What is the appropriate amount of time to keep a thank you card?

Question

A little bit of a question here at the office. A client sent us a thank you card and one of the employees feels they should hold onto it for what i think is far too long. So we decided to let the world decide. Let us know your thoughts on this.

Answer 1

If its a good client you can provide a space in the office and keep all cards from excellent clients in one spot so in the event they stop b y they will be impressed that you kept there card.

Answer 2

I think that since its from a client... you can use it as a marketing tool.. since its obvious that the client thinks you do great work.

I think at least a few months on a wall where clients can see it is fine. Then give it to the marketing person, and let them keep it on file for marketing or referral purposes.  

Answer 3

Depends on what size office you work in and the team. We used to have a sheet (list) of all of the team members(60). This was used to pass around cards to be signed  or read etc. In that case you circulate it and everyone checks off their name. Very simple each person gives it to the next idea. Then I would just toss it.

If it's a small office. i would post it in the coffee room or team mtg room for a week and then toss it.

At home I read it then toss it.

I think your missing the point of the card. It's NOT for the sender it's for all of you. So you have NO obligation to the sender if they stop in.

And if asked by the sender most people are smart enough to say "yes I saw the card it was very kind of you to send" end of story.

Answer 4

Being it's at an office, I'd keep it up for a week or two and then throw it out, just in case the client comes by and to give other employees a chance to see the card that might not have.

At home, I throw them away the same day I get them.

Answer 5

This is a great question!

We solve it here at the office by delegating.

The person who opens the mail, the office manager, has been here eons. She is a respected member of the team.

When she posts something, its stays up, until SHE takes it down.

It is no one else's job to argue, decide anything, or move it.

We have a specific spot to post such things and get several a month, since we have over 700 people working here.

Some postings stay up close to a year, some come down in a week or two, depending on who sent them, the occasion and how long they have been here.

Delegate and get back to work. haha.