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blufire21
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« on: January 29, 2002, 11:53:53 pm » |
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I am sending my boss on a trip to meet with a company next week. Planning this trip was extremly difficult, and the company CEO's assistant has been extremly helpful. She has gone out of her way to help arrange and re-arrange her boss' schedule, suggest hotels, cars, flights, airports and give us clear precise directions to this hard to locate company. We have decided to give her a small (think $20) gift to show our appreciation for the trouble she has gone through to help us. The reason for this is that THEY are the potiental client, and WE are the sale people. Usually in this situation the roles are reversed and we bend over backwards instead of them. My question to you (yes I had one  is: If you were this admin, what would you like to receive? We're trying to avoid the usual stuff like flowers and candy. We want it to be unique and thoughtful. I'm going to try to combind your always wonderful suggestions with her own tastes. Ellen (Huge thanks in advance) in TX |
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superninjaadmin
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« Reply #1 on: January 30, 2002, 12:12:20 am » |
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How about something to sit on her desk? A nice paperweight? A nice pen? Maybe some fun stationery and a color gel pen to go with it? I found some neat ideas at the Hallmark store when I was shopping there the other day.
SNA
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raindance
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« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2002, 12:16:27 am » |
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Most thoughtful, blufire. How about a manicure, aromatherapy massage or some such treat? Things like that are always most welcome.
Raindance
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hightechea
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« Reply #3 on: January 30, 2002, 12:17:14 am » |
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How about an online gift certificate. That way she can pick out something she wants. www.giveanything.com or perhaps a gift certificate to amazon.com. There she can purchase everything from books to kitchen items. Just a thought. Robin |
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jadegrniiz
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« Reply #4 on: January 30, 2002, 11:38:27 am » |
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What a nice gesture!
Although you DO kow me.... always gotta throw in the loop to things. Have you actually met this woman in person? Any clue what she looks like, what her interests are.... etc? Because not every type of person is going to appreciate something like a paperweight or a massage. She might SOUND like a professional 40-somthing woman with her act together.... but what if she's really 24? Or what if she doesn't do the girly pedicure thing?
If you've met her.... then I say go with the unique gift route.... but if you have no clue about her... stick to flowers. Most anybody can appreciate flowers.
Just my ever-famous $0.02.
Jadegrniiz
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff
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mlm668
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« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2002, 01:12:51 pm » |
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When I went from temp to perm at my previous job, my agency rep gave me a small, ceramic, heart shaped picture frame. It was to nice to keep at work, but it was perfect for my nightstand (I was actually scared I or someone else would knock it over and break it at work.) Because I had been out of work for a year and a half before that assignment it serves as a reminder to me of just how far I've come in my life the past 8 + years. Does she have children, friends, family or a SO that she keeps a picture of on or near her desk? Something nice and professional looking may do the trick or even a nice print that she can hang in her office or at home. Its really hard to give suggestions when you don't know the person and their likes/dislikes. Shoot, its hard when you do.  Or how about if you and your boss both take her to lunch once he returns from the trip. That way she can find out first hand how much her help assisted him in having a smooth trip. Just a thought or two. Michelle  |
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chare
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« Reply #6 on: January 30, 2002, 02:06:57 pm » |
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Hi
That is a lovely idea - I would love to receive gifts from people I've helped out!
Anyway, my own preference would be some sort of work stationery, like nice gel pens (as already mentioned) or some sort of nice desk tidy or how about a desk clock (it's a good job none of my colleagues read these - I'm renowned for my stationery fetish!!).
It is difficult to choose for someone you don't know, but with stationery you can't really go wrong.
Charlotte
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chevygirl55
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« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2002, 02:33:41 pm » |
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Whatever it is decided to give this person (and I think it is a WONDERFUL suggestion) a letter detailing the help she provided and your appreciation should also be sent. (CC to her boss as well) This is something that is great to have at review time or for a portfolio when interviewing for a new position.
Personally, while gifts are always appreciated and mean a lot to me, the letters of thanks I have received from customers or others that I have gone out of the way for are priceless. They always make my day. I try to forward one whenever someone has gone out of their way to assist me as well.
Chevygirl
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countrigal
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« Reply #8 on: January 30, 2002, 03:31:07 pm » |
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Ellen,
I may have read your post wrong but I got the impression that the Assistant is in another state. Why not get her something nice from TX and the gift card with it could say something along the lines of the fact that everyone says things are bigger in TX, but even TX can't hold all the thanks you wanted to send her way. And include the professional letter detailing what she did and how it helped, both to her and her boss. But the gift could be anything that says "Texas", either in words or just because of what it is... nice (not chintzy) tourist shops normally have something like this. The tourist shops that are off the beaten path an only the locals know of, where they get the stuff to send their families and friends who dont live there... you get the idea. Hope that helps.
CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member
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blufire21
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« Reply #9 on: January 30, 2002, 03:36:41 pm » |
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Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to take them to my boss and I'll let you guys know what we decide. We are going to include a thank you letter that we will cc her boss and HR with. This is a HUGE company, and I'm sure it will help in to have such a thing on her file.
Ellen in TX
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laundryhater
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« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2002, 04:48:34 pm » |
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I received this last year for a Christmas gift and loved it:
A Bath & Body Works gift basket. It had body lotion, bath gel, a loufa, body splash, and bar soap. It's a great "pamper yourself, you deserve it" gift. The body lotion was called "silk" and it makes your skin feel like silk. It's wonderful stuff!
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daisylee
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« Reply #11 on: January 30, 2002, 08:50:13 pm » |
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Hi Ellen,
As an admin, I've gotten lots of gifts for being the "person we couldn't have gotten this done without!" Some of the things I've been given: Flowers, a crystal candle holder, scented candles, picture frames, a lovely gift basket from H2O(Mango scented bath products!) And I in turn, have given some little thank-you gifts in turn for the admins that I have helping me in one of my duties: Holiday pin for their coat, a silk neckerchief, and decorative room scents/potpourri. All the gifts I ever got were simply wonderful, and the ones I've given were thought to be very special.
It's hard when you really don't know the person, but if it's not expected, I really don't think it matters much what it is, as much as they got it in the first place!!!!! I really think it's nice of all of you to be sure this person is honored in a special way!
Daisylee (it's just always really nice to be remembered and thanked for a job well done, no matter what it is!)
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