Which chapter did you review?
I read the whole book end to end

What do you really like about this chapter?
It is informal and to the point. It is filled with stories which make your points very powerful and the book fun to read.
The subject burning hot and I believe that what has maybe been lurking under the surface with small software developers etc is now contaminating and spreading to corporations too….

What could be better? Are there any holes in the contents or the arguments in the chapter? Something I need to focus more on? Some point I should elaborate more on?
Most of your chapters have bullet points to point out in a simple way what happiness at work will do for you. With a creative mind as yours it is possible to present this in a more varied and appetizing way. Since I read it on my Palm I have no idea whether you are using graphics to illustrate these things but in stead if bullet points, consider:

– Sheep wearing t-shirts with each a bullet point
– Geometrical shapes with compartents for each bullet point
– whatever.

Does anything seem redundant? Something I can safely cut out?
No.

What is your overall impression? Is this chapter just about ready to go into the book?

My overall impression is that this kicks butt and as such is ready to fly.
I am not a native English speaking American, which makes me worry a little about your informal English. I think I know the tone you want to strike – but have you checked with native English speaking North Americans (which is the language you seem closest to) if they believe you strike the tone you want?

I’m currently going through all of it and updating the book accordingly!

Thank you again, I’m very, very happy with this!

What do you really like about this chapter?
Simply that a chapter has been written about happiness at work, as part of a book about happiness at work.

What could be better? Are there any holes in the contents or the arguments in the chapter? Something I need to focus more on? Some point I should elaborate more on?
o There is no introduction to the chapter, so the reader does not know what the chapter will include, what it is designed to achieve, and how it fits with the context of the book as a whole
o There is no explanation of “what is happiness�, which I would expect as a pre-requisite to discussing happiness at work. I would expect references to Seligman (extensive research on happiness) and Csikszentmihalyi (and the concept of ‘flow’) as well as perhaps some reference to Buddhism, where happiness is a central tenet.
o The definition of happiness at work seems a bit pointless: it just rearranges the sentence ‘happiness at work’ and adds the words ‘feeling’ and ‘derived’. I’d like see a ‘model’ or more complex definition, that includes the most common components of happiness at work, taken from research on the subject.
o The chapter reads as predominantly a ‘point of view’, rather than as a thesis based on research or evidence. I feel this detracts from the value of the chapter, as who is to say this point of view is better than any other?
o It would seem easy to argue against some of the generalisations. For example. “happiness at work is possible in ALMOST every job�. Surely happiness is possible to some extent within EVERY job, even if it’s just your lunch break?

Does anything seem redundant? Something I can safely cut out?

What is your overall impression? Is this chapter just about ready to go into the book?
I suspect that the chapter, and the book, is intended to be read as a sort of ‘motivational speech’, to encourage the individual to strive for happiness at work. I was hoping for a more developed model of happiness at work, that allows people to work on the areas most likely to have the biggest impact.
If you were to write a three-line review of the book based on what you’ve read, what would it say?
Happy Hour is 9 to 5 is written by Alexander Kjerulf, a self-proclaimed Chief Happiness Officer. (CHO of what, we are not told). His mission is to help employees, managers and business leaders to find and increase happiness at work. If you’re looking for a model of happiness at work or a synthesis of the happiness literature, you’ll not find it here. But if you’re looking for an uplifting, cheerful and enthusiastic read on the opportunity to increase your happiness at work, this could be the book for you.
Do you have any other comments, ideas or feedback?
I’m disappointed that I couldn’t be more positive about this chapter. I suspect that if I could read the whole book (which I will when I have a longer deadline!) I would find a lot of what I am looking for. I am not a fan of the ‘chatty’ style, so this is a big put-off for me. And perhaps I am searching for a ‘holy grail’ (a model of happiness at work) that cannot be created. I would say “keep it up� and I look forward to seeing and reading the completed work.
All the best
Simon Haines

What do you really like about this chapter?
I like the plan. It seems like something I could actually do.

What could be better? Are there any holes in the contents or the arguments in the chapter? Something I need to focus more on? Some point I should elaborate more on?
The one thing I didn’t see was a story about how you’ve made things happy, or how a manager has made things happy for you. I’d like to read about a personal story from you to really take this idea home.

Does anything seem redundant? Something I can safely cut out?
No, I think this chapter stands well on its own without cutting anything.

What is your overall impression? Is this chapter just about ready to go into the book?
Just about ready. You might want to split the happy plan into its own chapter so when people pick up the book and see the table of contents, they can go right to it. I know I would be looking for this in this book, and it would be the first thing I would read. Practical happy tips are great!

If you were to write a three-line review of the book based on what you’ve read, what would it say?
(book title) is filled with simple, practical tips on how you can make a happier workplace for you and your employees. Filled with examples of companies who have made happier workplaces, it’s clear Alex Kjerulf is an expert in the happy workplace field. In fact, I’d say Alex is a category of one. This is book will be at my desk, completely highlighted, so I can remember to create the happy workplace we all need.

Do you have any other comments, ideas or feedback?
Personal stories help folks make the personal connection. Whenever possible, try to include them, or at the very least, don’t use only famous ones. The one from Middlefart is wonderful. Use those local stories more, as they’re easier to identify for the entrepreneurs like me who’ll be reading your book.
Very well done Alex. I know you said to read just one chapter, but now that my review is done, I’ll be reading the rest of them. I can’t wait to see this on my desk.

What do you really like about this chapter?
I really like that it looks at problems at work from many different angles and gives an easy to digest overview on them. Also of course that it has some nice solutions to each. What I especially like is that it also goes into the psychology of why they occur and has some humorous anecdotes to go with it.

What could be better? Are there any holes in the contents or the arguments in the chapter? Something I need to focus more on? Some point I should elaborate more on?
Giraffe language (page 40): it would be nice it it was at least a bit more explained :) I think I know why it’s not there, it would be just nice if there was something more of what it actually is.
Also I think (bad) gossip could have a place in the list there, maybe as part of the Power games topic. It is really bad when working at a place where the most important thing is what you know by overhearing from others (and then telling the right people of course). It is usually also a sign of bad management.

Does anything seem redundant? Something I can safely cut out?
No, I think everything that’s there is in the right place, I wouldn’t really want to get rid of anything.

What is your overall impression? Is this chapter just about ready to go into the book?
Yes, maybe if those things mentioned above went in it would be nice, but I think it’s already very very good looking :)

If you were to write a three-line review of the book based on what you’ve read, what would it say?
I’m really bad it things like this, but based on a quote I really liked (page 39):
[
"Happiness at work is the only lasting cure for stress." - Bo Netterstrom
Want to find out how achieve it? Alexander Kjerulf may just the right answers for you :)
]

Do you have any other comments, ideas or feedback?
A big thank you for sharing these ideas, they help immensely when dealing with troubles at work, and of course I’m hoping that the book gets released soon and would recommend everybody to get it too ;)

2. What do you really like about this chapter?
• Clear, pointed, satisfies both right and left brain thinkers, punchy, funny, relevant, playful, and serious. Love the quotes. Stories are very effective. Loved the bullet points. Loved the story about Irma – it gave me chills! I love the list of the bottom-line impact of happiness too. I loved the Happy at Work question to the managers about how many unhappy people it would take to complete the same amount of work as happy people. Brilliant!

• Love the customer service section and the math problem. Very effective.

3. What could be better? Are there any holes in the contents or the arguments in the chapter? Something I need to focus more on? Some point I should elaborate more on?

• The Success Factor section – seems a bit abrupt. Can you link it more right away to the story about Irma above?
• Also, I could not see the image in that section. You may want to also write out what the images says.
• Small typo in the first sentence under the header, “Unhappy Employees Will Cost Ya�
• Under the header, “Motivation� the “G� in General Motors needs to be capitalized.
• I love the brief section on Motivation and might encourage you to say a few more lines about how much money is wasted on motivational speakers coming into companies, dumb motivation practices and other hype to get people jazzed that lasts for but a moment. I don’t think you can emphasize this point enough that it’s NOT about motivating people, it’s about creating an ENVIROMENT of happiness so that people can self-motivate.

3. Does anything seem redundant? Something I can safely cut out?
No content seems redundant. You may just want to be alert to how you present the material. I love the bullet points, but if there are too many, that can see redundant. So HOW you present the material as much as what you SAY — you want to make sure that’s not to redundant or else it gets too predictable. I think you might be able to say the same thing in this chapter with a few fun charts or images rather than all the bulleted lists.

4. What is your overall impression? Is this chapter just about ready to go into the book?

Yes! Excellent! Wonderful writing Alex.

5. If you were to write a three-line review of the book based on what you’ve read, what would it say?

Business 101 — Happiness + Work = A Successful Business

6. Do you have any other comments, ideas or feedback?

• Order of the book – I only got to read this one chapter so far, but you may want to consider re-ordering the book so that you state the real need for happiness at work and the bottom-line benefit at the beginning and then go into the HOW rather than vice versa.

What do you really like about this chapter?
• The stories (case-studies)
• Tour (guide me) style of the Structure (ex: The next step is to learn how happy your people are already.)
• Clear directions and practical tools
• KISS
• & definitely: “PUT YOUR PEOPLE FIRST� > GREAT START

What could be better? Are there any holes in the contents or the arguments in the chapter? Something I need to focus more on? Some point I should elaborate more on?
• Each sub-topic should end with a call to action towards the next sub-topic (ex: The next step is to learn how happy your people are already.)
• ARGUMENTS: You will “loose� support from readers on saying “Also remember that the traditional ways of creating motivation and engagement in employees, eg. raises, promotions, bonuses, incentives and titles DON’T WORK.� > I know that you are trying to force people to choose sides, but perhaps “ARE NOT ENOUGH� is more correct
• Section “Get Yourself Happy� – Include numbers (or %)
• “CELEBRATE� > where are the ideas??? THIS IS A MUST, list a few simple and UNUSUAL ideas
• “Share what you do� “sucks� because it’s incomplete and done to sell your project (blog) > put there some useful ideas – there’re many and simple; Show how sharing could generate NEW RESULTS (Human and Financial – your book and blog are an example)
• How about a CONCLUSION/SUMMARIZE??? How about “Share what you do� be that conclusion – new name “Share what you do and Get more Results�

Does anything seem redundant? Something I can safely cut out?
• Redundant “Make a happy plan� title
• +- duplicated lines/sentence: “This chapter is for leaders at all levels, who want to spread some happiness in their team, department, division or, heck, clear across the entire business.� And then after the first list.

What is your overall impression? Is this chapter just about ready to go into the book?
Overall YES, thus some parts need to be better integrated (small changes).

If you were to write a three-line review of the book based on what you’ve read, what would it say?
Summarize: PLAY, FUN, WORK, PROJECT, FUNtastic, OPEN, NETWORK, CHAOS, MOVEMENT, LAB… PEOPLE
This book is all about “Larger Lives� – see the movie “Big Fish�.

Do you have any other comments, ideas or feedback?
• To when a Portuguese edition? �
• A great idea would be to create a standard structure to each chapter (I know, it isn’t FUN – but makes my reading experience better – easier) and always include Calls to Action on the end

What do you really like about this chapter?
The piece on the cult of overwork was very powerful. Now, to convince my husband! : )

What could be better? Are there any holes in the contents or the arguments in the chapter? Something I need to focus more on? Some point I should elaborate more on?
I would expand on the Bullying piece. As someone who was (in a former job) the victim of bullying, I was unaware at the time that I was being bullied and the physical ramifications the bullying was having. I think this is probably a bigger problem that we recognize, and is one that should be explored further.

Does anything seem redundant? Something I can safely cut out?
Nope!

What is your overall impression? Is this chapter just about ready to go into the book?
I think the whole book is just about ready!

If you were to write a three-line review of the book based on what you’ve read, what would it say?
This book is an excellent addition to a management library. The concepts and suggestions are persuasive and logical, and should be taken to heart by anyone looking to make their workplace a better place to work.

Do you have any other comments, ideas or feedback?
Thanks for the opportunity to read your book – it’s terrific! We’re in the process of studying our organization’s structure, and I plan to share this with the team.

Who is responsible for happiness at work

What do you really like about this chapter?

It gives a clear message and inspires the reader to take action rather than blaming their unhappiness on others.

What could be better? Are there any holes in the contents or the arguments in the chapter? Something I need to focus more on? Some point I should elaborate more on?

Why do you say “I hate to say it, but the ultimate responsibility for your happiness at work can only lie with you” in the first paragraph? If it’s true, you should want to make people aware of this, which obviously you do, so perhaps the “I hate to say it” part comes across wrongly.

The quote from Peter Koestenbaum and Peter Block might fit better in the first section of this chapter, rather than under the manager’s responsibility section. It’s more relevant to the first section and also balances the length of the sections better.

The line “notice especially that Sarah’s people get more work done now that they work less hours” is slightly misleading. They’re getting more done because they’re doing tasks better suited to them, not simply because they’re working fewer hours.

Perhaps the chapter title should be “You are responsible for happiness at work” to get the point across before the reader even reads the chapter.

Does anything seem redundant? Something I can safely cut out?

The first section of this chapter is slightly repetitive, especially the duplication of ” responsibility for your happiness at work can only lie with you.”

What is your overall impression? Is this chapter just about ready to go into the book?

Yes, especially if the first section is tightened up a bit.

If you were to write a three-line review of the book based on what you’ve read, what would it say?

Only you are responsible for your happiness, so it’s up to you to read Alexander Kjerulf’s “Happy Hour is 9 to 5″ and find out what steps you can take to make you, your colleagues, and your staff happier at work. The book’s knowledge, tips, and real-life case studies will equip and inspire you to change your working life for the better.