This document introduces the FISH! philosophy, which is based on observations of the animated and engaged employees at Seattle's Pike Place Fish Market. The philosophy's four cornerstones are to choose your attitude, play, make their day, and be present. It provides examples of how workplaces can incorporate each concept, such as having fun activities, complimenting colleagues, smiling, and focusing on interactions. The goal of the FISH! philosophy is to boost morale and create positive experiences through fostering teamwork and creativity.

1. Welcome to …

2. Why FISH???
Re-Energizes the
workplace
Fosters teamwork
Enhances
productivity
Inspires creativity

3. Starting point………
 Seattle's famous Pike Place Fish Market -
"The fishmongers were firing large, slippery
fish at each other, making spectacular
catches and inviting delighted customers to
try their luck. The market was crowded and
noisy, but when one of the fishmongers
focused on a customer, it was like they
were the only two people in the place.
Everyone was smiling! And the cash registers
were ringing like crazy.”
 The FISH! philosophy was created by
John Christensen. On a visit to Seattle, he
observed how animated and happy the
employees at Seattle's Pike Place Fish
Market were in their work. They filled
orders by flinging fish to each other,
inciting laughter from the customers and
compliments about their throwing/catching
abilities, or commiseration if they missed.
Employees would often invite customers to
join the fun. The Pike Place employees
gave their complete attention to each of
their customers and ensured each had an
enjoyable visit.
 Christensen realized that not only were the
workers making a routine errand fun for
themselves and their customers, they also
were selling tons of fish. He constructed
the FISH! Philosophy from his
observations of Pike Place employees

4. Why FISH???
Boosts morale

5. Why FISH???
Creates positive, memorable experiences
for our customers (both internal and
external customers)

6. Why FISH???
Inspires teamwork
Fosters creativity
Increases productivity
Builds effective relationships to facilitate the
communication of ideas, goals, etc.
Stimulates thinking about ways to create a more
worker-friendly work environment
Makes people feel valued
Retains employees

7. Four Cornerstones of “Fish!”
1. Choose Your Attitude
2. Play
3. Make Their Day
4. Be Present/Be There

8. 4 Concepts of the
FISH! Philosophy
1. Play
…is synonymous with work. It’s about
having fun, enjoying yourself, being
spontaneous and creative. Life is too
short to spend it frowning… and FISH!
brings a smile to your face!

9. 4 Concepts of the
FISH! Philosophy
2. Make their day
…It’s about doing something special for
your customers and co-workers. When
you make someone’s day, you have given
them a special gift they won’t soon forget.
It feels good to give it.

10. 4 Concepts of the
FISH! Philosophy
3.Be there
…It’s about being totally focused on the
moments and on the person or task with
which you are engaged. When we are fully
present with our customers and with each
other, we are listening deeply and
important opportunities do not escape us.

11. 4 Concepts of the
FISH! Philosophy
4.Choose your attitude
…It’s about accepting full responsibility for
all of our choices, even our attitude at
work. A positive attitude is a decision we
make, moment to moment.

12. FISH FINALE
Ride the wave…
…Catch the Energy
…Unleash the Potential!

13. Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world. Indeed it is the only thing that
ever has.
---Margaret Mead

14.  As you enter this place of work, please choose to make
today a great day.
 Your colleagues, customers, team members, and you
yourself will be thankful.
 Find ways to play. We can be serious about ourselves.
 Stay focused in order to be present when your team
members most need you.
 And should you feel your energy lapsing, try this sure
fire remedy: Find someone who needs a helping hand,
a word of support, or a good ear,---and make their
day.
Our Workplace

15. PLAY
Joke, joke, joke
Joke with people
Pass around cute jokes - nothing personal or risqué
Say something to make people laugh
Share a joke with a co-worker
Have theme days - have people dress up different
Have office parties - quick lunch, picnics, etc
Ice cream social or other activity
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!
Dress up your office or space with fun stuff
Put out toys to play with
Play upbeat music
Squirt guns
Cartoons - Dilbert
Have more fun
Make work fun
Poster's Waldo!, Magic forest
Play with beach balls, balloons, nerf balls, streamers
MAKE THEIR DAY
Say hello to the customer and compliment on how they look (from people that walk in)
Bake goods
Have a candy bowl out at all times
Have little goodies to share
Compliment the one person that looks to be the one having the worst day
Thank people the bring you paper work, calls into your office
Acknowledge accomplishments of another
Find something nice to say to each person (start with at least once a day)
Appreciate what other people do
Make your day by making someone else's
Be nice!
Share with others
Help others
Volunteer time as you have it - that might make someone's day
Be cooperative with coworkers
Make your co-worker's day. Be there for them and listen.
Call someone in another area and say "hello" or call someone in error but comment on how nice they answer the phone
and have a smile on your face so they can hear how happy you are.

16. BE THERE
Smile when you see your co-worker
Smile more
Smile when you pass someone and acknowledge them
Smile at everyone and say hello
Challenge people to smile
Answer the phone with a smile on your face
Share with co-workers 2x
Be friendly and make co-workers laugh
Be friendly with co-workers
Take the time to listen to another person
Be careful not to let your attitude influence your hearing
When you see someone at work sad, go give them a big hug and say they look great today
Make a point to get to know everyone (if you don't already)
Show up for work!
CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE
Start each day with a personal positive thought
Come in with an awesome attitude ha ha
Put on a smile - Happy faces work better!
Try to start the day with something good, funny, helpful, etc!
Think happy thoughts
Change attitudes
Be more pleasant to everyone even if you are having a bad day
Choose your attitude or at least be able to recognize that when your attitude is not up to snuff to
change it. Thus making others around you feel better about interacting with you.
Have a great attitude
Leave your home stress home
Walk around the building on your break and say hi to everyone you see

17. FISH! Pledge
Hook into it…It’s
quite a catch!
“I promise I will support the FISH!
Philosophy and Play,
Make Their Day, Be There,
and Choose My Attitude every day!”