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10 Things to consider when sending a corporate gift |
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1. Personalize it!
Have your sales and account management teams keep notes on customers' personal preferences and hobbies. Or, call the recipient's assistant or coworker to learn more about favorite hobbies or special interests, such as a favorite sport or whether they collect anything. For your employees, make sure HR is keeping track of special occasions in people's lives. Include a personal note on the gift card rather than a generic message.
2. Be sensitive to religious or cultural differences.
Unless you are very clear on the specific tastes and religious affiliations of your recipients, take a cautious approach and make sure not to offend! For instance, the Chinese associate white with funerals, so make sure the wrapping paper is a bright color, such as red, which is considered good luck. See our comments on Avoiding cultural gift giving faux pas to learn about other general cultural distinctions.
3. Match the gift to the occasion.
If you're recognizing many years of service from a valued employee, mark the occasion with a long-lasting product such as an engraved crystal vase or silver keepsake. Perhaps if you're congratulating an employee on a recent wedding, send a home & garden-oriented gift rather than a gift for office use.
4. Align the gift with your business.
Give the recipient something unique that has a connection to your company. If you're giving a gift to a new hire moving to town from another location, give them a gift with local orientation such as a wine tote for a Bay Area company, a poker set for a Las Vegas company., or a Manhattan Martini tote for someone moving to New York city. Or, if their job requires extensive travel, checkout jet set exec products…and so on.
5. Consider corporate branded products.
Logo imprinted products come in a full range of products and price points. Between traditional engraving, digital imaging, laser engraving, embroidery, silkscreening, and now photo image transfer, you can customize just about anything including crystal vases, mahogany cases, silver frames, pens and even cookies and cakes! Logo imprinted products reinforce your brand and increase the impact of gift giving.
6. Make the most of your budget.
Consider the people and assets that are really critical to your business. To some companies, having smaller gifts for everyone is more important than offering larger gifts to select people. We think it's always a good idea to have at least part of your budget focused on smaller corporate branded items such as a flash card drive, mini travel mouse or post it notes. Ordering these products in bulk is cost efficient and handy for visiting customers and partners to remember your company and brand. Remember, no matter how small, people love free stuff!
7. Give yourself enough time.
Many of the best corporate gifts are personalized with a personal engraving or a corporate logo. For quality products personalized products or general product ordering around the holidays, production times and shipments are longer than usual. We recommend placing such orders 8 weeks ahead of the needed date.
8. Keep in mind form and function.
For example, if you're giving a gift to a customer visiting from out of town, it's probably best to provide something that can be easily added to their suitcase and will withstand the bumps and bruises of baggage handling. A travel product already designed for portability or a compact item such as an elegent pen/pencil set are good examples. Alternatively, have the gift sent directly to them or offer to ship the gift to their home or office on their behalf after presentation.
9. Check the recipient's corporate policy.
Avoid the embarrassing situation of a recipient having to return a gift by doing your homework first. Some companies limit the type or value of gift that an employee can accept. You can call the HR department of the recipient company to learn about the guidelines and avoid anything that may come across as bribery. If there is a no gift policy you still can ask whether a gift for the whole company's enjoyment (e.g., coffee maker or gift basket) could be sent. In general, we recommend not giving a gift during a bid or negotiation for a contract.
10. Check with the IRS.
Gifts to a company such as a coffee maker is considered an indirect gift because it is earmarked for the group. There is no limit on deduction in that case. A company can only deduct $25 for a direct gift to an individual. |
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 H2Go BPA Free Water Bottle: Water bottles are at a height of their popularity, take advantage of it by giving your clients an imprinted bottle! |
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 8 in 1 Screwdriver with Light: This screwdriver will come in handy at any office! Comes with 8 different functions and a magnetic retriever tip. Reg: $5.00 as low as $3.25Details Inside
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 Showcase your brand in a tasteful way with our scrumptious, fresh baked logo cookies. Unique and fun, promotional cookies individually-wrapped or bunched in baskets are great for any occasion. |
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Dartmouth College,
Class of 1958
 “We needed personalized gifts for our 50th year alumni reunion. Silver Lining worked with us over the course of several months to find the perfect customized items for our classmates."
Read more... |
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