Gift Giving Etiquette

Entrepreneur Magazine Business Gifts
Show your appreciation while promoting your business.
By Kylo-Patrick Hart

It's good business to let your customers and suppliers know how much you appreciate their continued support all year long. But the holiday season provides an opportunity for saying "thank you" in a more formal way--by giving a special gift from you and your business. Your relationships with valued customers and suppliers can be strengthened by the selection of the perfect gift. To determine whether a proposed gift is a good idea, imagine yourself as the recipient. If the gift is one that would make you smile and that you'd take pleasure in showing others, it is likely an appropriate choice. If not, you should generate a short list of viable alternatives--or else avoid the gesture altogether; gifts need not be expensive, but giving a bad gift as a token of appreciation is worse than giving no gift at all. One decision you'll need to reach before settling on a gift is whether it should reflect your interests or those of the recipient. Although there's no hard-and-fast rule, it's safest to offer a tasteful gift that in some way reflects your business. That's the natural link between you and your customers and vendors. This will also allow you to purchase appealing gifts in larger quantities and take advantage of volume discounts.

More