“It’s Fun To Have Fun, But You Have To Know How!”

“It’s fun to have fun, but you have to know how!” – Dr Seuss

Playfully ProfessionalHiring, Training & Retaining aPlayful TeamBritt ThomasBarrett LongVice President, Team & Guest RelationsSenior Site DirectorPatti ReissVito GioiaAssistant Director of ProgramsExperienceDirector of Visitor

“Playfully Professional”Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning.But for children, play is serious learning. – Mr. RogersFor children’s museums, play is serious business.PlayfulWe build trust inbeing the best atthe “business of play”by being cheerful,funny, spontaneous,unexpected, clever andregularlydemonstrating ourinner kid.ProfessionalWe build trust in our abilityto “operate the business”by presenting a polishedpresence,positive attitude, engagedposture, knowledgeablevocabulary and sincereinteractions.

“Children’s Museums are aboutpeople not things.” Michael Spock“You can discover more about aperson in an hour of play than in ayear of conversation.” Plato

Hiring the Right Fit for YourMuseum

It’s the Most Important Thing thatYou’ll Do! The people you hire are the face of yourmuseum. Your team is a reflection of you. Culture is created by the personalities youhire and the values of those teammembers.

Hiring PhilosophyMike Gueringer, Co-founder, Custom Aircraft Cabinets“Although qualified skill sets are very important, attitude iseven more important. Someone with basic skills and a greatattitude easily surpasses excellent skills with poor attitude.”Randy Hafer, High Plains Architects“Fit is everything. Only hire people who share the values,passions and sense of humor of the firm.”Barrett Long, Discovery Place“I can take someone with a great personality and teach themnew skills, but I cannot take a skilled person and teach thema new personality.”

Sample Traits of PlayfullyProfessional Demonstrates an outwardly positiveattitude. Can display flexibility in an ever-changingenvironment. Cares about the concept of “team”. Exhibits a can-do attitude. Focuses on the mission of the museum andthe lives they impact.

Tips to Making the Best Decision Have a cultural vision. Look at resumes for skillsets, and interview forteam chemistry and cultural fit. Have casual conversations with candidates. Interview with other team members. Don’t ever rush to fill a position be patientand make the best choice.

Playful Staff InterviewsPatti Reiss, Mississippi Children’s MuseumGroup Interviews – if youaren’t working by yourselfwhy do singularinterviewsI hire very few peopleduring the school year. If Isee a good resume, I jumpon it.

Playful Staff InterviewsPatti ReissMississippi Children’s Museum Take a tour! If I pick up things off thefloor, do they? Who speaks to others,candidates and museumguests? Who holds a door open? Who asks questions? Who dances and plays?

Playful Staff InterviewsPatti Reiss, Mississippi Children’s MuseumAt the table interview Information Sheet Job Description Hands on items out PensWhat am I looking for Where do they putpersonal items? Who brought their ownthings? (occasionallyclass schedules andreferences) Body Language Seat Choice

Playful Staff InterviewsPatti Reiss,Mississippi Children’s Museum Grab Bag Questions! Let them choose aquestion! Wait for an answer! Follow up (if needed) Always at the end – givethem a chance to toot theirown horn! Give them a chance to askquestions– Dress Code– Scheduling

Playful Staff InterviewsPatti Reiss,Mississippi Children’s MuseumWhat do I do while they areat the big table Watch and Listen Refer to resume Encourage deeperanswers Take notes on the resumecopies

Playful Staff InterviewsPatti Reiss, Mississippi Children’s MuseumFollow up with An individual interview Practical interview I always call 3 references– I need 2 positivereferences Remind them - alwayshave to be able to pass abackground check! If I know I am not going tohire you – rejection letterin 3 days. Follow up with everyone,no one likes to be keptwaiting. Keep everything for 6months

Equipping Staff to Engage in ImpactfulInteractions with Children and Youth

Staff Self-Assessment Staff report being most comfortable with askingand answering questions, joining children inplay, talking with children about theirexperiences and creations. Staff report being least comfortable withengaging children using text, encouragingchildren to play together, introducing new wordsand their meanings.

OPT-IN StrategiesO-Observe and join Joining in what a child is doingP-Participate Connecting kids in playT-Talk Commenting Asking open-ended questions Creating conversational space Introducing new words in playI-Inspire Praising Thinking aloudN-Nexit Nexiting – Naturally exiting

Implementation Created a series of 12 videos focused ondifferent techniques Videos include an explanation of the rationalebehind each technique, demonstration of thetechnique, and a debrief Staff viewed a new video each week Museum Leads facilitate discussion, coachingand mentoring at the beginning end of each shift

OPT-IN Video

Results Staff became more comfortable and confident inplay by using the strategies # of play interactionsincreased # of conversationalinteractions increasedTalkPost OPT-INPre-OPT-INPlay40%45%50%55%# of guests reporting interacting with staff

Impact Team members are more confident in facilitating playinteractions Team members exhibit the desired behaviors duringinteractions Team members are more open to talking aboutsuccesses/challenges they experience duringinteractions Team leads have a concrete foundation to use forcoaching team members The quality of guest interactions has been enhanced The number of guest interactions has increased

PLAY-SPIRATIONLearning TogetherFamilies in Museums Staff Training CurriculumBoston Children’s MuseumChicago Children’s df

Staff RetentionHow do we make them stay?1. Training!2. Work Environment!3. Play!

Team Marbles CultureIt’s a balancing act!PlayfulProfessionalCollaborateTake ActionHigh ImpactLow costThink Big PicturePlan AheadFocus on DetailsSeize Opportunities

How Marbles Cooks Up OurCultureOur recipe for a1. Brand It.2. Build It.3. Be It.And Be Committed to adjusting thetemperature as needed.team

BRAND. BUILD. BE.addsPurpose. Purpose is derived frombelonging tosomething bigger thanself . Shared purpose buildsloyalty, support and fun.

BRAND. BUILD. BE.shapes Values. People are the brand- dynamic andorganic. Sets behavioralexpectations.Playful, Creative, Diverse,Cohesive, Knowledgeable,Approachable,Trustworthy

BRAND. BUILD. BE.makes it Special. Exclusive, “insider” anglecreates Pride andLoyalty. Aspirational aspect aidsrecruiting.Marbleous – adjective; superb,excellent; such as to causewonder, admiration; embodyingthe mission of MarblesMarblicious – adjective; colorful,fun; highly pleasing to thesenses; delightfulMarbleize – verb; to enhancesomething; to make the ordinaryextraordinary

BRAND. BUILD. BE.playfully professional Policies & PlansBusiness as UsualPlayfully ProfessionalNew Hire OrientationMarbles 101: “joining the team”Organizational PoliciesTeam Marbles HandbookStrategic PlanPlaybookEmployee Wellness ProgramMarbles in MotionEmployee RecognitionProgramDishin’ the Mission

BRAND. BUILD. BE.Dishin’ the Mission Reinforces mission-basedbehaviors and brandvalues. Ties to performancemeasures. Celebrates effort and attituderather than results. People make it what it is.

Resourcefulness

BRAND. BUILD.BE.being Committed.

BRAND. BUILD. BE.being Playful!with Guests

BRAND. BUILD.BE.being Playful!with the Governor

BRAND. BUILD. BE.being Playful!with Donors

BRAND. BUILD. BE.being Playful!in Board Meetings

BRAND. BUILD. BE.being Playful!with Team News

BRAND. BUILD. BE.being Playful!with Team Activities

BRAND. BUILD. BE.beingPlayful!with the Team

“It’s fun to have fun, but you have to know how!” – Dr Seuss

funny, spontaneous, unexpected, clever and regularly demonstrating our inner kid. We build trust in our ability to “operate the business” . Look at resumes for skillsets, and interview for team chemistry and c