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The art of gifting
(Source: Hubspot) |
Gifting is not merely the physical exchange of objects between individuals, rather when chosen appropriately, it is seen as a genuine expression of affection and gratitude. Therefore a gift, I believe, should always be chosen very thoughtfully - something that would suit the recipient's taste, something that would bring a smile on his/her face and make him/her feel admired. When the recipient happens to be your boss, picking the right present for him although can be painstakingly tough but it would be well worth the effort because a well-thought-out gift that aligns with his likings and passions will surely be appreciated. Of course, only if one is close enough to his boss, would he probably know about his boss' tastes and preferences, as nearly all of us have varying relationships with our superiors.
In that regard, I have been very lucky that all these years, I got to work with some wonderful people as my bosses - they were all very supportive and encouraging. But if I had to pick just one person who has had the greatest influence on me, I would unhesitatingly take Mr. Jagat Mehta's name, my ex-manager. He left our company last month to join another company but I am sure, he will be talked about for years to come for he was an inspiration for others to follow their dreams. He was still in his early twenties when he joined our firm as a fresh Biz school graduate and within six years, he worked his way up through the ranks through sheer hard work and dedication to become our project manager. Not only was he a good communicator but also always led by example. He was all along a go-getter, always proactive - he made things happen rather than leaving them up to chance and always did what he said he would do. He was easy-going and approachable, and yet was firm and fair. To me, he was more like a mentor than a boss. I have learned several valuable career and life lessons from him and so I feel privileged to have worked with him.
As a token of appreciation, I wanted to gift him something that resonated with his charismatic personality and one he would enjoy the most. Any premium whisky of course would make a delightful gift for most men but he being a seasoned whisky connoisseur, he deserved a parting gift that stood for uncompromising quality. Therefore I decided to gift him Golfer's Shot Whisky as a farewell gift to celebrate his accomplishments and to wish him luck for the future. It may not be as popular yet as the other premium whisky brands but its uncompromising dedication to quality is what makes it stand out among its peers.
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| The Perfect Gift for a Self-made Man |
Since I don't drink, I asked my good friend Shailesh (who happens to be a seasoned whisky aficionado) for suggestions. He said that until recently, Blenders Pride used to be his go to premium whisky blend but the day he tasted Golfer's Shot, he was completely won over. He opined that this remarkably distinct blend would give even Blender’s Pride a run for its money. As per him, each sip leaves an indelible impression as the flavours get unlocked. I was therefore confident that Mr. Mehta too would love it and that's exactly how it panned out. He was very impressed by its quality. Prepared using the finest Indian malts, Golfer's Shot is first matured in hand crafted oak casks and is then skillfully blended, resulting in a delightfully smooth whisky with a well-rounded flavour. No wonder it appeals to both novices as well as the more discerning connoisseurs alike. It represents great value for money.
As someone who loves exploring whiskies of different kinds, Mr. Mehta was visibly excited about trying the new drink. He poured generous measures of the amber gold into his glass and was ready to try it out. Swirling it around a little, he whiffed its aroma, then took a sip of the drink, rolled it around on his tongue for a second or two before swallowing it down. A sincere "Aaaahhhhh..." followed. I could see appreciation in his eyes that glowed with contentment. He was equally honest about his opinions too, saying that he found the blend beautifully balanced and well-rounded with a light touch of smoke. Its unique warm golden colour, its complex aromas, its palate characterized by flavours of dark chocolate along with flowery notes, followed by a long and slightly smoky finish - they all impressed him. The unique design of the bottle too caught his eye. Inspired by the game of golf, the bottle's edge is carved out like a golf stick and its opening lid has hints of a golf ball.
Then followed a candid chat. Mr. Mehta is always game for a conversation over drinks, so I had a wonderful evening chatting with him about his new company, his future plans. We also reminisced about our good times. Time flew away fast and before we could know, it was time for me to bid him goodbye.
What made me really glad was that my choice of gift was to his liking. As someone who has always had an eye for detail and who never settled for anything less than what he wanted, I trusted that Golfer's Shot whisky would impress Mr. Mehta and it certainly did.
