Companies that thank employees are more profitable than those who take people for granted, according to a poll of 200K managers and staff, referenced in this Fortune article.

Good manners can be taught to kids as early as 15 months old, says this parenting expert.

After four years of declining sales, the greeting card industry made a comeback in 2006, but the percent of people who write thank you notes after job interviews is estimated at less than 40%.

Have any insights or trends you'd like to share with theONswitch? Please feel free to e-mail them to us or comment at theONblog.

Speaking of which...the 10 Volts series (theONswitch's own mini marketing guides) is now available online. Order yours today. (Thank you!)

Clark Gable and Alfred Hitchcock delivered the shortest acceptance speeches in Oscar history. ("Thank you.") Greer Garson made the longest (seven minutes) for Mrs. Miniver. Planning to win the statue? Generate your speech here.

However you say it, gratitude is a business best practice. We're offering a special -- and charitable -- thank you gift for comments on theONblog for the rest of the year. Check it out.

And visit here for a former hippy girl's views on thank yous.

Relieve the stress of a family visit the day after your feast. Visit Oasis Day Spa on Black Friday for an amazing discount and special seasonal treatments/products -- or just lounge on your couch and shop online!

Burn off stuffing calories during the week of December 10-15, when THE GYM of Armonk offers FREE membership and a gift with purchase. They will also be unveiling "The Gingerbread Gym," an incredible , edible, and healthier alternative to the calorie-laden centerpiece (to be auctioned off to benefit The Food Bank for Westchester.)

When you're holiday shopping, choose gifts that give back, like this special necklace from Heart of Gold Girls.

And whatever you're seeking in Westchester, try looking to Zoomnia. You'll be grateful for the expertise you'll find there.

We're thankful this month for the great media attention paid to our clients -- Denise Austin and THE GYM were in The New York Times, Oasis and Eco-Bags were featured on Forbes.com. And NBC-TV covered the City of Yonkers and the New York Water Taxi. Many clients enjoyed "ink" in local press too!

Family isn't the only thing converging this season. Learn how various media are coming together. BDI's Convergence 2007 is Monday, December 3. Register with code SWITCH and you'll get theONswitch $50 discount.

Resolve to start 2008 with fabulous hair. Get your coif to Westchester Magazine's Hair Affair on January 14, 2008. It's like Fashion Week in Westchester (well, sort of).

When a simple thank you just won't do, impress people with gratitude in Urdu or Maltese -- just two of the many tongues found here.

Suffering from writer's block? Or just lazy? This software generates pre-fab thank yous. (As if the recipient won't be able to tell.)

And what Thanksgiving would be complete without the traditions of parades and football? The Macy's parade (started in 1926) now has its own website, sharing the secrets of its balloons. Is nothing sacred?

Ho, ho, ho...the holidays are upon us. We're not sure what surprises await in 30-Second Current next month, but be nice and not naughty until then...