Fish! The Ultimate Guide to Improving Morale and Increasing Productivity

MJ: Great book! I have each member of management reading it.

United States on Jul 21, 2023

JF: Its your choice how you approach life. Read this book.

Australia on Jun 24, 2023

Suzie Carr: I recently read the book Fish! by Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul, and John Christensen, and I have to say, it was a truly delightful and inspiring read. The book tells the story of Mary Jane, who discovers the Pike Place Fish Market and learns about a unique management philosophy that transforms her approach to work and life.

What I loved most about Fish! was the way it blended storytelling with practical lessons about management and leadership. Through the story of the fishmongers at Pike Place, the authors illustrate the power of positive attitudes, creativity, and teamwork in achieving remarkable results. The fishmongers' infectious energy and commitment to their work are truly inspiring, and I found myself thinking about their lessons long after I finished the book.

Another aspect of Fish! that I appreciated was its accessibility. The book is written in a straightforward and engaging style that makes it easy to read and apply the lessons to one's own life. Whether you're a manager looking to boost morale and productivity in your team or an individual seeking to improve your own performance, Fish! offers valuable insights and practical tips for achieving...

United States on Apr 02, 2023

JUAN-C. CILLERUELO GONZALO: I bought this English version because I know it in an excellent Spanish translation from years ago.

It is one of these books you can read many times. It is short and light; every time you read it, you discover a little new detail you ignored in previous readings.

Recommendable!

Spain on Nov 10, 2022

Ghulam Mohammed: I wasn't sure what I would be reading but this is actually a very good useful and interesting book. It gets more and more interesting as you read it and if it was up to me I would give it to every new starter that started at my place at work !!! Great read !!!

United Kingdom on Apr 08, 2022

Mike: Well what can I say? Amazon asked me to review this book just as it asks me to review every product I buy (and I'm a good customer) so I thought this time I'd waste a little of my time so as to waste a little of yours reader. I could review the Kindle I'm about to get but you've all got them by now, I could review the latest Elbow LP that arrived yesterday but I have only heard it once so far and these things grow on you. I did buy a copy of Tom Jones' "Leave your hat on" this week as well - I could review that too but, well, you've all seen "The Full Monty" - if not do buy a copy as it's a laugh. Bought petrol at BP today - it burns well but no pleasure in using it; underpants from M&S and they function well with support in all the right places; food from Waitrose when I burnt some of that BP fuel and doubtless that will cause a little residue temporarily on those M&S underpants. The FISH book is very short and very easy to read and goes on about "being there" for your customers - very good stuff and should be given to shop staff particularly. It would be totally wasted on a ceratin French energy supplier or a car insurance company based in Wales neither of which seem to...

United Kingdom on Aug 31, 2012

Connor Snook: Fish! was an inspiring book that reveals key elements to maintaing a fun and energetic workplace. Through her conversations with a fishmonger (Lonnie), the main character (Mary Jane) learns the four components included in formation of a productive yet enjoyable environment. This is something that everyone is seeking within a job... and why shouldn't they? Most people work 5 days a week for almost all weeks of the year, which accounts for the better part of their lives. So why should they dread coming to work and begin the "weekend countdown" every Monday?

The third floor or "toxic energy dump" (as it is referred to in the text) represents more of a condition/state of being rather than a specific location in the book. There are many businesses throughout the world with a "toxic energy dump", but this book presents a solution. Fishmonger Lonnie describes four lessons to Mary Jane that aid her efforts to improve the third floor: Play, Choose Your Attitude, Be Present, and Make Their Day.

When Mary Jane first visits the Pike Place Fish Market, she discovers the excitement and fun that workers share with customers. They have taken a job that is smelly, unpleasant, etc....

United States on Apr 12, 2012

Kevin Matthews: I can still vividly remember seeing the Film version of this book, even though it was ten years ago and it made an instant and lasting impression.

Since then I have read the book and watched the film countless times, and each time it helps to put everything back in perspective - not just in a business sense, but also in general life.

Unlike many other business management books, the four principles of Be Present, Make Their Day, Play and Choose Your Attitude are wonderfully simple to remember - and more importantly, are even more simple to implement within your business.

AND do they make a difference? YES.

We used FISH! as a vehicle to communicate our culture to everyone in our company, when we re-branded the business in 2005. Since then, we have drawn on the philosophy and the messages time and time again. To top it all, every person who joins our company is given a copy of book to help explain "why we do things the way we do."

Also, we are a UK company - I know lots of people feel that these principles can only work in the USA. Well, I disagree.

It has helped to make our company different, stand out from the competition, enable the staff...

United Kingdom on Mar 06, 2012

Jeffrey T. Munson: I have just finished reading this book as a requirement for a Master's degree course, and I found it very enjoyable. I especially liked the format, in which the author uses a fictional main character and company to illustrate his point.

Mary Jane has recently accepted a new position as a manager in her company. The problem is, she's taking over the third floor, called "the toxic dump" by other employees. Morale is low and poor service is high. One day, Mary Jane decides to go for a walk over her lunch hour. She comes across the Pike Place Fish Market and is immediately taken aback. She cannot get over the enthusiasm of the employees and the satisfaction of the customers. Lonnie, the manager of the market, notices Mary Jane and begins talking to her. He learns about Mary Jane's department and the struggles she's facing. Lonnie decides to tell Mary Jane about his strategy at the fish market so that she may apply his principles to her situation. Lonnie's strategy contains four main points: choose your attitude, play, make their day, and be present. All of these areas focus on the customer and putting his needs first.

Mary Jane decides to try Lonnie's program out in her...

United States on Dec 11, 2006