Giving Corporate Gifts: Beyond Mugs and Pens

Before any of us know it, the holidays will be here. For business people that means it's time for making your corporate gift list and checking it twice. There are two primary concerns: finding an item that is appropriate for your clients and one that speaks well for your organization.

It seems obvious to suggest that the gift be suitable for your client. However, if you have a large list and a diverse one, this can be the challenge. In gift giving, one size does not necessarily fit all. Your life will be made infinitely easier if you can select a single item to represent your organization. Clearly you want to find something that will appeal to a variety of people.

You can personalize your gift by choosing one that is representative of your area -- either something that is characteristic of your region or made in your locale. Often but not always, those items are food. From Georgia, the obvious ones are peanuts and pecans. However, look closely to see that you really have purchased peanuts from Georgia, and not some other state.

When you give food as a gift, keep in mind that it may need to be shared. If you send a box of fruit to a department or a team, everyone there will want some. Make sure you send enough, particularly of the favorite items. You don't want to be remembered for the food fight you created.

If you are sending gifts to individuals, books about the area or music by a local artist are good choices. People will notice and appreciate when you put extra time and thought into your holiday gifts. The message that you send is that you value the client and their business. It is hard to go wrong there.

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Lydia Ramsey, speaker and author of MANNERS THAT SELL, is a leading authority on business etiquette. To receive her FREE business etiquette tips, click here: http://lydiaramsey.com/signup/index.html or http://www.mannersthatsell.com/.

Giving Corporate Gifts: Beyond Mugs and Pens

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