Page 28 of Think Outside the Boss

“Thanksgiving is the time of year to tell people stuff like that,” Joshua lectures. “Last year we wrote thank-you notes to our classmates with things we like about them. Perhaps you should do the same at your company?”

“Perhaps I should,” I murmur, putting a hand on the back of his head. “You’re smart, kiddo.”

He looks up at me. “That’s why I faked a stomachache. I’ve never had one before, so I knew they’d take it seriously.”

I smile back at him. “Clever, but in the future, we don’t run when things get difficult.”

“I know, Dad.”

An hour later, when we’re both safe and secure back in our apartment overlooking Central Park, I sit down in my home office and open my laptop.

Subject: Company Thanksgiving Celebration

Ms. Bilson,

Your budget for this project has just been significantly increased. So significantly, in fact, that there is no limit at all for your initial suggestions. Perhaps something that includes employees’ families?

Think big, Strait-laced.

Tristan Conway,

CEO Exciteur Global

8

Freddie

I press the clicker to change the slides on the screen. Beside me, William and Luke shift to the side, looking at our audience. “So,” I say, “here are all three options for easy comparison. Feel free to let us know what you think.”

Tristan and Clive gaze back at us across the meeting room, flanked by two women from Exciteur’s HR and event-planning team. Tristan taps his fingers against the table and studies the slide on display with an inscrutable expression.

The three options on display all have clear budgets, timelines, and concepts. A Thanksgiving lunch on the company, where we rent a nearby restaurant. The second option, a cash bonus in hand for all employees, on a sliding scale.

The third? Renting the Wilshire Gardens in Central Park for an evening, the amusement park that’s set up for a few months every fall. Inviting everyone’s friends and family… and booking a nearby bar for singles to go afterwards.

It’s outrageously expensive, but Tristan’s email had specifically asked for family friendly. It had also included that nickname. Strait-laced. Taken from the intimate setting where we’d agreed to leave it and into the workplace. I’d deleted that before I forwarded the email to Luke and William and told them we had to go big.

And now Tristan is saying nothing.

Just staring at the three options, his eyes narrowed in thought. The people on either side of him glance over. Once, twice. Waiting for his verdict.

I cross my arms over my chest, refusing to let any nerves show. “What do you think?”

“Is option three feasible within the time frame?” Tristan asks.

I nod. “Absolutely. We’ve already reached out to the amusement park to inquire about availability.”

Clive frowns. “The cost is considerable.”

“It’s high in comparison to the other two,” I admit, “but in terms of renting a venue, it’s really quite affordable.”

Tristan gives a slow nod, his gaze on mine. “Right. Well, we’re going with option three. Thank you for an excellent presentation.”

Eyes turn to him and there’s a beat of stunned silence.

“Sir,” one of the women hedges, “this will take a significant cut out of our personnel budget for the year.”

Tristan waves a hand. “We’ll replenish it with our fourth quarter returns. I’m well aware that the cuts we’ve made over the last year have taken a toll on morale. How many of you on my side of the table have kids?”

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