TRAINING & WORKSHOPS

Our training and workshop portfolio

We have a track record for delivering engaging, practice-based workshops on a range of themes, from innovation, diversity & inclusion to public speaking.

Ben Laumann from Sidestream Consulting delivering a strategic change management workshop to 30 people

CASE STUDIES

Innovation Strategy Workshop for a London-Based Startup

MARVELous Ideas

Challenge:

A London-based startup wanted to sharpen its creative problem-solving skills and push beyond conventional thinking. The goal was to apply cognitive tools to generate and pitch unique, high-concept ideas.

Strategy:

We designed "Marvellous Ideas", a full-day innovation workshop where teams created and pitched a pilot episode for a new Marvel series using unused characters. Each concept had to include:

- A hero and antagonist with unique powers

- A twist or hook

- A strong ending

Pitches were judged on novelty, desirability, and feasibility, encouraging participants to take risks and embrace the creative process.

Innovation Strategy Workshop for a London-Based Startup

Solution:

The fast-paced, interactive session led to bold and imaginative ideas, from villain-villain alliances to unexpected character arcs. Participants stepped outside their comfort zones, gaining confidence in ideation and strategic thinking.

Feedback:

“I never thought I’d pitch a superhero show—this really changed how I approach idea generation.”

“Loved the balance of structure and creative freedom—innovating felt effortless.”

A round based D&D-inspired simulation for first-movers, first followers and implementation strategy.

Streamer Things

A round based D&D-inspired simulation for first-movers, first followers and implementation strategy.

Solution:

This immersive game tests risk tolerance, resilience, and strategic foresight, forcing teams to navigate industry resistance, market volatility, and the dilemma of first-mover vs. first-follower advantage. Players leave with a deeper understanding of innovation strategy, long-term vision, and the unpredictable nature of market disruption.

Feedback:

"A brilliant exercise in strategy, uncertainty, and sticking to your vision—even when the industry says you're wrong."

"The best way to experience what real business decisions feel like—equal parts calculated risk and sheer luck."

Challenge:

In 2007, streaming is an unproven and risky concept, with the film industry uncertain about its potential. As media executives, your team must make critical investment decisions on emerging technologies, anti-lag streaming, UX design, digital rights management, and more, without knowing how the market will evolve. Will your innovations disrupt the industry or be dismissed as a passing fad?

Strategy:

Played as a round-based, Dungeons & Dragons-style simulation, each team invests in technologies, influencing how Martin Scorsese evaluates their business at the Academy Awards. However, success is never guaranteed - every decision must be validated with a roll of a D20 dice, reflecting the unpredictability of execution and market forces.

  • Round 1: (2007 Oscars) Scorsese roasts your decisions, scoring you negatively for disrupting traditional cinema. Some teams pivot, abandoning their investments under pressure.

  • Round 2 (2008 Oscars): The financial crisis has hit, reshaping the industry. Those who stuck with their innovations despite initial backlash are approached by a man named Reed Hastings—the founder of a new streaming platform called Netflix—who sees their vision and wants to collaborate.

Psychological Capital Workshop - MBA Leadership Training

Psychological Capital Workshop

MBA Leadership Training

Challenge:

MBA students, managers, and executives need more than just technical skills to thrive in today's fast-paced business world. Developing resilience, optimism, and self-efficacy, the core components of psychological capital, is essential for effective leadership, yet often overlooked in traditional management education.

Strategy:

We designed an immersive workshop that combined expert-led discussions, cognitive tools, and interactive exercises to help participants understand and apply psychological capital in real-world leadership scenarios. Using techniques such as "Rewind" and "Reframe", participants learned how to shift perspectives, break free from negative thinking, and develop a mindset that thrives under pressure. Through engaging activities, they explored how to rewire their mindset and harness positive psychology to navigate adversity with confidence.

Solution:

The workshop provided a blend of theory and practice, ensuring that participants left with tangible, actionable insights to implement immediately. Attendees described the session as refreshing, inspiring, and transformative, with many expressing how the "Rewind & Reframe" techniques helped them shift perspectives, overcome negative thinking, and make better decisions.

Feedback:

“Brilliant and creative way of overcoming negative thinking… A useful tool for teams and individuals in managing perceptions and behaviors.”

"Really needed this session today without knowing I needed it. I'm in limbo over a big decision and need to REWIRE and REFRAME my mindset. Outstanding—thank you so much!"

"Great session. Helped us look at reframing and rewinding challenges or setbacks we encounter in life. A truly innovative approach!"

Public Speaking & Confidence Workshop

Public Speaking & Confidence Workshop

London-Based Professional Services Team

Challenge:

A London-based professional services company with a diverse group of participants, spanning different experiences, roles, and ages, needed to build public speaking confidence and develop cognitive tools for effective communication. Many attendees had little prior experience speaking in front of an audience and required a safe, supportive environment to step outside their comfort zones.

Strategy:

Delivered at a venue next to Wembley Stadium, this experiential, practice-based workshop combined evidence-based cognitive techniques with hands-on exercises. A key highlight was the one-minute elevator pitch challenge, where participants shared an interesting fact about themselves in front of the group. By blending theory with real-world application, attendees learned how to manage nerves, engage an audience, and think on their feet.

Solution:

The interactive and low-pressure approach helped participants feel safe, motivated, and empowered to improve their speaking skills. The diverse group responded enthusiastically, with many noting how the workshop’s structure made public speaking feel achievable and even enjoyable.

Feedback:

“Fun way to learn about some of the public speaking techniques. Makes one think how to engage the audience (not easy!). Will he having some fun with this over Xmas!”

“I came in nervous, but the environment was so supportive that I actually enjoyed getting up to speak.”

“Interactive, challenging, and inspiring—pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way!”

Ben Laumann from Sidestream UK giving a behaviour change workshop to a seated audience in a corporate office. He is standing near a projector screen displaying the text "psychological tool: rewind".

Creative Collaboration for Corporate Sustainability

Strategy Workshop for a London-Based Tech Company

Challenge:

A strategy team from a London-based tech company needed to break out of rigid thinking patterns and harness the power of creative collaboration to generate sustainability-driven innovations. The goal was to challenge locked-in perspectives and explore alternative approaches to problem-solving.

Strategy:

Using storytelling exercises and cognitive tools from immersive theatre, we guided participants through interactive challenges, including the "Boxing Method", which encouraged them to think beyond conventional solutions. Teams explored alternative uses for everyday materials, identifying new ways to integrate sustainability into business practices while refining their collaborative ideation skills.

Solution:

The session pushed participants outside their comfort zones, leading to novel and unexpected sustainability ideas—from upcycling thrifted textiles into new products to replacing traditional building materials with sustainable alternatives. Participants left with greater confidence in brainstorming and a new perspective on creative problem-solving.

Feedback:

"At first, it felt awkward, but once we started pulling ideas from the box, it became easier and more fun!”

“This got me out of my comfort zone—I'll definitely use the ‘Box Method’ in future brainstorming sessions.”

“A unique and engaging way to rethink sustainability and collaboration.”

What Our Clients Are Saying

“Brilliant and creative way of being able to overcome negative thinking that many of us get trapped in. Useful tool for teams and individuals in managing perceptions and behaviours. Lots of fun!

— Workshop Participant 2024

Great session. Helped us look at reframing and rewinding challenges or setbacks we encounter in our life. Rewind help look at the bright side of things when facing difficulties

— Workshop Participant 2024

Simply beautiful, personal and really helped on a personal level

— Workshop Participant 2024

We create immersive environments driven by psychologigal and business research to deliver desired outcomes for organisations.

We deliver behaviour change through training, workshops and immersive experiences. We deliver behaviour change through training, workshops and immersive experiences.

“Unlike anything we’ve done before. From start to finish, the team were fully engaged, and we got it! We’ve been discussing it non-stop since then. Very, very impressed.”

— Immersive Behaviour Change Worshop Client

INTERESTED?

Book a call to find out how SIDESTREAM can deliver real behavioural change within your organisation.