ve staff with zero recognition of who sent the gift. While there is some merit in this, is that your intended purpose?

As the Christmas season approaches, sit down and consider the reasons why you are sending these corporate gifts in the first place. You are thanking the customer for their business, you want to make a favorable impression, and, most importantly, you want to ge

Last Christmas season, as I was walking into the executive office of one of my clients, I nearly tripped on a tub of popcorn. My near accident startled me, but when I saw over thirty tubs of popcorn scattered about his office, I couldn’t help but laugh. How else would you respond to such a gross display of corporate gift sending ignorance?

His office looked like a FEMA warehouse, littered with absurd amounts of popcorn and fruit baskets. No human being could possibly consume the crazy supply of food that he had.

Curiously, I grabbed a tub of popcorn and threw a little pop(corn) quiz at my customer. I turned the tub of popcorn around so the logo wasn’t showing. “Who is this one from?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” my client replied. This prompted my question, “What about the one over there in the corner with the funky ribbons on it?”

He shrugged, “Beats me.” A smile crept onto his face when he realized why I was asking. “I pass them all to my office staff. They love them.”

I bet the salespeople who sent those gifts to my client would have been sad to know how quickly the significance of their gift had been lost. You see, the problem with things like calendars, fruit baskets and tubs of popcorn is that your customers don’t want them. They are up to their ears with gifts like these, because it’s the same thing they receive from every other company.

Many of the gifts companies send don’t even make it to the person it is intended for. Instead, they are opened and shared by the administrative staff with zero recognition of who sent the gift. While there is some merit in this, is that your intended purpose?

As the Christmas season approaches, sit down and consider the reasons why you are sending these corporate gifts in the first place. You are thanking the customer for their business, you want to make a favorable impression, and, most importantly, you want to get

se, littered with absurd amounts of popcorn and fruit baskets. No human being could possibly consume the crazy supply of food that he had.

Curiously, I grabbed a tub of popcorn and threw a little pop(corn) quiz at my customer. I turned the tub of popcorn around so the logo wasn’t showing. “Who is this one from?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” my client replied. This prompted my question, “What about the one over there in the corner with the funky ribbons on it?”

He shrugged, “Beats me.” A smile crept onto his face when he realized why I was asking. “I pass them all to my office staff. They love them.”

I bet the salespeople who sent those gifts to my client would have been sad to know how quickly the significance of their gift had been lost. You see, the problem with things like calendars, fruit baskets and tubs of popcorn is that your customers don’t want them. They are up to their ears with gifts like these, because it’s the same thing they receive from every other company.

Many of the gifts companies send don’t even make it to the person it is intended for. Instead, they are opened and shared by the administrative staff with zero recognition of who sent the gift. While there is some merit in this, is that your intended purpose?

As the Christmas season approaches, sit down and consider the reasons why you are sending these corporate gifts in the first place. You are thanking the customer for their business, you want to make a favorable impression, and, most importantly, you want to ge

y question, “What about the one over there in the corner with the funky ribbons on it?”

He shrugged, “Beats me.” A smile crept onto his face when he realized why I was asking. “I pass them all to my office staff. They love them.”

I bet the salespeople who sent those gifts to my client would have been sad to know how quickly the significance of their gift had been lost. You see, the problem with things like calendars, fruit baskets and tubs of popcorn is that your customers don’t want them. They are up to their ears with gifts like these, because it’s the same thing they receive from every other company.

Many of the gifts companies send don’t even make it to the person it is intended for. Instead, they are opened and shared by the administrative staff with zero recognition of who sent the gift. While there is some merit in this, is that your intended purpose?

As the Christmas season approaches, sit down and consider the reasons why you are sending these corporate gifts in the first place. You are thanking the customer for their business, you want to make a favorable impression, and, most importantly, you want to ge

You see, the problem with things like calendars, fruit baskets and tubs of popcorn is that your customers don’t want them. They are up to their ears with gifts like these, because it’s the same thing they receive from every other company.

Many of the gifts companies send don’t even make it to the person it is intended for. Instead, they are opened and shared by the administrative staff with zero recognition of who sent the gift. While there is some merit in this, is that your intended purpose?

As the Christmas season approaches, sit down and consider the reasons why you are sending these corporate gifts in the first place. You are thanking the customer for their business, you want to make a favorable impression, and, most importantly, you want to ge

ve staff with zero recognition of who sent the gift. While there is some merit in this, is that your intended purpose?

As the Christmas season approaches, sit down and consider the reasons why you are sending these corporate gifts in the first place. You are thanking the customer for their business, you want to make a favorable impression, and, most importantly, you want to get noticed.

Take advantage of the opportunity to stand out from sales teams all around the country. This is your chance to be different. Choose gifts that will be appreciated and recognized, not thrown into a pile of other identical gifts.

The key to giving a great gift is in getting personal with each customer on your list. A unique and personal gift shows your customer that you took the time to notice and appreciate them. After all, that is what the customer really wants.

Shopping for your corporate clients is naturally going to be harder than shopping for your family, and you know that shopping for your family is hard as it is. However, when you sit down to make your gift list for your clients, have an open mind. You do not need to buy everything in bulk in order to get a good price; there are plenty of great gifts that you can order while sitting in front of your computer.

Are they a movie buff? Send them a movie. Do they like to read? Send them a book you think they’ll enjoy. Do they have children? Send them a hardcover copy of The Night before Christmas and tell them you hope they can enjoy the holidays with their family. Having a reason for your gift gives it significance. It really is the heart of your holiday gift selection.

This season, take the time to sit down with a cup of coffee, a fresh mind, and a client list. You’ll be surprised by the wonderful, unique ideas you can think of when you you’re your selection more personal. Your gift has the potential to raise your custom