Corporate Celebration: Play, Purpose, and Profit at Work Book

Two specialists in organizational management offer an antidote to the decline in company spirit. From marking milestones to recognizing accomplishment, the authors document the powerful effect simple ceremonies can have on revitalizing morale and raising performance. 50 illustrations.

Publishers Weekly

At a time when downsizing, "leaner and meaner" and no-frills are the order of the day, the authors argue that companies should periodically celebrate both their successes and their employees. Deal (Corporate Cultures) and psychologist Key maintain that these celebrationswhether acknowledging someone's birthday or a corporate anniversarydraw employees together and forge community in the workplace. Even coming together to grievewhen a product or mission failsis good for everyone involved, they stress. Their position would have been more compelling had they conducted more firsthand interviews with employers who observe celebrations. Instead, they rely almost exclusively on excerpts from other people's books and oft-told tales about Southwest Airlines and Wal-Mart. Still, Deal and Key list countless reasons to celebrate, tell how to do it and even include a chapter on "recipes for failure"things to avoid if you want to make the celebration a success. The book will be useful to the corporate people charged with planning events. (June)