Post on 12-Jul-2015
The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners
While giving gifts during the holidays is a time-honored way of expressing gratitude, it’s important for any entrepreneur to tread carefully when merging business with generosity.
Before committing fully to the season of giving, become more familiar with basic gift-giving etiquette for small business owners. To get you started, here are 10 tips you can apply to any holiday gifting endeavor, along with some added inspiration from members of our Staples® SUCCEED: Small Business Network on LinkedIn.
01. For Employees
Know What “Appropriate” Looks Like
Tip:
When choosing a holiday gift for your small business’s employees, aim for practical and memorable tokens of your gratitude. Aim for gifts that are gender-neutral, under $50, culturally sensitive and not too intimate.
Gift ideas for your employees:
• Seasonal items, such as tea or hot cocoa sets
• A gift card
• Workplace items, such as a custom-made pen
• A day off before or after a holiday
02. For Employees
Be All-Inclusive or Be Discreet
Tip:
Consider selecting a uniform gift for all of your employees.However, if your budget only allows for a few gifts, give them to the employees with whom you have a close working relationship, such as a personal assistant or a secretary. Do so quietly so as to not to upset other employees.
03. For Employees
Don’t Give a Gift in Lieu of a Bonus
Tip:
Holiday gifts should not take the place of a bonus as this may cheapen either gesture. Clearly designate any holiday gifts as such so as not to blur the lines.
04. For Clients
Think “Character,” Not “Costly”Tip:
Expensive gifts can make clients uncomfortable or could be misconstrued as a bribe. Choose holiday gifts that are not costly, but do have purpose or character.
“A friend of mine has been sending very unique and interesting holiday letters to a select group
of clients and friends. What makes these letters particularly prized is that they always include
a very unusual gift. Last year [I received] a trillion-dollar bill from Zimbabwe. Whatever it is [this
year], it will be memorable and I’ll be talking about it for years.”
– Brian Duvall, Business Development Consultant, SUCCEED Member
05. For Clients
Personalize Presents
Tip:
Be wary of generic gifts. Sending a scarf to a client based in Hawaii suggests carelessness. Here is how one of our SUCCEED members personalizes her gifts without verging on being too intimate:
“We send out well-thought-out gifts for clients we work really closely with. I send
out individual handwritten cards to my close business contacts and clients as well.
The power of a handwritten note is HUGE.”
– Devan Marie Perine, Digital Marketing and Multimedia Specialist, SUCCEED Member
06. For Clients
Know When the Situation Is Right
Tip:
If there are pending negotiations on the table, it’s best to refrain. Otherwise, your client may read your gift as a bribe.
07. For Vendors
Avoid Pressure
Tip:
When gifting vendors, it should be clear that they are not expected to reciprocate. It helps to keep the dollar limit low or opt for a token that’s closely tied to your business or locale. A cafe owner, for example, might consider giving vendors a curated coffee set.
“Thanking clients and vendors should be a business’s [priority] on more
occasions than Christmas/the new year. Remember the old adage,
‘People will always remember how you make them feel.’”
– Eli Kaufmann, Owner of Hero Enterprises, SUCCEED Member
Tip:
If purchasing a gift for a vendor, review his company’s policies in advance to determine his ability to accept gifts beyond a specific price point, if at all. (Unsure? Touch base with his HR department.)
When gifting internationally, always strive to acknowledge the recipient’s customs.
For example, according to traditional Chinese culture:
• To offer four of anything is good luck; eight is just the opposite.
• Gifts should be presented (and refused) a total of three times before they’re accepted.
• Red wrapping is preferable. The colors white and blue are associated with funerals.
08. For Vendors
Do Your Research
09. For Customers
Think Scalable
Tip:
Make sure that the gift is something you can reasonably give to every customer. Trinkets or gift cards redeemable only through your enterprise are small tokens of your appreciation that are likewise economical.
“Last year I sent hand-addressed [notes] to every customer
who had purchased anything from us, with a small gift card
enclosed to acknowledge our customers and let them know
how much we appreciate them.”
– Peggy Hartnett, Supplier, SUCCEED Member
10. For Customers
Keep It Relevant
Tip:
Select a gift for your customers that’s relevant to your business.
“I send a free gift with every purchase throughout the
month of December. It is usually a mesh laundry bag to
wash [delicates] in. They were very inexpensive and they
are extremely useful to my clients. It’s just my way of
saying, ‘Thank you for shopping with [us!]’”
– Brenda Gonzalez, Lingerie Boutique Owner, SUCCEED Member
Determine a budget
for your gift giving well
before you make any
purchases.
Advice InspirationActionAs a small business
owner, know that
your gifts are not an
isolated gesture. They
are individual business
decisions and very
much a part of your
brand identity.
“Business is all about
relationships…how
well you build them
determines how
well they build your
business.” – Brad Sugars, Business Coach
and Author
For more tips on holiday gift giving, visit the
Staples Small Business Hub.
> Corporate Gift Ideas for the Holidays
> Do You Need a Corporate Gift Giving Policy?
> 4 Trends in Small Business Holiday Cards
For more great gift ideas, visit the Staples Business Hub:
> http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/04/business/global/04iht-busnav04.html?_r=0
Sources