Studies show a solid relationship between employees’ engagement in an organization and their performance. According to a recent Gallup study, nearly 85% of employees worldwide are not engaged at work. This means only 15% of employees are motivated to perform at a high level. As a result of disengaged employees’ low productivity rates, organizations are losing billions of dollars a year.
How can employers enhance their employees’ sense of engagement? Salary and benefits are fine, but they are not enough on their own. Disengagement can occur across all salary levels. Engagement is a personal choice, rather than a duty. An employee can be made to do their work, but they cannot be forced to love their work. The difference between a low-performing organization and a high-performing one is passionate employees.
The FISH! Philosophy is one of the best ways to drive engagement and create a motivating work environment for employees at every level of an organization.
Naseej Academy held an online webinar titled “Applying the FISH! Philosophy to Create a Motivating Work Environment in Libraries” on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., Makkah local time.
The webinar was part of Naseej Academy’s efforts to enrich working environments in libraries and organizations in the Arab world by employing the successful FISH! Philosophy in managing work teams.
The webinar addressed how introducing and applying the FISH! Philosophy can foster creativity and motivation in work teams in Arab libraries, and in organizations more generally. The process also involves measuring the results of applying the philosophy using objective qualitative and quantitative indicators.
The webinar was attended by library managers, library middle management team leaders in the Arab world, specialist staff interfacing with the public, and supervisors involved in the preparation and implementation of training programs. Participants learned about the practical aspects, advantages and challenges of applying the FISH! Philosophy in a library environment.
Participants expressed their sincere appreciation for the webinar topic. For many of them, it was a new concept.
The webinar moderators were knowledgeable and engaging, and quickly captured the audience’s attention with their insightful presentations on the potential of the philosophy to motivate employees in a modern Arab library. Their detailed discussion of a model framework for applying the approach helped participants to appreciate its use for improving productivity levels in libraries, creating a motivating work environment to harness the maximum potential of library staff, and securing patrons’ satisfaction in creative ways.
Webinar Speakers:
The webinar was moderated by Prof. Dr. Abdallah Metwally and Mr. Mustafa Mohamed Tuhami.
Prof. Dr. Abdallah Metwally:
- Naseej Academy general supervisor
- Full Professor of Library and Information Science, Cairo University
- Naseej Knowledge Solutions Consultant
- Visiting Schooler, School of Library and Information Science, University of North Carolina, USA
- Has several published works on : strategic planning in libraries, Second Life applications, bibliotherapy, and knowledge management.
- Has participated in and presented papers at several professional regional and international forums and conferences, including SLA-AGC and AFLI conferences
Mr. Mustafa Mohamed Tuhami:
- Al-Zaytoun Branch Deputy Director, Misr Public Library
- Manager of International Network of Emerging Library Innovators Program, Egypt
- Has contributed to many professional reference and library performance measurement texts, including for school, public, academic and national libraries, and the AFLI Manual for Library and Information Training Accreditation
- Has taken part in many professional programs, including IVLP: American Libraries 2014, International Network of Emerging Library Innovators Program – MENA (2015–2017) and IYALI 2018
- Participated with papers in several professional regional and international forums and conferences, including ALA, AFLI, IFLA, AFLIA
To watch the recorded webinar:
To view the presentation:
Naseej Academy is a not-for-profit initiative that serves as a platform for raising awareness of relevant challenges and technology advances in relation to digital transformation in the education and knowledge sectors in the Arab world through awareness activities and career development programs as part of Naseej’s commitment to supporting the knowledge community throughout the region.
Naseej Academy held an online webinar titled “Applying the FISH! Philosophy to Create a Motivating Work Environment in Libraries” on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., Makkah local time.
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