Fish: A Proven Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results

Here’s another management parable that draws its lesson from an unlikely source–this time it’s the fun-loving fishmongers at Seattle’s Pike Place Market. In Fish! the heroine, Mary Jane Ramirez, recently widowed and mother of two, is asked to engineer a turnaround of her company’s troubled operations department, a group that authors Stephen Lundin, Harry Paul, and John Christensen describe as a “toxic energy dump.” Most reasonable heads would cut their losses and move on. Why bother with this bunch of losers? But the authors don’t make it so easy for Mary Jane. Instead, she’s left to sort out this mess with the help of head fishmonger Lonnie. Based on a bestselling corporate education video, Fish! aims to help employees find their way to a fun and happy workplace. While some may find the story line and prescriptions–such as “Choose Your Attitude,” “Make Their Day,” and “Be Present”–downright corny, others will find a good dose of worthwhile motivational management techniques. If you loved Who Moved My Cheese? then you’ll find much to like here. And don’t worry about Mary Jane and kids. Fish! has a happy ending for everyone. –Harry C. Edwards

‘This is one fish story that doesn’t exaggerate. It shows you how changing your attitude lets you enjoy your work and your life. Hook into it, it’s quite a catch!’ — Spencer Johnson, author of Who Moved My Cheese? ‘I recommend their book to anyone, on any level, who wants to make a difference at work.’ — Hyrum Smith, co-chairman Franklin Covey Co. ‘The story of the world famous Pike Place Fish market is fantastic. But this book is not just about selling fish; it’s a love story that can happen in your organisation too.’ — Ken Blanchard, from the Foreword –This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Stephen C. Lundin, Ph.D., is a filmmaker, graduate business school professor, and professional speaker. He runs a corporate membership seminar series as part of the Institute for Management Studies and leads the Institute for Creativity and Innovation at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis. He lives in Minnesota.

Harry Paul is currently a full time motivational speaker. He lives in San Diego.

John Christensen, an award-winning filmmaker, lives is Minneapolis. He is now CEO of ChartHouse Learning Corporation, the leading producer of corporate learning films, including Fish!, the video, which has been adopted by thousands of corporations nationwide. He lives in Minnesota.

Foreword by Ken Blanchard, Ph.D., co-author of The One Minute Manager, Raving Fans, and Gung Ho!Fish! is an incredible story that John Christensen first caught on film. He and his company, ChartHouse, produced an amazing video on the world famous Pike Place Fish market in Seattle. I have been showing this video at every one of my seminars to illustrate what happens when you create Gung Ho! employees–you ignite your workforce and create Raving Fans.

Now Stephen Lundin, and long-term colleague of mine Harry Paul, have teamed up with John to bring the Fish! story to print. In whatever media it appears, it’s a fabulous love story. As the book suggests, “When we choose to love the work we do, we can catch our limit of happiness, meaning, and fulfillment every day.”

How important is that? Incredibly important, especially when you consider that people spend about 75 percent of their adult wake time doing work-related activities–getting ready for work, traveling to work, working, contemplating work, and decompressing after work. If we spend that much time in that part of our lives, we ought to enjoy it and be energized by it. And yet, too many people are trading time on the job to satisfy needs elsewhere; “Thank God It’s Friday” is still a way of life for many people.

Those days can stop now–if you read Fish!, share it with everyone with whom you work, and implement the four secrets and suggested strategies that Lundin, Paul, and Christensen give you. I guarantee that every manager will benefit from Fish!, because it will not only increase employee retention, it will motivate people to take pride in what they do. People like to work in an environment that is fun, energizing, and where they can make a difference. The Fish! philosophy will also benefit every employee, because it prevents burnout and will keep you excited about what you do.

As you can tell, I’m excited about Fish! I think this is a marvelous book. The story of the world famous Pike Place Fish market is fantastic. But this book is not just about selling fish; it’s a love story that can happen in your organization, too.

Do you work in a “toxic energy dump”? Do you or your employees seem stuck in the doldrums all the time? Well then, FISH! is for you. Mallory Kasdan enthusiastically and energetically reads this tale of a manager of a department in which everyone has lost ambition, energy, and helpfulness. Through Kasdan’s passionate narration, we learn how the Pike Place Fish Market–with their secrets for success and improved attitude–helps the manager encourage her staff to be involved and conscientious about what they do. FISH’s philosophy will help people in any business regain their energy and passion for their lives and work. M.B.K. 2002 Audie Award Finalist © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine– Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.