3. Mike Veeck runs six minor-league baseball teams, and for each of them he's drafted a business plan that begins with three simple words: "Fun is good." The fun-is-good philosophy not only has worked to make an evening at one of his ballparks--full of laughs, zany promotions, and free giveaways--enjoyable for everyone; it has transformed a half-dozen money-losing or start-up teams into a thriving $25 million business. In this book Veeck, son of legendary baseball owner Bill Veeck, shows why an injection of fun, creativity, and passion is so essential to business success.
5. Throughout, the book is peppered with vignettes, where we hear firsthand from people who have benefited professionally and personally from the fun-is-good philosophy and how they have applied it specifically to their own industries and careers. Veeck'sprogram will likely be most effective in service-oriented businesses where the joy of work diminishes in the struggles with disgruntled customers and demanding bosses.
7. The Right attitude For the people who work with fun is good philosophy, fun is an attitude. An experience. It's why everyone from head groundskeeper to the president and co-owner is passionate about coming to work. Having fun on the job makes these employees more creative, more productive, and ultimately more satisfied. They don't take themselves too seriously. They treat each other with respect. And they make every day an event.
8. Lesson 1 Positive Attitude Deal with tough times Built rapport with clients Improves the environment in the office Efficiency and creativity and confidence Helps to take the first step – as people are trained to believe that the failure rate is high when you make that leap Attitude is contagious , whether positive or negative
9. What is your Does your passion relate to your career If not can the expertise and the passion from that hobby be applied to your job Wrong approach to our career – We look at what’s out there, and then try to fit ourselves to that role- shouldn’t it be the other way round?
10. Lesson 2 Passion is cornerstone of fun is good philosophy, and if you let it be your guide, you’ll achieve success. The key is that if you go to a job that you love, the trip becomes the reward In job interview’s be inquisitive and ask questions
11. Chiefs and Indians Its important to blur the line between chief and Indians. The chief need to go out and work the front lines so that the Indians know there’s not a single job out there that the chief hasn’t done. The key to any successful Fun is Good organization is that the Indians have to believe they can become chiefs. We move people around our organization constantly which helps them to acquire new skills and move up.
12. Lesson 3 No designation or titles Design of office – open up the cubicles, don’t allot space in the office depending on their title, create a harmonious atmosphere in which coworkers feel comfortable interacting Give employees freedom A dart board, Nerf Basketball hoop or a pool table can work wonders in the office. Be accessible to employees so that they can give suggestions
14. The power of Irreverence Everyone wants to laugh at work. Don’t be afraid to poke fun at yourself or your company. Successful companies are viewed as irrelevant. Promote a causal Friday environment, not just the dress code. Everyone should feel comfortable suggesting ideas, no matter how outlandish. Every office needs a few “Good clubhouse” people to keep things lose
15. The Human Touch Treat people the way you'd want to be treated. Get to know your coworkers and customers on a personal level. You will be amazed at the benefits
16. Embracing Failure Don’t take failures so seriously. Learn from them . Recognize them as assets. Its never too late to start over.
17. Lesson Staying in a bad job snaps energy and spirit. Get out as quickly as possible. You learn something from every job Resignation is not quitting. It’s resigning yourself to something better. Unless it’s for poor performance, there’s no shame in being fired. Offer second chances. You might need one yourself some day. Laughter is the key to overcoming the fear of public speaking. Change isn’t just good. It’s a necessity.
18. Philosophy of his dad and how he employed fun is good philosophy in his career and business
32. Take Home Point Pablo Picasso once declared that “Every Child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” The solution to Picasso problem is startlingly simple: We just need to think like a little kid. The end result is that we regain the creativity lost with time.
