In cold, rainy Seattle, there is a world-renowned business that has brought its work philosophy to the entire world. This business does not reside in a prestigious-looking building. Its employees do not have to wear suits to work.

The business is Pike’s Place Fish Market. NIU’s Student Housing and Dining Services has brought the Pike’s Place philosophy to campus.

Angela Dreessen, assistant area coordinator of SHDS for the Neptune complex, explained the history behind the FISH! philosophy. She said the Seattle area that contains Pike’s Place is not just a business area, but also a tourist attraction. When people come to Pike’s Place, the employees make sure that tourists leave with a good memory.

Their way of doing business has spread to 28 countries, according to the Web site of Charthouse Learning, which is “home of the FISH! philosophy.” Companies that have adopted this philosophy include Target, AT&T and Chevron.

The philosophy that came out of Seattle has four guidelines: “Play!” “Make their day!” “Be there!” and “Choose your attitude!”

When this technique made the transition to NIU, it was changed into CLUE – an acronym that corresponded with the four original guidelines:

“C” stands for the original “Choose your attitude.”

“L” stands for “Live and Laugh,” which corresponds with “Play!”

“U” means “Ultimate Experiences,” corresponding with “Make their day!”

“E” starts the line “Engaged Understanding,” which parallels “Be there!”

NIU was added to the list this summer because staff members who work in SHDS had the FISH! philosophy incorporated into their training. A video was shown to motivate NIU employees to have fun and do their best at work.

Derek Baessler, a junior computer science major and community adviser of Douglas Hall’s D2 floor, shared what he had learned from the video and tried to apply it to his job as a CA.

“You try not to think about it as a job,” he said. “You don’t just clock in.”

Wunsch elaborated on this idea.

“I try to make my office a fun, personal place,” she said.

Heather Wunsch, Douglas C/D hall director explained that she tries to be friendly to students. She noted that her attempts have influenced even those who didn’t know her to stop in and say “Hello.”

Although the FISH! philosophy has been generally well-received, Wunsch pointed out a slight weakness in the system.

“In certain areas,” she said, “it’s hard to institute.”

Wunsch said that in some aspects of dining services and secretarial work, some employees don’t work with people very much and the philosophy applies largely to working with others. Still, she liked the effects of FISH!

“I think the response has been great!” she said. “Once we get everybody on board, it’s going to take off.”