After five years of stellar service, our office manager relocated out of state with her fiance. This was a big loss to us. We held a going away luncheon for her, and awarded her a scuba trip in Mexico. At the party I gave her thirteen red roses, and read the memo below. This was a memorable moment for all of us.
When I ran her job description online, candidates called to laugh at it. They said no one person could possible do everything included in the position.
Roses for Rachel
Each rose represents a quality Rachel has brought us:
- Talented — Your job description ran three pages, and you mastered it all and added new tasks to your job when things were slow. You were bookkeeper, accountant, word processor, CFO, COO and cheerleader, all rolled into one. (Sometimes even CEO.)
- Remarkable — You have a rare combination of superb people and technical skills.
- Honest — When clients overpaid, you refunded their money. When our time sheets were inaccurate, you let us know. You held us to the highest possible ethical standards. [At this point in the talk, I looked in our checkbook and noted, "We have enough to pay for this party!]
- Sacrificing — What can you say about someone who drove 40 miles each way in ice, snow, and blinding sunlight? Many days you arrived at 7:00 or 7:30 a.m. before me, and I live just 5 minutes away.
- Energetic — Some high achievers give 110%. You gave 150% every day, every week. Some go the extra mile—Rachel went the extra 3,000 miles.
- Caring — Your warm personality always exceeded the expectations of clients, customers, consultants and vendors. No week went by without unsolicited compliments for you. I often heard: "Rachel really helped me" Now that you're leaving I've heard: ". . . that's too bad . . . big loss . . . hard to replace . . . you'll be out of business in three months . . ."
- Tenacious — Who else could have patiently collected a $20,000 bad debt?
- Creative — We could always count on you to give us a breakthrough idea about advertising, newsletters, resumes, conferences and conventions, legal issues—everything. Plus, you refill the M&Ms in the front lobby.
- Persuasive — You sold books, tests, and consulting services. Many clients said, "One of the main reasons I chose CareerLab was because of Rachel, your Office Manager."
- Tactful — You never said, "You can't," "you shouldn't," or "that's dumb." Instead, you said things like, "Have you thought about . . . ?" and, "Are you sure you want to . . . ?"
- People-oriented — You were our corporate memory, remembering names and facts about clients when no one else could. When I ask, "Who was the semiconductor engineer from UTMC . . .?" You answer: "Hobart!" When I need the name of the hotel where we conducted a workshop two years ago, you remind me: "Westin!"
- Responsible — You patiently and thoroughly trained Andie Michaelson, your replacement, so we'd have a smooth transition—although it will be hard to fill your size 13-EEE shoes.
You believed in CareerLab's mission and created much of our success. The last rose is to remind you that you're always welcome here, and we hope you'll come back often.
Bill Frank, President
November 3, 20—