Calling all toadies: Boss Day approaches

Before you start focusing on Halloween, keep in mind that an important event looms large on the holiday calendar: Next Tuesday is Boss Day, a day when even the most unruly of underlings are impelled to fawn, grovel, and toady.

For a few bucks, the good folks at Hallmark, the greeting card company, will sell you a card that plays "Hail to the Chief" or an audio clip from the TV show, "The Office," and if money is no object, Hallmark guarantees to "leave her speechless" and "make him blush on Boss Day, with a brilliant bouquet or other grateful gift."

And for yes-men eager to earn a black belt in brown-nosing, a North Carolina corporate coaching firm, Pyramid Resource Group Inc., has thoughtfully compiled a list of suggestions for building a stronger relationship with your boss - and not just on Tuesday but on all the work days of the year.

Herewith are a sample of recommendations from the Pyramid Resource Group:

Understand your job is to help the boss win. Listen for their best intentions when they speak. Bless your boss on the way to work. And stop gossiping, especially about your boss. (What, "Laugh loudly at the boss's lame jokes" is not on the list?)

Who knows? Lowly worms who diligently heed such advice may one day oil their way to the corner office.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)