10 Essentials of Successful Corporate Gift Giving
The are 5 things you MUST DO and 5 things you MUST ABSOLUTELY AVOID to ensure your corporate gifts are appreciated, appropriate and not a complete waste of time and money.
The 5 Things You Definitely Must Do
1. Make a Plan
Corporate gift giving is not purely running to nearest the department store or quickly doing your corporate shopping online, wrapping gifts, and giving it to your client. It should be carefully planned and considered as an integral part of your corporate marketing arrangements. Too many organizations work hard all year on their corporate image and market positioning, only to completely undermine this significant investment of time and money with a poorly organized corporate gift program.
A corporate gift is an investment both in money and relationships; every gift that you give to each of your clients should be appreciated and so enhance your client relationships. Gift selection, timing, presentation and delivery are all critical factors that need attention and planning. Over time, building solid client relationships will assist you in ensuring that whatever you have invested in corporate gifts will bring you better returns.
2. Dare to Be Different and Send Different Gifts
If you have had stable clients for years, make sure that they receive a different type of gift each year. They will look forward to receiving your gifts with anticipation and excitement. An exciting gift is remembered as well as the company that sends it.
3. Research Your Client’s Interests
Each person has his or her own particular interest/hobby. If you are able to identify their particular interest and match it with the right gift, then your corporate gift will be memorable as well as appreciated. Check on the things that interest your client to make sure that you are actually giving the most appropriate gift. You could even call your clients or check on their wish list so that you have better idea on what to give.
4. Personalize and Do the Delivery Yourself
If possible, a person that frees themselves just to give their corporate gift personally will be very much appreciated by the intended receiver. Obviously time and distance are factors that may prevent this approach and if so just ensure that you have addressed the other 9 essentials of corporate gifts.
5. Remember that your corporate gift is representing your company image.
Since investing in corporate gift is the way to keep clients loyal to your company and the services it offers, the right corporate gift can turn out to be a good means to increase revenue on the following years. Thus, image is very important. Choose a gift that is of high quality but does not ruin your budget.
The 5 Things You Must Avoid At All Costs!
1.Giving a Standard or Common Type of Gift
Wall clocks, alarm clocks, ball pens, paper weights, coffee mugs, etc… these items, even if they cost $100 each are still worthless because your client has at least one of them already, either at home or at the office. Stay away from these common corporate gift items as this also indicates your lack of enthusiasm and real interest in your corporate gift program. Don’t waste your time and money. Come up with gift ideas that will be valued and appreciated. Try to give something different, something unique that will be treasured for a long time.
2. Ignoring Cultural Differences
If you are going to send a corporate gift to someone with different nationality, make sure that the item you are giving is not against his or her culture, belief or tradition. Items that do not mean anything to you may be offensive to the receiver so be careful on the items you are planning to give as a gift.
3. Sending Gifts to Former Clients
You may not intend to send different message but sending gifts to former clients may give the impression that you are simply attempting to win back their loyalty. Corporate gift giving is definitely not the strategy to follow if you are seeking to win back ex-clients and in fact it could create major image problems for your company.
4. Forgetting about Assistants
Your client's assistant is the next person you want to build good relations with, so make an effort to send him or her something he or she would appreciate. It may be a small thing for you but for your client's assistant, the very thought of being noticed is a big thing that will be remembered and truly appreciated.
5. Expect Something in Return
If you give a client a gift, do not expect him or her to reciprocate the favor. However, it is a good gesture to send a personally written thank you card if you happen to receive something from someone.
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