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Subject:RE: Gift for Boss? From:"Domaschuk, Rob" <Robd -at- datalogics -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Thu, 16 Dec 2004 16:03:09 -0600
Bryan asks:
> What are your thoughts...
It depends on the relationship you have with your boss.
To get back to an earlier discussion where the anonymous poster was telling us about screaming matches with her boss, I'd say that it would be alright to forego the gift exchange.
If you are having an illicit affair with your boss, not only is a gift a good idea, but the more expensive, the better. You may need to cash in your childrens' education fund, but hey, there probably won't be jobs for them after college anyway.
Assuming that the relationship you have with your boss is somewhere between these two scenarios... then a small token of friendship isn't a bad thing. Do you know if your boss is getting the team anything? Are other people on your team getting your boss something?
If it's a smallish sized team, have people pitch in for a single gift - it's a nice way to show appreciation for their work, and everyone can contribute what they want (I would never expect or ask the same amount from everyone - just because $20 is nothing to me doesn't mean it's nothing to the next person). If four people give $20 each and the fifth only gives $5, you thank the fifth perso with the same sincerity and enthusiasm as the rest. A gift certificate to a restaurant is a nice team gift. Finally, since it's from the team, there's no hint of a bribe.
Now, if a bribe is the exact thing you are wanting to convey, then ask your team mates what they are planning on spending, make sure everyone comes to a consensus on what the limit is, and THEN TRIPLE IT FOR YOUR GIFT!!!!! Because a bribe is only effective if it is wildly larger than competing bribes. If you go this route, you should also start thinking now of a way to remind your boss of your generosity at review time.
Rob Domaschuk | 312.853.8337 (o)
Technical Writer | 866.741.2677 (f)
Printable Technologies, inc. | www.printable.com
"The telephone is a good way to talk to people without having to offer them a drink."
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