Corporate Diaries: The Etiquette of Giving

Corporate gifting is serious business. If it is part of a well considered program  it can help intensify critical relationships  and become a cost effective means of  recognizing  activities that will benefit your business. A corporate gift program , if it is to succeed must offer classic and universally appreciated gifts that far outlive the occasion for which they were intended. Diwali and New year are ideal occasions for corporate gifting.

Most business gifts are given to major clients. Second and third on the list are employees and prospective clients. Reasons for giving range from thanking long standing customers for their business to recognizing  a valued  employee for working on weekends.  The central idea behind corporate gifting is to affirm relationships and strengthen the bond between giver and recipient. Corporate diaries make universally popular gifts and are valued by all. They also go a long way in enhancing the image of the company.

Gifts defer from incentives in that they are offered with no explicit preconditions for performance. They defer from recognition as they are not part of a prescribed program.

For all companies they are an integral part of their marketing strategy. Done corre ctly, corporate gift giving is a cost effective way of building partnerships with valued associates.

Be sure to use finesse if you want to get the most out of your gift giving program. Consider the following issues before you buy.

• Appropriateness – The gift must be appropriate to the business relationship. Dairies are always relevant to an office environment. They help organize precious time and space and telephone dairies with the company’s logo on them are indispensible.  If a client seems aloof or excessively business like , don’t attempt to loosen him up with baubles. Avoid the impression that you are bribing the client.  Too lavish gifts are avoidable.
• Personality – the gift should have its own personality , but more importantly should reflect the interests and personality of the recipient. Always give the impression that you have done your research and that you care about the likes and dislikes of the recipient.
• Timing  The most popular time is always the holidays. Diwali is the time when most gifts  are exchanged in the Indian culture. Birthday gifts are bound to impress; they show that you have studied a little about the recipient.  Anniversaries, new jobs, promotion, birth of a child etc are all occasions for corporate gifting.
• Presentation The best gifts come straight from the heart and show it. Investing in the right wrapping paper is as important as the gift itself and sends the right message to the recipient. If the gift commemorates a personal occasion like a birthday, mailing it home is appropriate.
• Customizing – to have a logo or not is  the key question. Customized gifts keep the companies name in the mind of the recipients. When the item is a practical one like a corporate diary  this amounts to daily free advertising.