| Does your business give gifts to other businesses | | | | mediumbecause your message would not get |
| andindividuals? Giving gifts may seem easy | | | | through. For the samereason you should give |
| especially during | | | | your gift of appreciation at a timeother than the |
| December when it seems everyone is handing | | | | typical Christmas season. |
| one anothergifts and Christmas cards. However, | | | | Consider showing thanks at Thanksgiving. Or if |
| many businesses wastemoney and opportunities | | | | you aregoing to give gifts to administrative |
| by haphazardly giving out giftswithout a clear | | | | assistants, plan togive your gifts during |
| delineated purpose. | | | | administrative assistants' day/week. |
| Corporate gift giving should be designed to benefit | | | | Your expression of appreciation will have a |
| thecompany at least in the message that is | | | | greater impactbecause it will not be drowned out |
| conveyed. | | | | by a tidal wave ofothers. |
| Unfortunately, many times gifts are bought | | | | The fourth mistake that people make is they |
| quickly andrandomly because competitors are | | | | display thewrong attitude when they give their |
| seen doing it. A strategicgift giving plan will convey | | | | gifts. You want toexpress thanks for who the |
| appreciation and solidifyrelationships. | | | | recipient is and how they havebeen helpful to you. |
| The following mistakes are commonly made when | | | | You never want to show an expectationof |
| givingbusiness gifts. | | | | anything in return. The right expression of |
| First, many people give the wrong gift. For | | | | gratitudewill build the relationship because of its |
| example, cheappens and trinkets do not have | | | | sincerity. |
| enough life span. Givesomething that they will use | | | | The last mistake is utilizing the wrong giver. |
| and think positive andappreciative thoughts of you | | | | Usually youwill make more of an impact if your |
| and your company. If you givepens, choose a | | | | gift is from oneindividual or a group of individuals. |
| nice heavy duty one that people tend to | | | | Have each person signa card for the recipient. A |
| keeptrack of instead of loosing before the day is | | | | card creates a personal touchthat evokes an |
| over. | | | | emotional response. Everyone understandsthat a |
| Second, some people give gifts to the wrong | | | | company is an impersonal entity. People |
| recipient. Ifyour main contact is a middle manager, | | | | buildrelationships with the individuals within a |
| your interests maybe better served to give a gift | | | | company. |
| to an administrativeassistant in addition to the | | | | If you are in sales and your accounts are local, it |
| manager. That's because thatmanager may not | | | | maymake an impact if you personally delivered |
| be in that position very long before theymove | | | | the gift. Thisact is an opportunity to spend a few |
| somewhere else within the organization. However, | | | | moments in a relaxed,less formal setting that you |
| theadministrative assistant may have their position | | | | may not have previouslyenjoyed. |
| for alonger time span. Therefore, your gift may | | | | Giving corporate gifts is an opportunity for you |
| have a more longlasting affect on your relationship | | | | tostrengthen relationships with individuals in |
| with your customer. | | | | anothercompany. Your gifts can have a greater |
| Third, the wrong occasion is a typical mistake. | | | | impact both on thereceiver and for your own |
| The | | | | company if you strategically planyour gift giving |
| Christmas season is crowded with expressions | | | | activities. Following these corporate giftgiving |
| ofappreciation. Let your competitors get drowned | | | | guidelines can have an impact on your |
| by the mailvolume at Christmas. | | | | company'sbottom line. |
| You would not choose to advertise in a crowded | | | | |