Gal Morale: It's Not About the Fish!

I had lunch today with a wonderfully enthusiastic gentleman who is a trainer here locally. We got to talking about the Fish Philosophy! My guess is that if you've got an interest in my blog, you've probably read Fish! It's a short and sweet book that centers around the changes a Fish Market located at Pike Place in Seattle, Washington made in order to boost morale and improve sales.

My new friend was telling me that whenever he brought the concept up in his workplace, the response was always the same. "We don't sell fish," is what his trainees would say. Understandably, he was frustrated by this response.

I've had similar frustrations when folks have come up to me and asked me if I have heard of the "Fish Philosophy(TM)." When I ask them what they're doing with it, they tell me they've had parties where they served goldfish, and they played games where they had to catch fish, they throw stuffed fish around in the office - and the like.

The problem to me is, I don't believe that throwing fish is what the book is about.

Don't get me wrong. I love the book and I love the concept. I highly recommend the series of Fish books. I had a fabulous time in Seattle purchasing fish at the very fish market, and watching other customers try to catch theirs. But, to me, the "Fish Philosophy" is about something much bigger than fish-themed events.

The book is about a group of fish mongers who took a look at their somewhat mundane job and asked themselves the following questions:

1. How can we have more fun?

2. How can we stand out amongst the 20 other fish markets at Pike Place? (And they do stand out).

3. How can we personalize our customer experience?

In my mind, those are the questions that you can take away from the book regardless of what industry or profession you work in. It's not about the fish! It's about:

• Having more fun
• Being unique and really standing out amongst your competition
• Being engaged with your customers
• Being present
• And saying YES! to the possibilities

And this can be put to work whether you work in banking, health care, in government, utilities, the post office, hospitality....wherever!

And you don't need to serve a single gold fish in order for it to happen. You don't even have to throw anything. You just have to be open to thinking BIGGER! You just have forget the box you've been working in and come up with a brand new box. One that will make YOU and YOUR company/organization World Famous!

It's not about the FISH! It's about saying YES to being EXTRAORDINARY!

Question: What are you doing in your workplace to be known as extraordinary?

Gal Morale, Private Eye

PS - Speaking of the Fish Philosophy, here's what author Stephen C. Lundin, author of the FiSH! series of books, has to say about Donna's forthcoming book The Celebrity Experience: "The Celebrity Experience precisely and lightheartedly details the way we would all love to be treated. You may not always get celebrity treatment, but their is no longer any excuse for failing to provide such an experience for your customers. The great stories, targeted examples, and wise asides all combine for a good read."

Comments

[Acomplia]

Thanks for sharing!

[Donna Cutting]

Oops! Griff - Pardon moi. :-) It's Griff, not Greg.

Sheepishly,
Gal Morale

[Donna Cutting]

Greg,

Thanks for the comment! I will add your blog to the list of those I check regularly.

Gal Morale

[Griff Wigley]

Hi Donna,

Allow me to add to my colleague Mike's comments!

Only I've blogged my response here.
http://fishphilosophynetwork.com/profiles/blog/show?id=669315%3ABlogPost%3A5461

The FISH! Philosophy Network is our new online social network for those familiar with FISH! and those curious. Stop by when you get a chance, can you?

Griff

[Donna Cutting]

Mike,

Great to hear from you! I am a huge fan of the Fish Philosophy and am admiring of all your success with it. Thanks for sharing the inspirational story of fish mongers who think BIG with the rest of the world.

Gal Morale

[Mike Schechter]

Thanks for the wonderful feedback on the FISH! book, which is a great entry point to creating a workplace that is fulfilling, fun, and productive. ChartHouse Learning created The FISH! Philosophy with its 1998 FISH! film. Today, in addition to the books, we provide programs such as LeaderFISH! and FISH! Culture that lead a company or unit in any field through a 6 to 11 month process to develop a FISH! culture. It's been a wonderful journey and gift!