A Very Merry Christmas

Hello fellow bloggers!

Today, I want to talk about my experience of x-mas. 

I have not really celebrated Christmas ever so it was a really interesting experience for me, with teachings of its own kind. The whole experience started off with the announcement of secret Santa in the office. I was unaware of what the tradition was and got filled in by my colleagues. I am guessing most of you would know about it, but for those who don’t, secret Santa is where you write a wish list and someone gets you a present from that wish list, but you cannot know who it is, until the day you open the presents and guess the person! As soon as that announcement was made, there was excitement in the office.

Ms Mahyun, the HR person of the firm wrote down everybody’s name on chits and put them in a bowl. Everyone picked their chits and coincidently I got Ms Mahyun’s name. After that we all wrote three presents out of which we wish our secret Santa to get one for us on the white board in the conference room. The wish list had to be within budget of course! Followed by this tradition was setting up of the x-mas tree. That too was exciting indeed and it really gave me a chance to get to know my colleagues better. Just to be able to spend time with them, laughing and not thinking about work. In the hustle and bustle, all of us decided the theme of the x-mas lunch to be the seventies. 

The days went on and the x-mas tree was looking prettier and prettier by the day with presents collecting under it. And just as the present increased, so did our curiosity! Each morning we would gather around the tree and try to guess who put the present under it.

Finally the day of the x-mas lunch arrived and we all changed in to our seventies costumes, got the presents and headed to the restaurant. Awaiting there was a room, set with fancy x-mas decorations and a table for 12. We set the presents down and finally, once everyone was gathered, sat down for the lunch. At the lunch itself, we had a blast chit chatting and making jokes. As soon as the lunch was over, it was time to open presents!

One of my colleagues, Wen dressed up as Satan Clause and gave away the presents. There were many jokes cracked and many guesses made, some received the presents they wished for, and some didn’t. But no complain was heard or felt, it was all appreciated. After that, I and three other colleagues, the “newbies” of the firm were asked to perform, which was very nerve racking! We came up with a parody of jingle bell rock, incorporating it with Perception Management. Luckily it was enjoyed by the audience!

Followed by that was a speech made by the CEO of the company in which he spoke of the plans for the year 2013 and made some announcements of promotions and so on. After his speech, the CEO, Mr Kishore gave away appreciative certificates and presents. Each and every employee was praised for their specific talent, and he even included me! I really saw how much respect he earned by showing and encouraging his employees of their individual talents.

In my perspective, that is one of the crucial lessons I learnt; the art of appreciating others at your work place. Not only does this create an inspirational atmosphere but also respect for your team members and team leader. I saw how it motivated all the employees as they knew they were being appreciated and that their effort is noticed. Another important lesson I learnt is of having good relations at the workplace. If you try to have fun and be friends with your colleagues, it makes work much more fun. This also adds in to the respect you give your colleagues. From what I saw, the strong bond of friendship led to everyone being extremely helpful, this got things done much more efficiently. Little things such as certificates and appreciative comments go a long way indeed! I would say the team of Perception Management is indeed one of the best I have worked in.

Four of us singing our version of "Jingle Bell Rock"

Almost the whole team at Perception Management