Business Gift that Give Creates Profit

Do you think promo items are silly? Think again!

Promotion items are not necessarily items that you throw away once you leave the trade show; they are items that publicize your company. Most promo items are stored in desks, put in pen holders, placed in staff rooms, or used in some manner. Be particular in what you choose for your promo item, make sure it connects with what you provide for the client.

Pens are wildly popular but if you have high end clients, then the pen should be a high end one with your logo tastefully engraved. After all, you want the client to use it in front of other clients. The best way to choose a promo item is to look at what the typical items they use on a regular basis may be. If you cannot think of anything, then choosing something for the general populace may be the best way to spend your money.

In my business, I choose to give books. Of course the books I give have been written or co-written by me as the expert. It does not have to be a book; it may be a white paper on something that may concern your “best client”. Flaunt your expertise with this type of promo item and follow it up with a gadget such as a bookmark, ruler, post-it notes or the like. What ever you choose make it so it is usable.

For consultants, you want to maintain a level of professionalism so choose wisely. Here are some tips on making that perfect selection:

• Determine the level of the individual with whom you will be interacting. A CEO promotional item may be far different from the Purchasing Agent or the Receptionist.
• Research the company to find any special dates that are important to the organization or to the contact. This includes anniversaries, birthdays, and so on. Then choose a promotional item that fits but be discrete with the logo, perhaps it should just be on the card that goes with this type of item.
• If you will be at a trade show have several items available. One for the general attendee to pick up and put in their bag with no questions asked and other items that you keep behind the table for those that make an appointment or buy from you.
• Thank you gifts for doing business with the client and another thank you gift to the referrer (if there was one) is important. Make sure you pick something that will be used and have your logo on it.
• Marketing items that can be easily enclosed in an envelope when you are soliciting new business. These items should be small but appreciated.

Do not choose something just because it is inexpensive. Promo items are like business cards, the cheaper they look and feel, the cheaper and more unprofessional you appear. This does not mean buying the most expensive items, it means spend your money wisely and getting the biggest recognition for your dollars.

Finding The Perfect Corporate Business Gift

We have all been there, at one time or other, wondering just what to get that miserable boss!

Miserable in the sense that he or she has to put up with you all year long. The corporate world works both ways so take some pity, show your boss or bosses how much you appreciate their tenacity, tolerance and iron-will persistence. Give that 'never say die' boss an unique token of your collective goodwill. Treat them to something special this time around.

Keep in mind, your boss may also be exploring different ways of rewarding hard working employees or trying to find the most appropriate bonus gift to give that top performing salesperson. Just the right gift to create some good company morale and goodwill that will go a long way to cementing company loyalty. If such a creature still exists in this day and age.

No matter which side of the corporate coin you're on, finding the perfect corporate business gift does require some thought if you want to make a lasting impression on your hard working boss or employees.

Corporate business gifts usually fall into a few well observed traditions. Most people settle for flowers, fruit or liquor! But perhaps the most popular corporate gift is some form of engraved 'work-ware': personalized pens, desk sets, plaques, briefcases, and the like. These are very conservative gifts that you probably choose year after year. Safe gifts that will not cause any ripples along the corporate hallways... nothing wrong with that except it's a little boring. Same old, same old. Why not try something new?

How about trying something different this year. Why not look to the tech world to find a corporate gift that's just a little more interesting. There have been some great new gadgets coming onto the marketplace lately that you might consider. Apple has just come out with a new ipod with video or why not try the small nano ipod. These can be laser engraved and makes an interesting gift.

Notebook or laptops may be another good choice; notebook technology is changing at a blistering rate, they are smaller, faster and sexier than ever. Why not treat your boss or top performing salesperson with one of these portable little workhorses. Besides, a custom designed high-end luxury laptop does have a 'WOW' factor that will put a smile on any receiver's face.

How about giving or providing a new service to your boss or employees, such as Wi-Fi, Version wireless or other Internet access packages. Everybody loves the Internet. Why not give it as a gift in one form or another.

Another option, why not give an annual subscription to eFax (send faxes thru email) to all your employees. Very useful gift to have for most workers or even bosses. Look around and you will probably find other business services that employees would be very grateful to have.

Perhaps, the key to finding the perfect corporate gift is keeping the 'receiver' of the gift in mind at all times. Will your gift make the receiver's work life just a little bit easier? Will it ease their work burden or load? Will it take some of the pressure off and put a smile on your worker's face?

Answer these questions and you're well on your way to finding the perfect corporate business gift.

One last point. Don't be cheap! Think of the corporate business gift as an investment in your company or career. Go out of your way to make your next corporate gift something that will be remembered. More likely than not, it will pay big dividends down the road. Of course, in a perfect world, alterative motives should be the furthest thing from your mind as you choose your corporate gift. In a perfect world.

Business Gift Giving Etiquette

In general gifts are given in business to promote goodwill and foster good relationships. They are also given to show appreciation. How do you know what is a proper gift?

First off, if you are dealing in international trade you should make yourself knowledgeable about the customs of those you would like to gift. For example if you are dealing with oil barons or emirates from the Middle East you wouldn’t want to give them a gift of wood no matter how intricate. The reason is that they perceive would to be of very low value, not making any brownie points there.

Another big consideration is to give a gift that you know the recipient will appreciate. Do a little research; find out what their interests and hobbies are. They will be very impressed that you took the time to discover what they like and will feel comfortable in knowing that this wasn’t just some anonymous purchase.

Gag gifts are almost always inappropriate, especially if there is a sexual connotation. Lingerie should never be given as a business gift. This is an intimate gift reserved for those in a close personal relationship.

Other gifts to be careful of giving are food and alcohol which are very popular during the holidays. Prime examples would be giving a gift of lobster or a gift basket with pork sausage to a Jewish business associate, not kosher. Another faux pas would be giving wine to someone who is either alcoholic or doesn’t drink at all.

So what’s safe to give someone as a business gift?

Again, just keep in mind what the perceived value is in the culture of the person you are gifting. For example a person from Mexico would think lowly of a gift of silver because it is cheap and abundant there. Chocolate is a gift that can have two different perceptions. If you give someone chocolate that came from Wal-Mart they may perceive that as cheap, but if you give them expensive imported French chocolate they will consider that thoughtful. Just remember it all depends on the person. Gifts should be for a specific individual based upon what you know or have learned about them.

The amount of the gift depends upon the hierarchy in the company. The higher position a person holds the more expensive the gift should be. Also, be sure to never give similar gifts to all those you are gifting.