Before sending corporate gifts, be sure to check the corporate policy on gift giving. Some companies have strict policies concerning gift giving. For example, many companies place restrictions on the value of the gift or on the situations in which gifts may be given. Ask the personnel department for the company's guidelines.
Once you have checked the corporate policy on gift giving, keep in mind that gifts should reflect careful attention paid to the recipient's tastes. Try to choose gifts fitting to the client or employee's hobbies, interests, or employment.
Gift Occasions...
To Celebrate or Congratulate:
Completion of an important project
The opening of a new office
To Show Appreciation To:
Board members for their service
Volunteers who have contributed their time for special projects
A client for new or continued business
Someone who has referred business to you
To Motivate or Encourage:
Employees facing boring, unpleasant or difficult tasks
Clients or employees facing health challenges or personal losses
Etiquette to remember in gift giving...
Keep in mind the closeness of the business relationship. If you have a client who is not particularly open or friendly, do not think that by sending a gift the individual will loosen up. This often backfires.
Avoid extravagant gifts that could be misinterpreted as bribery. It is important that the recipient not feel uncomfortable when accepting the gift. Any gift seen as inappropriate could quickly damage or even destroy a business relationship.
Be careful not to create the wrong impression with a gift.
Personality
Gifts should reflect the interests and
tastes of the recipient whenever possible.
Timing
Frequency of gift giving should be limited to major holidays and special occasions. Depending on the nature of the relationship, it is appropriate to send gifts on personal occasions, such as to mark the birth of a child.
Avoid gift giving during a bidding process.
Presentation
Attractive gift wrapping paper and presentation are very important. Remember to enclose a personal note with the gift.
Customizing
While the corporate logo on a gift provides free advertising, it could be interpreted as tacky. It is more appropriate to leave logo customization to gifts that will be used daily or for promotional purposes, such as mugs, keychains, notebooks, etc. Never put a company logo on a gift when you want to leave the impression that it is coming personally from you.
