Joy, Inc.

In 2013, 2,528 visitors came from around the world to visit Menlo Innovations, a software company in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They made the trek not to learn about technology, but to witness a radically different approach to workplace culture— one intentionally designed to produce joy.

CEO and Chief Storyteller Rich Sheridan removed the fear and ambiguity that typically make a workplace miserable. With joy as the explicit goal for Menlo’s staff, as well as their clients and the people who use the products they create, Sheridan and his team changed everything about how the company was run. Now he offers an inside look at a shared belief system that influences physical space, embraces making mistakes, and eliminates meetings—all while fostering dignity and respect for the team.

Joy, Inc. is for readers in any field who want tangible examples of a healthier, happier atmosphere at work—leading to the sustainable business results required for growth.

Download the first chapter free!

Download

In order to get others to accept change, you must recognize that any change involves tearing down existing reward systems, especially if those reward systems unintentionally foster and perpetuate pain-filled systems. If the change is to stick, you must quickly replace the old rewards with new rewards of equal or greater value (and remember, most treasured rewards are not monetary)."

- Richard Sheridan

Reviews

Hear it from readers

Bringing humanity back

Every single person working in business today needs to read this groundbreaking book. By bringing humanity back to business and focusing on producing not merely a product but a joyful experience, Richard Sheridan has built an outstanding organization at Menlo. Joy, Inc. will show you how to tap into what may be the last frontier—and the first truly successful one—in building a high-performing organization. "

Karen Martin, Author

– The Outstanding Organization

A practical, joy-inducing idea

It's about time someone brought real joy to the world of work! Richard Sheridan has not only done it himself, he shows how you, too, can systematically pursue a better workplace by offering a practical, joy-inducing idea on nearly every page. We urge you to bring joy into your business. "

Joe Pine and Jim Gilmore, Co Authors

– The Experience Economy and Authenticity

Brilliant, fascinatingly told

Joy, Inc. is a management book like no other: brilliant, fascinatingly told, and full of memorable and innovative ideas. It has the potential to revolutionize the way we work. Sheridan has proved that a system built around human needs actually works better by any metric you choose to apply, from productivity to profitability to flexibility to sustainability. Thank you, Richard Sheridan, for sharing your riches with us. "

John Gall, Author

– Systemantics, now in its third edition as The Systems Bible

It deserves your attention

What makes this book such a compelling read is that Sheridan has actually done what he writes about- achieved joy and the business results that come from it- and shows how you can do it, too. I'm a busy guy and tried to skim through the pages. That didn't work; it's too good. This is an emphatic, dramatic, and pragmatic piece of writing. It deserves your attention, unless joy just isn't your thing."

Stan Slap, Author

– Bury My Heart at Conference Room B

Make great work fun

Joy is the right word when talking about the creative and energetic work of Richard Sheridan and his impressive team at Menlo Innovations. Joy, Inc. shows you how a master innovator has created a joyous culture and the competencies necessary to make great work fun. "

Jeff DeGraff, Professor and Author

– Ross School of Business, University of Michigan

Books