Catch!: A Fishmonger's Guide to Greatness

My first exposure to Pike Place Fish was when my wife and I viewed a video about Seattle while planning a trip to Northwestern Washington in 2010. Here were these guys wearing orange rubber aprons in this fish market and they were tossing these huge salmon over the heads of their customers. The order taker would select a salmon for the customer, holler at the guy at the wrapping table near the cash register and hurl the fish. I waited for it to slip through the catcher's fingers and hit the floor with a satisfying "sploshing" sound, but it never did. It got caught. The customers applauded and - amazed at all this - I said to myself, "This is something I have to see!" So, we ended up staying in Seattle right on a streetcar line that took us straightaway to Pike Place Market. It was everything we saw on the video and more. Fishmongers hooting and having fun, customers having fun, business was booming. Even my purchase of a 4 ounce slice of smoked salmon for a snack was tossed through the air. And, all the workers were busy, efficient, having fun with the customers and attracting a large crowd. Many photos were taken. I have my share. What was the secret to this dynamic, money-making, good times, fish selling, chaotic-looking, mini dynamo called Pike Place Fish? The team of people who work there, in coordination with a writer, actually published a book containing their secrets for individual and team success and it is all here in this book titled "Catch". My wife and I both read the book. Then we studied the process laid out in the book. Then we began to apply the principles and actions. We learned how to tell when we are "floundering" or "hooked" or blaming others for our own issues in dealing with adverse experiences. We figured since we had seen the Pike Place Team in action, we knew the stuff in their book works. We learned a new language - the language of the Fishmongers - and it helps us cut to the core of why we react the way we do to people cutting in line, cutting us off in traffic, providing poor service and etc. If we change how we choose to react then we change the outcome. If we focus on the actions we need to perform rather on the end goal, then we have a better chance to reach that goal. If we work to help the entire team and all of its members to reach their goals, then we will reach our own goals. The book makes this clear and the reader absorbs the process. I have taken many motivational courses about how to reach team and individual goals, but this book is more effective for me when it comes to learning the thought process and mechanics of setting and reaching world class goals and performance. The book works if you let your mind open to new language! It is worth 5 stars for results. I was tempted to downgrade to 4 stars because it could have been better written, but then I decided that it is what it is. The language is how the fishmongers talk and how they think. The fact that the book is helping us improve our daily lives and ability to communicate is worth a 5.

If this book does not inspire you to come alive and get going with your life, nothing will. And it is not some philosoper's old boring stuff; it is real life from ordinary fish mongers. It is down-to-earth information that is easily read, easily undetstood, and easy to apply to your own life. I plan to reread this little book several times a year to remind me what any person can easily do to become "great."The whole idea of the Pike Place Fish Market is inspirational. If you have ever been to the market in Seattle, you will be quite inspired and maybe even a happier person right away because if it. The people who work there are inspirational. They are succeeding personally and as part of a team. They are very happy to be working where they are. They have a formula for success that is really working, and working for ordinary people. This is why they sell tons of fish on the Internet. This is why they perform training programs all over the country. This is why they sell so many books and videos and T-shirts.If you do not check into this source of inspiriation you are losing out. I'm so glad I know about Fish!

I am really turned off by inspirational speakers and books. It isn’t that I’m negative, I am just down to earth.This book helps you to fundamentally change your perspective when looking at life and its problems. It helps you to focus on what is important and become a success in your life and more importantly to live your life in the moment, to be present, and make a difference in people’s lives.The book also talks about what you can do to change the realities you face and to rise above them. It offers concrete advice on how to remake your reality into a bigger more connected life that is worth living and make others lives better to boot.

Delivery on time and enjoyed the book.

If you like what you do and you are looking for a fresh approach, an approach that seems almost to good to be implemented in the workplace then bu this book, read it and review it often because it really works in life and at work.

Not a bad read, had some interesting observations. The issue I have with it is the repetitiveness of the writing. Honestly, the writing is rough and seems like it was done by someone who doesn't typically write. Hard to grasp the lessons she's trying to get across because things are scattered. It's like someone's randomly placed notes as they observed and interviewed a group of people. In bad need of a good editor.I bought it because it was required reading for an MBA course.

As advertised!

Exactly what I was in the market for!!! With it I feel so powerful that words can not describe the feeling!! Two thumbs up!!!