|
|
Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! |  |
|
Lesson #2: Remember that Happy Workers are Harder Workers
Article Overview: They can bring their dogs to work, wear jeans if they choose and compete in company-sponsored Elvis impersonator contests. Indeed, Ben & Jerry’s employees seem to have more perks than even the worker-friendly Google. Much like the Internet giant, Ben & Jerry’s has long recognized the importance of making a workplace fun for its workers.
 |
Free Download - Ben & Jerry Quotes By Ben Cohen Jerry Greenfield |
Lesson #2: Remember that Happy Workers are Harder Workers
They can bring their dogs to work, wear jeans if they choose and compete in company-sponsored Elvis impersonator contests. Indeed, Ben & Jerry’s employees seem to have more perks than even the worker-friendly Google. Much like the Internet giant, Ben & Jerry’s has long recognized the importance of making a workplace fun for its workers.
In 1987, Greenfield came up with the idea for a Ben & Jerry’s Joy Gang, with a mission “to infuse joy into everything we do.” The Vermont hippies wanted fun to be an official part of their company culture. Initially, the Joy Gang’s activities were limited to providing free pizza and 15-minute massages to staff. However, as the company expanded, so too did the range of the Joy Gang’s projects.
Today, the Joy Gang’s approach to bringing fun to the workplace is three-pronged. Firstly, Joy Grants award up to $500 to employees who have an idea on how to make work more fun. From purchasing a hot cocoa machine for the company’s freezer crew to a stereo for the production crew, Cohen and Greenfield were willing to fund any creative ideas that might make for happier workers.
The second major function of the Joy Gang is to plan Joy Events. From Name That Face Contest, where employees bring in photos of themselves from the past for display in the company’s halls for others to guess who is who, to Barry Manilow Day, where the singer’s birthday is honored by playing his songs over the company speakers, Joy Events are meant to lighten everyone’s workday. Other popular Joy Events have included Mask Making, Jungle Party, Pizza & Puttin’, Vegas Night, and the Dog Days of Summer, where employee pets were treated to a flea-dip bath and all the toys and snacks they could handle.
There is no shortage of creative ideas finding their way around the Ben & Jerry’s offices. One year, the Joy Gang organized a Late Night Joy Party to show the company’s appreciation for those employees who worked late-night shifts. They cooked a lasagna large enough to feed everyone and brought in a DJ to play music all night long. Prizes, including cans of SPAM, were also awarded throughout the night. From celebrating American Chocolate Week (March 16-21) and Alan Alda’s Birthday to having a Wild Wild West Party, the Joy Gang leaves no stone unturned.
Thirdly, the Joy Gang takes great pleasure in its Joy Guerilla Tactics, secret activities that are not announced to company employees in order to surprise them. On a designated Play Day, the Joy Gang covered all of the lunchroom tables with white paper and left behind boxes of crayons and finger paints for the employees to enjoy over lunch.
Some would argue that it is success that in turn breeds a happy worker. However, at Ben & Jerry’s, the philosophy is exactly the opposite. Cohen and Greenfield are firm believers in the fact that happy workers breed success. Their own success thus far would seem to prove their point.
How to be An Effective Leader in a Virtual Team
Young Boss, Older Worker
Benefits of Incentive Programs
Tuition Reimbursement for Employees
Illegal Workers Protected by FLSA
Related Forum Posts
Dan Kennedy Marketing Methods
- We haven't sent out the physical letter yet as the person owning the list wanted to make modifications to the letter that we knew would work well but the List owner had a point - it didn't reflect her personality so her clients would know it didn't come from her.
Lesson learned for me. We're back to the drawing board with the list owner more involved in the development of the letter and emails.
I should have known better being a Business Analyst in my day job that you never leave the end-user out.
So Evan we haven't had the opportunity to test any of it yet but it's been a fun process for me to stand back and look at.
Re: What is your age?
- I guess I kind of got us off the original subject. Sorry about that, but even so, there's a lot of useful conversation here so I'm glad I did. Remember......strong body = strong mind.......usually.
Re: Taking Your Online Business Offline?
- Hi Alan
This sounds like a wonderful opportunity would love to hear how it all pans out for you. Remember that when you are offering help to offline businesses to market online, you are dealing directly with people in your local area and already you have a built in audience right there. Good luck I will be thinking on you.
MichelleJ
Re: $200,000 in 91 days
- Hi Yinka
I agree with both Trent & GT, the chance of this happening is highly unlikely. Remember that someone starting out on the internet is trying to build a business, usually with very little if any internet marketing knowledge and also they are totally unknown, so it is a long hard slog to get where you are earning big bucks.
MichelleJ
Re: Google Calendar
- Hi Mary,
On FireFox go to Tools --> Options --> Security There is a box that says: Remember passwords for sites, check it.
Next time you enter a PW firefox will ask you if you want to save it.
If you go to security again you will see a button "Saved Passwords" click on it and it will open the list, with all the PW hidden, you can choose to hide or show them.
Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.
Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
by: Kim Castle, Business Brand Creation
February 2012 Top 100 Leadership Experts to Follow on Twitter
Please Stop Calling it Coaching!
Measuring the Quality of Your Hires
The fine line 
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Emotional Energy is Our Engine
How to Write Your Articles for Better SEO
Do You Deserve To Be Happy and Successful?
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.