Spontaneity during the Prezi: Hough to show how improv can improve presentations

Winging it in a one-on-one meeting, before a crowd of hundreds or in front of the board? Don’t be such a chicken – go for it, says Karen Hough, who worked her way toward successful entrepreneurship doing just that.
The former Second City performer is the best-selling author of “The Improvisation Edge: Secrets to Building Trust and Radical Collaboration at Work.” Her book was a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon and also made the Top 25 Business Books on 800-CEO-READ. Now the founder and CEO of Columbus, Ohio-based ImprovEdge, Hough will be providing professional pointers at The University of Findlay’s Alumni Memorial Union Multipurpose Room at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 8. Doors will open at 6:45 p.m. for this free, community event.
Hough has been using improvisation as a learning tool for more than 12 years. Coupled with presence and authenticity, she says it works to unite an audience in the presenters’ favor. “The little known art of improv is all about thinking on your feet, reading your audience and reacting in the moment,” Hough says. “It’s a critical part of being a powerful person…”
During her high-energy, light-hearted, humorous and engaging talk, Hough will discuss why some longstanding rules about how to give a presentation can and should be broken; offer speaking tips that cater to audiences large and small; and teach the foundational principles of improvisation, which allow for maximum flexibility.
Following her discussion, titled “Be the Best Bad Presenter Ever! Influence, Impact and Improv,” Hough will be available to answer questions, have photos taken and autograph her newest book just released in 2014, “Be the Best Bad Presenter Ever: Break the Rules, Make Mistakes, and Win Them Over.” Books will be available for cash sales.
In 2012 ImprovEdge received the silver Stevie International Award for Most Innovative Company of the Year for Women in Business. Hough is the recipient of the Athena PowerLink Award for an outstanding women-owned business, and the company is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise.
Hough also writes articles for industry media and publications such as Huffington Post and Inc.com, and has been featured at online sites such as Mashable.com and BusinessInsider.com. After training and performing with Chicago’s famed Second City, she became a successful internet technology executive. ImprovEdge has a presence in five cities and a client list that includes brands such as ESPN, JPMorgan and Coach.
Karen is a graduate of Yale University and La Sorbonne, Paris IV. She serves on several boards and is deeply committed to volunteer activities.
For more information about Hough and her company, visit www.improvedge.com
Hough’s visit is being sponsored by UF’s Office of Student Activities, Commuter Services, Leadership Development and Student Government Association. For more event information, call (419) 434-4606.