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Happywork: A Business Parable About the Journey to Teamwork, Profit, and Purpose
In Happywork , Chris Reimer introduces an ambitious, professional consultant named Sam, who specializes in company turnarounds. Sam succeeds by “compartmentalizing people, streamlining processes, and creating systems of control.” He wastes no energy worrying about human emotions—he gets results. Drawn into an urgent assignment at Vunorri, Inc., a manufacturing company facing foreclosure, Sam’s confident spirit is suddenly shaken. A career quiz from an unlikely source, impossible employees, and scandalous dealings at Vunorri cast doubt on Sam’s qualifications and test his ability to perform. Against the suspense-building backdrop of a 30-day bank deadline, Reimer reveals a truth many people ignore—unhappiness at work hurts employees and employers. The colorful characters and practical advice comprise a thought provoking piece of revolutionary motivation for corporate America. Delivered with wit and packed with profound sentiment, Happywork offers you truth—the way we work is broken, our priorities are out of order, and now is the time for colossal change. Apply these simple methods immediately, and experience a better work environment and life today.
- GenresBusinessNonfiction
192 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2015
7 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
Chris Reimer
2 books29 followersChris Reimer is an award-winning communications strategist, a humanist, and a student of human interaction. He is possibly the only human being alive who went from being a CPA and CFO to a marketing and communications professional. He is a guest lecturer at Washington University, and is the author of the business parable "Happywork." He lives in St. Louis with his wife and two daughters, and drinks red wine in the evening.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 7, 2015
If you are a fan (student?) of the writings of authors like Dan Pink or Seth Godin and any number of others, this book is not for you. Which is not to say that you shouldn't buy it, read it, learn from it, and share it, because you most definitely should. What I mean is that Happywork is custom made for those who don't (or won't) read a "business book" because it is a bunch of "warm fuzzy stuff" that doesn't have any practical business value. Which, by the way, perfectly describes Sam, the consultant brought in to save a struggling company.
"Slash costs, bottom line, lay people off, bottom line, efficiency efficiency people just need to suck it up and work harder bottom link blah blah." This is the approach Sam comes in with (no spoiler there!) to turn things around. Until he realizes he can't, not with that approach, because this company is just too messed up. Enter Charlie, the wise old (yes, he's old) mail room employee, who channels Soctrates brilliantly as he engages in a wide ranging dialog with Sam that helps Sam see the light.
And that, to me, is the genius of Chris Reimer's story telling here. He doesn't just bombard with facts, doesn't just engage as a case study with a here's what they did and here's what happened. Instead, he takes the ideas and knowledge that has been shared by many others, along with some of his own creation, and packages it in a way that makes you think. Chances are, you will be thinking of the same questions that Sam comes up with, and Charlie will be there with an answer. But not an "answer" in the sense that the question is done, but an answer that keeps you pulling the threads of all the questions that answer raises.
"Slash costs, bottom line, lay people off, bottom line, efficiency efficiency people just need to suck it up and work harder bottom link blah blah." This is the approach Sam comes in with (no spoiler there!) to turn things around. Until he realizes he can't, not with that approach, because this company is just too messed up. Enter Charlie, the wise old (yes, he's old) mail room employee, who channels Soctrates brilliantly as he engages in a wide ranging dialog with Sam that helps Sam see the light.
And that, to me, is the genius of Chris Reimer's story telling here. He doesn't just bombard with facts, doesn't just engage as a case study with a here's what they did and here's what happened. Instead, he takes the ideas and knowledge that has been shared by many others, along with some of his own creation, and packages it in a way that makes you think. Chances are, you will be thinking of the same questions that Sam comes up with, and Charlie will be there with an answer. But not an "answer" in the sense that the question is done, but an answer that keeps you pulling the threads of all the questions that answer raises.
December 31, 2016
Moral of this story: Kindness is a precondition of happiness, which is a precondition of productivity and profit. This moral is imparted through two-dimensional stock characters, predictable plot twists, and contrived narrative devices.
Spoiler alert: This parable is brought to its "happy" ending by the heroic efforts of its protagonists - a newly repentant CEO and his newly enlightened consultant - to transform an unhappy workplace into a happy one by imposing a pro-kindness/pro-happiness code of conduct upon the whole company. Interestingly, the process of coming up with this code of conduct is completely top-down, involving zero input from employees; and the code of conduct itself reflects a sort of benign elitism.
This parable speaks to important issues, and its author apparently has great intentions. But I don't think he has much experience with actually changing the culture of an institution. If he did, his parable would likely be longer, and it would spotlight the struggles and efforts of a diverse array of characters. Not just the two most highly paid white-collar white males in the company.
Spoiler alert: This parable is brought to its "happy" ending by the heroic efforts of its protagonists - a newly repentant CEO and his newly enlightened consultant - to transform an unhappy workplace into a happy one by imposing a pro-kindness/pro-happiness code of conduct upon the whole company. Interestingly, the process of coming up with this code of conduct is completely top-down, involving zero input from employees; and the code of conduct itself reflects a sort of benign elitism.
This parable speaks to important issues, and its author apparently has great intentions. But I don't think he has much experience with actually changing the culture of an institution. If he did, his parable would likely be longer, and it would spotlight the struggles and efforts of a diverse array of characters. Not just the two most highly paid white-collar white males in the company.
April 6, 2015
In his book Reimer embraces the everyday unhappiness at work and provides real advice on how to transform any workplace into a motivationally positive environment. The goal of the book is to help you overcome workplace negativity, bring the best out of your employees, streamline your business processes, prioritize your employee tasks, and eliminate human emotions from the workplace. This book is best read from front to back.
For your convenience, I had Chris Reimer on my podcast, The Entrepreneurs Library, to give a deep dive on Happywork. With Chris’s experience he gives amazing insight on how to master the art of turning negative organizations upside down. If you would like to hear a real review from the author himself check out episode 192 on the EL website or you can find the show on iTunes.
For your convenience, I had Chris Reimer on my podcast, The Entrepreneurs Library, to give a deep dive on Happywork. With Chris’s experience he gives amazing insight on how to master the art of turning negative organizations upside down. If you would like to hear a real review from the author himself check out episode 192 on the EL website or you can find the show on iTunes.
April 14, 2015
"Reimer reveals a truth many people ignore—unhappiness at work hurts employees and employers." - From the book description
I really like this quote about Chris Reimer's "Happywork: A Business Parable About the Journey to Teamwork, Profit, and Purpose". It is quite true. Studies show that happier employees are more conscientious, productive employees. Happier employers are more likely to create environments that foster positive feelings among employees...
This is just as important nowadays as ever, so many people dislike going to work - they don't like the company's they work for, they don't get along with their co-workers, they just don't find their work fulfilling.
This is what makes this book relevant. (I also like the author's use of a parable to make some of his points)
I would recommend this book to managers, employers, business students and any others involved in business administration and planning.
My copy of this book was won from the Goodreads.com website.
I really like this quote about Chris Reimer's "Happywork: A Business Parable About the Journey to Teamwork, Profit, and Purpose". It is quite true. Studies show that happier employees are more conscientious, productive employees. Happier employers are more likely to create environments that foster positive feelings among employees...
This is just as important nowadays as ever, so many people dislike going to work - they don't like the company's they work for, they don't get along with their co-workers, they just don't find their work fulfilling.
This is what makes this book relevant. (I also like the author's use of a parable to make some of his points)
I would recommend this book to managers, employers, business students and any others involved in business administration and planning.
My copy of this book was won from the Goodreads.com website.
February 25, 2015
How many times have you got to the end of a management book and had tears in your eyes? Let me answer that for you, zero times.
There is not another management book out there that hits as hard as this one. Actually, there's not another management book out there LIKE this one. It's written like a novel but somehow just slams information into you over and over again.
The last management book that I had an emotional connection to like this was Who Moved My Cheese, and we all know how that book goes...
Chris has done something special here and I honestly believe that everyone who works, anywhere, should read the book and truly think about the possibilities of a happy workplace. Shouldn't our 100,000 hours in the office be spent smiling?
There is not another management book out there that hits as hard as this one. Actually, there's not another management book out there LIKE this one. It's written like a novel but somehow just slams information into you over and over again.
The last management book that I had an emotional connection to like this was Who Moved My Cheese, and we all know how that book goes...
Chris has done something special here and I honestly believe that everyone who works, anywhere, should read the book and truly think about the possibilities of a happy workplace. Shouldn't our 100,000 hours in the office be spent smiling?
March 4, 2015
I had the pleasure of receiving an early copy of the book from my good friend (and author) Chris Remier.
My productivity for the day immediately went to hell because I finished Happywork in one sitting -- it was that good.
For the last several years I've been obsessed with the psychology of happiness both from a personal standpoint and in the work place and it's clear now more than ever, that loving where you work has a profound impact on all areas of your life.
Happywork is an entertaining and insightful tale on how to find happiness at work by showing you what not to do.
If you hate your job be grateful you don't work at Vunorri, Inc the fictitious company detailed in the book. Then read this and go out and build a career you love.
My productivity for the day immediately went to hell because I finished Happywork in one sitting -- it was that good.
For the last several years I've been obsessed with the psychology of happiness both from a personal standpoint and in the work place and it's clear now more than ever, that loving where you work has a profound impact on all areas of your life.
Happywork is an entertaining and insightful tale on how to find happiness at work by showing you what not to do.
If you hate your job be grateful you don't work at Vunorri, Inc the fictitious company detailed in the book. Then read this and go out and build a career you love.
April 16, 2015
Let me start by saying that I work as an entrepreneur with my own business, so while this book was about a corporate setting, I can definitely say I could apply this to myself.
I really found the way it was written was very appealing to me, I normally read fiction and this book was set up more like a story than a self-help. BUT, I learned so much!!! My own personal job consists of creating a team of people all helping each other build themselves up and this book was SO geared for that! I couldn't even IMAGINE working for the company described in the book, but like the title states, make your job place HAPPY!
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely if you do any sort of work, the examples may be different, but the theory is the same.
BTW, I LOVED the way it ends!!
I really found the way it was written was very appealing to me, I normally read fiction and this book was set up more like a story than a self-help. BUT, I learned so much!!! My own personal job consists of creating a team of people all helping each other build themselves up and this book was SO geared for that! I couldn't even IMAGINE working for the company described in the book, but like the title states, make your job place HAPPY!
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely if you do any sort of work, the examples may be different, but the theory is the same.
BTW, I LOVED the way it ends!!
June 16, 2016
I'm not a person who typically likes those business books that give example after example after example of how so and so accomplished an amazing feat. This book isn't that. It's a story, an easy story that helps you see how every person in a work place matters and why it's important to create a happy workplace for everyone.
April 4, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and received it in the mail fairly quickly. It is a short book, however, it is very informative. It reads like fiction, but can be applied to any modern workplace where the relationship between bosses and employess are the key for company success. It's a perfect book for anyone looking for both a personal and professional satisfaction from work.
February 25, 2015
What a great story! I won't give away the ending, but it had a great turn-of-events. I am looking forward to using this as a guide in my future endeavors!
July 10, 2015
FTC Disclosure: I received this book free from Goodreads hoping I would review it.
April 17, 2015
good reads win
January 22, 2022
Upside - Good learnings which can be applied to real work environment. Learnings of a good employee/employee which you already knew but needs to be reminded of.
Downside - Main character is too naive for the build up made for him at the start. Plot twist is very predictable. Very slow flow of events.
Favorite excerpts -
“The human needs I’m talking about are comfort, variety, significance, connection, growth, and contribution.”
“The real change you need to demand is the creation of a happy place to work. And that doesn’t start with money, or power, or manufacturing tactics. It’s about humans working in harmony, with purpose”
“It’s difficult to excel when you’re unhappy”
“there is value in cultivating kindness. Stronger teams are the result”
“A work culture with employees helping each other benefits everyone”
“Always work hard, and be good to your fellow man while doing it”
“We need to always be pursuing happiness, dealing with the bumps in the road as they present themselves, and most of all, we must respect each other. Disagree without being disagreeable”
Downside - Main character is too naive for the build up made for him at the start. Plot twist is very predictable. Very slow flow of events.
Favorite excerpts -
“The human needs I’m talking about are comfort, variety, significance, connection, growth, and contribution.”
“The real change you need to demand is the creation of a happy place to work. And that doesn’t start with money, or power, or manufacturing tactics. It’s about humans working in harmony, with purpose”
“It’s difficult to excel when you’re unhappy”
“there is value in cultivating kindness. Stronger teams are the result”
“A work culture with employees helping each other benefits everyone”
“Always work hard, and be good to your fellow man while doing it”
“We need to always be pursuing happiness, dealing with the bumps in the road as they present themselves, and most of all, we must respect each other. Disagree without being disagreeable”
December 24, 2017
Hard to read, but a great message. I found the writing style difficult. I was very conscious of the way things were written, which I am not normally. That being said, I really liked the message that the author was driving home.
April 30, 2022
Eh, not sure there was anything revolutionary or that thought provoking.
Want to read
April 8, 2023to-read
July 4, 2015
Wow...some of the stories in the book really hit home. It is nice to see things end "happily ever after" for the company in the book and there is definitely something for everyone to learn from. Ask your company "how can we avoid this situation".
August 31, 2015
Great book! I really like Chris's story telling ability.
December 28, 2016
to read my review, please visit http://the-agency-review.com/happy-work
February 1, 2017
If you manage employees or find yourself in a leadership position, this book should be at the top of your reading list.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews