Giving business gifts can be a positive experience, not only for the person or people receiving the gift, but also for the giver.  It’s a tried-and-true, relationship-building technique that allows you to thank your clients for their business, honor major milestones, and celebrate the holidays. Some gifts can go awry, however, doing more harm than good.
The "2019 Business Gift Satisfaction" report by Knack surveyed 1049 individuals who had received a business gift within the last year and revealed that over 70% of respondents experienced negative feelings, at least once, after receiving a gift from an outside business.  So, if you’re thinking of sending a gift, read on to discover four gift giving mistakes you should avoid, so that your recipients will have the best possible experience.

Of the people surveyed, 28% experienced negative feelings about the gift they received because it was clear the giver didn’t put much thought into the gift.  Those ubiquitous tins of popcorn lying around the office don’t exactly inspire whoops of joy and gratitude.  Think about the individual or team receiving the gift.  What would they really enjoy?  For example, with the holidays arriving soon, consider giving different chocolates from around the world, so that people can share and compare. Or, if they’ve celebrated a major milestone recently, perhaps the gift can be a celebratory bottle of champagne or a commemorative plaque to hang on the wall.

Twenty-one percent of recipients reported that their negative experience was due to the gift being cheap.  Rather than feeling appreciated, cheap gifts have the opposite effect.  You’re better off not spending any money at all than sending something that obviously didn’t involve some investment and consideration.  Swag with your own logo on it can be one of the worst offenders, because everyone knows you have hundreds of t-shirts, pens, and water bottles lying around in storage. Aim for quality, which may cost you a bit more but will be much more appreciated in the end.

Nineteen percent of those surveyed indicated that they experienced negative feelings both as a result of simply not liking the gift, and knowing that the gift wasn’t remotely relevant to them.  These complaints are really two sides of the same coin.  If you know anything about your recipient’s hobbies, you can select a gift that they will appreciate.  Avid traveler?  How about a nice travel bag? Wine enthusiast?  It's hard to go wrong with a couple of bottles of quality wine, or a gorgeous decanter.

Fifteen percent of recipients were actually irritated that they had to choose their own gift. People often think gift cards are a great solution because they allow the recipient to get whatever they want. This can backfire, however, because a gift card commits all three of the previously mentioned sins: it’s impersonal, it’s generic and it feels cheap.

As a giver of business gifts, you have the opportunity to make a lasting impression. Take it one step further and make sure your recipients feel truly appreciated.  The purpose of a gift is to celebrate your business relationship.  By avoiding these four pitfalls, and you can not only make a positive impression, but you can also benefit by increased loyalty and connectedness to your company and brand.

Sources:
Knack's "Business Gift Satisfaction" report
https://www.simplystamps.com/xl-custom-logo-stamp-4x3-inch

83% of C-suite executives believe gifting generates positive ROI

Corporate gifting has long been an established etiquette, especially during the holidays and at the end of the year.  It’s a way to say “Thank you for your business,” just as much as reminding your customers that you care about them.  Now, beyond being just a feel-good activity, studies show that corporate gifting can actually contribute to your bottom line.
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In the latest "Business Gift Satisfaction" report by Knack, C-suite executives are overwhelmingly positive about gift giving.  Respondents report that they are two times as likely to recall an interesting story associated with their last business gift.  Gifts that stand out are ones that take the unique characteristics of the recipients and their companies into account.  Being remembered for a great gift can be the factor that puts you over the top when it comes time to customer loyalty and maintaining an important business relationship.
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C-suite executives see the benefits of corporate gift giving, with 83% of survey respondents believing that business gifting generates a positive return on investment.  Further, 77% say that business gifts make them feel valued, and 67% believe that gifts demonstrate that the giver values the relationship. Gifting not only impacts the bottom line, but also builds and strengthens relationships.  If you are thoughtful in your choice of gifts each year, then these benefits are sure to accrue over time.
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Finally, the survey reveals that 40% of people report feeling “more connected” to a company that sent a gift, and 40% report an increased sense of loyalty and desire to work with a company that sent a gift.  The degree of connectedness increases by 50% when the gift is perceived as memorable.  Adding a warm note to your gift, explaining why you selected it and what the relationship means to you, is another way to build that sense of connection and loyalty with your clients.

There is a potential downside to giving a gift: be thoughtful with your selection. Remember, during the holidays, your client’s office will probably be filled with food.  The more unique and careful you can be in selecting a gift, the more it will be appreciated and discussed around the water cooler. 
 
Of course,it’s hard to go wrong with food, and if you take the time to be a little more clever, you can really wow your audience.  For example, a gift that is engraved or personalized, such as a picture frame, can be used to frame a photo from a recent team event and ensure that your gift is seen daily. It may take a little more time to select a unique gift, but you won’t regret it when the time comes to renew a contract or a license!
 
 
And remember: gifting is not just for the holidays!  Another way to stand out is to surprise and delight your client with an unexpected gift.  Simply thanking your customers for their business with a nicely worded note and a well-chosen gift can elevate your position in your client’s eyes, taking them out of their day-to-day and making them feel special.  Based on the findings of this survey, corporate gifting is truly good for business. 

Sources
Knack's "Business Gift Satisfaction" report
https://app.givenly.com/#/gifts/catalog/browse

As we gear up towards the holiday season, it’s time to think again about what to send to your clients (and employees)! Have you started working on your shopping list?

Perhaps you’re one of many who look forward to the holidays - but dread the labor of sending gifts? Here are six ways Givenly.com helps make holiday gifting easier.

1. Everyone’s contact list is in one place. Load it once and you’re good to go. No more passing around spreadsheets, hoping to get them back in time. Add or subtract contacts at any time.
  
2. Schedule all your gifts ahead of time. You can get everything set up weeks in advance, if you prefer. No more rushing around at the last minute to make shipping deadlines.

3. Send one gift to everyone, or customize as you like. With all the gifts available, you can pick-and-choose, depending on your contact list and budget.

4. Everyone sticks to the budget because it’s set at the beginning. You’ll have visibility into how much has been spent so far, and how much more you have to spend. It’s that easy!

5. Keep track of what was sent, year after year. All your gifting activities are recorded in one dashboard, so you don’t have to remember or look up what you sent last year, or the year before. No more embarrassment or worries about sending the same gift, or a different one.

6. Simplify your accounting.  With everyone in your company using the same portal, and all your favorite vendors on one platform, all of your receipts will be centralized and available to export with a single click! No more accounting hassle and digging for receipts. You’re all set!

With the holiday season upon us, Givenly.com comes to the rescue!
 
Interested in speaking with someone about setting up an account? Call us today at 1-800-579-3079 or email janet@givenly.com, and our team will help you create a great gifting program for your business.