FISH! Philosophy. Improve Employee Satisfaction, Retention, Morale and Relations with FISH!

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Employee Satisfaction

Employee Satisfaction is one of the keys to great customer service.  If the employees like what they are doing the people they deal with can see this.

The Fish! Philosophy (styled FISH! Philosophy), modeled after the Pike Place Fish Market, is a technique to make individuals alert and active in the workplace. John Christensen created this philosophy in 1998 to improve “organizational culture”. Its central four ideas, which have been adopted at some companies and schools, are:

  1. choosing one’s attitude,
  2. playing at work,
  3. making someone’s day, and
  4. being present.

Summary of the Book

“The Fish!” is a book that offers insights and lessons based on the philosophy and practices of the Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle, Washington. It presents a unique approach to work and life that emphasizes a positive and energizing attitude. Here are some of the key lessons from the book:

  1. Choose Your Attitude: One of the central themes in “The Fish!” is that your attitude is a choice. No matter what circumstances you face, you have the power to choose a positive and enthusiastic attitude. This mindset not only makes your work more enjoyable but also influences those around you.
  2. Play and Have Fun: The fishmongers at the Pike Place Fish Market infuse an element of play and fun into their work. They throw fish to each other, engage with customers, and bring a sense of joy to what could be considered a mundane job. This lesson reminds us that work can and should be enjoyable.
  3. Make Their Day: The book encourages readers to make someone else’s day, whether it’s a colleague, customer, or even a stranger. Small acts of kindness and going the extra mile can create a positive impact on others.
  4. Be Present: Being fully present in your work and interactions is essential. When you engage with people with your full attention, you build better relationships and deliver better results.
  5. Engage and Connect: Building meaningful connections with colleagues and customers is vital. The fishmongers at Pike Place know their customers’ names and preferences, creating a sense of community and loyalty.
  6. Inspire Others: Your enthusiasm and positive attitude can inspire and motivate those around you. When you lead by example, others are more likely to follow suit.
  7. Take Responsibility: The book emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for your actions and the impact you have on your environment. Instead of blaming external factors, focus on what you can control and improve.
  8. Continuous Improvement: The philosophy of “The Fish!” encourages a commitment to continuous improvement. Whether it’s improving the quality of your work or finding new ways to create value for others, always strive for progress.
  9. Engage in Playful Competitions: Healthy competition can be motivating. The fishmongers engage in playful competitions to push themselves and each other to perform better.
  10. Embrace Change: The fish market had to adapt to changes and challenges. Embracing change and being open to new ideas and ways of doing things is essential for growth and success.
  11. Create a Positive Work Culture: The lessons from “The Fish!” can be applied to create a positive and energetic work culture that fosters employee engagement and customer satisfaction.

Employee Satisfaction Quotes

  • “There are only three measurements that tell you nearly everything you need to know about your organization’s overall performance: employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and cash flow… It goes without saying that no company, small or large, can win over the long run without energized employees who believe in the mission and understand how to achieve it.”  ~ Jack Welch
  • “Employees who believe that management is concerned about them as a whole person – not just an employee – are more productive, more satisfied, more fulfilled. Satisfied employees mean satisfied customers, which leads to profitability.”  ~ Anne M. Mulcahy
  • “All employees have an innate desire to contribute to something bigger than themselves.” ~  Jag Randhawa
  • “You can’t sell it outside if you can’t sell it inside.”  ~ Stan Slap
  • “Research indicates that workers have three prime needs: Interesting work, recognition for doing a good job, and being let in on things that are going on in the company.” ~ Zig Ziglar

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Employee Satisfaction

Employee Satisfaction leads to a great day