Choosing the Perfect Corporate Gift
Strategies to helping you choose the perfect corporate gift
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Giving a corporate gift is a lot different than buying a gift for your spouse. The right corporate gift says: I'm a professional." Corporate gifts tend to be more sensible and less emotional (it's hard to get a raise if your boss thinks you're a softy). However, a well thought out gift for your boss or co-worker can make your work environment more suitable and might even put you inline for that promotion. Many people opt for an engraved, or a custom imprinting gift. An engraved gift is lasting and professional, however, there are many other gifts one can buy. A solid and well-worded card can be as effective as anything. Gift cards to favorite places also make wonderful corporate gifts.
Online Corporate Gifts
Finding a unique corporate gift can be taxing. However, the Internet is a great place to do your shopping. There are a plethora of corporate gift sites as well as the more traditional sites like ebay or amazon.com. Corporate gift baskets are sometimes a good way to go and there are many sites through out the Internet that offer both gift basket ideas and delivery services.
Giving Professionally
Giving a present to your boss is not the same as to your spouse or relatives. In a corporate environment, you should be more focused on rewarding those you work with or strategically planning your ascent up the corporate ladder.
As was mentioned above giving a professional gift is often times the best way to go. Professional implies useful. Keep this in mind when giving to your co-workers. It can be tricky and you don't want to give off the wrong signals. Keep it professional.
Please note however, if a gift is inappropriate in content or context, it can damage or even destroy relationships as quickly as any other type of negative interaction. Inappropriate gift-giving usually takes the form of bribes, pay backs, or apologies. Each, in its own way, asks for something in return from the recipient. Keep gifts in the workplace appropriate to the occasion to avoid any misunderstandings. It is suggested that gifts to clients and close friends in the workplace should never exceed $150, with an average amount being around $40 to $50.
It is important to check whether or not you have an official gift-giving policy at your work-place. You should also be aware of any policies of the other businesses you deal with when you plan on giving. If one of your client companies has a strict gift-giving policy, make sure that you respect it by not offering them gifts which they would have to reject.
Each year the Holiday Season starts earlier and earlier. Christmas is often thought of as the traditional gift season. However, special events don't just happen in December. Birthdays and weddings happen year round, say nothing of Valentine's Day, which might be the second biggest gift holiday of the year.
Valentine's day is a day to express your love for that special someone in your life, and the right Valentine's Day gift can bring you and your love one that much closer. Try not to be too predictable, everyone gives roses on Valentine's Day, try to go beyond that. It could make all the difference. If you're attending a wedding, bridal shower, or baby shower, don't you want to give something that they could actually use, not just another set of good china.A Word About Personal Gift Giving