Digital List Price: $16.00
Kindle Price: $11.97

Save $4.03 (25%)

includes VAT*

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Deliver to your Kindle or other device

Deliver to your Kindle or other device

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Flip to back Flip to front
Audible Narration Playing... Paused   You are listening to a sample of the Audible narration for this Kindle book.
Learn more

Joy, Inc.: How We Built a Workplace People Love Kindle Edition

4.7 out of 5 stars 89 customer reviews

See all 3 formats and editions Hide other formats and editions
Price
New from Used from
Kindle
"Please retry"
$11.97

Length: 290 pages Word Wise: Enabled Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled

The Wall Street Journal
Enjoy digital membership. $12 for 12 weeks. Learn more

Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

  • Apple
  • Android
  • Windows Phone
  • Android

To get the free app, enter your email address or mobile phone number.



Product Details

  • File Size: 5544 KB
  • Print Length: 290 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1591847125
  • Publisher: Portfolio (December 26, 2013)
  • Publication Date: December 26, 2013
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B00DMCW1FK
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray:
  • Word Wise: Enabled
  • Lending: Not Enabled
  • Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,961 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  •  Would you like to give feedback on images or tell us about a lower price?

Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
After furiously blogging about this to HR audiences, my conclusion was the most important aspect of the book is not just the one very clear, simply presented example of what works to create happier staff and far better results in one organization, but the model this provides for what organizational leaders have been missing for a very long time. Many others are writing about the need to change the old model of command-and-control to a new one that includes everyone, gets everyone engaged and participating and shares decision-making. The problem has been only a few examples existed and none made it sound as easy, with such clear explanations and step by step guidance.

Kudos to Richard Sheridan for not pulling any punches about what's wrong in old-style organizations and for being very clear that his is only one model of what works, but contains very obvious elements that will be necessary no matter how one chooses to try to structure new experiments in better ways of managing and leading.

As a long time, former VP HR, I have no hesitation recommending this book, though quite a few are going to point out that it shows how you can operate without HR (in this one structure). As a long time defender of HR and the value it adds to organizations that doesn't worry me a bit. HR will continue to play a pivotal role in helping understand and implement these sorts of better organizations and training people, especially in leadership, that are needed to make them effective. Of course the nature of the HR role will change - for the better I might add - just as all the other roles will change as well. It won't go away, but like the others will become more fun and more satisfying as it begins to deliver all it can.
Comment 14 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
Format: Hardcover
If low pay, constant lay-offs and cheating the IRS brings Joy, well, then you'll love the book.

First, I'll tell you what Menlo does right - they make great software. I was really proud of the software we wrote when I was there. And you'll learn what it is like to work in a collaborative environment. I would recommend any company hire Menlo for software development.

That said, workers at Menlo are not as joyous as Rich makes it sound. Like any business, SOME people love it, some people hate it.
Any "joy" at Menlo comes at a price.

Rich has admitted on a podcast that the pay at Menlo is on the low side. Maybe "joy" is worth it ... but keep reading.

For all this talk of "joy", I think most people want a job with consistent work (and pay). For all the hype, Menlo has not been able to keep people employed. Rich tried to open a second office in Chicago - it failed. As a Menlo employee, you'll face constant layoffs as the company struggles to get work. Layoffs are common. Part of this is due to having too much process. Menlo charges a high fee (as admitted by their head project manager in a blog post). The high fee is due to large teams assigned to every project. In theory, the team means high quality, but process is taken to extremes at Menlo.

One competitor to Menlo is Thought Works. Both companies have a similar model. They compete in the Agile Software market. Thought Works employs sales people to get work. Menlo has openly shunned a sales force - and the lack of consistent work is the result.

The on-again, off-again part was a bit too much for me.

When I was being hired, other employees took me aside and told me the contact was illegal. So I had my employment contract reviewed by an attorney.
Read more ›
14 Comments 99 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
Format: Hardcover
Several hours after I finished reading Rich's book, I sent him an email saying how much I enjoyed and appreciated what he had to say. After all the books I pored over back when I was a business consultant, Joy, Inc. shows wisdom and heart that truly make for great business and fulfilling work life. From the blurbs I had read before opening the book, I expected dramatic crises with big salvation, which seems to be standard fare among business books. But Rich isn't a crisis, confusion, scream and heroic savior kind of guy, and I already knew that from working with him and his team a few years ago. And my company adopted and has used for at least five years our own hybridization of Menlo Innovation's the "ten o'clock shout out"/"weekly show and tell", so I know the value of these practices. I'm sure this isn't the only reason the current staff at my company is the best team I've ever had the pleasure to work with, but I believe it is an important factor. Rich shows the everyday work flow and problems in good economic times and bad and how his team has chosen to succeed across all situations. A couple of things he mentions, but may be lost on the reader, the successes of Rich's company had already proved themselves in his previously failing company: what it took was confidence he and his partners could do it again without the part of the company that had failed. Rich's company is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which is an incredibly creative, accepting and forward thinking town, which during Michigan's deepest unemployment, peaked at around 7%. If you're going to start or relocate a business, or go to work for one, you might want to find a town like Ann Arbor. Also, something Rich doesn't mention is that he himself is an imposing personality of great good, patience and knowledge.Read more ›
Comment 8 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse

Most Recent Customer Reviews


Set up an Amazon Giveaway

Joy, Inc.: How We Built a Workplace People Love
Amazon Giveaway allows you to run promotional giveaways in order to create buzz, reward your audience, and attract new followers and customers. Learn more
This item: Joy, Inc.: How We Built a Workplace People Love




 
Feedback
If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
Would you like to report poor quality or formatting in this book? Click here
Would you like to report this content as inappropriate? Click here
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright? Click here