The word Improv

[Nathalie Van Renterghem]

Hello,
We're creating a tag line, to use with our name Inspinazie, concerning AI-stuff. We want an english one since a lot of companies in Brussels area have a lot of english speaking departments. The word improvisation or improv might be in it.
We wonder if the word improv is common enough for people who are not busy with theatre. Dutch speaking people think it refers to the word improve. Do you use "improv" or "improvisation" in titles and tag lines ?
Thanks for helping us!

[Drew Tarvin]

In the US improv is starting to become more popular (though my spell checker still tries to auto-correct it as "improve"). Improvisation is probably the more standard, so I guess that means it was a good choice = ).

[Nathalie Van Renterghem]

Hi! thanks for all the reactions. I think now with everything we also heard around we can say that here improv is often understood as improve , just as Paul said. And indeed we end up chose the full version of the word, not impro or improv. We agree with Leif on that.
It became "INSPINAZIE - Improvisation minds your business" and "Improvisatie werkt." in dutch
New website in a few weeks :-)

[Leif Hansen]

Personally, I'm making the shift from 'improv' (which is associated with primarily 'comedy') to words like 'improvise' and 'improvisation' which focuses on the more general skill/art.
Cheers,
Leif

[Andrew Gaines]

Hi Nathalie,

Please let me know if you are still pondering this and I will spend some moments offering feedback.

Ciao!

Andy

[Tania]

In French-speaking countries, we definitely all use "impro" and know exactly what it means, we never use "improv": ligue d'impro, match d'impro, catch-impro, théâtre d'impro, faire de l'impro etc. etc.
(but that's not helpful is it? lol)

Tania

[Tess Doucet]

Great business title BTW, "Inspinazie"!

I am not sure about using the word Impro - have been wondering about that myself. Here in Amsterdam, the first thing that comes to mind is theatersport, and that is not necessarily positive. Especially with the "Lama's" TV show people are quick to judge. Alternatively, you could refer to Keith Johnstone's work in a background section.

What I really liked on Impro business Piranha's website (http://www.piranhatheater.nl/), is that they publish a video on the homepage. To me, a video will tell me straight away all I want to know about the work, and the people doing it.

I guess you could ask yourself and your colleagues: what kind of product are you selling? Is it about teambuilding, teamempowerment? innovation? What, to you, is so fascinating/amazing/powerful/useful about applying Impro in business? Right here, right now? Just some Q's I need to ask myself too, so... I'd be curious to hear your answers! And they could possibly help you find that tagline.

Good luck!

Good luck,

[Stef Kuypers]

Why not something along the lines of 'Improving improv with Inspinazie'?

Cheers,
Stef

[Paul Z Jackson]

In England many of us tried calling it Impro, as in Keith Johnstone's book title, but most Americans seem to call it improv. My spell-checker keeps changing it to improve. 'Improvisation' may be stronger in a tag-line, as it's less easy to misread.
Then again, I've lost count of how many people have read (aloud) my book title of '58 1/2 Ways To Improvise In Training' as '58 1/2 ways to improve...' (well, OK, it's 17).
Cheers, Paul Z