Why give a business gift?

Le 15 avril 2023

Before going into details regarding the benefits of giving a business gift it is important to differentiate the notion of a business gift from that of an advertising item - goodies. They relate to distinct business objectives and a range of different gift products.

If the advertising item or promotional item is intended for a large-scale communication operation, the business gift is part of a desire to consolidate an existing and privileged business relationship. It is for the supplier the expression of thanking its customers, for example, for their loyalty and trust.

What are the objectives of the business gift?

Far from the classic and basic pens, key rings and other advertising goodies, business gifts are positioned on product ranges prioritising quality over quantity, these are generally branded gifts.

Strengthening personal connections without commercial pressure

The business gift is intended to consolidate the connection with the recipient and builds a more personal emotional bond by evolving the purely commercial relationship. If it is a tool to retain a commercial partner or a client, the business gift is not intended to put pressure on them at the time when the partnership must be renewed or a contract must be signed. The corporate gift is a subtle attention bringing together a customised gift to the right recipient, given at the right time.

This attention remains natural and pleasant for the recipient, it occurs in a stable and balanced partnership relationship. The business gift is the tool that differentiates you from the recipient's other commercial contacts, by going beyond the simple commercial relationship, it maintains the link with the recipient over time. The corporate gift ensures your chances of being in the memory of the recipients in their new search for a partner or service provider, this indirectly creates the feeling of being indebted to the issuer of the gift.

The business gift: building a customised relationship

If the priority of the advertising object is the enhancement of the brand image and communication through the object, the interest of a business gift is above all a personalised relationship where the brand must not be too visible . If branding is possible, the logo must be discreet and the marking elegant so as not to transform the object into an advertising medium. It is better to choose discretion so as not to embarrass the recipient to their colleagues or other service providers.

When should a business gift be given to your employees?

As explained previously, it is awkward to give a business gift just before the decision to sign a contract or renew a collaboration. The recipient might be feeling pressured by the purely commercial objective of the gift.

It is better to favor traditional periods for giving gifts, it depends on the relationship with the recipient and the information provided by them about their private life.

At the end of the year to thank your customers

End of year periods are traditionally favoured for giving a business gift, but the disadvantage is that your gift might not be efficiently noticed among all the promotional gifts received by your recipient at the end of the year.

After signing a contract

The business gift can also be given as recognition after the signing of an important partnership or the renewal of it, it then formalises the renewed trust with your client, this is where he has the most impact and relevance.

For a significant event

As part of a deeper relationship with the client, you can also send them a business gift for an important event directly related to their professional life such as a promotion or a more personal event: birthday, birth, etc.

Finally, when choosing a corporate gift, you must not forget to take seasonality into account. When it comes to clothing, for example, you have to think carefully about the season to choose a textile suitable for summer or winter.

The priority to customise the business gift

To give a business gift, the process is similar to that of a gift for a loved one. This requires in-depth consideration of the client's personality and the field in which they operate. The present can be customised to his personal environment, his hobbies in his free time or the subjects he is passionate about.

This requires a fairly in-depth knowledge of your recipient which is why the business gift is limited to a small amount of selected recipients, based on their commercial potential for your business. It is better to prioritise a small quantity of high-end gifts than a large quantity of basic gifts to send on a large scale.

This balance between quantity and quality must be evaluated based on the potential of each client and the business they are able to bring in.

Whatever the type and amount of the gift, don't forget to mark your intention and its customisation with an elegant card with a handwritten note.