Product Description

Imagine a workplace where everyone chooses to bring energy, passion, and a positive attitude to the job every day. Imagine an environment in which people are truly connected to their work, to their colleagues, and to their customers. In this engrossing parable, a fictional manager is charged with the responsibility of turning a chronically unenthusiastic and unhelpful department into an effective team. Across the street from her office is Seattles very real Pike Place Fish Market, world famous and wildly successful thanks to its fun, bustling, joyful atmosphere and customer service. By applying ingeniously simple lessons learned from the actual Pike Place fishmongers, our manager learns how to energize those who report to her and effect an astonishing transformation in her workplace. Addressing todays work issues (including employee retention and burnout) with an engaging metaphor and an appealing message that applies to any sector of any organization, Fish! offers wisdom that is easy to grasp, instantly applicable, and profoundthe hallmarks of a true business classic. Based on a bestselling ChartHouse training video which has been adopted by corporations including Southwest Airlines, Sprint, and Nordstrom.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1760 in Books
• Published on: 2000-03-08
• Released on: 2000-03-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 112 pages

Amazon.com Review
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

Review
'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 business book is very much in the style of the best-selling Who Moved My Cheese in that it uses a deceptively simple and accessible story to get its points across. That book was about encouraging employees to accept change; this explores the best ways to boost morale and thereby results. Its core message - 'We can choose the attitude we bring to our work' - extends beyond simple business principles to embrace ideas that will be helpful in dealings not only with staff and colleagues but in all relationships. At the heart of the book is the idea that loving what we do will make us do it better, a notion explored through the parable of the Pike Place fish market (hence the book's title). Many people have probably experienced the 'toxic energy dump' workplace described here but it can be difficult to change a culture where negativity has long prevailed, and whose staff are resistant to change and probably don't even see the need for it. This book may act as a helpful wake-up-call for managers to help their staff recognize the problems of their working life, and find a way through them to make them feel more fulfilled personally and to make a greater contribution to their company. Although set in Seattle and a thoroughly American tale, the problems and principles discussed will be relevant to organizations throughout the world. (Kirkus UK)

About the Author
Stephen Lundin is a filmmaker and professional speaker. Harry Paul is senior vice president with The Ken Blanchard Companies. John Christensen produces corporate learning films, including the Fish! video

Customer Reviews

GO FISHing!
FISH! does what so many corporate motivation books fail to do; it fosters success. It's an easy read, it's concise, and its strategies are user-friendly and can easily be implemented personally, professionally and most importantly, corporately. I have read a fair share of group dynamic books for my involvement in local government, education and church leadership. FISH! exceeds all the others far and away. The basics of the book include four steps, which are manageable and make a difference when implemented. Read FISH! for yourself, with your family or for your organization. It works.

Awesome - Absolutely
A five star book - recommend to every employee and employer to read. Have already told many people about this book. Worth every penny. Very motivational.

Makes work fun
Fish! is a great book that teaches you how to have fun at work and make your job into something you enjoy coming to each day. It tells the story of a woman who goes through a transformation to learn this very thing from an unlikely source: the fish mongers at a Seattle fish market. A cute story and helpful book that has been used effectively in my company.

Another business fable I just came across that I'm really excited about is Squawk!: How to Stop Making Noise and Start Getting Results