Business Etiquette for Gift Giving: 10 Dos and Don'ts
If you'd like to send a corporate gift to one of your partners, clients or any other business connection, you might have wondered about the proper etiquette to follow.
Though the gesture of giving a gift itself is greatly appreciated, these are some tips on business gift-giving etiquette that will make sure your gift is well-received.
Read on for corporate gift-giving etiquette dos and don'ts that will help you send the perfect business gift.
Branding Gifts with Your Logo
Do: Keep it tasteful. Putting your logo on a gift should show that your company is professional. Smaller logos, proper brand colors and well thought-out design makes for a successful corporate gift.
Don't: Represent the brand poorly. Large logos, incompatible colors and last-minute alterations can be well-intended but may give off the impression of being unprofessional. You are representing your company with this gift, so make sure it shows you in the best light!
Sending to One Person
Do: Show care and appreciation. You can give a gift for holidays or special occasions if you have a specific contact in another company—something small and related to their interests.
Don't: Appear to pick favorites. If you work with multiple people in another company, make sure to get them equal if not the same gifts. This way, you won't seem like you're picking favorites.
Sending to an Entire Office
Do: Send a gift everyone can enjoy. Treats and snacks are often a good choice, but other small gifts are appropriate, too! Just make sure that whatever you choose is something that a variety of people will appreciate.
Don't: Flood the office with promotional material. When giving a large corporate gift, you want to be careful not to appear like you're selling your company more than you're showing appreciation. If something could be mistaken as promotional material, it's best not to send it as a gift.
Deciding When to Send
Do: Keep your company in their mind. If you've just had a meeting, made a deal or if it's a holiday or special occasion, those would all be appropriate times to send a corporate gift.
Don't: Appear to be bribing. This is one of the more important aspects to consider; while you want to show appreciation and potentially incentivize people to work with you, you also don't want to appear to be bribing anyone.
Choosing a Gift
Do: Send something relevant. If you know the group or individual you're sending the gift to well or work with them frequently, do try to send something a bit more personal. If you have just met or connected with them, then simply the gesture itself will be well-received.
Don't: Sell too hard. Similar to what was said earlier, just make sure that whatever gift you give isn't too promotional. It shouldn't come across as a selling technique; it should seem like the kind gesture that it is!
We hope these dos and don'ts help you send the perfect gift! If you're looking for gift ideas, this business gift guide might help! Or, you can always speak with one of our gift specialists to see if That's Caring can help you give a gift that gives back. Call us at 224-366-5323, contact us online or earn more about corporate gifting here.