The Hump Day Humor-Gram, November 1, 2006     Issue Number 194

SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: The suppression of laughter has been 
shown to be directly linked to a hardening of the attitudes. 
So please, if you are going to laugh, inhale. 

1. Sparking Creativity With Waddling Penguins 
2. Mike’s Fun at Work Tip 
3. Deep Thought of the Week  
4. It’s a Wacky, Wacky World 
===============================================================
1. Sparking Creativity With Waddling Penguins 

There’s nothing like some waddling penguins to get folks
thinking broadly. At least that’s the result of a study by 
Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, who found that volunteers who watched 
videos of comical penguins were more likely to come up with 
novel alternatives when solving a problem. This finding supports 
numerous others (albeit none with penguins) that link humor
to creative thinking. Dr. Alice Isen, for example, found that 
test subjects were three times more likely to come up with the 
correct creative answer to a challenge after watching funny T.V. 
outtakes. 
================================================================
2. Mike's Fun at Work Tip 

A manager at Quad Graphics delivers popsicles on a tricycle
during heat waves. Other companies have brought in manicurists,
masseuses, or ice cream sundae squads during the busiest time
of their year to give employees a fun break or reward. So get
creative and think of a fun bonus surprise you can bring in
for your employees, coworkers or customers at the height of 
your busy season. (I’d go for some waddling penguins myself.) 
=================================================================
3. Deep Thought of the Week 

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. But relax! 
So is tomorrow!
=================================================================
4. It's a Wacky, Wacky World 

According to a survey by Palm Canada/Leger Marketing, 1 in
10 cell phone users would rather lose their mother-in-law than
their cell phone. 

Happy Hump Day everyone. Keep finding a reason to laugh. 
=================================================================
Copyright Michael Kerr, 2006  mailto:mike@mikekerr.com     
Reach Michael at 1-866-609-2640, http://www.MikeKerr.com.