Working 8, 9, 10 + hours a day? Why shouldn't it be fun???

Fish! Is a fun book, sort of like "Who moved my cheese" (1)

My experience in several Fortune 500 companies, both as an employee and as a consultant testifies to the fact that Fish! is more fact than fiction.

One fundamental difference is the book's realism. The book draws lessons from an unlikely source of inspiration, the fun-loving fishmongers at Seattle's Pike Place Market.

In Fish! the heroine, Mary Jane Ramirez, having left sunny California to move to Seattle, and then suddenly widowed, is asked to engineer a turnaround of her company's troubled operations department, a group that the authors describe as a "toxic energy dump." Most reasonable heads would call it a day and move on. Why bother with this bunch of losers? Of course 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. 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.

Shouldn't work be more than grudgingly toiling for 8, 9, 10 + hours a day? And, why shouldn't it be fun. It reminds me of a statement I once read (2) about money myths - "it's not right to enjoy yourself and get paid for it." Who made up this garbage? While reading Fish! is not a magic solution to productivity, it is a step in the right direction. My personal recommendation is for senior managers to read this book first, then ask associates to read with the understanding that senior managers will be open to discuss how to build a better, more productive, and fun workplace.


1) "Who Moved My Cheese", Spencer Johnson. Reviewed in August issue of Byvation.

2) "Money is My Friend", Phil Laut. pp. 4-5
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Michael Davis - Editor, Byvation

Not Bad!

I did not want to like this book - it is popular and faddish. In spite of myself, I read it and really enjoyed the story. It is cheap, and with another book, shipping was free, so can't complain about that. The story is fun, but it is up to you to apply the lessons to your own life. That is as it should be. Don't look for a miracle, but stay open minded and you will learn something. Even if it is just one helpful thing, it's worth this quick read.

Worth the read

I read this book after viewing the DVD on the same subject. I think this is a very practical book for organizations or business who have a young team that is still trying to figure its self out. Granted this is rocket science methodology, but it's a truth.

I think if you are going to use this system it is worth viewing the DVD. It gives a good back ground for all those of us that have not made it up to the great northwest (the book is based off the famous pike fish market in Seattle)

The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was because it really does not get very deep in its theories. But like I said if you are dealing with a young team or a team in disarray is probably a good thing.