's history and values.
- Strengthen employees' sense of what stories are effective in given situations.
Description
Workshops designed to help individuals recognize organizationally significant stories and tell them so they perpetuate.
Culture of Creativity Workshops
Course Goals
- Identify what forces encourage and thwart creativity.
- Develop individual and organizational practices that make creativity part of every day work.
- Learn and practice creative thinking techniques.
- Help participants see themselves as creative.
Description
Workshops designed to help participants strengthen their creative abilities by drawing on techniques used by artists, writers and performers. Workshop focuses on developing a creative identity in the individual and a creative culture in the organization.