Corporate Gift Giving
WomenEntrepreneur.com:
1. Remind important people you’re here for them. In the past two months, we’ve watched high-profile, century-old firms declare bankruptcy, get taken over by the government or vanish into the ether. In this business atmosphere, clients and employees want to know your business is stable. So if you’ve given corporate gifts before, give them this year, too. You’ll send a message that your business is fine. You’re there for your clients, customers and employees, and you’ll be there when times are good again. If you’ve never given gifts before, giving gifts this year will differentiate you from competitors who are laying low.
2. Give gifts that people will use. Now may not be the time for an ice sculpture of your client’s head and torso. The trend this year is to return to the classics. Food items are always appreciated and will probably be taken home to the family and friends, with your company getting a mention for providing the scrumptious edibles. High-end household items are a nice choice. Go easy on the branding; if you feel the need to put your company name on a gift, keep it subtle unless you’re a high-end designer label–otherwise your gift looks like an advertisement and will likely end up in the back of your client’s drawer.
3. Greener is better. If you’re giving a gift arrangement, give one that incorporates reusable packaging, such as a magazine holder, rather than a wicker basket wrapped in cellophane. Your employee won’t know what to do with her eighth wicker basket, and the plastic will end up in the trash. You want to send a message that you’re willing to support your best employees, but you don’t want them thinking of you while they fill their trash bins with waste.
4. Consider a charitable component. In this economy, show your understanding that other people are hurting more than the rest of us. Give food to a program such as City Harvest. Or, if you still want to impress, raffle or auction a few high-end products at your holiday party and give the proceeds to charities chosen by the winners. You’ll get a tax deduction and reap some good will.
5. If things are truly bad, get personal. So business is down significantly. You have to cut back and maybe you anticipate layoffs. If you want to get through this and keep your remaining employees, partners and customers from seeking greener pastures, acknowledge the hard times and send a gift. This may be a time to recapture the business etiquette of days past. Pen a handwritten letter to important employees, clients or customers, and business partners, and send it with a small but meaningful gift. It takes more time, but people will be reassured about your core values and are more likely to be loyal.
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