Holiday Greeting via Email? Snail Mail? A Gift?
In the office, the professional methods of communication are generally pretty clear. Pick up the phone, shoot a quick note by email, or make a visit to someone’s office. Personal communication with business associates is a bit dicier, especially when it comes to the boss…and your boss’s boss.
This time of year, many employees wonder “Should I send members of my management team some sort of holiday greeting card? If so, is it appropriate to dash off an email with holiday wishes, or is a traditional paper card the way to go?”
Reference-checking firm Allison & Taylor says yes, it is definitely a good idea to send your boss (and his or her boss) an appropriate holiday greeting. It’s an important way to send the message that you value your relationship with the company, and respect these people as individuals. (Additionally, surveys have shown that they are widely appreciated in the business world as a whole; recipients are more likely to do business with a company or individual that sends holiday greeting cards.)
When it comes to e-cards, Allison & Taylor suggests you forgo them for a variety of reasons. Many senior managers are older and may reflect an “old school” mentality. A greeting card sent via electronic means may be regarded by them as inappropriate, perhaps even cavalier. Additionally, such e-cards also tend to lack the “personal touch” of a card mailed individually to the boss’s door; e-cards and social media holiday greetings are often sent en masse, or (in the case of social media greetings) can be done as spur-of-the-moment responses to a comment seen on Facebook or some similar venue.
Here are some reasons why a traditional greeting card is a good idea:
1. Connecting with your bosses (or a former boss) will help keep you top-of-mind in their awareness, translating to possible future support or opportunity.
2. Staying in touch with bosses and colleagues via a holiday card is a subtle yet highly effective form of networking. (It’s also less expensive than taking them to lunch, and won’t violate corporate edicts if sent via personal mail.)
3. Sending your bosses (also former bosses, colleagues, suppliers, etc.) a card demonstrates a personal touch to accompany your business relationship.
4. Staying in the favor of your prospective employment references (particularly former bosses) is critical to your future employment success. The reference-checking firm of Allison & Taylor notes that approximately half of all reference checks they conduct reveal negative input from the references. Consider that a greeting card could prove to be a small, but critical, investment in your professional future.
5. Developing and maintaining positive relationships with your management team, co-workers and former bosses will ultimately be a cornerstone of success in your career. Besides the use of greeting cards, there are a number of effective etiquette tips that may be appropriate for those who may ultimately become your professional references (click here for more tips).
Come back next time for tips on sending the right holiday card.
For more information regarding Allison and Taylor, Inc. click here.