Improving business performance – the potential of arts in training

Successful employee development is about changing attitudes and motivation before changing behaviour. The performing arts at their best can move an audience towards a particular state of mind; by adapting drama and music techniques for corporate training, they can be used to influence attitude and motivation, as well as develop core skills. In practice, various arts‐based training methods have been used to develop key communication skills, to examine sensitive issues which might otherwise be difficult to bring into the open, and to dramatically represent complex business issues. For those companies prepared to invest in it, arts‐based training can also be a catalyst for creativity in business. In an environment where creative advantage can increasingly be equated with competitive advantage, this is significant.