Corporate Gifts - 10 Tips to Successful Business Gift Giving

Corporate Gifts and even small business gifts sent in a heartfelt manner can work well to firm up business relationships and let clients know they are appreciated. Here are 10 tips to help your holiday business gifts work for you.

1: If you’re giving a gift to a corporation or even someone with in a corporation be very sure you understand the companies gift giving polices. Large corporations and government departments have a No Gift policy and will send back any gifts you give.

2 :Look over your client list well ahead of sending out gifts. Be sure it is up to date and has all the information any gifting company will need. Things like religious gifts, gifts for diabetics Man, Woman ETC. Every year clients change addresses and move, better to stay ahead of where the parcel is going.

3: Plan your mailing date very carefully, send out the gifts well before the holiday season starts as many corporations close for the holidays and your presents may not get to them on time. If your sending food items or bottle of wine it would be better if the client could use it for the Christmas party or a home party and the gift would make a longer impression on the client.

4: If you use a gift supplier then be sure to give the list and addresses to them as early as you can. Some like two to three months in advance to plan out the gifts and who should receive what item.

5: A good business gift is not the time to promote your company. Don’t send a gift that is covered in your company logo or a sales pitch. This will do more damage than good and may even cause business problems in the future. Go with a thoughtful gift that the client will remember long after the holiday season is gone and will remember you each time he or she uses the item you sent.

6: What makes a perfect gift? Personalizing the item you’re sending. A hand written note telling the client how much you appreciated doing business with them and wishing them a great year and holiday season. A good heartfelt note can create business and strengthen old business.

7: Still the top product given as a business gift is a gift basket. Many good basket companies can create a theme for the client you giving the baskets to. There are Golf baskets, Trucking Baskets and for the hard working secretary there are Spa baskets. You can add a personal note to each basket and the gift become personal and that’s a great business statement.

8: If you have only one gift to buy for the owner go with his or hers personal interests. You can add a favorite bottle of wine for a wine cognisor or for a golfer some printed golf balls. If you’re going to go with a specific cultural gift then be sure to find out what is suitable for them as many items mean different things to different cultures.

9: Many corporate clients are companies you work with but you may not know the people you’re talking to. When this is the case stay with gifts that are well recognized in the industry. Gift Baskets, Fruit baskets, wine and food gifts, Unique gift certificates to local restaurants etc. Stay away from mugs, pens, calendars, they are for promoting your company threw out the year and not the holiday season.

10: When buying gifts for company and corporate giving keep them reasonable. Stay away from high value items as this can cause confusion with the client as to whether maybe you gift is a bribe or you have some other motif. Keep it around $250.00 or less .Remember a memorable gift will do more for your business relationship then an expensive way over the top item.

Some companies that deal with many businesses get allot of holiday gifts. Keep a list of the companies that sent you the gifts and remember to send back a nice thank you letter. It’s all about business and keeping a great relationship over the Year.