Why You Should Think Twice Before Giving that Business Gift
As the holidays approach, it's time to start thinking about corporate gifts. What should you give your top clients? Your employees? Your vendors? And how much should you spend?
These are all valid questions with no easy answers. After all, corporate gifting is a minefield. Get it wrong and you run the risk of offending someone or, worse, making a bad impression. Get it right and you'll be remembered for being generous and thoughtful.
So before you start buying gifts for everyone on your list, take a moment to read our guide on the perils of corporate gifting. We'll help you navigate the often-confusing world of business gift giving so that you can make the best choices for your company - and your budget.
The Pitfalls of Poorly Chosen Gifts
The Pitfalls of Poorly Chosen Gifts When it comes to corporate gifting, it's not just the thought that counts. In fact, if you give a poorly chosen gift, you could do more harm than good. For example, let's say you're in the hotel business and you're thinking about gifting an employee a luxury bathrobe. Sounds like a nice gesture, right? Unfortunately, not all employees can afford to launder a luxury item like that on their own - which means they may have to forego using it altogether.
Another common pitfall is giving a gift that's too personal. For example, Real Estate Agents might be tempted to give their clients home decor items like vases or picture frames. But unless you know your client's taste very well, it's best to avoid gifts that are too specific to their taste. After all, you don't want them to feel obligated to display a gift that they don't even like.
Finally, beware of giving gifts that are too cheap or generic. If you give your top client a mug with your company logo on it, they're likely to use it once and then forget about it completely. On the other hand, if you give them something unique and memorable - like tickets to a sold-out show - they'll not only appreciate the thoughtfulness but they'll also be more likely to think of you next time they need your services.
Follow These Tips for Successful Corporate Gifting When done correctly, corporate gifting can be a great way to show your appreciation for your employees, clients, and vendors. But when done wrong, it can be a costly mistake that offended people and put a dent in your budget. To avoid these pitfalls, follow our tips for successful corporate gifting:
- Avoid giving gifts that are too personal or specific to taste. Stick with items that are classic and timeless instead.
- Avoid giving cheap or generic gifts - go for quality instead of quantity.
- Take into consideration your recipient's lifestyle and budget when choosing a gift. You don't want them to feel overwhelmed by an impractical gift or obliged to use something they can't afford to care for properly.
- Put some thought into your gift so that it shows how much you appreciate and value your recipient's business relationship with you. A heartfelt gift will always be appreciated more than something from the dollar store last minute.