....

Adopted from the "FISH videoo"

338 Ways to Create a Better Workplace

Based on the "Fish Philosophy" at Pike's Place Fish Market in Seattle

PLAY

Create a employee bulletin board with pictures, likes, hobbies, family, pets

Have a central area to share good news (births, weddings, promotions, kid's achievements)

Have a joke bulletin board where jokes can be posted

Create a bulletin boards to have fun - any employees can add anything within reason to the board, can be to have fun with someone in company or a national figure or issue, no ridiculing!, no hurtful comments!

Get a Polaroid camera for work. Fill a bulletin board with photos

Photo Day - Baby Photo Contest

Post a cartoon every day. Make someone responsible for different days

Cartoon pictures that may relate (or use cartoon, but make up a new "improved" caption related to subject).

Have an area in which you post photos of staff having fun at work

Display pictures of all the staff - a wall of fame

Bring a camera for funny moments and hang pictures

Roving random photographer

Poke fun at yourself

Tell a funny story about yourself

Require everyone to bring in a joke for a staff meeting and tell at the beginning

Joke around with one another

Tell a "bad" joke to the first person you meet every morning

2 minute joke drill

Share a joke or funny story

Kid around with co-workers - it helps make the day fun and go faster

Tease a resident good naturedly, i.e.,"seen any good looking men lately?"

Come up with a funny story, quote, or comic for each day and share it with everyone

Do a joke chain letter

Morning announcement joke (over loudspeakers)

Have silly days-everyone participate

Do foolish things to make them laugh

Do something silly

Make a spectacle of yourself for the residents amusement

Wear clown noses on busy days

Laugh at yourself - don't take life so seriously

Prank calls to the kitchen from the phone on the loading dock

Practical jokes like: Lock the bathroom door, write women's room only on unisex bathroom, decorate your boss's office at least once a day

Joke and play- have wheelchair races

Answer the phone "Zachery's Pizza" or as some other local business

Put bubble wrap under chairs for feet and entry door mat, so it pops

Start a fun committee to help organize events

Have a team brainstorming session to explore acceptable ways to have fun in your workplace

Theme days e.g. pajama, Hawaiian shirt day

Have a Spirit week- crazy hair day

Wheelchair and walker races

Beach party in January

Happy Unbirthday Week

Have a No Whining Day

Create holidays on non-holidays

NASCAR Day - Dress as your favorite driver

Color for the day - all wear same color to work for unity

Have a resident/employee social

Celebrate not only boss's day, nurses day, etc. but celebrate the first snow day, etc.

Have a Dress Up Day - come to work as a character or costume on Halloween

Hat Day, Dress Up Day, Costume Day

Wear fun clothing, bright colors, fun jewelry on certain days

Say Thank You Day

Do a Good Deed Day

Resident / staff activities - scavenger hunt, wheel chair race, ice cream social, breakfast, supper

Bring in hypnotist, magician, $5 massages, etc

Ice cream social or other activity

Play with water balloons in the summer

Celebrate holidays

Invent a "holiday"

Sponsor a cookout/softball game/swimming activity at a nearby state park

Talent show

Penny wars (winner/loser) must do something like kiss a goat.

Don't be so serious - decorate for holidays (i.e. Halloween)

Do some team building activities

Ice breakers in unit meetings e.g. write a secret about yourself and then guess who it is

Team building exercises once a month- intellectually challenging & physical

Play some new non-competitive games as a team

Monthly, pick a day and have department go somewhere in the afternoon, such as climb a mountain together then go somewhere to eat fattening Italian pasta

Outside activities (bowling, picnics, ball games)

Put together a department scrapbook

Go on a field trip

Contest of some sort...using department teams

Do something for the community as a work team

Enable employees to volunteer on work time at non-profits once a month, quarter or year

Bring department together once a month to share good stories and problems. Keep everyone aware of what is going on in the hospital. No one should be in the dark

Switch roles for one hour

Have a job swap - pick a different job

Change places with our residents-let them be staff and us, the residents

Be someone else for a day - who knows you may like that person - you never know

Reverse days - pick students to run class

Change job responsibilities for a short period of time or job shadow for an understanding of what others do

Have everyone share their most embarrassing moment (if they dare) during a special project, etc.

Let the kid in you come out

Twirl when all fails (per Loretta LaRoche)

Put humorous stuff in the newsletter every week

Act like you just had a large coffee

Dress up your office or space with fun stuff

Put out toys to play with

Play with hula hoops

Have a toy box in work area - with groucho glasses, clown noses, koosh balls, paddle balls

Buy a rubber fish

Keep a squirt gun handy

Build a pyramid out of muffins

Toss a few nerf balls once in a while

Have a anti-stress box with serious and fun things in it - Tylenol, punching bag, big eraser for big mistakes

Dress up funny for the residents on special occasions (Halloween, Picnics)

Wear wild clothes to help start conversations

Answer call lights together. "49 is ringing" "49 is ringing"

Respond with playfulness - let go of worrying "what they will think" and instead find opportunities to surprise people.

Put a face of someone from the dept or hospital on every screen saver in the dept

Send notes between offices as paper airplanes

Play music

Sing-people will either sing with you or laugh-either way you have a brightened a day

Play: Music/entertainment in the cafeteria at times

Don't post the daily menu. Sing it to the residents together.

Make written messages amusing

Change boring routines: wear a funny hat when serving meals

Tie a helium balloon to a resident's wheelchair

Allow a fun environment

Throw candy at my cubby, "mates!"

Greet everyone every morning in your office by standing in front of their desk and bowing

Birthday balloons for everyone, delivered and sing

Model fun

Shock people, wear a wig to work

Do something unexpected (i.e. pull out glasses with a funny nose while going over instructions)

Do something fun at the beginning of each meeting - icebreaker

Raffles - parking spaces, free meal tickets - use money for charity, good causes, purchase hospital equipment

Clown to make rounds to see staff and patients

Have someone act like Miss Disorganized running around on roller skates

Have shift cheer or code phrase to start the day

Start the day with a group cheer!!

Secret pal games: could be done quarterly

Do something unexpected

Leave a goofy message on someone's voice mail

Recess (free time to play, meditate, nap, relax) - non structured time

Entertainment (carnival acts) during lunch/dinner in the cafeteria

Compile a department or hospital wide journal of employee work stories - humorous, thoughtful, emotional (like Chicken Soup books)

Find something to celebrate, even a small thing

Celebrate small "wins" not just big projects

Make a day/week or month a "Celebrate Success" day: Within department, remind ourselves of most recent successes.

MAKE THEIR DAY

Tenth customer gets something special

Find ways to thank customers for their business

Events for customer appreciation

Customer Prize Day - "You are the one millionth customer..."

Do a little extra for one person every day

Activities and lots of love

Customer and employee socials

Compliment a customer / patron (and mean it)

Do something special for your customers - unexpectedly

Assist visitors who seem disoriented or lost in your workplace

Create a fun playful attitude with your patients and their families

Involve the residents in activities (chain effect)

Have the customer of the week - someone you pick for a silly reason or an accomplishment and start a bulletin board

If a resident looks sad, give them a hug

Be extra kind if you see someone is having a bad day

Do unexpected things, surprises

Make patients feel like they are noticed, share your love

Go beyond work description (to help customer/co-workers) and show them that you care

Bring fresh flowers from garden for residents - They love it

Give stickers ( I had a good check up) goofy, but maybe adult may like it, kids love stickers.

Laugh more with customers at the front desk, start with a big smile and take it from there

Write them notes or cards I tell the residents that I love them

Sending anonymous notes of appreciation

Leave a happy note for your co-worker

Tell everyone you see during the day, what you appreciate about them or a positive thing about them

Show appreciation for a co-worker

Give co-workers compliments

Get ideas from staff of items they enjoy and would like to receive - comes in handy when recognizing

Tell your boss you appreciate what he/she does for you.

Pass an award around (fish) secretly with a note saying why the person deserves award

Give out 1,000,000 candy bars as a "bonus" for going above and beyond at work

Snickers awards

Say thanks for the smallest thing

Let employees know they are appreciated by taking time to write them notes or doing something special for them

Have a pass around stuffed mascot - awarded by group consensus

Have an appreciation day - Hand out cards to everyone and have them choose a person they appreciate at work and them why and forward cards to common place. Post the results and have silly rewards

Staff appreciation - Managers wash their cars

Acknowledge physicians for their accomplishments

Celebrate people's birthdays by cutting out paper balloons and having everyone write down something that they appreciate about the birthday person

Everyone who works this weekend gets .... movie ticket, gift certificate

Focus on what people do well, and thank them when they do something that is good

Use a physical thing (ex; stuffed animal) and give to a new person each day/week for doing something good or who needs extra support.

Have a secret partner that we could exchange small gifts

Invade a meeting to honor someone who has done something for another area totally unannounced

Make a banner for another department or discipline, tell them how much you appreciate them and hang it up in their area

Surprise one of your co-workers with a cup of coffee, etc

Treat your fellow staff workers well

Be caring to one another

Treat people the way you want to be treated

Do a kind deed for a not so close friend

Always be ready and available to help other workers

Go out of your way to help e.g. someone finish a project

Random acts of kindness

Leave a surprise trinket/chocolate/etc on someone's desk

Ask "Can I help you with something, or do you need any help?" once a day

Do things to make the other person's job easier - everyone benefits

When a co-worker feels down in the dumps, say something to lift their spirits

Be extra kind if you see someone is having a bad day

Lend a hand whether it's your job or not

Giving a flower to the aid, nursing or kitchen staff person

Bring in books you've read, clothes/toys kids have outgrown to share with co-workers

Pick a posy on your way in and present it to the first person you see

Bring flowers

Surprise food, flowers, treats

Trade lunches

Take turns bringing in something for coffee break

Bring a cake to work for no reason

Bring in homemade goodies

Maple syrup / pancake cook-off

Pot lucks once a month

Have lunch together (send out for pizza)

Have a jar of m&m's (or any favorite candy) available for everyone - it's bright, colorful, and gets people talking even if they don't want to!

Have a candy bowl out at all times

Bring in candy to bring cheer

Drink more coffee

Chocolate

Start the day with coffee, donuts or bagels

Make popcorn to share

Make cookies to share with people who come into your office

Team lunches or gatherings to acknowledge work accomplished and individuals' efforts (preferably off site)

Have office parties - quick lunch, picnics, etc

Random acts of kindness - bring in cookies

Picnics

Games after hours for the families BBQ

Run special activities, like pot luck lunches, to help bond staff on a more personal level at work

Plan staff retreats, picnics, parties (or for customers)

Have Pizza Day once a month

Have little goodies to share

Bring popsicles for all-especially on a really hot day

Treats for staff when they don't expect it (candy or ice cream)

Take a peer to lunch just because



BE THERE


Smile more

Smile, knowing someone will appreciate it

Always greet with smile and friendly word/friendly touch

Greet everyone you see

Say "Good Morning"

Stop into someone's office just to say "hi"

Listen to what others have to say

Ask how people really are and LISTEN to the answer!

Don't interrupt

Assure people you heard their concerns by restating that you heard

Give undivided attention/focus

Be attentive 100% to every customer - make them feel important

Do your best knowing that it will be appreciated

Be dependable

Strive to give 100%

Do your best while you are here

Make the most of present moment with a person

Ask customers about something they enjoy and build a relationship with them

Engage in meaningful conversation

Get to know your co-workers at more than a superficial level

Everyone needs human touch-hug and touch residents

See each person as God sees them-special

A touch, a pat on the back, a hug, smile

Enjoy the person you are with

Find out about someone's hobby

Be interested in people's lives

Be glad to see people

Care about employees lives outside of work

Learn from mistakes

Be supportive when someone has an idea

Be true to yourself

Notice when someone is down

Pay attention to who you're with no matter how much is on your mind

Ask the residents about their day - talk to them about the old times, the weather - something that brings back memories, smiles & tears

Ask customers about themselves. Find out what they want to talk about

Genuinely take an interest in what people are saying

Spend a few moments to meet a new co-worker - learn their name and position

Take few moments to find your balance, emotional and mental center

Do no harm

Answer phone promptly - return messages and e-mails

Remember that you can make a difference without realizing it at the moment

CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE

Count your blessings not your troubles

Be grateful every day!!!

Take a few moments before starting work and reflect on the things you are grateful for

Write down why you love your job

Take time to celebrate your successes

Remember each day is a blessing share the joy of life with those around you

Feel lucky to have a great job, home, etc.

Choose a positive attitude and let it be contagious

Accept responsibility for your attitude

Don't let circumstances or others set your attitude

Start each day fresh - Don't give past struggles continued power over your life

Do not carry over a bad day to the next day

Wake up each morning and make a decision to be happy that day

Have a positive attitude regardless of how your day is going

Actively choose to have a good day, regardless of those around you

Don't let others set your attitude

Think about difficulties as a way of strengthening your character, an opportunity for growth

Enjoy the moment - Appreciate life and its rewards

Look for the humor in situations and life

Find the humor in situations as well as the seriousness

Place a humor section in everyone's job description, where you are expected to enjoy yourself at work

Don't take life too seriously - No one has ever come out of it alive!

Don't take things personally

Find the silver lining in a bad situation - Turn a negative into a positive

Choose to be happy and tell someone about it

Choose to see other people as important and affected by your attitude

Don't sweat the small stuff

Don't participate in group griping

Stop complaining and blaming others for your problems

Do not grumble even if you feel like it

Stop complaining (do something about it)

Distance your self from others with a bad attitude or be willing to invest the time and energy into learning why those people have a negative attitude and in helping them change it

Avoid making negative comments to both customers and co-workers

Don't gossip or spread gossip

Keep the big picture in mind - it makes the day-to-day struggles easier

Make it your job to cheer up fellow employees everyday

Make an effort to be more patient with others

Make negative tasks fun, do them as a team, make games out of them

Make the best out of every situation possible

Never buy into their down attitude - acknowledge it but turn it around

Make an ordeal an event. (Turn a difficult task into a group party!)

Take a negative situation in stride

Inspirational signs, posters, and quotes from people we know

Quotes for encouragement

Happy photos on walls

Make sure the environment is bright and cheerful

Put positive notes on your desk for yourself & others to read

Start with your workspace: What does it look like? How can it be more fun? inviting?

Start each morning with a prayer and ask for God's help and patience

Psych yourself up before walking in the door

Positive thought for the day

If you are doing something that you don't like, dress up first so that people compliment you and you feel better

Look for the good in everything, because there is good in all of us

Talk positively

Be upbeat. Don't act like you are down about something. Everyone has a "hook" in their life, they are trying to cope with.

Set an example-with a positive spirit/attitude

Come to work with a positive attitude (there are always people in worse situations)

Do something to lighten your day

Try to help yourself and others see the humor in everything around them

Evaluate your actions and reactions - are you choosing the attitude you want?

Walk in another's shoes, yours is not the only job that may have problems

Honor your work

Throw some fish if you start your day with an attitude

Treat yourself special every day - go first class with little things

Make it your job to cheer up fellow employees everyday

Think of something nice about everyone you encounter every day

Accept the fact that things are going to go wrong once in a while

Take a break (go for a walk) when you feel you are getting frustrated

Take a mental health day when needed

Have a mental health moment - where you stop what you are doing, relax, take a deep breath, do some stretches, clear your brain of any obsessive thoughts and refocus. Then get back to work you slacker!

Expect the best from a situation or circumstance - be an optimist

Remember difficult circumstances don't last forever - This too shall pass!

Selected from over 5000 ideas collected at training sessions using the "Fish Video"

Regards

Asad

From Pakistan, Islamabad
Dear Asad,
Thanks a tonn for such wonderful tips.
The presentations that you had posted on Fish philosophy some time back were also very useful. And being inspired from them, we have started educating our employees on FISH philosophy.
We have put up various charts, figures etc on our notice boards.
And I am sure these tips will help further.
I will appreciate if you could send/post the video also.
Regards
Bhavna
www.vinove.com

From India, Delhi
Dear Bhavna
I am pleased to hear that you have started the Fish Philosophy for your Team...It is going to Work... :lol:
As far as the Video is concerned..I really dunno have Fish Video....These activities are shared by one of my friend...and I shared it wid all around here...
Could you please share with us how exactly u introduced the Fish Philosophy in your company..and what steps u took....
Have a Fishy Life :P
Regards
Asad

From Pakistan, Islamabad
hello !
Thanks a lot for this post.
On based your previous post ( ppt on Fish Philosophy), i suggested my seniors to go for a work shop on this and we r planning for it in the next weekend.
keep posting such things....
god bless
regards,
sandeep
+91 99383 510 33

From India, Morvi
Dear Bhavana Could you please share with us how you have implemented this fish philosophy in your org!!!! Please!!! Regards, Paromita
From India, Bangalore
Dear Asad / Paromita,

None of our employees were aware of anything like this concept.

To start it from the scratch....we have put up the brief of FISH philosophy on our Notice boards i.e. we have made charts detailing what is Fish philosophy about...the 4 major parts of this philosophy.

And to make it appear interesting, the charts etc have been loaded with images, pictures and examples.

So, now gradually people come and ask that what is it about..?

How are these principles associated with FISh...?

And that is when the HR team tells them the FISH story in brief and educates on its importance.

And by next week, we will start stressing on each principle...i.e. for 1st week, we will have all our notice boards displaying things about PLAY and so on in the coming weeks.

It is gonna take very long to get such a thing implemented as people are completely unaware about it and its importance.

But I am sure that if we patiently and systematically try to spread awarenees it will definately make a difference.

And the activities suggested by ASAD today will definately be implemented by the HR team.

Hope this would help and I would look forward to suggestions form cite members.

Regards

Bhavna

www.vinove.com

From India, Delhi
Dear Asad, Tks for sharing the information in addition to the PPT on this topic posted in the past. Rgds, P. Vasan
From Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
Dear Bhavna
Superb....the way u have initiated the FisH! in ur org is gr8 ..and thx a lot for sharing with us,this will really help us a lot.
@Gouri,Partho,Ravinder,Rajeshwari,donna,Khurram & P. Vasan
Thanks for liking... and ur comments...
@ KhurramSir my number is 0334-3581791...Stay in touch...

From Pakistan, Islamabad
Dear All Please find attached the Fish Cards...passing them on to your team will add value to the process. Thank you & Regards
From Pakistan, Islamabad
Attached Files (Download Requires Membership)
File Type: zip fish_e_cards_204.zip (940.8 KB, 801 views)

Hi Asad,
Thanks for your appreciation.
I will keep sharing whatever we do in regards to spreading awarenees and implementing FISH philosophy in our organisation.
And thanks a tonn for lovely F!sh ecards...they are really awesome.
Regards
Bhavna
www.vinove.com

From India, Delhi
Community Support and Knowledge-base on business, career and organisational prospects and issues - Register and Log In to CiteHR and post your query, download formats and be part of a fostered community of professionals.






Contact Us Privacy Policy Disclaimer Terms Of Service

All rights reserved @ 2024 CiteHR ®

All Copyright And Trademarks in Posts Held By Respective Owners.