| As a retired manager in a multi-country | | | | you. A gift with poor packaging on the other |
| company, I have found that buying the right | | | | hand will tell the recipient that the item |
| corporate gift for employee reward programs, | | | | inside is not that important, or worse, the |
| customers or for corporate celebrations in | | | | recipient may think that she or he is not |
| general, can become a challenging task. | | | | important. So regardless of the price of the |
| Giving it is worse since you have the | | | | gift inside, it is inevitable that a |
| intention to gain business ties, connect with | | | | corporate gift should be packed |
| clients, and send your message of giving | | | | appropriately. |
| thanks. Although there are no definitive | | | | |
| rules, knowing the following corporate gift | | | | Make sure you check company policies on |
| buying basics will increase your chances of | | | | corporate gifts to employees and clients or |
| attaining your goals. | | | | customers. Some companies prohibit gift |
| | | | giving at all; some have dollar limits on the |
| Ask this: "What particular office item does | | | | gift item; while other don't have limits at |
| he or she lack?" Any person would appreciate | | | | all. By checking your company's policies on |
| when he or she receives something that sparks | | | | this matter you will know how much you have |
| his or her interest. For example, your boss | | | | to spend on a particular gift item to avoid |
| or your business partner loves cigars. Think | | | | your gift being sent back to you. If the gift |
| of something that he or she can use together | | | | if for a client, it pays to find out their |
| with his or her cigar. It can be a cigar | | | | policy as well. It will be a short call that |
| lighter, leather cigar case, or a box of | | | | saves you a lot of potential hassle. |
| cigar from the best brand you can find. For | | | | |
| someone who likes to collect watches, you can | | | | If you are giving gifts to selected few, be |
| consider a leather watch case or another | | | | discreet. If in case you only plan to give |
| watch to add his or her collection. | | | | gifts to a chosen few like your assistant, |
| | | | few clerks, and the receptionists, do not |
| Avoid gender discrimination. Obviously, you | | | | tell everyone about your plan. Keep it silent |
| will choose your gift according to gender but | | | | and hand your gifts when no one else who can |
| make sure that you treat each of them | | | | see; it may be out of the office. You can be |
| equally. Do not buy a $50-gift for men and a | | | | charged with favoritism if you are not |
| $10 gift for women. Keep it equal. Better | | | | careful enough. |
| yet, choose an item that will suit both men | | | | |
| and women and give it to all. | | | | Buying a corporate gift can sometimes become |
| | | | a daunting task, but with experience, common |
| Corporate gift packaging is important. This | | | | sense and by following corporate gift buying |
| can make it or break it when it comes to the | | | | essentials will increase your chances of a |
| first impression to the receiver. An | | | | successful and rewarding experience for all |
| appropriate packaging will send a message to | | | | parties. |
| the recipient that she or he is important to | | | | |