First Happy Workplace Ireland Conference

Well what a day we had. The first happy workplace conference on Thursday the 29th of October was a great day of learning and energising attendees on how the importance of creating happier workplaces and you where part of it!

Thank you to all who attended. Everyone involved made the day possible.

Henry Stewart: Focus on making people feel good

Henry Stewart of Happy Ltd was our first speaker and livened up the room with the five greetings exercise.

Henry also spoke of the importance of understating what is needed to create happier workplaces. Henry has written the Happy manifesto and his company Happy ltd are a testament to a Happier workplace. From wellbeing perks on time off and sabbaticals to the autonomy and the importance of getting employees to play to their strengths. Henry’s first question was How would your organisation be different if the focus of management was making your people feel good?

Henry also talked about attending to peoples needs at work as Maslow emphasised. The importance of playing to your strengths and how freedom and celebration of mistakes creates trust within an organisation. Happy days Henry.

John Heenan: Create stakeholders not employees

John Heenan of the distribution solution who spoke about the importance of all stakeholders within the organisation and the revolutionary difference between creating stakeholders rather than employees. Why Employees are always a bad idea. John was supported with the wisdom of Chuck Blakeman and also quoted three of his books. Why making money is bad for your business. This really got us thinking. Thanks John.

Joachim Errikson introduced us to form of stress mindfulness and calmed everyone down with a great technique and even provided us all with a download to use once we had left the room. The importance of minding ourselves in and out of the working experience is Joachim’s forte. Thanks Joachim.

Colin Donnery: Michael O’Leary for Taioseach

Colin Donnery from FRS recruitment who provided us with stats from a survey that FRS had conducted on what employees wanted from the workplace and work in general. We discovered that the longest commute that workers were willing to travel to work was 1 hour after this there was a steep decline . The most important priority that employees considered when looking for a job was the “Job itself” Also potential employees expressed that most important consideration when choosing an organisation to work for was the company staff that what you met at the interview process. I have a feeling that Happy people are good at selling the company at all stages.Thanks Colin

(Editor’s note: Colin also revealed that their survey consistently showed that when asked “Who would you most like to be Ireland’s Taioseach – Prime Minister – the most popular choise is Michael O’Leary of Ryanair!)

Stephen Dargan: Bring a tomato to work

Stephen Dargan from Wake Up! started the afternoon with James Bond and quickly moved onto the values of thinking different within the workplace. We discovered the power of tomatoes in creating efficient use of time and how dying at work was never a good idea. The concept was that the happier you are at work the happier your relationships, family life and communities can become. Feel connected to your work and you are more likely to enjoy the experience. Stephen also turned the concept of how think we need to work on the head. Be productive and efficient in work but don’t forget to go home. Thanks Stephen

(The tomato refers to the Pomodoro technique of using a tomato timer, and setting yourself 20 minutes of intensive work.)

Brendan Kelly wellness manager From VHI had a personal story of his own wellness that had everyone gripped it linked directly into the actions that VHI are doing to create greater wellness at work and beyond. Brendan linked the importance of wellness to Employee retention, absenteeism, engagement and energy. Thanks Brendan

Tim Casey: Remain true to your brand

Tim Casey Country Manager of Innocent Drinks wowed us with the playful concept of what we can achieve through remaining true to our brand. At Fruit Towers it is all about fruit and much more. The Banana phone is real and so is the importance of making work and enjoyable. A bright colourful workplace brings so much to the creative and Innovative spirit of Innocent. Giving 10% back to others is also a benevolent action that many companies can learn from.
Tim also spoke about the importance of listening to consumers, open communication, Innocent scholarships and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”. Thanks Tim

What a wonderful array of speakers on the future of work as we know it. Today set the template of the workplace of the future. It was great to have you there as a part of this.

Next Year in Dublin

Next year will be even brighter and more energetic and happier then ever. We look forward to seeing you there.

John had mentioned 2 books from Chuck Blakeman that he would like to share with you. They are “Making Money is Killing Your Business” and “Why Employees are Always a Bad Idea”

Next Conference: 2025 Happy Workplaces Conference

Our Happy Workplaces Conference is our biggest event of the year, and we'd love for you to join us on Thursday 12th June!

This year's event will be held in London, venue TBC. We may also offer a hybrid option for people to join us online simultaneously — do let us know if you are interested in joining online and we can add you to the waiting list.

As always, our next conference will be filled with interaction, discussion and space for reflection.

Book now and get our special half-price Early Bird rate — just use discount code Happy2025.

Find out more