How to give meaningful client gifts.
12/16/2019 10:00
You love your clients (hopefully) and appreciate their business (definitely), so it makes sense to send them a thoughtful gift when we’re all tallying up year-end numbers and making plans for the new year. A token of your appreciation, however small, can strengthen the bond between you and your client, reports Anne Rosso May in this month’s Best Practices article in Collector magazine.
“Client gift-giving is all about building a relationship,” said Chane Steiner, CEO of Crediful. “It’s a strategy and it’s important to look at it that way. A good gift sends the message that you’re paying attention and that you know what their needs are.”
If there’s one thing you’ll find in offices around the world each December, it’s a welcome tide of snacks and treats.
Joan Hendler, executive vice president for Remex Inc., said her company takes this traditional gift one step further by ordering trays of cookies from a local, family-owned bakery (“They use real butter,” she notes), which she personally delivers to each of the company’s significant clients, along with ACA calendars.
“Everybody loves those cookies,” she said. “They look forward to it without question. In fact, I took a group of clients out to dinner in June at a trade show and they all started talking about the cookies.” Most companies like to receive gifts that can be enjoyed by several people, if not a whole team.
Roxanne Elkins, client services and office manager for Vision Financial Recovery Inc., said she likes to give food that can be used in conjunction with the client’s staff party.
“I try to find out when their company or department party is, so I can time the delivery,” Elkins said. “I’ll call my connection with the client and ask, ‘I’m sure lunch is already being provided for your event, but is there a snack you would like or something we could send over?’”
Gifts that reflect clients’ interests go a long way toward strengthening your connection.
Ben G. Smith, CEO of Xcellerate Biomedical Technologies, said that his staff prepares for the holiday season way in advance.
“We implemented a program years back where throughout the year in our CRM when we talked to a customer, we would have some fun question come up,” he said. “An example is: ‘What was your favorite candy as a kid?’ It’s a great ice breaker and keeps the customer and representative connected if they can share stories.”
At the end of the year, the company ordered the clients’ beloved childhood candies and included them with their invoice.
“They get a personalized treat and we get points for remembering!” he said.
Other client gift ideas can come from getting creative or thinking outside of the box. Charitable donations made on behalf of your clients send the message that you care about the community or you can try adding a personal touch to gifts.
It’s also important to make sure you know your clients’ policies on what kind of gifts they can accept, if any.
For more ideas on client gifts, read Rosso May’s article here.
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