The Future is FISH! Four Steps to Success

Advice 2009-12-03 12:16

David Blackman advocates the FISH! philosophy that says making work more fun can lead to better results, such as

This year has been challenging for many companies, especially those in the channel. The news has been full of stories of resellers, VARs and vendors battling to beat the economic crunch, yet still trying to make money on increasingly tight margins.

1) Play – Taking a light-hearted, spontaneous approach is a state of mind that injects new energy into work tasks and helps spark creative ideas. I want to make work fun. Why not implement dress down Fridays, away days or fishing competitions!

2) Make their Day – I want to encourage my team to go the extra mile, do something extraordinary at least once a day whether it’s for customers, partners or colleagues. For example picking up the phone to your customers rather than emailing, or sending them a personalised Christmas gift

3) Be There – I try hard to give everyone my whole attention, not only does this show respect but it lets them know I value their contribution which encourages them to excel even further. Leave your laptop or mobile phone outside of the meeting room so you aren’t constantly interrupted, take an interest in their hobbies

4) Choose Your Attitude – I think it’s essential that we all look for the best in everything. There is no gain in looking for, and dwelling on, the negatives – it’s a self-defeating spiral of despair. Instead, look for and attract the positive elements around you. Try smiling when you’re on the phone. The person at the other end will feel it!

The FISH! Future

Is FISH! the answer to making it through the recession? Clearly, there are a lot of uncontrollable factors at play that will dictate how your business fares. However, what you can control is how you and your team chooses to counter adversity and, together, make it through difficult times and establish better, long-term foundations for the future.

By adopting the book’s core principles you have an opportunity to reinvent what work is all about. By cranking up passion, energy and accountability you will improve every part of your business. After all, it’s your team that is the power behind the success of your organisation and to succeed, it is vital that your team is working with the right attitude. By committing employees to the success of the team, they are directly committing to the success of your business.

For me FISH! has helped improve almost every aspect of my working environment. It has also become an integral a part of my everyday life, both in and out of the office. I suggest you take a look at FISH!; if you take a leaf out of this book I’m sure you’ll do swimmingly.