What we've discussed so far assumes that a gift is an object or service that one purchases or makes and gives to another. But, in an organizational context, a gift might be mentorship, an unexpected promotion, or acceptance of another person's opinion.

Consider meetings where opinions fall into two clear camps. And, out of blue, someone who previously opposed your position or stayed neutral now moves to support you. That person smiles at you, and says, "I think you've put your finger on real issue here." Seems like a gift, doesn't it?

Or consider this one, "Jane, you've worked a lot of hours lately to make this presentation a big success. We appreciate what you've done, and want you to take rest of week off. Don't worry about your to-do list; we'll take care of everything." Another type of gift.

In mass media, reporters and editors normally cannot accept gifts, or gifts beyond a threshhold value. It's a way of avoiding relationship obligations that might influence their coverage of events, people, and organizations. In this case we see rejection of gifts as a way of avoiding relationships.

In summary, look at exchanges of gifts as potentially more than just an exchange between individuals; think of them as a strategic tools for developing and managing business relationships. That makes giving a strategic form of communication.

Unfortunately he couldn’t keep up with technological changes that computers had made in printing industry either, or how design software meshed with those changes. He would give long lectures on antiquated printing techniques without understanding that his concerns about old-fashioned methods could be alleviated with a push of a menu button.

One day company was sold, and when new management came in guess what happened? He was forced into early retirement because he lacked computer skills and technical knowledge of his industry. Although he had over 25 years with company, his skill set was inadequate for someone in his position.

Today, middle-aged managers who have never had to use computer technology before are being required to learn by their employers. Luckily, today there are many resources available specifically to help mature executives learn computer skills they need to remain productive in workplace until their retirement.

There are countless Internet resources including “help” forums and computer software learning sites. Continuing education programs at local colleges and universities offer everything from how to use an operating system to advanced spreadsheets and presentations. For those who want to learn at their own pace, in privacy of their own homes, there are companies that offer self-paced software learning tutorials ranging from learning computers, sending email, using internet and learning business software programs.

As it’s impossible to have a successful career without embracing computers and technology today, most important thing is to get started. Many successful people, when they come into contact with a new technology for first time, consider themselves too stupid to deal with it and fear failure. Don’t become discouraged; there is nothing to fear . . . your computer won’t self-destruct if you make a mistake, and soon you’ll become a computer geek like rest of us.

Copyright 2005, Video Professor Inc. All Rights Reserved.