Corporate Gift Ideas

Corporate Gift for Executives

2008-09-12T12:27:00.000+08:00

Corporate Gift for Executives: An Effective Tool to Make You Well-Remembered

Gift giving does not only exist between friends and relatives. It is also inherent amongst companies and corporations. The purpose is the same although for the latter it is made with another intention that might be explained on the business aspect on it. Corporate gifts are used as a tool to show hospitality, appreciation, or gratefulness for business colleagues, employees and clients who made part with the company. Corporate gifts are used either to foster better relationship within the company or used as initial effort to aim business contact with another.

On choosing a corporate executive gift

In choosing the corporate gift, it will all depend on who are going to receive the items. Furthermore, the gifts you are going to give should also be based on what accomplishment they must do. For example, corporate gifts may be given to employees to accomplish better work environment and encourage them to be more productive in the days to come. Moreover, it can be carried on to build business relationships to another company.

If the gift giving is made during the company's event, items that will best commemorate the said event are the perfect presents. Add personal touch into the items by imprinting the name of the event and your employees and guests who attended the event are going to remember the affair for the longest time.

When the gift giving is intended for internal employees of the company (typically made on an annual holiday event held by the company), there are various corporate gifts that you can choose from the market. You can choose something personal that may be of use for the employees (whether for their own desks on the office or for their households). Imprinting the name of the company is optional for this occasion.

For business colleagues, there are choices of corporate executive gifts that will suit their positions in the business world. Corporate executive gifts are best given to a business colleague whether within the same company or from another company and corporation. This time, choosing the item should be done meticulously. It is also a must that the name of your company is embossed/debossed, engraved, or imprinted on the corporate gift item.

Leaving the name printed in any procedure to the items will give them the best tool to have the best recollection of your company. Imprinting, embossing, or engraving the name completely and strongly-adhered to will help them even remember you for as long as they are using the item. In addition, personalizing the items is a good way to promote your company's services and products, albeit in an indirect way.

What are the ideal gifts for executive persons?

Because the persons who are going to receive corporate executive gifts are those who are mostly busy with their schedules, it is best to choose items that will help them with their business activities. Hence, bags of all sorts, office items, key chains, luggage tags, wine carrier bag, notebooks, or any corporate leather gifts are the best choice.

You can also consider giving them executive card, executive toy, crystal globe, glass globe, leather writing pad, bookend, shaker and martini set, glass magnifier, desk set, desk clock, wine decanter, recognition gifts, among others. There are endless items you can choose from, just make sure they are made of the finest materials that will last for a lifetime.

If you could extend your resourcefulness, find something that speaks of uniqueness. Depending on how much you are going to spend on the corporate executive gifts, you can find the most effective tool of making you remembered and be known in the industry.

The Tried, Popular, and True Corporate Christmas Gift

2008-09-12T12:22:00.001+08:00

The Tried, Popular, and True Corporate Christmas Gift

Yes, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. And it is the most expensive too. Okay, let us disregard the expenses and head to the main point: the corporate Christmas gift.

Whether it is for your employee, co-worker, boss, client, business partner, loyal costumer or anyone related to your business, it seems to be a requirement that you will give him or her a corporate Christmas gift of any kind.

And since gift giving is part of reliving the Christmas spirit, here are some of the popular items that are used as corporate Christmas gifts for years:

Christmas cards – Many companies give greeting cards during Christmas. This is probably the cheapest way to tell someone that he or she is appreciated on any contribution he or she has made for the whole year. Christmas card may not be a typical gift that requires a box and a lace but it is certainly send your message load and clear, not to mention in beautiful print.

Calendars – Another year is coming and you want your company to be remembered for the whole year to come. What you should give? A calendar! Most companies give away this especially to their costumers during the Christmas season. It is cheap, safe, and of course, it possesses company name and logo right at someone else's home or office for the next 365 days.

Gift certificates for retail – Since it is very difficult and time consuming for you to buy gift to each one on your list, you may prefer to give them gift certificates instead. This will eliminate the risk committing capital mistakes in gift giving. This will also free you from stress of shopping and gift wrapping. Gift certificates for retail are very much appreciated since the recipient will have the freedom to choose the type of gift he or she wants to receive.

Gift certificates for restaurants – Another option for a corporate Christmas gift would be gift certificates for restaurants. This is also one of the safest and one of the most appreciated types of corporate Christmas gift someone will receive since it appeals to everyone of any age.

Promotional items – To bring the company name right at the hands, homes, and offices of people, promotional items make a popular choice among businesses. Ranging from keychain, office supplies, home décor, accessories, and apparel, promotional items provide a way to make the company be remembered without spending too much on advertisement.

Gift basket – Chocolate gift basket, gourmet gift basket, wine gift basket and many others can be a good way to send your words of thanks to a client or a business partner. Gift basket is a popular choice since the size of the basket impresses many and the number of items in it makes it more attractive to the recipient.

Flowers – Another all time favorite corporate Christmas gift is a bunch of flowers. Although there are some rules to follow when giving flowers to someone such as cultural symbols, it is generally the safe choice of gift.

Corporate Anniversary Gift: How You Profit from Sharing

2008-09-12T12:19:00.000+08:00

Corporate Anniversary Gift: How You Profit from Sharing

When you care for your employees and clients alike, you give them corporate anniversary gift. This is the best way to make them feel they are a valued part of the company. If the company is celebrating its anniversary, this is the best time to stock corporate gifts and shower them to people who are directly or indirectly involved with the company.

One may ask: why do you have to spend bulks of money over corporate anniversary gifts that will not profit the business anyway? Now, the concept is adhered to the fact that people love receiving free items and services. They actually feel better when they receive free lunch, when they collect gifts from friends and relatives, and they absolutely love it when these free things regularly come their way.

And so, corporate anniversary gifts are used and included in practically all companies’ and corporations’ aim to reach out to their employees and customers.

Although one may think that giving corporate anniversary gifts is a waste of money, in general this is not justified. The fact that you made people happy when they receive the corporate gifts is already an accomplishment alone. However, this is not your ultimate goal why you are giving out corporate anniversary gifts. Corporate gifts, in truth, are given primarily because of two things:

a. First, when your employees received the gifts you made them happy. When they are satisfied and grateful because of your effort to make them feel they are valued as part of the company, this is not an effort that does not get something in return.

Because they are happy, they would be more inspired with their work. When they are inspired, they would increase their productivity rate in the days to come to which this could be a way for them to give something in return of your noble idea.

Providing corporate gifts can also be made especially when in your department you see a snail working force that does not suggest high productivity team. Giving them gifts, but without manifesting that you are asking for bargain, may just do the trick.

In this case, who says that you are wasting your money over an effort that does not pay you back?

b. Second, in cases of customers/clients’ receiving your corporate anniversary gifts, it does not simply end there. Because they appreciate your efforts of making them feel they are special and valued customers, they would most likely go back to avail of your products and services.

This means you are going to have a steady, regular flow of customers and clients. So, again, who says you get nothing when you spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars over corporate anniversary gifts?

When choosing your corporate anniversary gifts, you have to ensure the people who are going to receive them will make use of them. Corporate anniversary gifts can be as anything small to bigger items.

You can shower personal items from which your employees may be happy utilizing them in their personal everyday routine. You can also give the same items to your customers when they come in contact with your company.

Corporate anniversary gifts are what you need to add to your marketing and work operation strategy for a variety of reasons. They can be used as tool for motivating workers gain higher productivity rate and attract loyalty of customers and clients. But whatever the purpose, the true essence of gift giving will still remain its noble purpose of sharing.

Corporate Gift Buying Essentials

2008-09-12T12:16:00.001+08:00

Corporate Gift Buying Essentials

Buying a corporate gift can become a daunting task. Giving it is worse since you have the intention to gain business ties, connect with clients, and send your message of giving thanks. Knowing the following corporate gift buying essentials will increase your chances of attaining these goals.

Know the company policy – Some companies prohibit gift giving; some have dollar limits on the gift item; while other don’t have limits at all. Check on this particular detail so that you will know how much you have to spend on a particular item to avoid your gift being sent back to you.

First impression lasts – Packaging is important. This will give the first impression to the receiver. A good packaging will send a message to the recipient that he or she is important to you. A poor packaging on the other hand will tell the recipient that the item inside is not that important, or worse, the recipient may think that he is not important. So regardless of the price of the gift inside the package, it is inevitable that a corporate gift is packed appropriately.

Handwritten cards is much appreciated – Yes, it is easier to buy a Hallmark card and put your signature on it together with your gift, but it will leave a more lasting effect if you prefer having your message handwritten. This would mean that you personally made the massage to the person and not use a ready-made one.

Deliver the gift personally – If your gift does not require a crane or more than one person to carry, make it a point to personally deliver the gift to the intended party. This will create a better and lasting impression of you once he opened the gift.

Know the cultural differences – For Germans, red roses mean romantic intentions. For Chinese, a white gift wrapping symbolizes death. For Japanese, a gift in sets of 4 means death. These are some of the cultural differences or you can say symbolisms that you need to take note of when considering giving a corporate gift to someone of another culture. You may have a clean intention but it is safe to follow and respect who they are and what they believe in.

Know the recipient's wants – Knowing what kind of corporate gift to buy is very challenging and is often very risky. Sometimes, if you have no idea on what to give, you often end up giving the wrong kind of gift. This will ruin you as well as your company image. To lessen the difficulty and reduce the risk, know the person who will receive the gift what his wants, his hobbies, interest, etc. What is the best way to do it? Make a call and ask him such information.

Go for quality – The corporate gift often reflects to your company's image. It is hard to build up reputation and good image, do not ruin it by giving something of a low quality. Choose a corporate gift that is of high quality but does not destroy your budget.

Check the IRS deductions – The IRS Publication 463 is something you should know of since business gifts in America are tax deductible (as much as $25/person in a tax year). This excludes shipping the gift and packaging. Other rules may apply to other types of business structure.

2008-09-12T12:13:00.000+08:00

Choosing Baby Basket Corporate Gift

Corporate gift baskets are sure to build relationships between you, your employees and clients, depending on your target person. Any smart boss would know the value of having strengthened relationship expressed through items that are sent through rewards, compensations or simply expressions of gratitude and appreciation.

While corporate gift baskets are often composed of delectable food selections, choicest office items, luxury objects like engraved trophies and plaques intended for the employees and the clients themselves, some company owners still find touchy ways of sending gifts. Among the most common (and better appreciated ones) are the baby basket corporate gifts and the maternity corporate gifts.

A new baby certainly elates feelings of joy and content for the parents. This can be best complemented through sending a selection of items that will add more meaning to the coming of a new soul. The thing is, parents normally appreciate everything that is intended to be good for their child.

Sending a baby basket corporate gift to your employee, clients and customers is an ideal medium of sending the warmth of welcome to the new soul and to congratulate the parents. The little one would definitely need delicate care and comfort. There are various selections of baby basket corporate gifts.

Central to one's choice of baby basket corporate gifts is the theme that will coordinate each item. The most common basis for theme is color which tends to be either blue or pink. Obviously, blue for the boy and girly stuffs matched with hues of pink.

You can add flavor on these with special greeting cards that can reaffirm the significance of the coming of a baby boy or girl. Additionally, it would not hurt if the mom will be given personal stuffs like dresses.

A new mom will certainly love objects that would deliver softness and comfort for his son or daughter. Gentle soaps, baby shampoos and creams, oils, cuddly towels, and wonderful little toys would all do well for a newborn babe. A combination of baby garments can also add up to the delight of having a new soul in the home. If you want to send out going out stuffs, a good mixture of diaper stuffs and bags, an assortment of feeding bottles, a stroller and others can be a good idea too. Toy baskets are also appreciated as this would add more joy and connection between the mom and the kid.

Be mindful of the timing for the baby basket corporate gift though. However, this must not only be limited to a newborn baby. Baby basket corporate gifts can be sent to anyone who is celebrating a thing or two for a little one. Say, there are baby corporate baskets gifts that are created specifically for birthdays, Christmas and virtually all other occasions.

For broader choices of baby gift items, you can search on the catalogs as provided by the local retail store or through online merchants. Depending on your choice, you can have the customization and the personalization of the gift items. These two combined, you are sure to tap the sensibility side of any parent.

You can also be creative for your choices of gifts. In India, jewelries are often treated as baby gifts. There is no harm if you would adopt this culture. However, you can go on to the extent of using gift certificates, gift cards and other means of sending gifts with preloaded value. These would provide much freedom n the parents to choose what they want for their daughter or son.

Baby basket corporate gifts must also be based on the age pf the child or the personal preference of the parents. Say, the appropriate gifts for a 3-year old child are toys while newborns can be given stuffs that are fit for newborns such as those we have mentioned earlier.

Simple Rules on Giving Corporate Gifts

2008-08-29T01:51:00.000+08:00

Simple Rules on Giving Corporate Gifts to Your Employees

Give gifts to everyone and don’t play favorites. – This means that you have to give gifts from your assistant to the utility. Treat them all equal. If you plan to give different items to each of them, the value should only be within a couple of dollars.

If you are giving gifts to selected few, be discreet. – If in case you only plan to give gifts to a chosen few like your assistant, few clerks, and the receptionists, do not tell everyone about your plan. Keep it silent and hand your gifts when no one else who can see; it may be out of the office. You can be charged with favoritism if you are not careful enough.

Be fair to everyone and consistent. – A personalized gift to one employee means personalized gift to all. Do not give special gift to someone and a uniform token to the rest. Doing this will create negative feedbacks against you.

Choose appropriate gifts – There is a thick line that divides the appropriate gifts from the inappropriate ones. However, even if it may seem so hard to cross this border, there are still some who want to test the un-chartered terrain. Leave that task to those who want to take the unnecessary risks.

For your employees, make sure that what you choose as a corporate gift suits the person. Be safe and use common sense. You know very well that the gift items you can give to your wife/husband are different from the gift items you can give to your employees.

Also, your diabetic employees should not receive chocolates or cookies; your overweight employees should not receive clothes that will not fit them; and so on.

Avoid gender discrimination – Of course, you will choose your gift according to gender but make sure that you treat each of them equally. Do not buy a $50-gift for men and a $10 gift for women. Keep it equal. Better yet, choose an item that will suit both men and women and give it to all.

A gift is different from a party – Do not think that once you have given your employees a party, you have already given them your gift. A party is a party; a gift is a gift… plain and simple.

Take gift returns easily. – Receiving returned gifts may be quite an embarrassing experience but make sure you do not go ballistic that would end that employee an added figure in the unemployment rate. You will only scare everyone if you do that. Keep them comfortable and appreciate their honesty.

Take into account the important matters – Do not just give what you want; give what is right. Consider your employees' religion, ethnicity, health, personal ethics, cultural background, etc. Make sure you take note of these things so that you avoid hurting your employees in the process or having your gifts returned.

Work related Gift items should be avoided – Any corporate gift item not related to work is very much appreciated since your employees are not compelled to use it at the office or where you can see it.

Don’t give double-meaning gift items – "Idiot guide to counting from one to ten correctly", "better understanding about work and professionalism", "easy guide to lose pounds", "book on Labor Code", and anything of the same sort can insult anyone. These items must be avoided at all cost.

2008-08-28T01:00:00.001+08:00

Choosing a Top-Notch Corporate Gift Item

The kind of corporate gift that you will give can either turn the table in your favor or bounce back to you in a negative way. In other words, giving a corporate gift can either make or break any of your intention or attempt to make a good relationship since the gift itself represents your name and your company. This says that it is very important to carefully choose what type of corporate gift item you should give. So, what should you do then? How to choose a corporate gift item to a particular person?

For some, choosing a corporate gift item is not easy but knowing the things to consider in the selection process, you can make this an entirely enjoyable task.

Ask yourself, who will receive the gift?

Whether the gift is for your boss, a business partner or a client, there is one thing you have to bear in mind: the QUALITY of the gift. Food, wine, cigars, office decors, personal accessories, collection piece, and other corporate gift you can think of should be accentuated with the topmost quality. If it is a thing, then it should be a crafted in "perfection." If it is food, it should be the best you can find. The thing is, there is a lot at stake when you present a corporate gift to someone, and the price should not matter since you have a certain and bigger intention why give corporate gift.

Speaking of the price, the next thing you should know consider is the brand. Known manufacturers can easily convey the price of the gift. Recognizable brand names can easily attract attention. This is important especially if the person that will receive the gift will be receiving many gifts on the same day. Your gift should be remembered and should be a stand out.

The type of corporate gift item should be the next thing you consider. Is it something that can be displayed or used? Is the item related to his or her interest? Is the item related to his work?

A gift item that can be displayed or used is okay but one misjudgment on the type of item you have to buy can result to something bad. If you are choosing an office display, then you must know how his office looks like. Ask this: "What particular office item does he/she lack?" Making sure that you know the answer to this question will result in picking the perfect corporate gift item for him/her. Try to look around in his/her office and spot a place where your gift can perfectly fit in.

Any person would appreciate when he or she receives something that sparks his or her interest. For example, your boss or your business partner loves cigars. Think of something that he or she can use together with his or her cigar. It can be a cigar lighter, leather cigar case, or a box of cigar from the best brand you can find. For someone who likes to collect watches, you can consider a leather watch case or another watch to add his or her collection.

Sometimes, it is better not to give a corporate gift that is related to work.

So, does choosing a top-notch corporate gift item equate choosing something with a high tag price? Of course! Corporate gift is an investment on relationship so it should better be excellent or not give anything at all.

Do's and Don'ts

2008-08-27T01:00:00.000+08:00

Corporate Gift: Do's and Don'ts of Client Gift Giving

Do's:

Do make a plan – Corporate gift giving is not purely on running at the department store or shopping online, wrapping gifts, and giving it to your client. It should be planned and carefully worked out. Corporate gift is an investment both on money and relationship; making sure that every gift that you give to each of your client will make sure that what you have invested will bring you better returns.

Do send different gifts – If you have stable clients for years, make sure that they receive a different type of gift each year; just to give them something to look forward to. An exciting gift is remembered as well as the company that sends it.

Do check on the things that interest your clients – Each person has his or her own tickle spot. If you are able to hit that spot with the right gift, them you might have already achieved your goal for gift giving as well. Check on the things that interest your client to make sure that you are actually giving the right gift. You may call your clients or check on their wish list so that you have better idea on what to give.

Do the delivery yourself – A person that frees himself just to give the gift personally can be very much appreciated by the intended receiver.

Do consider that the gift is the representation of your company. – Since investing on corporate gift is the way to keep clients loyal to your company and the services it offers, the right corporate gift can turn out to be a good means to increase revenue on the following years. Thus, image is very important. Choose a gift that is of high quality but does not ruin your budget.

Don'ts:

Don't go with the popular – Wall clocks, alarm clocks, ball pens, paper weights, coffee mugs, etc… these items, even if they cost $100 each are still worthless because your client has at least one of them already, either at home or at the office. Stay away from these common corporate gift items.

Don’t overlook cultural differences – If you are going to send a corporate gift to someone with different nationality, make sure that the item you are giving is not against his or her culture, belief or tradition. Items that do not mean anything to you may be offensive to the receiver so be careful on the items you are planning to give as a gift.

Don’t send gifts to former clients – You may not intend to send different message but sending gifts to former clients may give the impression that you are attempting to win back their loyalty.

Don’t forget the assistants – Your client's assistant is the next person you want to build good relations with, so make an effort to send him or her something he or she would appreciate. It may be a small thing for you but for your client's assistant, a thought of being remembered is a big thing.

Don’t expect something in return – If you give a client a gift, do not expect him or her to reciprocate the favor. However, it is a good gesture to send a thank you card if you happen to receive something from someone.

Timing and Appropriateness

2008-08-26T01:00:00.000+08:00

Timing and Appropriateness- The Basics of Corporate Awards and Gifts

Corporate award and gifts are great for mostly everything, including the marketing of your company. It is also good for maintaining working relationships among people in your businesses while keeping the expenses relatively smaller than acquiring new allies. This does not imply though that your corporate award and gifts must be limited only to people you have established relationship with. As we have already said, it can also be used to promote your company to other customers or to new clients.

Selecting personal gifts are difficult enough. And despite of this hurdle, this still not enough to warrant that your gift will be appreciated the way you expected it to be. Thus, it is often hard to brainstorm on what you can give while maximizing the budget you have set for it. Nevertheless, one thought should always be kept in mind- a corporate gift, more specifically an award, is a measure of your appreciation to your valued employees, workers, clients, customers and those people who participate in your company's growth.

On the other hand, corporate awards and gifts can also be used as a source of motivation for increasing the sales via giving rewards to your top performers and business teams and units after meeting and exceeding their pre-set goals. This way, it works pretty much like an incentive for a work well done.

Whether you choose to give corporate gifts and awards to your employees and workers or to your clients, you still must observe specific gift etiquettes. Central to this is the timing and appropriateness of giving the gifts.

The Appropriateness of Recipients

To whom will you give the corporate gift? Is it to the boss, to company owner, to a typical workman or an officemate? Each workplace hierarchy should be given varying levels of credit. It's good if everyone is treated equally in a working place regardless of their position. But the truth is, we give much credit to higher standing colleagues than those with lower positions. On the other hand, close friends in the working place are also given much credit than ordinary, day-to-day coworkers.

Economically-wise, you must also take into thought how much you are willing to spend for an award or gift through maximizing the budget and giving enough justifications on the relationship you have with the receiver. You would not give a $50 corporate award and gift to a million-dollar investor, would you?

All companies have varying policies regarding corporate awards and gifts. It is best to check on this first before attempting to send something out unless it is a personal gift from you to a friend in unit.

The Timing

Occasions must also be taken into consideration when sending a corporate award or gift. This is much like thinking of what to give for a birthday celebrant or an anniversary party. There are again, various considerations that you must mull over to fit your gift into the occasion.

Corporate award and gifts for the commemoration of specific major events- These include major holidays, company anniversary, birthdays of the company figures, or simply a special event in the company's life such as the founding and great achievements of sorts.

Corporate award and gifts for company social events- Whatever your company's choice of event is, there certainly are some gifts that would matched the stuff. Say, golf corporate baskets, awarding of tickets and special treats to specific gatherings, get away surprises and others.

Celebration of specific events- These include maternity celebration, retirement, long services leave, staff birthdays, team building events, an a lot more others.

Great Ideas for Corporate Gifts

2008-08-25T12:16:00.000+08:00

Great Ideas for Corporate Gifts

"What's your main purpose for sending a gift?" is probably the central question when deciding on what items to send away.

Well, you must realize that giving corporate gifts are not purely out of altruistic reasons. This act has tinges of marketing goals and should be well thought of since any mistake done can largely affect the customer relationship.

Like in all marketing tactics, one has to take into account the balancing between several factors including the costs of the corporate gift, the main purposes and the probable benefits including the possible adverse feedback of the recipient in case of wrong choice of items.

One main point of consideration is the appropriateness of the gift. For one, the budget must suit the items to be chosen. The very thing you must be thinking about is if the corporate gift would meet both your objectives and in turn drive a smooth relationship between you and your recipients. This of course does not mean to say that you always have to put business in your mind even in giving gifts away. Instead, you must earn to maximize the benefits and the investments you gave.

Depending on several factors, your choice of corporate gift must suit perfectly by judging economic values alone. Say if your transaction with a business partner is a couple of million dollars a year, you must justify this partnership through sending a corporate gift worth of the "business'" size.

Unless you find good meaning in sending a thousand-dollar worth corporate gift to a business partner with insignificant investment on your business, you should be weighing things out so that they would not be too overwhelming or too unjustifiable.

Thus, deciding on what to include in your corporate gift is somewhat difficult. The first rule here is to know your customer.

Personalization would best compliment your corporate gift. This will send a message to the gift recipient that he had been well thought of or at least, that you gave time to mull over his personal preferences. In the end, even if your corporate gift is not highly-priced, you will still be given good credit with the act of personalizing the gift.

Suppliers of corporate gifts can be reached through the internet. Such online suppliers knew the value of adding personal touches on gifts to extend their meaning.

If you decide to have just one personalized item on your corporate gift basket, assure to it that it's placed on a strategic place which can add up to the appreciation of the other items included. But do not limit your choices with only one personalized item. In fact, more stuffs like these would be far better appreciated. Be mindful though that you have a good combination of choices to make better and lasting impressions purely because you are establishing good relationships with your customers.

Another great idea for corporate gifts is to try something new. You need not stick with too much of the old things like fruit baskets; why not go for techy stuffs to make the corporate gift a little more interesting.

You might want to consider the latest gadgets there are in the market these days. In doing this though, you must be aware of your recipient's preferences to avoid certain mishaps.

There. Those are but two of the innumerable great stuffs that you can send your customers.