The Happiness Factory

The Happiness Factory: Creating and Maintaining an Environment That Fosters Employee Engagement takes the concept of a manufacturing facility and uses it as an analogy for the production of happiness. Participants move through a series of factory "stations" including a reception area, break room, factory floor, supervisor's office, and executive suite–each metaphorically representing a facet of the workplace where organizations can foster the conditions that lead to increased levels of engagement (and ultimately, happiness). Participants explore the importance of a successful onboarding experience and building a connection to the organizational culture that includes creating a better alignment to personal values. They examine how to redesign tasks, responsibilities and physical working conditions to support greater job fulfillment and discover the behaviors that supervisors and senior leadership can exhibit to build organizational trust.

This workshop is designed to create a fun and stimulating environment. Each station or module begins with a look at the supporting statistical research that reveals the connection to employee engagement and happiness. Participants then partake in various group and individual activities that prompt thinking and engagement around the topic, allowing them to leave with a clear understanding of the theory behind happiness at work, as well as specific and realistic strategies they can take to cultivate it.

• Read the Blog Post

The Happiness Factory is intended to help participants to learn and apply the concepts of happiness at work. The workshop will show how to create a work environment that fosters engaged employees, and in turn, happy employees –who are connected to greater productivity and higher retention rates.

• Explore the theory and science of happiness at work.
• Identify facets of the work environment where employee engagement can be positively affected.
• Explore strategies for helping employees to feel connected to the organizational culture.
• Discover techniques for finding greater fulfillment and enjoyment in individual responsibilities and working conditions.
• Recognize the supervisory behaviors that have a direct impact on engagement.
• Examine key concepts for building employees' trust and confidence in senior leadership.

Target Audience

This workshop is aimed at people who have the desire and authority to influence their environment, colleagues, and the employees they supervise (if applicable) in order to create a happier workplace with more engaged employees.

• Starter Kit: Includes Facilitator Guide and 5 Participant Workbooks at a special discount price to help you train right out of the box. - Your BEST value!
• Facilitator Guide: 3-Ring Binder printed guide includes sample watermarked Workbook.
• Also includes: Digital Facilitator Support Materials: PowerPoint Presentation, Learning Overview, Theory Background, Frequently Asked Questions, Topic Handouts. (Once a client places their order, they will receive an email with a link and instructions for download/accessing the files.)
• Participant Workbook: Includes saddle-stitched printed workbook. Order one for each participant.

Kate Ward graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Michigan State University. She has more than 20 years of experience in training development. She worked as manager of curriculum development at CareerTrack, where she authored programs, supervised a team of instructional designers, and facilitated training. She also served as the Senior Instructional Designer at TreeLine Training and was responsible for leading the development of the core skills curriculum library. Kate is the author of the highly acclaimed Personality Style at Work, as well as the Skills Development for Today's Professionals e-book series. In characteristic Kate Ward style, the series provides no-nonsense, practical information that you can apply in any setting to boost your people skills. Covering key topics, from communication and leadership to problem solving, decision making, and negotiating, it gives you the organizational skill-sets you need to remain competent, competitive, and confident in the workplace.

Currently, Kate runs her own company and continues to create innovative training solutions for today’s business needs. She lives in Louisville, CO, with her husband and two sons, enjoying the great outdoors and the 300 days a year of sunshine she didn't have growing up in Illinois.