October 20, 2010 Greg Greunke
For you forward thinking folks lets shoot towards December 20 and imagine what it looks like. You’re cruising the parking lot, seriously weighing the ROI on a $200 fine for parking on the sidewalk so that you can run into the mall. One week before Christmas and you have not bought gifts for your family let alone your clients. It’s the year 2010 and you still did not see this coming?
A gift is bestowed voluntarily and without compensation. You may hope to gain more business from your client or feel socially obligated to give a gift, but they are never used as incentives. Giving a gift shows you recognize and genuinely appreciate the recipient.
Leave the logos off. A great gift furthers your relationship and is a great conversation starter. Let’s hope the conversation includes “Thank you.” and “How’s the family?” instead of leaving the recipient with the feeling that they are just a source of revenue.
Gift Occasions
The 4th quarter holiday season is the standard for giving corporate gifts. In fact, it’s not the holidays that give us reason to spread good will to everyone: it’s the conclusion of one year and recognition that we’re going into a new and even better year.
You could also give gifts that show appreciation to hard working employees, someone who has referred business to you or a client whose project or business you appreciate.
Gifts are personal and given out at very personal times.
- A birthday
- At retirement
- A new job or promotion
- A business or personal anniversary
- Completion of an important project or opening a new office
How to Give Gifts
- For business, select a gift that reflects your business and your image.
- Be sure to send all employees the same type of gift.
- It’s ok to group clients and vendors into A and B categories, just make sure the A gifts are not overly extravagant.
- Be aware of cultural, religious or international taboos.
- Use common sense.
- Save the gag gifts for purely social occasions, and even then, proceed with caution.
- A gift for the client’s office can bring more good will especially if their staff participates in projects for your business.
