Corporate Gift Giving Guidelines - Part II

Part I of this article covered what to avoid when giving a business gift. If you missed it, I suggest you go back and take the time to read it.

Now on to Part II:
Giving corporate or business gifts can help you stay in touch with prospects and clients. It can also help you show appreciation for someone’s business, establish new relationships, mend relationships, obtain referrals and build customer loyalty. Follow the guidelines below to ensure that your business gifts are effective:

Good Choices for Corporate Gifts:

• Gourmet and snack food items that can be shared easily within an office. Cheese, crackers, sausage, chocolate treats, cookies, flavored coffees and teas, mixed nuts, specialty nuts, gourmet popcorn and trail mix are all good choices. When these items are placed in a classy gift basket they will leave a lasting impression.

• If a gift is for an individual (not a group), include in the gift something that pertains to their hobby, collection or area of special interest. Doing this let’s the gift recipient know that you put some thought into what they would like.

• Examples would be golf, theatre, sports, reading, collecting Hot Wheels, decorating, needle crafts, hiking, etc…

• I once created a custom gift basket for a gentleman that performed civil war reenactments. It was obvious to him, and others that saw the basket, that it was made especially for him. The gift basket was a thank you gift from his mortgage consultant. The mortgage consultant got several referrals and new loans as a result of having the gift basket delivered to his client’s place of work.

• Apparel with your logo discreetly placed. Polo shirts, tee shirts, sweatshirts, ball caps and light weight jackets are very popular choices and will generally be worn by the recipient.

• Promotional items such as calendars, mugs, tape measures, letter openers, paper weights, note pads, etc… Pens are also a good choice and change hands an average of 7 times. Try to give items that are useful and of high quality so they last a while. Also, any item that the recipient will sit on their desk or in their office is a good choice because your name and contact information will always be in front of them.

• Tickets for a sporting event. Some companies give out pairs of tickets and others rent a sky box at sporting events so they can entertain a group of business associates. Food and beverages are generally provided therefore making this a favorite among most recipients.

• Gift cards for Starbucks, movie theatres, home electronic and computer stores, dinner restaurants, etc…

• A good book or DVD on business strategy or team development. (If you know the values or priority business issues of the recipient.)

The giving of corporate or business gifts happens on a daily basis. Make sure yours are business appropriate, of high quality, timely and personalized when possible and you’ll see a positive impact on your business. The bottom line is that appropriate business gifts Make People Smile and Make Them Feel Appreciated and that is the Secret to business success. Happy giving!

Authored by Kimberly Yow, owner of Gifted Lady Gift Baskets. Kimberly has spent years helping her clients market their businesses through the use of gift baskets. She not only offers her clients advice on appropriate business gifts she also helps them select “WOW” gifts that leave a lasting impression. To start using gift baskets as an effective marketing tool, contact Kimberly today at GiftedLady.com.