Tell us about the best boss you've ever had. Best boss essays will be judged on specific original write-ups of bosses who are top motivators, communicators, and leaders. Write about bosses who use innovative techniques to make the job more productive and satisfying. Tell us about your boss' positive effect on you and your self-esteem. Examples of care for your private or family life can be included. Give specific examples. Also, briefly describe the one quality you want most in a boss. The winning contestant and his/her boss will be asked to participate in media interviews. The best boss can be a current or previous manager. Please identify the type of work you perform.
Tell us about the worst boss you've had. Worst bosses are those with poor managerial techniques: for example; those with the inability to provide proper direction or stimulate employees to better performance. Worst bosses may establish impossible goals, may be verbally abusive and inconsistent in giving orders. (Criminal behavior, physical or sexual abuse cannot be accepted as appropriate subject matter for this essay.) Worst boss can be a current or previous manger. Also, briefly describe the one quality you want most in an boss. Please identify the type of work you perform.
2. CONFIDENTIALITY: You are not required to identify your worst boss by name, unless you and he/she agrees to do so. If a contestant identifies a worst boss by name, then it is understood that this worst boss may be contacted and asked to participate in media interviews. However, if the worst boss chooses not to be identified, then his/her name and the contestant's name will be withheld from any publication. (But, you are still eligible to win THE GRAND PRIZE!)
3. JUDGING of the essays will be conducted by an independent judging agency and Jim Miller Enterprises. Decisions are final and binding, and by entering, entrants agree to be bound by these official rules and the decisions of the judges. Judging will be based on the following criteria: 1) Originality; 2) Creativity; and 3) Relativity of essay content to subject matter. Depending on the volume of response, winnres will be selected on or about October 31, 1996 and will be notified within two weeks. The same prizes will be awarded in each category and are as follows:
GRAND PRIZE WINNERS: Trip for two to Kauai, Hawaii, plus two copies of Best Boss, Worst Boss Lessons and Laughs from the International "Best Boss/Worst Boss" Contest book. Approximate retail value of the trip is $6,000.
4. All federal, state and local taxes are the sole responsibility of the winners. No transfer of prizes or cash substitution will be allowed. Grand Prize trips include round-trip coach airfare from airport nearest winner's home, six night/seven day stay at a luxurious two-bedroom oceanfront accommodation, plus $1,000 for meals and other incidentals. All other expenses are the responsiblity of winners. Travel must be completed by June 30, 1997. If winner is unable to travel by designated date, prize will be forfeited.
5. Contest open to United States residents 18 years of age or older. Employees and family members of BT Office Products International, Inc., Business Interiors, American Discount Office Furniture, St. Martin's Press, HarperCollins Publishers, and The Summit Publishing Group, their advertising agencies and printers are not eligible. All federal, state and local regulations apply. Winners will be required to execute an affidavit of eligibilty/release, and their names and/or likenesses and essay may be used for publicity for advertising purposes without further compensation. Winner's guests will be required to execute a Release. All entries become the property of Jim Miller Enterprises, Inc., and may be used in future publications without further compensation, and will not be returned.
To request the names of winners, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Best Boss/Worst Boss Contest Winners, Jim Miller, P.O. Box 200907, Arlington, TX 76006-0907.
Send the following information along with your essay to: (You can print this out to use as your official entry form.)
NAME:________________________________________________
SOCIAL SECURITY #: _____________________________________
ADDRESS:______________________________________________
CITY: _______________________ STATE: ______ ZIP: ______________
(____)______________ PM PHONE: (____)___________
YOUR JOB TITLE: __________________________
APPROXIMATE AGE OF YOUR BOSS: ______________
WHERE DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS CONTEST?_____________________
I HAVE READ AND WILL ABIDE BY ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THIS CONTEST (signature): _____________________________________
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