How to Give Appropriate Business Gifts

Most of the time when you give a business gift, your intention is to thank or congratulate someone or to encourage business. The last thing you want to do is give a gift that might offend the recipient, so follow this advice to choose an appropriate present.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Travel Kits
• Palm Accessories
• Flowers
• Boxes Of Chocolates
• Monthly Gift Packages
• Tapes Or CDs
• Event Tickets
• Fountain Pens
• Office Accessories

1. Check to make sure your intended recipient's company does not have a no-gift policy or a limit on the dollar value of gifts that its employees may accept. The company receptionist or personnel department can usually tell you this, sparing you an awkward conversation with the recipient.

2. Consider how the gift will be received, what it will say about your company, if it's actually a benefit to the recipient, and how likely it is that the gift will remind the recipient of you and your company.

3. Know your recipient so that you can purchase a meaningful gift. Make mental notes when someone tells you about their recent dieting efforts, comments on their favorite flower or expresses a penchant for pistachios.

4. Choose top-quality, brand-name products when purchasing business gifts. Cheaper, lesser-quality products may send a negative message to your recipient about how much value you place on the relationship.

5. Give appropriate business gifts at the appropriate times, usually as soon after the event as possible. If you send a box of chocolates before your client signs the contract, not only do you run the risk of offending someone on a diet, but your gift could be seen as a form of bribery.

6. Write a short note to accompany your gift for an extra personal touch.

7. Make the effort to deliver the gift in person, if possible. This extra effort will help add further emphasis to the thoughtfulness of your gesture.

Tips & Warnings

• Stick with items that aren't too personal. Travel accessories, personalized desk accessories, entertainment tickets, computer accessories, books and CDs are usually safe bets, provided you know something about your intended recipient's habits in these areas.
• Keep a close eye on the price tag. Gifts that are too expensive may make the recipient uncomfortable or uncertain about the intentions behind the gift.
• Pay special attention to the presentation, wrapping or packaging of your gift. First impressions are hard to change.
• Try sending gifts at times other than major holidays. These occasions could include a promotion, a new baby, a birthday, a new business referral or a get-well wish.
• Avoid giving personal gifts (this is usually considered to be a product or service that involves touching the skin), joke gifts, alcohol, tobacco products, products promoting your company, money, jewelry, expensive electronics and religious gifts.
• Remember where the road paved with good intentions leads. Gym passes, health club memberships or exercise equipment could offend an overweight person, even if they have expressly told you they want to lose weight or that they are on a diet.