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How Improv Can Take Customer Service to the Next Level. ROI: Richard Oberbruner Improv Second City Trained Improviser Job / Career / Life Coach Library Patron. Other Library Improv Workshops. PLA Philadelphia, 2012 Carmel Clay Library, suburban Indianapolis
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How Improv Can Take Customer Service to the Next Level ROI: Richard OberbrunerImprov Second City Trained Improviser Job / Career / Life Coach Library Patron
Other Library Improv Workshops • PLA Philadelphia, 2012 • Carmel Clay Library, suburban Indianapolis • Metropolitan Library System, Oklahoma City • Suburban Chicago: Highland Park, Orland Park, Hinsdale, Waukegan, Niles, Palatine BIO B.A. English Lit, U of Wisconsin Second City Training Center, Chicago
LIBRARY CUSTOMER SERVICE As our profession contemplates the future of libraries, a recurring theme surfaces: that the public trust and faith in the institution is not so much about information retrieval or document management as it is about the intangibles— the place the relationships the environment for learning It is top-notch customer service that will sustain and grow libraries. http://www.webjunction.org/explore-topics/customer-services.html
Finding a Fresh Perspective http://www.flickr.com/photos/seeminglee/4556156477/
The 5 Elements of Improv • Trust • Communication • Acceptance • Building • Spontaneity Each game we play has elements of each.
Objective #1 Recognize & utilize the elements of improv to enhance daily interactions
Objective #2 Make the shift from“Right or Wrong Thinking” to seeing your options as“Better Choices & Best Choices”
Objective #3 Move toward a “Yes, and” attitude, Allow for free flow of communication
Objective #4 Explore resolution of everyday customer service scenarios
Objective #5 Discover the value of laughterwhen facing uncertainty
Regular • Emotions • Silent • Eyes Zip Zap Zup Zip Zap Zup Zip Zap Zup Zip Zap Zup Sending and receiving emotions: Gestures 55% Tone 38% Words 7%
Word Association Activity • Key Improv Element: Communication • Facilitator prompts individual or group to say first word that pops into their head(s) based on the word facilitator spontaneously says. • Build a Sentence / Build a Mission Statement • Key Improv Element: Building
Dr. Know-It-All • Key Improv Elements: Communication & Building • Four people stand side-by-side and answer a question or explain a process one word at a time building a complete thought. The last person adds punctuation.
One Word Sentences • Key Improv Element: Communication • Participants build dialogue by exchanging only one chosen word at a time
Success MagazineMay 2012 “An Office Where Funny Business Is Encouraged” Why workplace teams that share laughs do better and more profitable work. ~ Stephanie Dolgoff ~
Office Hugh More • Bonds the staff • Levels the hierarchy • Breaks tension in a stressful, deadline-driven environment
“Yes, and…” Thinking • Brings positive energy to the workplace. • Affirms and expands possibilities. • Endorses acceptance of what has been said. • Moves conversation forward constructively. • Helps create partnerships within the workplace and within the community.
Yes, and… vs. No, but… Thinking • Key Improv Element: Acceptance • Yes, And - Two character scene where each completely agree or positively reinforce what the other is saying. • No, But - Two character scene where each completely disagree or negatively reinforce what the other is saying.
Solving a problem Working with a community partner Training a new employee Applying “Yes, and…” Thinking Brainstorming ideas ? Coaching for improved performance Resolving complaints Introducing a service
Conducted Emotion • Key Improv Element: Building • Four demonstrative participants stand side-by-side, each given a specific emotion with which to express themselves verbally about a given topic when pointed-to by the facilitator.
Library Statue • Key Improv Element: Building / Spontaneity • Three participants connect physically and hold their positions for audience to interpret the meaning behind their poses.
Entrances & Exits • Key Improv Element: Spontaneity • Two character scene where conflict develops: one character leaves and another enters to interact with the remaining character. That character leaves when conflict develops only to be replaced by yet another character, etc.
True in Improv, True in the Workplace: “I made the best choice I could, next time I’ll make a better choice” http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettyfnmess/2725674288/
http://www.slideshare.net/JohnnySchaefer/generations-workplace-characteristicspdfhttp://www.slideshare.net/JohnnySchaefer/generations-workplace-characteristicspdf