Spreading the Transforming Power of Improvisation
AIN meeting about certification, accreditation and training
Notes from Paul Z Jackson following a meeting with Frederique Frédérique Thiriet-Smith, Belina Raffy, Padraig Hyland , Sylvaine Messica, Paul Z Jackson, in St Albans, UK, Friday 22 May 2009
Improvisation and applied improvisation
Improvisation as performance has a long history. Currently there are many routes through which people can train to be impro performers – even to the extent of various ‘schools’ or traditions, such as Johnstone, Spolin, Chicago, etc.
Applied Improvisation (AI) is different, a relatively new field, gathering under the umbrella of the Applied Improvisation Network (AIN), with a recognition that the predominantly theatrical (and comic) expression of improvisation is an accident of history. The concepts, principles and practices apply just as well – and perhaps with greater potential impact – in non-theatrical contexts, particularly within organisations.
Some organisations find out about impro as entertainment – by booking a show for a conference, perhaps; some experience impro workshops for fun. These are among the ways in for improvisation to be applied – as a way of achieving better teamwork, improved presentation skills, innovation, strategic insights and much, much more.
Training
Beyond trainings to be theatrical improvisers, we are starting to see trainings to be applied improvisers.
One possibility for the AIN is to collect and publicise these trainings. Some are already advertised on the Events pages of the website.
There are also a wealth of training and development opportunities at the AIN conferences and at AIN local/regional meetings. And there is plenty of experience from our independent practices of applying improvisation, waiting to be harvested.
Making a market
Many theatrical improvisers are keen to practice applied improvisation in organisations, and may want to learn more about those contexts. Conversely, there are trainers and facilitators with business backgrounds who would like to learn more impro skills.
More and more organisations are recognising that impro has a lot to offer, and will be seeking good practitioners.
The AIN is well-placed to broker marketplaces for meeting these demands, and raising standards so that ‘improvisation in organisations’ develops and retains a good reputation.
Improvisation does not belong to anybody: it is a set of concepts, principles, activities, experiences, that anyone can get involved in and do whatever they want with. The AIN, as an improvisational umbrella, is an open organisation, which can thus serve as a fair and transparent industry-standard body.
Our experiences of accreditation and certification
Between us we knew about certification and accreditations within such fields as coaching (ICF, ILM), NLP, ASTD, Microsoft, project management and others. We had no clear distinction between ‘certification’ and ‘accreditation’, though noted they could be variously applied to individuals, to courses and/or to organisations.
The benefits of good accreditation:
• A badge that adds to your reputation and can help you attract business
• A process through which you learn and develop valuable skills
• Access to a network of fellow practitioners with a recognised set of standards/ethics
• A guarantee for the buyer of certain standards or levels of experience
• A means for the AIN to build more understanding of our practice and increase our impact worldwide
We felt it would be better for us all if AIN took a lead in accreditation, rather than risking other, less open bodies, grabbing the reins. We want it to be attractive and inclusive, and for it to be OK for us for anyone to choose not to get involved.
How to build it from where we are now
It is already apparent that some of the benefits mentioned above are already available simply by being a member of AIN.
By being a member you are saying (to clients, to the world) that you subscribe to the mission and value statements. Perhaps this should be made clearer on our website to both potential practitioners and to potential clients.
You can display the link to AIN and the AIN badge on your website, card and marketing materials.
Your AIN profile shows your experience. We agreed we could develop either a section of the site or a new website for facing the client. This would offer useful info about the field and about the qualifications and experience of the network members, perhaps pointing clients with specific needs to appropriate sections.
Vouching for each other
We liked the concept of other users contributing to a mark of quality – for example, with e-bay ratings, and recommendations on LinkedIn.
One possibility is you get the AIN Badge of Quality if you are vouched for by 2 or 3 other members of AIN.
This could be any member; or perhaps from two who have already acquired the Badge, which could bring the benefits of a more mentoring relationship. (In the latter case, we’d need a starting group of experienced members).
You would agree to vouch if you felt that the work you witnessed met certain criteria – such as demonstrating the application of impro principles to the case, that it was done with a degree of skill, that the client achieved a desired result. It may be that we have a space for client involvement in the process, too. Witnessing work might involve a visit to see it in action, or an interview process.
We could include Paul Levy’s idea that the award of a Badge also depends on some contribution to the network – such as participating in meetings, conferences and/or website activity.
Developing an AIN training offer
We felt to be a good AI practitioner you need expertise and skill in 3 dimensions:
• Improvisation
• Organisations
• The particular profession or skill area in which you operate
An AIN train-the-trainer offer might include ways that applied improvisers could develop their craft, by going through a defined process and gaining a certificate to acknowledge that.
It would include what you need to know about business, what you need to know about impro, and perhaps a range of good application practice.
To retain the improvisational spirit, it’s likely to be modular, so you take only the parts you need, depending on your experience.
Professional development for applied improvisers could appeal to trainers, facilitators, coaches, workshop leaders, conference presenters.
What next?
Please add your comments to this discussion.
What might we develop further at our conference?
Note about the meeting participants
We were all:
• experienced theatrical improvisers
• consultants and trainers of improv in organisations
• previously employed as managers within large organisations
• and 4/5 presented improv in business schools
Improvisation and applied improvisation
Improvisation as performance has a long history. Currently there are many routes through which people can train to be impro performers – even to the extent of various ‘schools’ or traditions, such as Johnstone, Spolin, Chicago, etc.
Applied Improvisation (AI) is different, a relatively new field, gathering under the umbrella of the Applied Improvisation Network (AIN), with a recognition that the predominantly theatrical (and comic) expression of improvisation is an accident of history. The concepts, principles and practices apply just as well – and perhaps with greater potential impact – in non-theatrical contexts, particularly within organisations.
Some organisations find out about impro as entertainment – by booking a show for a conference, perhaps; some experience impro workshops for fun. These are among the ways in for improvisation to be applied – as a way of achieving better teamwork, improved presentation skills, innovation, strategic insights and much, much more.
Training
Beyond trainings to be theatrical improvisers, we are starting to see trainings to be applied improvisers.
One possibility for the AIN is to collect and publicise these trainings. Some are already advertised on the Events pages of the website.
There are also a wealth of training and development opportunities at the AIN conferences and at AIN local/regional meetings. And there is plenty of experience from our independent practices of applying improvisation, waiting to be harvested.
Making a market
Many theatrical improvisers are keen to practice applied improvisation in organisations, and may want to learn more about those contexts. Conversely, there are trainers and facilitators with business backgrounds who would like to learn more impro skills.
More and more organisations are recognising that impro has a lot to offer, and will be seeking good practitioners.
The AIN is well-placed to broker marketplaces for meeting these demands, and raising standards so that ‘improvisation in organisations’ develops and retains a good reputation.
Improvisation does not belong to anybody: it is a set of concepts, principles, activities, experiences, that anyone can get involved in and do whatever they want with. The AIN, as an improvisational umbrella, is an open organisation, which can thus serve as a fair and transparent industry-standard body.
Our experiences of accreditation and certification
Between us we knew about certification and accreditations within such fields as coaching (ICF, ILM), NLP, ASTD, Microsoft, project management and others. We had no clear distinction between ‘certification’ and ‘accreditation’, though noted they could be variously applied to individuals, to courses and/or to organisations.
The benefits of good accreditation:
• A badge that adds to your reputation and can help you attract business
• A process through which you learn and develop valuable skills
• Access to a network of fellow practitioners with a recognised set of standards/ethics
• A guarantee for the buyer of certain standards or levels of experience
• A means for the AIN to build more understanding of our practice and increase our impact worldwide
We felt it would be better for us all if AIN took a lead in accreditation, rather than risking other, less open bodies, grabbing the reins. We want it to be attractive and inclusive, and for it to be OK for us for anyone to choose not to get involved.
How to build it from where we are now
It is already apparent that some of the benefits mentioned above are already available simply by being a member of AIN.
By being a member you are saying (to clients, to the world) that you subscribe to the mission and value statements. Perhaps this should be made clearer on our website to both potential practitioners and to potential clients.
You can display the link to AIN and the AIN badge on your website, card and marketing materials.
Your AIN profile shows your experience. We agreed we could develop either a section of the site or a new website for facing the client. This would offer useful info about the field and about the qualifications and experience of the network members, perhaps pointing clients with specific needs to appropriate sections.
Vouching for each other
We liked the concept of other users contributing to a mark of quality – for example, with e-bay ratings, and recommendations on LinkedIn.
One possibility is you get the AIN Badge of Quality if you are vouched for by 2 or 3 other members of AIN.
This could be any member; or perhaps from two who have already acquired the Badge, which could bring the benefits of a more mentoring relationship. (In the latter case, we’d need a starting group of experienced members).
You would agree to vouch if you felt that the work you witnessed met certain criteria – such as demonstrating the application of impro principles to the case, that it was done with a degree of skill, that the client achieved a desired result. It may be that we have a space for client involvement in the process, too. Witnessing work might involve a visit to see it in action, or an interview process.
We could include Paul Levy’s idea that the award of a Badge also depends on some contribution to the network – such as participating in meetings, conferences and/or website activity.
Developing an AIN training offer
We felt to be a good AI practitioner you need expertise and skill in 3 dimensions:
• Improvisation
• Organisations
• The particular profession or skill area in which you operate
An AIN train-the-trainer offer might include ways that applied improvisers could develop their craft, by going through a defined process and gaining a certificate to acknowledge that.
It would include what you need to know about business, what you need to know about impro, and perhaps a range of good application practice.
To retain the improvisational spirit, it’s likely to be modular, so you take only the parts you need, depending on your experience.
Professional development for applied improvisers could appeal to trainers, facilitators, coaches, workshop leaders, conference presenters.
What next?
Please add your comments to this discussion.
What might we develop further at our conference?
Note about the meeting participants
We were all:
• experienced theatrical improvisers
• consultants and trainers of improv in organisations
• previously employed as managers within large organisations
• and 4/5 presented improv in business schools
Tags: accreditation, badge, certification, promotion, quality
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Knutson-Bradac on -
I think this is good work. Thanks to you all. I'm interested in promoting a slightly different thread for inclusion: "The application of improv into professional practices" . In my impro group, 4 of the 7 members are therapists who have had dramatic impact on their work, applying the principles of impro and using many of the structures with clients. Through classes I have taught I know of nurses, lawyers and university professors who have applied impro in wonderful ways..........so I think there should be a path for therapists, educators, professionals in general who apply the principles to their work, which may not be organizationally focused.
Thanks, and cheers for your good work!
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Permalink Reply by Leif Hansen on -
Wow, sounds like it was a great meeting with lots of good ideas.
Some quick responses:
-I like the idea of a specific badge once one has been vouched for by 3 others. We could even (finally) make use of the 'featured member' feature for those who have gone through this vouching. However, it seems there would need to be some sort of automated process, appointed 'moderator', or group that gives the final thumbs up. Did you think of any ideas for final approval/certification?
-I really like the idea of a track during the ain conference where people can be certified. NASAGA does this, and it simply involved attending an introduction, a certain number of sessions, and then a final presentation of a 'case study' (very informal) to the group.
Lets perhaps hold an open space session on this at the Portland conference.
Warmly,
Leif
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