Inspiring Workplaces: How Is Your Workplace Doing?

Published: Wed, 08/26/15

Humor at Work

ISSUE 596 - Aug. 26, 2015


			How is Your Workplace Doing?

	You've likely read some of the bad press Amazon has received lately about their abysmal workplace culture. My friend Merge Gupta-Sunderji wrote a great article in the Globe and Mail newspaper that summarizes the issue: Amazon's leaders are so relentlessly focused on results (the "what") that they forgot all about "the how." As I've said at least a gazallion times, workplace culture is all about the how. How you do the things you do makes all the difference in the world and it's your number one competitive advantage. The story coming out of the Amazon jungle reminded me of the book Why Motivating People Doesn't Work, by Susan Fowler, where she challenges readers to rethink several core beliefs about business. The underlying belief systems that people bring into the workplace obviously have a huge impact on the culture, so take some time at your next offsite retreat or commit to a dedicated team meeting to discuss and perhaps rethink the following beliefs: The purpose of business is to _________? (As Fowler points out, yes a business must make money but is that really your only purpose? Humans need air and food to survive, but is our only purpose to breathe and eat?) It's not personal it's just _____________________? (Is it ever NOT personal?) All that matters is _________________________ ? (Results? Please see Amazon reference above.) If you cannot measure it then _____________________? (It's probably really, really important!)

		Mike's Fun at Work Tip

Figure out creative or fun ways your workplace can support a worthwhile cause. In an effort to reduce the costs of an annual offsite meeting, for example, one of my clients chose to cut out the typical "swag" that meeting attendees receive and instead asked them to bring an item to donate to charity. It was a huge success. A global mobility company combined a Fun at Work tip with charity: They asked employees to bring in items for a food drive for their local food bank. For every five non-perishable items an employee brought in they received one ticket that went into a "Fishbowl Friday" draw where the lucky winner got released from the fishbowl one hour early each Friday for the month of August. The more items employees brought in, the better the chances of winning an early release. It proved to be so popular that they had to order more boxes to accept all the donations
		Quote of the Week

"The more elaborate our means of communication, the less we communicate." Joseph Priestly
		It's a Wacky World

A reminder that this Friday, August 28 is official Crackers Over the Keyboard Day (don't tell your IT folks) and Race Your Mouse Around the Icons Day (tell your IT folks, they'll want a piece of the action). And speaking off wacky theme days, here are some of the offbeat days headed your way this September: September 1: Executive Toy Test Day September 4: Hug Your Boss Day & Bring Your Manners to Work Day September 5: Be Late for Something Day September 9: Wonderful Weirdos Day September 13: Blame Someone Else Day September 14: Boss/Employee Exchange Day September 16: Stay Away from Seattle Day September 19: Talk Like a Pirate Day! Arrrrrrrr! September 24: Punctuation Day!!!! September 30: Ask a Stupid Question Day? For the complete list: September Theme Days

The Humor Advantage

We're thrilled to report that The Humor Advantage received some great coverage last week in the Halifax Chronicle Herald

and in the Financial Post: Laughter Can Be the Best Medicine in the Workplace

Inspiring Reading

Mike is quoted in the Business Insider article: How to Phrase 8 Awkward Questions You May Want to Ask Your Boss

Cost Savings to Bring Mike to Your Event or Workplace
South Carolina: Oct 2-Oct 5
Toronto, Ontario: Oct 5-7
Perth, Australia: Oct 25-31
Toronto: Nov. 26

Halifax: December 4-10
Contact: mike@mikekerr.com

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