Lunch with Carol was fantastic. I don’t know about ground rules, though. She was chatty, gossiped about everyone in the office as well as giving me the skinny on all the culprits (guilty or otherwise) - more about that later. Told me lots about herself (including a few secrets of her own - more about that too later). We even had a couple of glasses of wine. She was fab of course, very self assured and took no crap from the waiting staff. In fact I’ve been to the restaurant a few times before and never had service as good as that - certainly a lesson there.

Back in the office, I carried on in the same friendly, girls together at work, manner and she cut me down like the grim reaper at armegeddon, “Penny, please concentrate on your work - we do have deadlines to hit, and you are holding everyone up. We don’t do that here”

My God. So which is it? Gossipy girlfriend, or bitch from hell boss? I’d prefer to know one way or the other otherwise I just won’t know where I stand and how to be with her. Anyone out there had the same problem with their boss?

Carol is back in today. She absolutely electrifies the office - it’s like everyone’s had 1000 volts up their backside. Obviously I’m keeping my head down and my nose clean. Carol looks out from her office directly at my back and, more importantly, over my shoulder and at my screen - so she can see exactly what I’m doing, and how fast! Very worrying and will certainly curtail my surfing and internet activity. She’s actually taking me to lunch, “..to set out the ground rules, Penny, let’s start as we mean to go on, shall we?” Bloody hell.

Will report back tomorrow - Carol’s givem me a huge report to type up she compiled on her trip and she needs it PDQ - and she’s just got to be watching me - so I’d better do it PDQ.

Well, after all that, Carol had been called away on an urgent business trip and is not going to back until Thursday. So, nice and gently, I can get my barings and get to know the faces in the office. First impressions are so important and, they say, the right ones. So here’s what I think of the guys in the office so far - will they prove to be right?

Jane - she’s the receptionist and office tart by the look of her. She must shop at Chav Central - I’m amazed Carol doesn’t say something. Although, to be fair, she was nice enough to show me around, introduce me to everyone, and get me settled in and she seems like a nice kid.

Mike - bloody hell what a body for someone who works in accounts - certainly better looking than Debs.

Darren - sales support - hair too long, clothes too hip, smile too dazzling, far too cocky. Mmmmm - reserve judgement on that one.

Rebecca - holy cow what a miserable cow, also works in accounts with Mike which must be really depressing for him. She looks like she was knitted at the age of 38 and is slowly unravelling. I always thought anyone called Rebecca must be beautiful, and have auburn hair which they would swish provacatively at every opportunity, but this mardy trout looks like she’s never swished in her life. And those shoes. Definitely one to avoid.

Neil (or Nerd more like) - I know it’s a cliche but why are IT staff such zeros. Do they pull the really ugly wallies out at school and say, “OK lads, you have just the right qualities for IT support. Remember, stay in your bedrooms, collect marvel comics, and cultivate your acne and you won’t go far wrong”.

Fran - Sales hotshot - great outfits so far, Prada shoes, Gucci handbag, must be on great commission. Drives a BMW Z4. Surely I can do her job. From what I’ve overheard so far, she seems brilliant at sales. Carol must love her. To be honest I quite like her too, and she’s been very friendly.

Not the worst bunch I’ve ever seen, let see shall we?

Look, there’s no way I can post anything today, I’m too damn nervous.

I’ve been so looking forward to today and now it’s here I’m scared stiff. I’m not lacking in confidence you know, and although I’ve been telling myself Carol is a kindred spirit and mentor, really I just think I’m out of my league.

I just can’t think about anything else but concentrating on work (well, there’s a novelty) - and so I’ll get on with it - sign off - and leave you with this thought that was on Debs leaving card to me, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”  Confucius apparently - but what does he know, I bet he never had a job as a PA!

Holy Cow, I really couldn’t post on Friday…………..I was slaughtered……..from about lunch time onwards. Well, what was David going to do, sack me?

Debs got all the guys from the office to take me out; the glasses of wine they serve these days - they’re bloody huge. Four in an hour and a half really is too many for any girl. There should be a law against it (there probably is, come to think about it). In fact I’m sure there’s something on the company manual that mentions alcohol and sackable offence - the company I used to work for that is. The Vodkas and red bull Debs kept bringing me in the afternoon didn’t help.

They got me a really cool leaving present - a weekend break at Champneys - I was estatic. Apparently even David contributed (generously too they told me).

So all in all I remember going to work, but not leaving. A perfect last day.

New job on Tuesday - if I sober up!

Debs was beside herself, “You can’t leave here, you’re the only one who keeps me sane in this nuthouse”.

The Corporate Gifts Single Engraved Range

The corporate gifts co has always been happy to get specific prices to suit people’s needs. Don’t be worried if you don’t have a company or you want a single engraved gift to give someone for there birthday or some sort of special day.

Most clients will always expect something that has some class and style but your company could give something even more with these single engraved gifts if you know that it is your client’s birthday or a special occasion then you could give them a personalized gift with an appropriate message on.

All of the single gifts bought from Engraved Gift Ideas can be engraved with your corporate gifts message or logo to make sure your company or family receives a gift with true quality and style.

Engraved gifts have always been thought of as a high classed gift which can help your company stand out from others. Single engraved gifts are perfect for things like wedding gifts, christening gifts and a various range of other gifts.

With new gifts arriving for every occasion single engraved gifts really are the most stylish and modern gifts you can give.

The single engraved gift range grows by the day with new products and gifts to suit every special occasion.

“I’ve been offered another job. And I’ve accepted”.

David was dumbstruck, the dumb head. He had no idea. I’m so much better outa this place.

“Penny you can’t leave, I rely on you”.

“But you don’t respect me David”

“Of  course I do”

“What about my ideas?”

“I’m busy, Penny. We’d have got round to it eventually”.

“And meanwhile I just sit around and wait? What about my career?”

“What career, Penny? You’re just a PA!”

Carol called last night and I said yes.

David failed miserably. After his platitudes about my ideas last week he was dismissive again. He was moody. He told me to get coffee seven times. I had to go and get his lunch, but I had to work through my lunch to finish an urgent report that he forgot to give me. He told another stupid PA joke – and that was the last straw.

Carol wants me to start ASAP, and now so do I.

The Corporate Gifts Single Frame 5 X 7

The corporate gifts photo frame is one of the largest corporate gifts photo frames that are kept in stock. This 5 X 7 frame is the biggest most companies or clients would use to promote there company with. This promotional photo frame has a large engraving space so you can be sure your company will be seen no matter what image or logo you decide to engrave onto the frame.

The simple design allows your company to stand out and be seen because of the design. This promotional photo frame is the ideal gift for any work or office environment because of the size and style of the frame. Not only that but this promotional frame can house a image of your clients friends or family or even a car they like.

This would make sure that your corporate gifts photo frame would be seen by everyone and anyone and what makes this even better is that because your client will keep your corporate gift for months to come because of the space for there photo.

This promotional frame holds a standard enlarged photo frame which would need to be 5 X 7, once you have your photo it just slips in once the back is taken off and it is that simple.

This quality corporate gifts frame comes finished in a high silver plate which will make sure your company is seen in every light and reflective service that you would be in. You can be sure your engraved message would stand out in and around the office making a big stir with clients and customers.

As you can imagine you wouldn’t want your corporate gifts photo frame to become damaged and lose its shine this is why for no extra cost we coat all of our corporate gift frames in an anti tarnish finish to make sure your corporate gifts photo frame doesn’t fade over time allowing you to stand out for months to come.

This promotional stand comes with a hinged back so your promotional stand can be used on a portrait or landscape scale to allow your company to really stand out. The wide corporate gifts metal frame is the perfect space for engraving your promotional message or logo onto allowing you to really stand out above competition.

To complete our business promotion this corporate gifts frame comes packaged in matt gloss black box which can also be embossed with your promotional message allowing you to advertise twice as much within the same budget.

Choosing corporate gifts for your company can be a challenging thing and you have to make sure you choose the right corporate gifts for your company to stand out from others. This is why the corporate gifts co have created a new promotional blog to help you get a better understanding of corporate gifts.