Welcome to our Summer Newsletter Insight

Dear <<First Name>>
Welcome to the Summer edition of Insight, though from my part of the world it doesn't feel very summer-like, with torrential rain and plummeting temperatures. Hopefully we have something to brighten things up in this edition with news of awards, more insights into the world of a role player in 'Steve's Corner' and updates from our talented associates.

Things are also warming up in the Impromptu office as we make preparations to say "au revoir" to Barry our Programme Co-ordinator, who retires at the end of August. Many thanks Barry for all your hard work and good humour over the last few years. Have a great Summer and if it doesn't stop raining, I've got some timber and nails if anyone knows how to build an ark!

Best regards
Nigel & The Impromptu Team

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Impromptu Training Films

Impromptu has been making training films for our clients for many years. Performance management, customer service, sales techniques, difficult conversations are some recent examples. We can offer a full service from design, scripting, casting and all pre and post production to create broadcast quality film.

We consult with our clients to understand key content to be communicated, then offer options in terms of both the style of the film and how the content could be used in a learning environment.

We've created flash content and activities for e-learning modules, as well as numerous DVDs and related activities for classroom based sessions.

Some extracts from our client work can be viewed at impromptultd.com/inspire/training-films/

Watch this space for a new product that we'll be launching in the Autumn - a film resource to help teach the art of coaching.

If you would like to find out more please contact nigel@impromptultd.com

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HR Excellence Awards

DWF, a top 20 full service law firm, had been nominated in the Best Talent Management Strategy category and given the high standards applied in judging entries this was already a considerable achievement. Impromptu has been working with the talent development, learning development and HR team from DWF for several years in the design, ongoing development and delivery of a rigorous talent development programme focused on identifying and fostering future leaders in the business.

The talent programme is a way of differentiating DWF from the rest of the legal sector, while supporting its retention and succession plans, linking to the people aspects of the business planning process and enabling the firm to invest in and nurture high potentials.

Please click here to read more...

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Sitting behind a table

I was in a role play recently. There were two of us. Two characters, that is, and the participant, on a leadership programme. He had set the room up. It was his space. It was how he wanted the space to be. The leader was sitting on one side of the table and we were on the other. It was all wrong. Research, popular wisdom, communication theory tell us that. It’s confrontational, sitting on the other side. It creates a barrier. It promotes conflict. It restricts the establishment of rapport and contract. It inhibits emotional connection. The meeting was doomed to failure, surely.

But, as the conversation unfolded, my predictions began to unravel. The leader was responsive. He asked good questions. He demonstrated emotional intelligence. He adapted his style to the mood of the meeting. He listened not just to the message but the meanings behind the message. He showed interest and demonstrated skills of authentic inquiry. He responded flexibly to the style and needs of each of the two characters. He left spaces in appropriate ways and allowed his agenda to sit in the background rather than dominate the exchange. He held his views lightly.

Please click here to find out more...

"A Person Who Never Made A Mistake Never Tried Anything New"

Albert Einstein