The end of the year is approaching, and with it the “secret santa” and the hunt for the perfect gift for your colleagues. For your favourite contract manager, the one who juggles contract terms better than anyone and regularly saves your skin, here are four Christmas gift ideas that combine humour with usefulness.
Idea 1: a “decision dice” for well-informed decisions
Picture the scene: a negotiation dragging on, deadlines closing in… and there is your contract manager completely swamped by urgent matters (that could have been anticipated), or even paralysed by what is at stake.
Why not offer a little light relief in those tense moments? The “Decision Dice” is the ideal gift, letting your contract manager settle the great contractual dilemmas with a single roll: drafting a claim letter, that can wait until tomorrow, the dice has spoken!
With this dice, no more agonising over contract analysis and risk management: speed, impartiality and unpredictability guaranteed! Another major benefit: if the decision turns out badly, you can always blame the dice, or pin it on your legendary bad luck.
A tongue-in-cheek way of remembering that, even if decisions sometimes look random, their expertise is irreplaceable. To find this magnificent gift, which will certainly bring your favourite contract manager some relief, head this way.
Idea 2: a desktop punchbag, to let off steam
The ups and downs of projects and tense negotiations can turn the office into a genuine arena.
What better outlet for your contract manager than this mini desktop punchbag? Close your eyes and picture your contract manager in a ring or an octagon, boxing away liquidated damages, delays and additional works. Priceless, no?
Admit it, you have already dreamed of seeing your contract manager leave the office, pull on the gloves and climb into the ring to put their precious advice into practice in the field. Look no further: this punchbag is made for you.
In short, this gift is a friendly nod to their daily fight against stubborn clauses, obstinate counterparties and… your last-minute requests!
To give this fine piece of office decoration to your favourite contract manager, head here.
Idea 3: a customisable counter, to tally the “I told you so”s
Still in our selection of wonderful ideas to delight your contract manager, here is a customisable counter. At this precise moment you are no doubt wondering “what is that for?”.
Let us start from the premise that contract managers have a sixth sense for predicting trouble, and are often right.
With this customisable counter, give your contract manager the chance to count the number of times they look at you with an air of superiority and murmur “I told you so”, or let them count the days between the moment they gave their advice (which you did not follow) and the moment it all went wrong.
In short, rather than taking it seriously, why not laugh about this predictive talent? It is a humorous way of acknowledging insight that often goes unheeded.
You can find this gift on this site.
Idea 4: a trip to Malaga, for calm (and sunshine) after the storm
If you have the budget and really want to spoil your contract manager, nothing beats a ticket to Malaga. If you have something serious to make up for (having your contract manager work day and night on last-minute requests, for example), then buy them a return trip to Malaga!
Why Malaga, you ask? Quite simply because, on top of a well-earned break in the sun, your favourite contract manager will be able to attend the European contract management summit organised by World Commerce & Contract.
Between working sessions and downtime on the Costa del Sol, it is an elegant way of saying “thank you” for their hard work and of supporting their professional development. Who knows, they might even come back with new contract strategies under their arm!
So if your year-end bonus allows, think of your contract manager and put some sunshine (and sparkle) into their life. To book tickets (and a nice hotel while you are at it), it is here.
Conclusion
As you will have gathered, these gifts, lightly tinged with irony, are an original way of showing all the affection you have for your favourite contract manager, and your regard for the often underestimated but crucial work he or she does all year round.
After all, managing risk and contracts is no small matter, and a little humour can help you through the tensest moments. Happy shopping and happy holidays!