| Paul Jackson Associates

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Paul Jackson Associates
34A Clarence Road
St. Albans AL1 4NG

+44 (0)7973 953586

info@impro.org.uk

How I feel when I’ve told you how I feel and you then ask how I really feel

Sun, 15/01/2012 - 18:39 | Paul

In these reflections prompted by the Art of Hosting training at The Burren, I'd like to make some distinctions about the words which facilitators and coaches choose to use.

The point is partly about the difference that these words might make with our groups and clients - how they feel about things, which aspects of topics they might most focus on, what in the end they might or might not do differently.

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Reflections on the Art of Hosting

Wed, 11/01/2012 - 17:34 | Paul

Hugely inspired by three days in Ireland at an Art of Hosting event, 'From Silo to System', here's the first of what may prove to be a series of posts.

Introductions

Early in the first session of this three-day gathering we are told we’ll do several introductions. A nice idea that seems consistent with the perspective of hosting: a host at a party will typically need to make many introductions – of people to each other, of topics, of ways in which the event may unfold.

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How Rob Brydon and Ruth Jones apply their improvisation skills when they write their hit shows

Thu, 10/11/2011 - 10:45 | Paul

In Britain, Rob Brydon is currently one of Britain’s most popular comedy performers, and in his autobiography he makes clear just how important the application of improvisation has been to his success.

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Experiencing complexity with improv

Fri, 12/08/2011 - 07:09 | Paul

How applied improv can be used to deal with complexity in organisations: from my interview with FreedomLab in Amsterdam.

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Dealing with complexity - developing improv skills

Wed, 27/07/2011 - 07:09 | Paul

This clip from my interview at the FreedomLab thinktank in Amsterdam is about the vocabulary of Applied Improvisation and developing skills that we already use.

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Applied improv - non-theatrical use of improv skills

Tue, 19/07/2011 - 07:09 | Paul

I was interviewed at the FreedomLab thinktank in Amsterdam, and this is the introduction – a brief clip that describes three applications of improvisation.

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Applied improvisation in organisations – what’s it all about?

Tue, 12/07/2011 - 09:32 | Paul

Right now in the world’s top organisations, the tools of improvisation are helping individuals and teams to deal with change and complexity. By increasing people’s capacity to be spontaneous and work together generously, these tools enable leaders to be more effective in terms of presence, agility and communication skills, often in difficult situations.

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What is Applied Improvisation? And what can it do for you?

Wed, 06/07/2011 - 10:25 | Paul

You may be familiar with improvisation from shows like ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway’ or from watching performers create sketches, scenes or even entire dramas on stage. Or perhaps you know that works as diverse as the films of Mike Leigh, the comedy of Curb Your Enthusiasm and the TV series Gavin and Stacey are all founded on improvisation.

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4 design elements that make games work

Tue, 05/07/2011 - 08:28 | Paul

Jane McGonigal finds great merit in computer and video games. As she points out in her book, Reality is Broken, and her Ted talk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE1DuBesGYM&feature=player_embedded#at=1206, in games there is always something important and worthwhile to do. In a game world there’s no hanging around unemployed.

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Ruth Jones discusses improvisation on Richard & Judy

Tue, 15/02/2011 - 09:39 | Admin

Here’s what ‘Gavin and Stacey’ star and writer Ruth Jones had to say about her improvisation training with Paul Z Jackson when they appeared together on the Richard and Judy Show. The impact of improvisation remains apparent in the working methods of both Ruth Jones and Rob Brydon, who develop their characters and scenes by improvising with fellow performers together in a room, before committing dialogue to paper.

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“Our Executive Leadership Program was a tremendous success. We got an overall evaluation of 4.9 on a 5.0 scale (almost unheard-of here for a first time 'pilot'). Your training was instrumental in getting us grounded and off to a good start in terms of design. Thanks so much again!” Procter & Gamble

“I liked the chance to have a go at lots of different things in a stretching but risk-free environment - good fun!!” Tesco

“The training was action-oriented and very much geared to participation….gives both the tools and the confidence to work effectively.” Oxfam

“Enjoyable and informative: this is the way forward.” Brook Street

“The session definitely exceeded our expectations and gave us a whole new perspective to think about structured learning experiences within P&G. Well worth the time spent. Appreciate all your hard work.” Procter & Gamble

“Ideas, inspiration, processes for getting more creative ideas out of people. Loved it.” Greenpeace UK

“…they are now working and thinking much more as a unit, and it is encouraging to see the investment in the course reap such rewards.” Audit Commission

“Tour-de-force” Partner, Grant Thornton

“Very good investment of time… really does make a difference.” Senior consultant, Fujitsu

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