How to Give Gifts in the Business World
Every entrepreneur has once thought about giving a gift to their employee or business partner. However, not everyone decides to go through with this. This is mostly because they simply don’t know what to get them. And trust us, there’s really nothing worse than making a faux pas and watching a business associate having no clue what their gift really is. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be that way. With just a little effort and preparation, you could become a gift giving master. And here’s a list of things you need to do if you want to get there.
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Take mental notes
If you think choosing the right gift starts a day before you’re actually supposed to give it, you’re wrong. Whether it’s an employee you see on a daily basis or a business partner you have occasional meetings with, try to take mental notes of what they want. For instance, if they mention they’re a huge music fan, getting them a record is something you just can’t go wrong with. Or if there’s a basketball game they’re dying to see, look no further than good ticks for it. In case there are many people you’ll be giving gifts to, we recommend keeping a list of your gift ideas in your smartphone.
Be appropriate
Picking gifts for your business associates isn’t the same as picking a gift for your best friend. Even if you’ve known them for years, there are still some boundaries you shouldn’t cross when giving a gift. Basically, anything that’s even slightly intimate should be off limits. This is especially the case when choosing gifts for a business associate of opposite gender. Also, before making any final decisions on the gift you’re buying, make sure it can’t offend them on a religious basis. If you believe your gift may not be appropriate, try asking someone close to them for opinion.
Stay away from size-specific gifts
Ask anyone, and they’ll tell you they love getting clothes as a gift. Technically, this is true, but they only love getting clothes from people close to them. The reason behind this is that others may not know their size and could end up getting something they’ll never be able to fit. Making such a mistake is even worse when you’re buying a gift for a business associate. Talking to their friends and family members could help you decide on a size but it’s recommended that you stay clear from size-specific gifts altogether. However, accessories like gloves and scarves usually make a great gift.
Make it unique
There are some things like pens and t-shirts that make a great gift at any time. They may be able to do the trick, but if you really want to impress someone, getting them a unique gift is the best thing you can do. And with the way technology works nowadays, you can easily order things from other side of the planet they won’t be able to find anywhere else. With that said, it’s recommended that you find an online shop such as From Russia and order things like bedding and porcelain that they won’t find anywhere else.
Give DIY a go
One of the best things about gift giving is that it truly shows that person that you care about them. With that said, a gift doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, sometimes a DIY gift can have a much bigger impact than an expensive perfume or bottle of wine. It’s, however, important to mention that DIY gifts usually appear to be more informal and while giving them to your employees is okay, you should avoid giving these to business partners. Some of the most popular DIY gifts right now include DIY soaps, DIY coasters, and DIY decorative signs.
Learn how to wrap
Many people out there don’t know how to wrap a gift, which is why they end up giving them in decorative paper bags. Even though there’s nothing wrong with this, the effect your gifts have on your businesses associate can double. Just don’t forget that wrapping a gift isn’t easy and it might take you a few times to get a hang of it. With the amount of tutorials on YouTube, this shouldn’t be tough. When choosing to wrap paper, you can’t make a mistake going for something neutral and formal.
Stay relaxed
The fact is, most people wait for the very last moment to get gifts for their business associates. If this is the case with you, ditching this habit is recommended. Not only goes picking the gift in the last moment cause stress, but it also makes you more likely to get something they won’t like. So, when buying a gift, keep in mind that the most important part is to show them that you care and anything you choose should have a similar effect. Stay relaxed, think every decision through, and you’ll be guaranteed to do just fine.
Incorporate your logo
No matter whom you’re getting a gift for, incorporating your company’s logo is an ideal way to show them the gift comes from your organization. Still, with the way marketing works at the moment, you can’t do that without feeling like you’re promoting your business. So when choosing the gift for a business associate, try to include your company’s logo in it in the most subtle way possible. Luckily, there’s a whole variety of things you can include an understated logo of your business to. For example, you can design t-shirts and pens with tiny logos of your company.
The art of gift giving in the business world isn’t as easy as some people believe. It gets even worse when there’s a bunch of employees trying to help you decide on it. Not to mention that there’s so much pressure when choosing a gift for a business partner who could help you take your business to another level. Just don’t make any rash decisions, stay relaxed, and you’ll have absolutely nothing to worry about.
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