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It is important to show clients that you care about them and always have their best interests at heart. One way to do this is to choose the perfect corporate gift. There are many things to choose and it is often difficult to know what the best option is and how to suit the choice to each client. If you are struggling with this decision, you are not alone. Many professionals struggle when it comes to this particular decision. As a result, many professionals simply choose to either avoid it or pick the first thing they come to. Neither of the options should ever be considered. Thankfully, there are ways to make this decision far easier and ease the burden of the decision.
Remember, many professionals before you have struggled with these same decisions and have found ways to make things easier on themselves as well as future generations. All you have to do is follow the advice of those who have gone before you and done all of the necessary work to make things easier. If you are looking for advice on how to choose the perfect corporate gift, look no further. Here, you will find a list of details guiding you in the process. You will find tips, suggestions, advice, and basic overall guidance.
Check Corporate Policies On Gifts
Before you go to great lengths making decisions and taking the time to choose the perfect gift, you need to consult your company’s guidelines to ensure that you are allowed to send a corporate gift. Some companies, for a variety of reasons, do not allow employees to give a corporate gift, but they allow employee appreciation gifts. If you are not familiar with your company’s policies regarding this matter, always start by educating yourself. You should have direct access to the company guidelines, but if you are having trouble finding the information you need or do not fully understand the policies, ask your superior.
Even if you already know what the policy on giving a corporate gift is, there are other aspects to consider. Most companies that allow giving this type of gift, set a limit on how much it can cost. If you do not already have this information, you need to obtain it before taking any further steps. Also, each company has different rules are regulations regarding tax breaks and other aspects of giving a corporate gift. Always take the time to learn about these rules and regulations before taking any other steps. If you do not know where to get this information, consult your CPA, they will have the information you need.
Know Your Client
The first step to choosing amazing corporate gifts is knowing your client. The better you know your client, the easier time you will have choosing a gift. If you are not yet well acquainted with a particular client, there is no time like the present to change that. Do not hesitate to contact your client and talk to them openly. Ask about hobbies, preferences, dietary restrictions (if you are considering a food item), and their likes and dislikes. Many people hesitate to have this type of conversation with their clients, but it will not only help in choosing a corporate gift, but it will also grow the professional relationship and improve your overall interactions.
If you are uncomfortable staring this type of conversation with your clients, start by telling them that you want to send them a “token of your appreciation” and would like to know about their preferences. This will start a dialog that will vastly improve your long-term working relationship. Your client will be grateful that you are taking the time and making an effort to get to know them, it provides a level of customer service that people feel is often lacking, particularly in larger companies. Also, it is important to imbue your gift with a particular message. It is best to decide exactly what message you want the gift to send before committing to anything.
Decide On The Corporate Gift Budget
At this point, it is time to begin making decisions about the gift itself. There are several things to consider when choosing not only the actual gift but also the company where you purchase the gift. The first consideration is the obvious one, make sure you are getting quality products that will not compromise how you budget money. You do not want to purchase low-quality items to give to your clients as that would reflect poorly on your and the company you are representing. In essence, a poor quality gift sends the exact opposite message that a corporate gift should send.
Leave An Impression
Along with this consideration is another aspect that is of equal importance. This gift is meant to make a lasting impression of your company. This means that you do not want to purchase a gift that is full of promotional items for the company that you bought the gift from. This makes more of an impression for that company instead of yours, this is counter-intuitive to your goals.
Make It Personal
Next, consider personalization. Including a handwritten note or an engraved item makes a lasting impression. It tells the client that you care about them and their well being. It says that you take a personal interest in them and will solidify a much better relationship in the future. This is important to note for many reasons, but when it comes to choosing a gift, one of the primary reasons is that you will have to decide on how you want to personalize the gift. Depending on what you choose, you will have to seek out a specific type of company to purchase the gift from.
Find A Deal On Gifts
Finally, look for companies that provide discounts, particularly bulk discounts. If you are going to be purchasing multiple corporate gifts, you want to get the best price possible. Many companies will provide this type of discount to ensure loyalty. They want you to keep coming back every time you need to send a gift. Always look for this is the company you choose. While this is not necessary, it is better overall. This goes back to providing quality gifts that will not break your budget.
