Author comes to Springfield

Paul, who co-authored “Fish!” with Stephen Lundin and John Christensen, is a proponent of making work fun. That, he says, drives the desire to perform, which positively impacts productivity.

“You’re going to be at work a third of your life,” Paul said. “You have a choice to go there, do a good job, enjoy what you do, enjoy the people you work with and work at that, or be miserable. But you’re still going to be at work.”

Paul’s philosophy has sold 4 million books in 32 languages since the release of “Fish!” in March 2000. The book has made an appearance on the New York Times Best Seller list. Paul’s also co-scribed “Fish! Sticks,” “Fish! Tales” and “Revved!,” just released in May.

“I think this guy’s going to be dynamic,” said Dana Patterson, assistant dean of Continuing Education at OTC and the person responsible for bringing Paul to Springfield.

Missouri Rehabilitation Center employees in Mount Vernon practice the “Fish!” philosophy. Wellness Coordinator Jane Nelson said “Fish!” has improved her workplace.

“Morale is better, people work better together, and they are treating each other probably with more respect and having fun,” she said.

Paul is part of OTC’s National Speakers Series, which began last October with sales trainer and nationally syndicated columnist Jeffrey Gitomer. Gitomer is returning in October.

Patterson said a third author is being targeted for spring.

The Aug. 10 seminar is $139 per person, which includes lunch and an afternoon presentation by OTC Training Resource Specialist Brenda Descamps. Tickets for Paul’s morning session are $99. Group discounts are available.

Patterson said about 270 tickets were sold and another 100 were available as of Aug. 1.

Paul, who gives 50 presentations annually, promises he won’t bore his audience, typically comprised of business leaders.

“I make it entertrainment,” he said, sharing his new word. “I keep it light, lively, fun (and) interactive.”

Springfield Business Journal, OnMedia and OTC are event sponsors.