Gratitude for the power of
improv to improve the workplace
|
"Pam clearly reads her audience well, and had of team of skeptics not only laughing and participating, but also actively using the principles of the workshop within hours of her departure ... I have never participated in a workshop that was so thoroughly applicable to our daily life, work, and relationships. The return on investment was clear immediately." - Meghan Lynch, CEO, Six-Point Creative
“Happier Valley Comedy offers amazing applied improv professional development for teams. I have hired Pam Victor to work with our team and our clients to use fun improvisational games and laughter combined with insightful reflection to gain skills in collaboration and communication that we use in our business every day. A totally unique offering...it may sound weird, but it truly works. Fun, practical, engaging, connecting.” - Meghan Lynch, Six Point Creative |
|
"You really made the retreat a success and folks have commented that this was one of the most energizing and enjoyable retreats they’ve been to. A couple folks noted that this was the 'best retreat' they’ve ever been to! ...I would agree, that we were 100% successful." - Gina L Luciano, MD, FACP, Baystate Health Center
"Pam’s workshop brought new light to critical elements of successful team practices and communication opportunities. Pam was thoughtful and engaging, setting at ease both introverts and extroverts in her activities. Since we worked with Pam, my team has drawn on her workshop lessons many times to help frame feedback and motivate change. Pam is a true professional in her craft, and I am looking forward to the next opportunity to learn from her!" - Rebecca D. Blanchard, PhD Director of Healthcare Education/Baystate Health
"Pam is a skilled improv teacher who brings depth and breadth to her workshops. She helps walk us through assumptions misperceptions and judgment and helps us land in openness insight laughter and greater 'ease fullness.' Highly recommend." - Dr. Rob Smith, DO, Director of Baystate Health’s Mindfulness Programs
|
|
"The presentation opened up creative process between people by promoting listening and encouraging thinking rather than shutting down with exceptions and buts. It helped us to free up our more playful and creative brain." - Seth Dunn, Director of Quality, ServiceNet
|
|
"What an awesome experience for my team. The lessons were applicable and still resonate today...I think this has been one of the most positive and influential things we have done as a group. Yes, and I loved it. Yes, and I learned. Yes, and every office should take time for this!”-Kirsten Modestow, Executive Creative Director, BRIGADE
|
|
"Pam! Pam! Pam! Cheers to you for making the world a better place, one minute at a time! I enjoyed your presentation and have told all my friends of your comic and inspirational gifts. Thank you for making your way to Neilson Library and filling our hearts with joy and ease." - Rebecca Weber, Smith College
"Pam prioritized learning about the group and the needs and goals for the session. She seems to have a million different activities up her sleeve and put together just the right combination for our group. The staff raved about her session and continued to cite key phrases she taught for several weeks following. The staff really felt connected to Pam because of her presentation style. She is real, fun, funny, and inspirational. We will have her back again next year!" -Mandy Anderson, Director, Summer Programs and Conference Services at Smith College
"Pam Victor's workshop shifted the mood in our department. I saw my co-workers become less circumspect and more willing to share new ideas in meetings. And I have noticed people publicly acknowledging unexpected 'mistakes' in their presentations with a sense of humor instead of frustration and fear..This workshop was taught me that being kind and empathic to myself does not get in the way of helping others - it can actually make me more effective because I am staying aware and listening to what is really going on." - Miriam Neptune, Smith College Reference Librarian
"I love working with Pam in developing the right kind of program for my group. She asked great questions about the group dynamics and how her program could be of the most benefit. She was able to get an entire group (with many introverts) up, active and engaged. We have been talking about the experience ever since! I highly recommend bringing Pam as part of a team building exercise. You will have fun, laugh, learn, and come out with some great communication skills." -Kate Harrington, Senior Human Resources Specialist, Office of Human Resources, Smith College |
|
"The workshops create a fast-paced, energizing and insightful learning environment. Using the techniques of improvisation, participants can explore the dynamics of effective communication, successful collaboration, creativity and more. The sessions offer lessons and skills that are readily transferable to workplace settings. Perhaps of equal importance, the sessions are filled with laughter which enables the learning to happen in an atmosphere of exploration and fun." - Stephen Butler, Trainer and OD Specialist for Amherst College
|
|
"Students found your workshop very valuable. From their comments about quieting their judgmental voices, reframing failure, and being in the moment, it’s pretty evident that your messages were heard and remembered. Students were also clear that they thought you would be a great facilitator to bring back to campus." -Kali Odell, Assistant Director for Career Advising Amherst College Career Center
|
|
" Our students loved this event! ... I'm a true believer in the power of improv to give students the confidence they need to be successful in their job search. Pam connected with everyone in the room, had us laughing and learning, and made this one of our best career events of the year. I especially liked how a passerby in the hallway during the YAY activity said, 'Now that sounds like great teaching!' I agree." -Brian Krusell, Director of College of Information and Computer Sciences Careers, University of Massachusetts (Amherst)
"It was a nice opportunity to meet other faculty and staff from around the university and engage in honest, refreshing and humorous reflections on the challenges and joys of worklife at UMass. I walked away feeling a little more gratitude for my colleagues and a better understanding of the particular challenges they face. " -Jennifer Lundquist, Senior Associate Dean of SBS, Professor of Sociology "The program was an excellent opportunity to connect with my team, myself, and my work. I came out of the program with a better sense of what was holding me back, what made me an asset to my team, and what we were all working towards. It was professional, it was fun, and I left that valley happier!" - Marcel Raisbeck, Troupe Member, Not Ready for Bedtime Players (UMass Amherst) |
|
"I felt this professional development was a great success. Our presenter was engaging and gave us many tools to process and deal with the stressors of our daily work. It was a refreshing take on a common subject."- Avi Verdi, SFS Counselor, Williams College
|
|
"A great team building activity for our remote sales team. A big takeaway for the team was the idea of disempowering failure and saying no to that voice of doubt that can creep in. This was a fun way to build confidence!” - Emily Negard, Director of Partner Communications, University Relations Team, CISabroad
|
|
"We came, we laughed, and we learned! We participated in seven communication fundamentals that with the physical involvement - standing, clapping, observing - helped reinforce and remind our team what is important when it comes to communication. This was extremely helpful and was a great team building exercise. All staff members enjoyed being a part of this workshop." - Mary Jo Murphy, Executive Director, Snow Farm
|
|
"The Collaborate with Positivity workshop was a great way for our team to explore ideas in a playful and creative way. Pam skillfully used humor and storytelling to invite us into reflection about what gets in the way and what could help strengthen our relationships with each other and our own confidence." - Kaydance Scotto, AmeriCorps Program Coordinator DIAL/SELF Youth & Community Services
|
|
“The training was entertaining and enlightening. It is easy to implement the tips and tricks that were taught. I would recommend this training to anyone and any company.”
"Pam presented a very interactive and insightful program to our team. Our work in Senior Living is very relational and collaboration is essential! She was professional, and needless to say, engaging. Well worth the time!" |
|
"Pam’s presentation was inspirational and empowering! ... Her program encourages mindfulness and helps to build lasting communication skills. I would HIGHLY recommend bringing Pam into your business and/or event! You and your guests will be forever grateful!" - Michele Martinez, AVP Closing Operations, Polish National Credit Union
|
|
"Pam Victor’s workshop was creative, motivating, funny, and fun. Her innovative and non-threatening approach brought a great deal of insight and connection to our team. Anyone who has ever wanted to gain a deeper understanding of how they communicate best and how they can relate to others would benefit from this workshop. Pam’s facilitation style is the perfect combination of encouragement and excitement. We can’t wait to do this again!" -Lisa Ekus, Founder, The Lisa Ekus Group
"After working with Pam and her program, it is clear that our team communicates more effectively and our team makes decisions faster and with more joy." -Sally Ekus, Manager and Literary Agent, The Lisa Ekus Group |
|
“A fun and insightful way of building our new team at a staff retreat. Weaving together fun games and simple observations, Pam taught us techniques to put aside our judgments and bring out the creativity of the group in our shared work.” -Heidi Nortonsmith, Executive Director of the Northampton Survival Center
|
|
"I use what I've learned everyday in my career and family: relating to what is happening here and now, responding instead of reacting. Pam is an amazing teacher and understands how to apply improv to life. We are so fortunate to have her in the Valley!" -Dr. Sue Keller, Owner of Strong and Healthy Smiles
|
|
"I would recommend Pam as a presenter to whomever is bringing in trainers, or trying to make their organization more effective in thinking, collaborating, changing their outlook to positive, and on and on. " -Ira Bryck, Family Business Center of Pioneer Valley
|
|
"The response to your workshop has been overwhelmingly positive. For many of the participants, it was about the level of comfort and the laughter. I had the most fun I've had in a while." -Anita L. Mitchell, Correctional Nurse
|
|
"Pam's workshop was very uplifting and positive. We asked for feedback and our most skeptical people even thought it was great." -Jeffrey Glaze, President/CEO, EpiCenter
|
From more training participants
“I felt that Pam was a dynamic speaker, and the skills she was inviting us to learn were so applicable to our work.”
"I loved this presentation. I suppose in a way, we are all constantly improvising our way through life. and I loved Pam’s way of delivering that. Brava!"
"Thank you so much for this event -- it healed my heart."
"This event brought a lot of fun to the group- It got people talking to each other (and listening!)"
"The program was awesome, informational and entertaining. I feel it was successful in keeping everyone involved and laughing. A lot of the content was very meaningful and resonated with everyone leaving a lasting effect."
"Lovely, informative and educational presenter! Pam made learning an 'old' dog new tricks fun. The two hour program just flew by. Enjoyed and already have implemented the Maybe Farmer mindset during work and home hours!"
"This was a great presentation and reminded us to not be so hard on ourselves. I've used the concept of inner critic and inner coach multiple times since the workshop."
"[Pam] was really great, and clearly has a deep knowledge of how to get people to look at their processes, and at the myriad ways we scold ourselves into worse performance."
"I felt that Pam did a great job making herself relatable, which helped people feel more comfortable from the start. But, I think the most successful part was how failure was reframed into something that doesn't have to create anxiety. You could tell from everyone's demeanor how meaningful that piece of information was."
"The low bar for physical participation was helpful, and some of the specific techniques we learned about through practice were very valuable. Sharing the 'Yay!' was terrific."
"It was a good balance of pushing out of our comfort zones while respecting our boundaries."
"I think that we have a work culture that centers fear and doesn't encourage healthy risk-taking; this workshop really helped me vault over those harmful inhibitions."
"I loved this presentation. I suppose in a way, we are all constantly improvising our way through life. and I loved Pam’s way of delivering that. Brava!"
"Thank you so much for this event -- it healed my heart."
"This event brought a lot of fun to the group- It got people talking to each other (and listening!)"
"The program was awesome, informational and entertaining. I feel it was successful in keeping everyone involved and laughing. A lot of the content was very meaningful and resonated with everyone leaving a lasting effect."
"Lovely, informative and educational presenter! Pam made learning an 'old' dog new tricks fun. The two hour program just flew by. Enjoyed and already have implemented the Maybe Farmer mindset during work and home hours!"
"This was a great presentation and reminded us to not be so hard on ourselves. I've used the concept of inner critic and inner coach multiple times since the workshop."
"[Pam] was really great, and clearly has a deep knowledge of how to get people to look at their processes, and at the myriad ways we scold ourselves into worse performance."
"I felt that Pam did a great job making herself relatable, which helped people feel more comfortable from the start. But, I think the most successful part was how failure was reframed into something that doesn't have to create anxiety. You could tell from everyone's demeanor how meaningful that piece of information was."
"The low bar for physical participation was helpful, and some of the specific techniques we learned about through practice were very valuable. Sharing the 'Yay!' was terrific."
"It was a good balance of pushing out of our comfort zones while respecting our boundaries."
"I think that we have a work culture that centers fear and doesn't encourage healthy risk-taking; this workshop really helped me vault over those harmful inhibitions."
