Etiquette Rules for Corporate Gifts
Corporate gifts are a great tool. They allow you to
provide a positive association with the brand name for both employees and
customers, and they are a great way to show appreciation or imply importance
to those that receive a quality business gift.
However, businesses are not people. They cannot get away with simply shoving a random gift in a bag and sending it over. There is etiquette that needs to be maintained in order to ensure that the gift is received with the spirit it was intended, in order to leave the best impression of your company and your product.
Rules for Business Gift Etiquette
1.
Company Needs to Allow Gifts
Some companies do not allow corporate gifts to
individual employees. Once the gift is received, it is either given to the
entire staff or confiscated. Still, if a single employee cannot receive a
gift, it is possible to send food that can be shared with the rest of the
staff. Find out the rules before you send the gift.
2.
Gift Should Be Well Presented
It is incredibly unprofessional to send a gift in
hastily thrown together packaging, or to send a gift that arrives broken. As
a result, you need to do your best to make sure that the gift is properly
and safely wrapped, as well as in a very nice and attractive box with
wrapping paper if applicable. Branding on your wrapping paper is not a bad
idea either.
3.
Gift Should Not Assume Appreciation
You should never give a gift – even to internal
employees – with the assumption that they will love it and are now putty in
your hands. No matter who the corporate gift is for, it should be provided
with no strings attached. Even though you may be using the gift to win over
a potential client, it is and should always be your message that wins the
client, and the gift is simply a way to warm them up for you.
4.
Consider Your Employees
If you are a constant giver of corporate gifts to
your clients and potential clients, consider giving gifts to your employees
as well. A company that spends all of its money on generating business but
no money on the employees that represent the heart of the company is one
that may alienate employees and make them feel less appreciated.
5.
Customized is Better, But Keep it Appropriate
Ideally, a corporate gift should be thought of and
chosen for a specific individual or business, rather than simply bought in
bulk and shipped out whenever needed. But be careful – personalized gifts
may be better, but they are also more likely to be inappropriate. Even if
the recipient is a fully, loud, active and offensive individual, your gift
should still be of the utmost professionalism.
6.
In Person is Best
Ideally, your gifts should be given in person by
you to the individual, to be opened at a later time. However, if not
possible, gifts should be sent using a service that is costly – no book rate
for shipping just to save a few dollars. Postage is something that will be
seen by the recipient, and you do not want them to think they are not
important enough for quality shipping.
7.
Short Messages on Cards
Corporate gifts are often used to sell something –
either to sell a specific product, or to sell someone on the value of your
company. The card is a good place to provide that information, but try to
keep it short and to the point. Canned sales pitches that you and your
marketing staff spent hours collaborating on are not going to be as useful
as a short explanation of the company and what you can bring along with a
small call to action.
Following These Rules
While etiquette for many things in life is not a do
or die system, in this case it is important to remember that the corporate
gift represents your company. You want to be absolutely sure that it gives
the company the best possible representation, and the above etiquette tips
are the best way to do that.