Fun Works - AchieveMax® Top Ten Book Review

Fun Works: Creating Places Where People Love to Work by Leslie Yerkes

Books on this subject have been around for decades. I have many of them on my own bookshelves and have seldom referred to any of them in the spirit of research, study or bench marking. I'm afraid you'd hear similar remarks from the average CEO, manager, leader, supervisor, HR specialist, etc. However, the business world and its challenges are changing, and I think it's time we revisit this subject of having fun at work. What better time to do so as experts all agree that we are rapidly approaching an era of difficulty in attracting and retaining talent at a time when potential employees have so many choices.

Another interesting trend has emerged recently as more and more organizations are seriously pursuing the status of "Employer of Choice." I can attest to the fact that this pursuit is not grounded in a sudden concern for the welfare of employees at every level. I see growing evidence that wise leaders and organizations everywhere are realizing the importance of creating a culture or environment that encourages employees to enjoy their daily routines, look forward to coming to work, manifest more creativity, and, therefore, enhance productivity. The bottom line for the organization, of course, is progress, growth, profitability, and longevity. If it's that easy, why doesn't every business simply create this unique, obviously productive culture? The operative word here is "unique." By the way, it's also not that easy. However, one of the key ingredients in creating and sustaining this desirable environment is undeniably simplistic. Allow your people, at every level, to have fun at work! What a radical concept-that fun and work are not mutually exclusive!

I mentioned earlier that there have been many books published on this subject. However, the majority of them contain excessive "fluff" and are little more than a collection of stories that illustrate random examples where others have brought fun into the workplace. I suggest you'll find this book much different.

Let's begin with the author. Leslie Yerkes brings much to the table as a savvy management consultant. She co-authored the best-selling 301 Ways to Have Fun at Work. She then toured the country conversing with people and giving speeches on her book. She's researched companies who are known for their successful integration of fun and work. She then visited each one of them and talked face-to-face with as many of the founders and current staff as was possible. She took photos and collected visual memories that lead to the stories in this book. She not only knows what she's talking about-she believes it wholeheartedly! In this guidebook, Leslie shares 11 Principles of Fun/Work Fusion that she discovered in her research studies:

  • Give Permission to Perform
  • Challenge Your Bias
  • Capitalize on the Spontaneous
  • Trust the Process
  • Value a Diversity of Fun Styles
  • Expand the Boundaries
  • Be Authentic
  • Be Choiceful
  • Hire Good People and Get out of Their Way
  • Embrace Expansive Thinking and Risk Taking
  • Celebrate

    • She provides the "Why" as well as the "How" and not just the "What" of each of these principles.

    After an introductory overview, Leslie devotes a chapter to each principle. While the principles are important, of even greater importance is the case study approach validating how a particular company-a different company for each principle-applies the principle. These companies include Pike Place Fish Market, Southwest Airlines, Harvard University Dining Services, Employease, and six other organizations that share their insights with us. At the end of each chapter, a "heart key" shares thoughts designed to increase the reader's ability to apply the principle.

    An additional feature, "Another Voice," closes each chapter with a comment from an author, manager or business owner to further illuminate the principle. Leslie also provides other resources which include comments from over 30 authors, speakers, and businesspeople as well as an inventory you can use to benchmark how much fun is present in your organization's work environment. Leaders and managers of all organizations should include this book in their corporate library. It will certainly be an invaluable resource.

    More than 100 business book reviews written by Harry K. Jones are available at http://www.AchieveMax.com/books/.

    Repr int Information

    Your organization may reprint this article for your newsletter, online publication, or mailing list. We ask that you print the:

    • article in its entirety;
    • byline of the writer;
    • information about the writer, which is available at the end of each article; and
    • contact information, including our toll-free phone number in the U.S. (800-886-2MAX) and link to our website - www.AchieveMax.com.

    We would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy of the articles you reprint.

    Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a firm specializing in custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has made presentations ranging from leadership to employee retention and time management to stress management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. He can be reached at 800-886-2MAX or by visiting http://www.AchieveMax.com.

    In The News:

    pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Jason Seeleys War - Book Review

    "Jason Seeley's War" is centered in the heart of a... Read More

    Headlong Into Quicksand: The Tale of Today in America

    America´s 220 years of Democracy (of its 400 years) is... Read More

    Sound Bodies through Sound Therapy - Book Review

    "Dorinne Davis has written many books that concentrate on the... Read More

    Book Summary: What Is The Emperor Wearing?

    This article is based on the following book:What Is The... Read More

    Jesus and the Gnostic Cathars

    These are some of the highlights of a connected story... Read More

    Book Summary: Secrets of Word Of Mouth Marketing

    Spread the word about your hot new product or company!Word-of-mouth... Read More

    Pariah - Book Review

    "Pariah, written by multi-talented artist and author Timothy Goodwin, is... Read More

    Your Flight Questions Answered

    Whether you are an experienced air traveler or a novice,... Read More

    The Bible Code II: The Countdown, by Michael Drosnin

    Sir Isaac Newton knew about the Bible code 300 hundred... Read More

    IZEE Growing Up In A Logging Camp: Chapter One

    Chapter OneI was ready to start the fourth grade, the... Read More

    Entrepreneurs Reach Record Income Levels Using New EBook on Adsense and Adword Techniques

    The "Rich Jerk" has created quite a stir on the... Read More

    The Rich Jerk Review: New Agressive and Effective Internet Marketing Methods for All

    The Rich Jerk "Making Money on the internet is Easy"... Read More

    Review of Alicia Maldonado: A Mother Lost by Ardain Isma

    This modern, aristocratic book portrays real-life events and how hard... Read More

    Hard Candy, Nobody Ever Flies over the Cuckoo?s Nest; Book Review

    HARD CANDY: Nobody Ever Flies over the Cuckoo's Nest; Written... Read More

    Fun Works - AchieveMax® Top Ten Book Review

    Fun Works: Creating Places Where People Love to Work by... Read More

    Who Moved My Cheese? For Teens - AchieveMax® Top Ten Book Review

    Who Moved My Cheese? For Teens by: Spencer Johnson, M.D.Spencer... Read More

    The Birth of I Confess

    I dreamed since I was fourteen years old to spend... Read More

    Review for Broken Angel, by SW Vaughn

    Broken Angel, by SW Vaughn, breathes with an insistent life... Read More

    Book Summary: First, Break All The Rules

    Based on a mammoth research study conducted by the Gallup... Read More

    Not Just A Shocking Horror Tale: The Surgeon By Tess Gerritsen

    The Surgeon grabbed me and kept me reading. The suspense... Read More

    Kashmir: Behind the Vale

    Kashmir has been a reason for at least three wars... Read More

    Profitable Growth Is Everyones Business - A Book Summary

    The days of ruthless downsizing and drastic cost cutting are... Read More

    Until Youve Walked the Path!

    From the depths of despair to the heights of hope.... Read More

    Cancer Can be Defeated: Hope, Courage, and a Strong Willpower

    Tony F. Powell is the author of a new book... Read More

    Chris Carpenters Google Cash - An Ebook Review

    It is rare to find a brand new blueprint for... Read More

    Book Review - As the Darkness Deepens by Michael Cale

    Newton's Third Law of Motions states that "For ever action,... Read More

    Atlantis Rises Book

    Chapter one: Baby on the doorstep.It was one of those... Read More

    Silent Lies - Book Review

    "Silent Lies is an action romance saga, that takes the... Read More

    Book Summary: Networking For Professional Success

    Book Summary:This article is based on the following book: ... Read More

    Putting it on Paper - Book Review

    "Dawn Josephson, author of 14 books, has written a fantastic... Read More

    The Bubblegum Babes Guide to Sixth Grade - Review

    This is one book that I would have cherished as... Read More

    The Legend of Juggin Joe - A Preview of the Comedy Sensation You Dont Want to Miss!

    THE FROGGIN INCIDENTAs I recall this particular happenin', which we... Read More

    Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - A Review

    If writing was a religion, it shall be easy to... Read More