‘Dear Office-Politics’ Snags Axiom Book Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2010 -– Toronto, Canada

Dear Office-Politics, the game everyone plays is the winner of a 2010 Axiom Business Book Award.

Franke James’ innovative game-book was awarded the Bronze Medal in the HR/Employee Training category. Dear Office-Politics is a role-playing game that encourages lively discussion of workplace issues. It helps people exercise their ethical muscles, analyze power, increase empathy, and understand why the “right” course of action is actually in their — and the company’s best interests.

Author Franke James responded, “It’s really exciting that Axiom chose to recognize Dear Office-Politics — because it’s a radical departure from standard business books. It’s a Game and a Book — all rolled into one. It’s filled with fun, splashy, full-color graphics. It looks very entertaining. But at its core, it’s an educational, training game that sneaks up and surprises people. You can learn a lot by observing how your coworkers “explain” their ethical decisions. And gain deeper insight — and empathy — into why people behave the way they do.

“So, it’s just great fun that Axiom chose to give it an award. I’m thrilled! On behalf of all the Office-Politics advisers who have helped me in creating this book — and the many people who have written into the site since 2002, I want to thank Axiom for this award! Yeah!! It’s a special victory. Thank you!”

Axiom Award Honors the Best Business Books in North America

The Axiom Business Book Awards are dedicated to identifying the best business books published each year for the North American market. The awards are highly competitive and attract entries from a wide range of publishers. The Axiom Awards are the only U.S.-based award contest focused solely on business books. The awards are presented by Jenkins Group Inc., a Michigan-based book publishing company that has operated the IPPY Book Awards since 1996. Sponsors also include Inc. Magazine and PR firm, Padilla Speer Beardsley.

Dear Office-Politics merges education and entertainment to teach ethics

Dear Office-Politics, the game everyone plays is the dilemma-based social game that teaches you how to play (and laugh at) office politics. Players step into the role of “Office-Politics Advisers” and offer their best, sage advice on thorny issues (drawing on the well-known fact that everyone knows what the other person should do to fix their problems!) It provides a safe way to discuss difficult workplace issues, as well as the opportunity to practice ethical decision-making and creative problem-solving. (And it gives workers the opportunity to observe how their colleagues make ethical decisions — which can be very revealing!)

“Brings sensitive issues out into the open in a non-threatening way!”

In December, 2009, the Oklahoma Business Ethics Consortium featured games from the Dear Office-Politics book in presentations to over 400 attendees. Shannon Warren, Founder said, “We used two of the scenarios to facilitate group discussions and they certainly provided some thought-provoking opportunities. This book is a wonderful tool to use in bringing sensitive issues out into the open in a non-threatening way that results in constructive processing. I highly recommend it! I have personally enjoyed the book and especially love the graphics! This was one of our most successful programs and the feedback from participants has been terrific!”

Seven years of research

Dear Office-Politics represents over seven years of research. Each game dilemma is based on an actual letter that was submitted to OfficePolitics.com since it was founded in 2002. The ethics game was invented by author, artist and site founder, Franke James.

Unique collaboration

Dear Office-Politics is a unique collaborative effort designed to help people play the office politics game better — and improve their ability to positively influence their workplace. Over the past seven years, author Franke James has cajoled, persuaded and gently arm-twisted a talented roster of authors, executive coaches, HR trainers, lawyers and marketing experts to help answer hundreds of letters sent into the site from around the world. The Office-Politics Advisers featured in the game book include:

Erika Andersen is the author of Being Strategic and founder of Proteus International, where she has served as consultant and advisor to CEOs and top executives around the world.
Dr. John Burton LL.B. M.B.A. M.Div. Ph.D. is an ethicist, mediator, lawyer and theologian. He teaches Personal and Corporate Social Responsibility in the Faculty of Management at the University of British Columbia.
Rick Brandon, Ph.D. is coauthor of Survival of the Savvy and CEO of Brandon Partners, where he has consulted and trained tens of thousands, including Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries.
Marty Seldman, Ph.D. is one of the world’s most experienced and successful executive coaches and is President of Seldman Executive Development Programs. He is coauthor of Survival of the Savvy and Executive Stamina.
Jennifer Glueck Bezoza specializes in leadership development and career coaching. Through her work in Organizational Development at the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, Jennifer designs leadership development programs, and coaches teams and individuals.
Timothy Johnson is the author of SWAT: Seize the accomplishment. At Carpe Factum, Inc. he helps  individuals and organizations “seize the accomplishment” through effective project management, strategic facilitation, and business process improvement.
John A. Challenger, is CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., the global outplacement consultancy. John is a recognized thought leader on workplace, labor, and economic issues.

Author, Inventor, Adviser: Franke James
Franke James is the inventor of the Dear Office-Politics Game (2009) and Editor & Founder of OfficePolitics.com. For 2010, Franke is developing Dear Office-Politics into a customizable workshop package that can be used by HR trainers around the world. Franke is an author, artist and speaker on social change and the environment. Her illustrated book, Bothered By My Green Conscience, was published in 2009 by New Society Publishers. Franke is co-founder of The James Gang Art & Design and Nerdheaven Ltd., with over 20 years experience as a creative design professional. She has a Masters in Fine Arts from the University of Victoria, and a BFA from Mount Allison University. (bio continues… )

For more information:

Email: ceo@officepolitics.com
Dear Office-Politics: the game everyone plays

Dear Office-Politics and The Office-Politics® Game were invented by Franke James, MFA
Office-Politics® is a registered trademark of Nerdheaven Ltd.