How Giving Business Gifts is Good for Your Business

Money is tight everywhere. We are all feeling the pinch as gas prices drive up the cost of everything. If you're a business owner though, now is not the time to give up the giving of gifts to your valued customers, vendors, employees or others that you rely upon make you successful.

There are several reasons that, even in hard times, we should continue gift giving.

• Business gifts can be a great marketing tool
• Gifts can be personalized depending on how well you know the recipient
• Gifts to employee's create loyalty and a sense that you care about them
• You can spend a small dollar amount but add a personal note and hand deliver a gift to reconnect or right a wrong
• Gifts are a small gesture that carries a great impact if given at the right time and if you choose the right gift

As the owner of a gift basket business I follow trends and changes in etiquette that effect gift giving. There are no set in stone rules because we all know that things change and the gift depends on the recipient and the purpose for sending it. I would make the following suggestions though:

• Only send wine or alcohol to people that you know personally as well as professionally. If you send wine or alcohol without knowing someone well you run the risk of sending it to someone who has moral objections, a history of alcoholism, or sending to a business where alcohol is not permitted on the premises. This can be costly and embarrassing mistakes.
• Find a professional to help you choose gifts and develop a lasting relationship with that person. A professional will become familiar with your business and will be able to assist you in finding the perfect gifts to reflect your business and to make the most impact for your money.
• Don't wait until the last minute, especially around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. You'll not only get the leftovers but you also will pay a lot more. Many companies will give you volume discounts for orders that are placed early because this allows them to project their needed inventory and manpower.
• Look locally. I provide a service for business owners where I come to you. This gives me a chance to learn your business and to get to know you on your turf. We then complete a series of questions that help to give me a picture of the overall needs and then tailor your gifts so they are more personal. Find someone in your community who can offer this service. It really takes the pressure off when the holidays roll around or when you need a gift quickly for some unexpected event.
• Look for opportunities to send a gift when it will be most noticed and appreciated. Many businesses only send gifts around the Christmas holidays. The problem with this is that everyone else is sending then so your gift may not get the recognition you want it to get. Try sending gifts at an odd time of the year or from some quirky occasion, it will be remembered.
• Gifts are a great way to show appreciation for your employees when you can't afford to give raises. Do you have a hard-working employee with a family who has been putting in extra hours to help out? Send them a movie-night basket filled with popcorn and snacks along with a gift certificate from a local video store. This will show that you recognize his/her commitment to work as well as family. Have an employee who's had a death in the family? Send a food gift to that employees home with a hand-written condolence card. Flowers at the funeral home often go unnoticed because the grieving are overwhelmed. There are many ways to make sure employees feel valued and cared for without spending a lot of money.

Business gifts can be a great way to strengthen business relationships, create loyalty and improve your overall business. This shouldn't be an area that you cut when times get hard. This may the dollars you spend that make all the difference in keeping your business ahead of your competitors.