Creative Expeditions workshops

The workshops below strengthen team collaboration while developing new skills in team members. They use an interactive format and invite participants to apply the learning to actual work in progress. I tailor the content to the teams so it feels more like coaching than training. Tip: Host a workshop at the start of a big team project to equip people with new skills.

Although designed for teams, workshops can be adapted for individuals not on the same team but within the same organization. At this time, there are no pre-scheduled workshops for people who wish to sign up individually. One-on-one coaching is recommended in these cases; it offers the same content – customized to the individual.

My priority is clients in the Greater Toronto Area. B.I.5 and ABCaP are offered free to students and charitable organizations with some conditions: contact me for details.

Creative Conversations – a way to create BREAKTHROUGH IDEAS

2-HOUR WORKSHOP | ANY NUMBER OF PEOPLE |

As Leader, how do you ensure your team is applying creativity to the right issues, with the right results? You engage in Creative Conversations – they’re brief, proactive collaborations (2 to 10-minutes) you use to focus and inspire the creative process of a person or team. The framework for these conversations is a simple five-step process* (B.I.5, described below); you steal time for it at the end of meetings, in the hallway, over coffee or whenever needed to help your team…

• align ideas with bigger goals/strategies
• generate ”specific actionable ideas” that are realistic to implement
• present ideas to decision-makers using a strong business case

The takeaways include specific tips for when and how to conduct Creative Conversations and an overview of B.I.5. The format of the workshop is easily adapted to the specific needs of a group and can include practice with conversations on a simple creative challenge brought in by participants. The effectiveness of this technique increases exponentially if teams participate in B.I.5 workshop (below).

B.I.5 – Breakthrough Ideas in 5 Steps

A WORKSHOP OF TWO HALF-DAYS | 4-9 PEOPLE | B.I.5 Workshop Outline.pdf

Is your team able to produce good ideas, fast? Are these ideas strong enough to make it to implementation? To go beyond ideas to viable solutions, you need to do more than “brainstorm”. B.I.5. is a simple tool to create ideas that break through approvals to be implemented. (For more on B.I.5, click here.) Practice it on a challenge relevant to your business and learn what habits to “keep/drop/install” when you’re developing ideas. Workshop takeaways include experience applying B.I.5 techniques and tactics for securing early support for ideas. For a peek at the 5 steps, download the B.I.5 Cheatsheet.pdf. B.I.5 was adapted for Driving Innovation, a module in the Fairmont Hotels Leadership Program.

ABCAP – Action-Oriented Communication

2.5-HOUR WORKSHOP | 2-6 PEOPLE | ABCaP Workshop Outline.pdf

Does your team’s communication drive action on your team’s projects? ABCaP is a simple tool that uses a burning question and a clear “ask“ to drive action. It’s geared to PowerPoint but applies to all forms of communication. Apply it to a sample of your work and identify what habits to “keep/drop/install” with regards to presentations, e-mails and phone calls. The workshop takeaway is experience applying ABCaP process/techniques. For a peek at the process, download the ABCaP Cheatsheet.pdf. Couple the workshop with private coaching for maximum effect.

Manager’s Workshop

3-HOUR WORKSHOP | 3-8 PEOPLE |Managers Workshop Outline (pdf)

What simple improvements in your team interaction will boost productivity? “Solution-finding” is overcoming the big and small challenges that impact on productivity; it’s an attitude as well as a skill set. Invite your managers to explore solution-finding in their teams with a focus on innovation, collaboration and communication. The workshop takeaways are tips and techniques managers can apply immediately and a framework to continue the discussion.