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bikramaddict
mommy-to-be
Member since 8/06 4376 total posts
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getting/asking for a blackberry
i just started a new job and can see already that i should really have a blackberry. my company is UK-based (my boss is in the UK as well) and standards are a little different there (in the UK office nobody has voicemail b/c the owner likes for people to talk to a 'live voice' no matter what. We only have it in NY b/c it was explained to him that americans expect it.) So I'm wondering if the varying standards have something to do with the lack of blackberries. some people have them, but they report to someone in the americas. nobody who has a uk boss has a blackberry.
would it be out of line for me to ask for one? i've only been at this job 2 1/2 weeks. if its not out of line, how would you word it exactly so not to sound disrespectful?
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Posted 5/23/08 11:31 PM  |
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Lisa
I'm a PANK!!!
Member since 5/05 22334 total posts
Name:
Professional Aunts No Kids
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Re: getting/asking for a blackberry
I would ask for one. Tell your boss it would make doing your job easier
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| Posted 5/24/08 8:32 AM |
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lilacwine
only love...
Member since 5/05 2034 total posts
Name:
<3
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Re: getting/asking for a blackberry
Present your boss with a business reason why you should have one. List situations that you've already faced in which your having a blackberry would have made you more effective.
How often do you need to be on email while outside the office?
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| Posted 5/24/08 9:40 AM |
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bikramaddict
mommy-to-be
Member since 8/06 4376 total posts
Name:
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Re: getting/asking for a blackberry
Posted by lilacwine
Present your boss with a business reason why you should have one. List situations that you've already faced in which your having a blackberry would have made you more effective.
How often do you need to be on email while outside the office?
it would be beneficial for me to have access to email all the time (though i know most people hate that.) I am the only one in the US doing the public relations for my company and if i miss emails from writers b/c i'm out of the office without access, the company could miss out on some good opportunities for coverage. also, it would make communicating with her a lot easier b/c she's 5 hours ahead. i could communicate while on my way to work b/c as it stands, i get into the office and its already 2pm for her. thing is, she doesn't have one and she's the head of corporate communications worldwide. but like i said, its just different in the UK, at least with my company.
how long do you think i should wait before saying something?
ETA: has anyone else asked for one or was it just given to you?
Message edited 5/24/2008 11:12:54 AM.
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| Posted 5/24/08 11:12 AM |
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mommy2bella
Where does time go?
Member since 12/05 9747 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: getting/asking for a blackberry
I connected my email to my existing blackberry in the first week (I am in week 3 myself ) and they are paying half my bill...and if I couldn't have done it they would have gotten me one...
I have UK bosses too...too funny. And they feel the SAME about voicemail!
ETA: I think you should approach it as you being on top of your work and the fact that it is beneficial to the company for you to have 24-7 access so you can properly perform. Be careful though, its addicting.
Message edited 5/24/2008 12:45:56 PM.
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| Posted 5/24/08 12:44 PM |
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Re: getting/asking for a blackberry
Didn't you ask a similar question about a prior job? Seriously, I would wait to get to know the office culture. By then you may have examples of times that a blackberry could have helped. How often are you out of the office? I am not sure that a blackberry is always justified just to be used during the commute.
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| Posted 5/24/08 8:19 PM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: getting/asking for a blackberry
Wait a bit and then ask for one.
It's pretty common practice now.
I'm an Exec Asst at an investment bank and I monitor emails all weekend, on the train in, on the train home and my boss knows I'm always looking at it periodically during non-work hours.
It's the same as a firm having remote access email, except you don't have to be chained to your PC.
It's especially uselful with my London office since they are 5 hours ahead. Since I see my berry around 7am on the train, it's their noon and I can answer everything they ask so they don't have to wait as long to get their answers and move ahead with a meeting or a project.
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| Posted 5/25/08 12:16 AM |
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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: getting/asking for a blackberry
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
Seriously, I would wait to get to know the office culture. By then you may have examples of times that a blackberry could have helped. How often are you out of the office? I am not sure that a blackberry is always justified just to be used during the commute.
I agree. Maybe ask a co-worker with a European boss his feelings about asking for one. If no one else reporting to a UK boss has one, I think it might be unwise to ask for something no one else has, especially so early on.
To me, it seems like something your boss doesn't agree with because of their culture. If she doesn't have one, I don't see why she would want one for you. If I was European I don't think I would respond well to the "It's different in the U.S." argument.
Message edited 5/26/2008 8:20:15 AM.
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| Posted 5/26/08 8:18 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: getting/asking for a blackberry
I just want to add that many companies with offices in Europe have blackberrys or the like. It's not that it's European to not have one, it may just be that your company has never seen the need.
Most business find it very helpful to have one.
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| Posted 5/27/08 12:18 PM |
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bikramaddict
mommy-to-be
Member since 8/06 4376 total posts
Name:
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Re: getting/asking for a blackberry
Posted by nov04libride
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
Seriously, I would wait to get to know the office culture. By then you may have examples of times that a blackberry could have helped. How often are you out of the office? I am not sure that a blackberry is always justified just to be used during the commute.
I agree. Maybe ask a co-worker with a European boss his feelings about asking for one. If no one else reporting to a UK boss has one, I think it might be unwise to ask for something no one else has, especially so early on.
To me, it seems like something your boss doesn't agree with because of their culture. If she doesn't have one, I don't see why she would want one for you. If I was European I don't think I would respond well to the "It's different in the U.S." argument.
excellent point about her not having one, etc, thanks. (I never would've said something like 'it's different in the US' though.)
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| Posted 5/27/08 2:10 PM |
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bthomas
LIF Zygote
Member since 5/08 1 total post
Name:
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Re: getting/asking for a blackberry
In this day and age, it does not make sense not to ask for one if your job requires a good deal of email correspondence.
I don't know anyone in PR that is not using one.
Message edited 5/28/2008 4:16:00 PM.
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| Posted 5/28/08 4:14 PM |
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