Christmas is the perfect holiday to show your employees, clients, and colleagues your appreciation and gratitude. Through corporate gift giving, employers are not only able to acknowledge patronage and hard work but are also able to strengthen the critical connections between the recipients and the company.
Business gifting is not only an emotional bond but is also critical and impactful to the growth of your company.
You can easily browse many corporate gift ideas online; however, choosing the right one can be quite challenging. Luckily, there are vital factors that can guide you in picking the right holiday present that can make a lasting impression.
1. Consider The Price
Many companies use gifts as a subtle marketing strategy, which solidifies the bonds with their clients. It is best to spend generously on presents that you intend to give to patrons and prospects as this may eventually boost sales and strengthen brand reputation.
When gifting to clients, the price range and the type of gift depend on your relationship with them and how relevant they are to your business.
You can have leather bags or expensive fountain pens customized, or you could send flowers or gourmet gift baskets.
Community development is just as important as establishing connections externally. When preparing gifts for employees, you may want to make sure that the items are of the same price range to avoid giving them the impression of favoritism in the company.
While you don’t need to give them the same presents, it is best to avoid jealousy among your team members by giving them items of the same value. You can provide popular tech-based gifts such as cable holders, waterproof tech bags, or a power bank.
Coolers and microfiber towels are also great for those who travel for work. Giving functional presents will surely be a delight for your employees.
Whatever you decide to give, it’s essential that these gifts will foster good and lasting relationships with your clients or employees.
2. Be Mindful Of Gifting
It goes without saying that internal and external corporate gift-giving require different approaches.
Internal gifting can mean giving gifts to a select few of your team members or to an entire department. Consider giving them items that are genuinely useful to them.
Some practical yet thoughtful ideas are office supplies, appliances, and everyday personal items. It’s also safe to give larger gifts to employees with seniority in the company as long as the nature and value of the gifts are consistent.
External recipients include clients, prospects, vendors, and business partners. Since you are not giving presents in bulk, opt for sophisticated and personalized items that your recipients will appreciate.
If you have been conversing with them about their hobbies, buy them something that can engage them more in their passion.
You can give them the gift of experience as well, perhaps a luxurious dinner in a famous restaurant or a weekend getaway to a sought-after tourist destination.
Whichever gift you choose, keeping them in mind makes the experience more intimate and genuine.
3. Observe Compliance Laws
Corporate gifting may require you to observe a specific gifting etiquette when choosing gifts. By considering compliance laws, you are able to avoid serious legal trouble like bribery.
Here is a quick list of acceptable corporate gifts:
- Items that bear the company logo
- Supervisor-approved gifts
- Perishable items such as food
- Meals that can be shared by the giver and recipient
- Gifts that legally comply with company limits
Contrarily, avoid gifting these to employees or clients:
- Unnecessarily lavish presents
- Gifts that can be considered as bribe
- Gifts intended to sway business decisions
- Solicited or favored gifts
- Gifts in exchange for expedited services from government officials
- Multiple gifts to one person
- Gifts asking for charitable donations
You may check your corporate handbook for detailed restrictions or consult your HR manager or compliance officer for advice to ascertain that your gifts are acceptable.
4. Consider The Best Time To Send Your Gift
It is worth noting that sending gifts at the appropriate time helps you avoid tricky situations and bad impressions.
While the holidays allow you some room for corporate gifting, you may still want to consider where you are in your negotiations with existing clients and prospective business partners.
It is best to give gifts after you’ve had a meeting and made a solid deal with them, which can be a sign of appreciation for their trust. If you give them tokens before they make corporate decisions, this may seem like bribery to them and may not bid well for your company.
Conclusion
Corporate holiday gifting may take more time and effort compared to personal gift-giving; however, planning carefully pays off.
Not only will your gifts improve social bonds and morale but they will also create fruitful pathways for business growth.
With this simple guide, your gifts will surely be appreciated by both your clients and employees.
