Laughter

We don’t laugh enough at work (especially in these days of a troubled global economy). We spend at least 8 hours a day working, at least 5 days a week, at least 48 weeks a year (assuming you get four weeks vacation). We all need to have more fun at work.

At an all employee meeting several years ago, we had the FUN DOCTOR come to present and he was terrific. He illustrated several simple ways to have fun each day at work . . . ways to “spice” up the office. I think all the employees got something out of that presentation (which was a risk . . . but seemed to be a good reward). There are many things you can do to bring fun into the work place, you just need to think outside of the box.

Yesterday, I laughed more than I have in a long time. Why? Yes, I am on vacation, but it was Old colleagues coming back together (maybe drinking a few bottles of wine helped) . . . we talked about the fun times at work that we shared. When you think about it, the times when you do get together with work colleagues in a non-work environment, you do spend quite a bit of time discussing the fun times that happened.

Well, it is time to make those fun times now, so there is something to talk about in the future. What are you going to do today to have more fun at the office?

Earning Employee Love

This is an article posted on May 21, 2008 by Michael Alter on Inc.com. He is right on . . .as leaders, we need to remember that little things are viewed very positively by employees. Yes, it is not the same as cash, but does show appreciation and isn't that what we want to demonstrate as leaders! Our staff work extremely hard . . . what do you do as a leader to appreciate your staff. I think I have almost done every one of these items . . .

What's your approach to attracting top talent and keeping your employees? Sure, you could just pay them a bundle and buy their loyalty. But, sometimes, it's better to think outside the box and focus on other ways to compensate your employees that don't involve simply offering a higher salary and bumping up your payroll bill. In my last article, I discussed the idea that compensation is more than just cash.

I mentioned one perk we offer at SurePayroll -- company-paid trips abroad for long-serving employees -- and promised to follow up with a laundry list of non-cash compensation ideas that you might consider using at your business.
So, without further adieu, here are 20 perks that just might make your employees love working for you.

Free Food and Drinks. Having free sodas in the fridge and free snacks on the break room counter are tried and true techniques. Keep the snacks healthy and you'll win a few extra points for being concerned about employee wellness.
Movie Afternoons. All work and no play makes for a dull workforce. Fire up the conference room projector every Thursday at 2:00 PM and show a movie. Don't forget the popcorn!
Great Parties. Companies that party together stay together. Take time out to celebrate and do it in style.
Ownership. Give employees a piece of the equity pie and everybody's interests are suddenly aligned.
Dinner for Two. Don't forget to pamper spouses and partners too. Treat employees to a night out with their loved ones and you'll earn twice the love.
The Game Lounge. Foosball, billiards, air hockey, your favorite game console, or even something as low tech as Checkers or Monopoly -- let the games begin!
Beer. One reader wrote me that he has a keg tapped in his office every Friday afternoon and that employees love it. I'll drink to that!
Office Ambiance. Dingy walls and cramped quarters don't do much for employee love. On the other hand, employees love to work in an office that is stylishly designed with ample room and great furniture.
Tickets to the Big Game. Surprise your employees with an outing to the local ballgame.
Call In the Ice Cream Truck. When the ice cream truck pulls up in front of your business and gives your employees free ice cream, you’re sure to earn a few employee loyalty points.
Proximity to Public Transportation. Location, location, location! Most folks will trade salary for a shorter, easier commute. If you have a convenient location, you can count on a broader selection of employees.
Flu Shots for Everyone. I wasn't so sure about this one, but after two years of providing flu shots, I’m sure our winters are more productive with happier, healthier employees.
The Latte Machine. Throw out the cheap coffee maker and invest in a high-end coffee heaven maker.
Surprise Holidays. Everybody loves a day off, especially if it's not on the holiday schedule. Want to put smiles on the employees' faces? Announce a day off out of the blue.
Learn, Baby, Learn. For many people, it's not just what they earn, it's what they learn. Invest in employee training and you'll soon have a more loyal, not to mention more skilled, workforce.
Friends. People who don't have friends at work are more likely to quit. Those who have friends are more engaged at work. So do something that encourages friendships…start an office book club, for example.
Casual Dress Codes. If I had a dollar for every employee that's quit a job because the dress code was too formal, I'd be a rich man indeed. At SurePayroll, we are very carefree when it comes to dress codes and our employees appreciate that very much.
Positive Words and Opportunity to Succeed. Studies show that workers who receive regular praise and are given an opportunity to do what they do best every day are more loyal and more productive workers. As if we needed a study to realize that!
Free Parking and Transportation Reimbursement. Instead of raising salaries, offer to pay for parking or train passes instead. It's a small gesture but employees will appreciate it. And it's tax deductible.
Bring in the Masseuse. Last but not least, when the going gets tough, the tough get a massage. Make your office stress-free by bring in a masseuse once a month — or during your busier, more stressful times.

Sure, all of these things cost money, but it's a pittance compared to salary costs.
The idea is to invest in things that make your workplace so attractive that you win employees' hearts, so they see working in your business as more than just a way to earn more money.

There's a reason large corporations spend millions of dollars on non-cash sales and employee incentive programs. It's because cash will always be directed toward necessities, while other perks are remembered and appreciated -- they evoke an emotional response instead of merely a logical, financial one.
The bottom line? High salaries are an expensive burden to bear. You need to be competitive but you can manage your salary costs through other creative forms of compensation.

You'll always do better by compensating employees with a highly enjoyable, fun atmosphere filled with small perks that don't cost too much money.

Enjoy Yourself (at Work)

It is interesting, we spend at least 40 hours per week at work (usually it is a lot more than that), then you think that we sleep between 6 to 8 hours a night (so if we say 7, that is another 35 hours a week), then you probably take somewhere around a hour or two per day getting ready for and traveling to and fro work (this might be a gender specific thing about getting ready, I can get ready in 15min and my commute is about 50 steps. life is good) . . . so, there is 168 hours a week. Just work and sleep take up 82 hours, that is almost half of the entire time for a week. And don't forget about all the errands that we have to do during the week . . . You might spend more time working with colleagues than spending with your spouse or partner!

I think we need to lighten up a bit during work, so many are uptight. I dont mean to slack off and not deliver on goals. But smile a little more and enjoy yourself!

You have probably have had several leaders in the past, which one did you work harder for and probably had more fun. My guess would be it was the leader who liked to have fun (probably did not take themselves as seriously as other leaders) and who really celebrated successes and wins. Maybe I am in the minority but I worked much harder when you were in an environment that was a fun place to work, am I wrong? I have been lucky reporting to most leaders who created a respectful but fun environment. A leader should put a smile on your face! Does your leader do that?

I made it my personal commitment to create such an environment, I will allow others to determine if I reached that goal!

I have had many funny business stories, so I will share one with you, names removed to protect the innocent.

I was co-instructing for software training at a large facility with about 30 clients. This facility was very nice, each "user" was in a pod with their own PC, microphone and speaker. Those that know me, know that my voice is . . . should be say . . . strong, so I did not need to use a wireless lapel microphone, however, my co-instructor's voice need one. So, my co-instructor is finishing their section and hand over to me the next section so I begin instructing. During that time, my co-instructor left the room (to get a glass of water?). Well, I am teaching and then all of sudden a hear a water leaking sound . . . everyone helps hears it as well, we are looking around the room to see if a water pipe broke or something . .. but we could not find anything, then all of a sudden, there was a big WHHHHOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHH, yes, my co-instructor did not turn off their wireless mike and went to the restroom . . . so, here I am, standing in front of 30 clients (while we were listening to my co-instructor using the restroom), what would you do? Well, I had to say something, right? Quickly, I said, well, sorry for that, but lets make sure they wash their hands . . . within a few seconds, you hear running water . . . a few moments earlier, a colleague had run to the restroom to let the co-instrutor know, so you end up hearing some rustling and then silence. Needless to say, the co-instructor was a little embarrassed, but bottom line, it was a good time had by all . . . .life is short, have fun when you can! Oh, there are so many more stories that I can share . . . anyone else have any?

Okay, Let's do a Fun Posting . . .

One of items that I am "branded with" is from early in my career, I hated sitting around dinner tables or at happy hour and all the individual conversation going on, and some people who might be on the quiet side would not be involved in any discussion (or have you ever sat next to people that you wish you were eating at a fast food restaurant versus a sit down long meal, you know what I am talking about) . . . so I developed a "technique" whereby I got all involved in the conversation.

I have two techniques that many of the readers have probably been involved in . . .

1. I Call it "brink dinner rules", after each course, you get up and change places with others, if there is same number of male and females, the females remained seated and males change places . . . this breaks up the conversations and mixes things up. Please please please, make sure you bring the utensils that you had been using, your napkin, and your drink (downside is the waiter(tress) get confused when they bring the next course if different meals, but that becomes fun as well for all parties include the waiter(tress), they want something different as well).

2. I like to ask general questions of everyone at the table, everyone gets to talk, everyone learns something about all the people around the table, which then helps future conversations (gosh the things that you find out about people, WOW!).

a. Here are some questions that I ask?

b What place in the world that you would like to visit but never have?

c What has been your favorite vacation spot?

d If you could live anywhere in the world (money no object), where would you live?

e If you received $1M what would you do with the money?

f If you could relive a year in your life, what age would it be . . . it could mean to just relive or relive and make some changes during that year of life?

g If you were stranded on an island (and there happens to electricity, a dvd player, and CD player), what Book, Movie and Album would you select (yes, I could say, your are on a ship with a complete library of books, movies and albums, the ship catches fire you are only able to grab one of each . . . )

h If you weren't doing what you are today, what would you love to do (if you were paid the exact same)?

i When in your life have you been the happiest? (this is tougher than you think)

j If you were going to have your last meal, what would it be?

k Who was your first kiss? (okay, there are variations on this but this is a public blog . . . )

Now, there has been lots of shy people out there . . . so go ahead and give some answers, I will give my answers shortly.


But bottom line, involve others is key to success, make they feel part of the team, its lonely out there when you feel as an outsider . . . as leaders we need to be inclusive . . . and it will pay off in major dividends in the future. Party On!