By Jane Moritz, Expert, Corporate Gifts, Kosher Gift Baskets, Owner, Challah Connection
Our years in the gift basket and food gift business have taught us volumes about corporate gift giving. We are pleased to share this experience and provide guidance in selecting corporate gifts that will enhance your companya??s image and make your customers happy.
A thoughtfully considered corporate gift-giving program is important for all companies, large or small. Gifts can be sent to clients, prospective clients and employees and are generally used to enhance a company relationship. There are many types of gifts to give and are most often given at holiday time (sympathy gift baskets are also often given when there is a death in the family of a client or employee). The most frequently given gifts are gourmet gift baskets filled with a variety of gourmet foods, logo-bearing merchandise, and gift certificates. However, most people agree that a unique and high quality food gift is more meaningful than a t-shirt or mug with your companya??s logo. Remember, great food touches people in a way that a logo coffee mug will not!
Follow these simple steps and your corporate gifts will be a success:
Step 1: Determine Industry and Company Gift Giving Policies
Think you couldna??t be fired for giving a gift to someone who isna??t supposed to get one? Think again. Some industries have strict regulations that forbid gifts to employees and/or customers that are above a certain level. Be sure that your industry isna??t one of these!
Real Life Example: I recently heard a story of a Pharmaceutical Sales Rep at a large company. He made the mistake of letting one of his customers bring his wife to dinner. Although his performance was excellent, the company had to let him go.
Once youa??ve established industry a??clearance,a?? research any policy your company has in place regarding gift giving. Is there a $ limit? Specific credit card to use? Approved vendors? Best to avoid getting scolded by your companya??s compliance officer.
Step 2: Determine Objectives of your Gift Program
Looking to strengthen the relationship with existing clients? Looking to get your foot in the door with prospective clients? Or, perhaps youa??d like to thank employees for their hard work. Awareness of these objectives will lead you to the right corporate gift solution.
Step 3: Establish Recipient List
Depending on the purpose of your gift, you may have several recipient types within your list. Key questions to consider:
-What are their ages and genders?
-What are their interests (if you know them)? Any special needs or interests? Special diets?
-What is their relationship to your company (employee? customer?)
-Shipping to home or office? If home, will family members be sharing the gift? Are there young children? Are there family members with health issues? If office, how many office mates will be sharing the gift?
Recommendation: If the gift is going to be shared with family or office mates, be sure the gift has widespread appeal. However, truly targeting your gift is the a??home run.a?? For example, if you know that children will be sharing the gift, be sure there is something in the basket they will love. Thoughtfulness helps!
Recommendation: If you are sending gifts to several/many individuals at one address, save shipping costs by bulk shipping all of the gifts to a designated person who will distribute the gifts or put them into the internal mail stream. Be sure to give that person a special thanks!
Step 4: Create a budget
How much do you have to spend? How much can you afford per recipient? Do not forget to check for company gift-giving policies that may limit each gifta??s dollar value. If you are giving gifts to just a few clients, your gifts can be larger and more expensive, especially if they are a??high wortha?? clients/employees. However if your budget needs to cover gifts for many recipients, you will need to spend less on each. For a quality food gift, you can expect to spend a minimum of $20 per recipient, plus shipping (ground shipping anywhere in the US is approximately $8-$10). Tins of rugelach, cookies or pastries are appropriate gifts in this price range.
If your recipient list is large (more than 25), you have leverage to negotiate volume pricing. Dona??t forget to budget for shipping!
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