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| Humor at Work |
ISSUE 431 - APR. 4, 2012 |
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Dogging it at Work
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Last year I wrote about how many Fairmont Hotel properties make use of a lovable lobby lab to warm the hearts of their guests. Check out their adorable mutts at their Canine Ambassador website.
It turns out that dogs at work aren't just appreciated by customers. According to a recent study in the Journal of Workplace Health Management, dogs in the workplace can lower the stress levels of everyone in the office. Another study from Central Michigan University found that having a sociable and well behaved canine present
increased cooperation, trust, team cohesion, and intimacy between
coworkers.This might explain why more than 50% of Taiwanese workplaces have a pooch-in-residence. (Of course, having sociable and well-trained humans present has also been shown to increase cooperation, trust, team cohesion and intimacy between coworkers.)
Now I can hear some of you already complaining that having dogs at work would actually increase your stress levels. Which is perhaps why some workplaces allow only one official, well-trained office mutt, while others allow dogs only once a month. And for the really canine-challenged you might at least consider the once-a-year "Bring Your Dog to Work Day," which this year falls on June 22. |
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Mike's Fun at Work Tip |
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An Oregon bank provides fresh water bowls for customers who walk their dogs to the bank (the water is for the dogs, not the customers), while several businesses I've been to keep a stockpile of doggie treats on hand to offer any customers who happen by with their dog (again, the treats are for the dogs, not the customers). Simple ideas like this make it fun for you and for the customers. And catering to your customers' dogs (or kids) is an effective way to create more loyal, faithful customers. Customers who may even come when they are called. |
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Quote of the Week |
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"Best way to become an
old dog is to stop doing new tricks." Anonymous
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It's a Wacky World |
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If yoga, meditation, or exercise hasn't helped you lower your stress levels, perhaps you could try this approach: burned-out British business professionals are flocking to a "Raising the Baa" course which teaches them how to be sheep dogs. The sheep herding course allows business folks to bond with their teammates, develop teamwork skills and hone their squirrel-chasing abilities.
In other wacky news, I've posted a list of some of the more offbeat, wacky theme days headed your way this April: Offbeat Theme Days | |
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Humor at Work TV
From the archives, "Hiring for Attitude," featuring the hilarious "O'shea Report."
Why Communication is EVERYTHING at Work!
Inspiring Savings!
Bring Mike in to speak and save! We have cost-saving opportunities between June 20 - July 31st in:
- Montreal, Quebec
- Copenhagen, Denmark
April Fool's Fun
Check out how WestJet Airlines got into the April Fool's spirit with a spoof video on how they're creating Kid-Free Flights | | |
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Copyright © 2012 Humor at Work. All Rights Reserved.
mike@mikekerr.com
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