Winter 2007
Human Resource Measurement News
"Fun at Work" Industry Is No Joke
Plenty of studies — including our own — show that the sense of having fun at work has an unmistakable relationship to a sense of satisfaction and engagement at work.This month's newsletter features our overview of books, products and services from the “Fun at Work” industry, including the sarcastic "Despair.com". LOL, as the kids write in Instant Messenger. Read on and have a few laughs on us in 2007. There are also two new book reviews, product news and certification seminar announcements, so don't forget to keep scrolling! Happy New Year!
Are We Having Fun (at Work) Yet?
How about a battery-powered sleeping dog to keep your tootsies warm at the office? Sumo wrestler squeezie? A real executive sandbox? This is not just office tomfoolery. Plenty of studies — including our own — show that the sense of having fun at work has an unmistakable relationship to a sense of satisfaction and engagement at work. (Read about Power of Full Engagement research.)
Naturally, with stakes as high as employee engagement, a number of vendors offer products and services that promote workplace mirth. On a radio report the other day, we heard of a company that started out in the computer hardware business but prospers today from the sale of soft foam rocket launchers, indoor helicopters and Nerf footballs. Somewhere along the way they started selling toys for geeks and eventually discovered it was a better business than their original.
In the chart below, we offer some resources that may help you have more fun at work in 2007. And if you’re the contrarian type, please read about Despair.com when you're finished with this list.
Informational Web Site: |
HumorMatters.com: The best informational site we found is by the self-described “clinical mirthologist” Steven M. Sultanoff, Ph.D. The site provides resource references and many links. |
Workplace Humor Sites: |
The Official Dilbert Website Visit the Dilbert Archives or "Desktop Diversions" for classic cubicle humor.
Workplace Humour Quote: “If you're politically correct buzz off you won't like this site!”
About: Humor Quote: “On this site, you’re the boss.”
Humor University Quote: “Fun Solutions for Serious Problems”
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Books on Mirth at Work: |
Fun Works: Creating Places Where People Love to Work by Leslie Yerkes
301 Ways to Have Fun at Work by Dave Hemath and Leslie Yerkes
Managing to Have Fun by Matt Weinstein |
Associations: |
National Association for the Humor Impaired ("She smiled weakly.") |
Sources of Toys: |
Featured categories on these sites include: stress busters, weapons for cubicle warfare, foam rubber toys, rubberband guns, air guns, Star Wars and Star Trek collectibles, critters, gags, bendables, action figures, bobbleheads, kinetics. Four well-stocked sites include:
KlearGear: http://www.kleargear.com/office-toys-geek-gadget-cube-gifts.html
Office Playground: http://www.officeplayground.com/
Surprise.com: http://www.surprise.com/types/office_toys/index.html
Archie McPhee’s: “The Cubes”
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Despair.com: Antidote to Motivation Sickness
Have you ever wanted to say, "Enough already!" to the proponents of the motivation industry? Are you sick of those self-important experts who tell you to reach for the syrup just when you'd rather tar and feather someone? You are not alone.
A few days ago we got a 31-page catalog from Despair, Inc., a glossy affair of a quality that would make Brookstone or Williams-Sonoma proud while simultaneously bringing an evil smile to any Scrooge's face. The front cover shows a glossy poster with a sinking ship and a tag line that says: “Mistakes: It could be the purpose of your life is to serve as a warning to others.” And the introduction?
“Motivational Products Don’t Work. But Our Demotivational Products Don’t Work Even Better.”
What gives? We tried to contact Despair.com, but a surly notice on their Web site informed us that they would not be replying to our insipid inquiry. Is this a new spin on workplace humor? Or is it CEO psychologist E.L. Kersten, Ph.D. finally letting his industry “have it”? Check it out. The laughs are worth their weight in clicks.
Full Engagement Self Profile
The online Full Engagement Self Profile is a detailed assessment of work-life balance and personal energy management. To learn if it will be of help to you or a colleague, visit the Free Profile. You'll receive a two-page report. If you want more detail, you have the option to upgrade to the complete 16-page Self Profile for only $49.
Hogan Assessment Certification Seminars
We will offer Hogan certification again at the Water’s Edge Inn and Conference Center in Westbrook, CT on Friday Feb 9, 2007 and Thursday April 5, 2007. This full-day seminar is packed with everything you need to know about being an effective user of the Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI), Hogan Development Survey (HDS), and Motivation, Values and Preferences Inventory (MVPI). For the first time, we’ll be including a discussion of the new Hogan Business Reasoning Inventory (HBRI). The seminar fee is $995 plus tax. It includes a technical manual, a copy of the Hogan Certification Manual, and your own assessments. For more information on the agenda, visit the Hogan Certification Seminar link.
Clark Wilson Group Certification Seminars
PPI will offer Clark Wilson 360 Feedback Certification Workshops in Old Saybrook, CT on
Thursday Feb 8 and Friday April 6th, 2007. The seminar provides everything you need to become an effective user of the Task Cycle Surveys, including your own 360 feedback. Visit the link above for an agenda.
Visit Archives: Fall 2006 Newsletter
Visit Archives: Late Summer 2006 Newsletter
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Visit Performance Programs online to learn how we've served the needs of human resources managers for workplace surveys, tests, and assessments since 1987. We provide employee surveys, 360 feedback, work-life balance assessment, job personality testing, expatriate assessment, professional certifications and tests for executive coaching.
Best wishes,
The Performance Programs Staff
Books authored by the staff at Performance Programs:
Employee Surveys: Practical and Proven Methods
Employee Survey Question Guidebook
Employee Opinion Questionnaires: 20 Ready-to-Use Surveys that Work
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Leadership Assessment 
