Business gifts are a material representation of something immaterial. A physical object is serving as a symbol. Of generosity, kindness, appreciation, gratitude and collaboration. Gift giving traces back to primitive civilizations and is even common amongst animals. It can be used to strengthen social connection, establish an alliance and contribute to marking an important event.
Saying thank you to employees, colleagues, clients, or any other business partner, goes a long way in developing a positive relationship. It fosters goodwill and lets the other person know that you value them. This has a positive impact on loyalty and trust. A business gift is a physical manifestation of saying thank you. It contributes to a shared experience and communicates that the relationship is more than just a transaction. Gift giving fosters a sense of mutual respect and connection.
Another aspect of business gifts is that they represent an opportunity to communicate your brand. If you, as a business owner, choose them wisely, they will reflect your company’s values and brand identity. Which can leave a lasting impression. The key here is to choose personalized gifts of a high quality. Because the receiver will then associate your business with thoughtfulness and professionalism. What you want to evoke is a positive emotion which is likely to transfer onto you, as an individual, and the company you represent.
Gifts aren’t only effective when you’re connecting with business partners outside of your company. Gifting employees is valuable, too. It recognizes their efforts and achievements. This boosts morale and fosters a positive organisational culture.
Let me explain this by introducing you to a set of five short questions. By following this proven process you can avoid the many pitfalls of gift giving.
Question number one is who, as in who will you give the gift to? Do you prefer to gift many people or just a select few? Is it a client, a supplier, an employee? Some other type of business partner? Think about the type of relationship you have. Would you characterize it as more formal or relaxed? How well do you know each other? Have you already worked on many projects together? Are you maybe even friends?
The who will naturally be influenced by your budget. You might prefer to give a gift to a large number of people but if you don’t have the budget for it, you’ll have to reconsider.
Why do you plan on giving a gift to this person? Any particular occasion? Is it to show your gratitude for a successful project you’ve been working on? Is it an employee you want to show appreciation for? Determine what the primary motivator is and reflect upon it. Be clear about your intention.
What should the gift be? Information about the person is critical. You’ll want to find a gift that, on the one side, represents your brand identity, and, on the other side, matches the individual’s preferences. The more important aspect of these two needs to be the second, not the first one.
Do you know anything this person likes or dislikes, e.g. certain types of food or maybe a sport? Any hobbies you remember the person talking about? I remember a client who, when we had lunch together, told me he loved cooking. Particularly different types of fish. Information like this is very helpful to determine the right type of gift. He was over the moon when months later I gifted him a cookbook specifically about how to prepare fish dishes.
You know the person enjoys a good drink? Many of the brands we here at PES work with are part of the premium spirit industry. For obvious reasons, for them to gift someone a bottle of of their spirits will be a good gift option. Even better if it comes with a custom bottle glorifier or display. You know that the person doesn’t drink alcohol? Then gifting an alcoholic beverage is obviously a no go.
What you should always look out for is the quality of the product or service. Because this will communicate how much you value the relationship and how much attention you’ve paid to selecting the gift.
Another important aspect is personalization. If it is e.g. a metal object like a bottle opener, you could go the extra mile and add the receiver’s initials, as an engraving, to the product. Or add a personal message, via a handwritten card, or a print on the packaging.
The packaging needs to feel and look right. It offers an opportunity to present your brand. If at all, don’t do it too prominently on the product itself. It sends the wrong message. That your brand is more important than the receiver. I recommend you rather use the packaging or a separate card to communicate your brand.
Last but not least, culture. If the person is someone from abroad, inform yourself about their culture. You want to avoid gifting something that, culturally, would be inappropriate.
How are you going to deliver the gift? Does the product fit into an envelope or box which you want to mail in? Do you prefer to hand over the gift in person? Handing it over personally sends a stronger message in terms of how much you care about the relationship.
Are you the best person to do it, or does a teammate of yours collaborate much more with this person and therefore should be doing it instead?
Consider timing. Is it a gift to celebrate the prior calendar year and therefore you want to deliver it during the end of December or early January? Is this maybe the period of the year when many of your business partners will be on vacation? If so, you’ll want to reconsider.
Consider the occasion. Is it during a lunch or dinner? Before or after a business meeting? At the end of a successful joint project? During an internal reward and recognition event?
An important aspect you have to consider is any organisational rule that impacts gift giving. You need to respect it if an organisation has set, as a rule, that no gift should be given, by any of their supplier partners, to any of their employees. We have a couple of clients who specifically mention this in the terms they asked us to sign.
As described above, there are several aspects to consider when choosing gifts. There isn’t a one size fits them all solution. The following are examples of gift ideas that will serve you as food for thought.
Most of your business partners will be working in an office environment. A workplace needs to enhance productivity, organization and comfort. Office accessories are therefore a popular category when it comes to gifting business partners.
Think of desk accessories, stationery items, ergonomic accessories, technology accessories and office décor here. In 2017, we here at PES, have launched a new brand named VAU. VAU represents a collection of everyday design objects inspired by universal symbols.
A common category within the domain of corporate business gifts are awards, medals and plaques. These gifts have a very long tradition. They are particularly preferred by more traditional type of organizations. We here at PES do a lot of them for Ministries, Embassies, sports, municipal and corporate organizations.
These prestigious gifts are used to recognize achievements, foster goodwill and develop relationships. They serve as a symbol of excellence that people like to display. Awards, medals and plaques can be made from diverse materials: metal, wood, MDF, crystal, glass, acrylic glass…
They can easily be customized, via the color of the material itself, engraving, hotstamping, lacquering or print.
Examples of occasions when they are being used are anniversaries, milestone achievements, product launches, industry recognition, long-term collaborations and business awards.
Personalized product replicas are a unique gift item. Usually scaled-down versions of the original product, it could e.g. be a sculpture of a person, a building or a company’s product. Maybe the first product with which they started their journey, reminding them of their entrepreneurial start.
Replicas serve as a decorative item for an office space and can even include a practical function. A miniature model of a car, boat or historical object, which can serve as a collectible item, is a good option.
Another category that will work well, if the person you want to gift something to enjoys a drink after a long day, are bar utensils and coasters. Even better if they are customized. These are practical and stylish items.
Good options are cocktail shakers, stirrers, jiggers, muddlers and wine openers. Preferably stainless steel. All of these items can be personalized via an engraving. It is important to source high quality products that are dishwasher safe, scratch resistant and hence will last a long time.
Coasters are often an overlooked but effective business gift option for an office or home bar. As everyday objects, they protect surfaces and enhance the decorative appeal of a room. Custom coasters are both practical and personal. The customization can be achieved via adding a logo or any other brand element. Common quality materials are wood, marble, leather, cork and acrylic.
If you know the receiver likes board games, these coasters might be a great option.
Exclusive bottles, e.g. of whiskey, wine, cognac, brandy, rum or vodka, are beautiful gifts. Their uniqueness can be linked to the following elements:
Limited Editions: collectible bottles from well established brands, e.g. Macallan, Louis XIII Cognac
Custom Personalization: via print or engraving, e.g. of a name, company logo or text
Handcrafted or Artsy Bottles: these could be bottles in unique shapes or artistic designs, including its packaging
A nice addition to unique bottles are glorifiers. Particularly custom ones. Glorifiers are displays that specifically highlight bottles. They are a great idea for business owners who like to display fine spirits or wine in their office or home. There exist different versions of them:
If you opt for the right gift for a business owner it will leave a lasting impression and strengthen your relationship. Whether it’s a personalized planner, a premium pen set, a high-tech gadget or an exclusive networking experience, each option offers a thoughtful blend of practicality and sophistication.
When selecting a gift, consider the recipient’s personal preferences and professional needs to ensure it is both meaningful and practical. A well-chosen gift not only expresses appreciation but also reinforces your business connection in a positive and memorable way.
Ivica Baraba - Sales & Marketing management
"In PES I get to work on many custom branded merchandise projects. I’ve been doing this since 2004. It intrigues me to delve into brand worlds and determine what products can help a client achieve their business goals. It is an exceptionally creative and dynamic industry to be a part of.”
