Management
5 Quick Tips for Memorable, Effective Corporate Gift-Giving
Follow these five recommendations and strengthen your relationships with partners and customers
By Sarah Rohlfing
November 2, 2011
Corporate gift-giving season historically gains momentum every November. Gift-giving practices are now customary and even expected.
Corporate gifts should express appreciation and be tangible tokens of gratitude with lasting shelf lives. Companies must ensure the gifts that they are giving send the right message and are valued by their recipients.
Here are five simple steps to ensure an effective corporate gifting season.
1. Stay on trend. From an iPad 2 to Majorica pearls or Villeroy & Boch dinnerware, choose items that are currently in demand and hold trophy value.
2. Personalize. Taking the time to choose gifts that reflect the interests and mindset of the recipient will make them more meaningful than a cookie-cutter approach toward all recipients. A techie might appreciate a docking station from Monster, whereas a fashionista may prefer a Michael Kors handbag.
3. Focus on the client. Regardless of the perceived opportunity, self-promotional items should not be considered for corporate gift-giving, as they do little to improve personal business relationships and may decrease the value of the gift in the recipient’s eyes.
4. Make a statement. Corporate gifts should emphasize the values of the company and signify appropriate feelings of appreciation toward the recipient.
5. Create a memorable presentation. Almost as important as the gift itself is the presentation. Gifts should be nicely wrapped and delivered in person or with a handwritten note whenever possible.
Companies interested in gifting high-value items from top name brands, while keeping an eye on the bottom line, should look to incentive companies. Their factory-direct relationships with leading brands allow corporations to purchase in-demand items at the most competitive prices.
Sarah Rohlfing is marketing manager at Rymax Marketing Services Inc., the largest national direct manufacturer’s representative in the incentive industry, providing brand-name merchandise rewards for incentive programs, promotions, and corporate gifts. Based in Pine Brook, NJ, Rymax creates and manages total incentive solutions. For more, visit www.rymaxinc.com.