Question

Topic: Strategy

Client Gift Idea

Posted by aaroncagen on 11/12/2008 at 11:39 AM ET 30 Points
We're an IT outsourcing company and it's time to distribute end of year gifts.

My idea is the standard gift basket for executives and staff, a business book (or magazine subscription?) for the executive, and I'm also including 3x gift cards offering free training seminars or security analysis for our clients to distribute to their friends/associates.

Has anyone tried the latter idea? Would love your thoughts.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 11/12/2008 at 11:43 AM Member
    I have used BlueChopsticks.com and been very happy. I like them because they have unusual gift baskets with great themes (Board games or movie night, for example).

    In order to be remembered and appreciated, which is the real point of the gifts, don't ever do anything "standard"!
  • Posted by aaroncagen on 11/12/2008 at 12:16 PM Author
    Thanks. What are your thoughts on the giveaway cards?
  • Posted by Marla on 11/13/2008 at 12:08 AM Member
    I am all for off the wall unique gifts. Those are the ones that get used and your message retained. Select a product/gift that ties into your business or theme. Promoting your services by offering a discount is a wonderful idea, but rather that sending out a gift card that is (ultimately) disposable, why not distribute flash drives with your logo printed & your company information and offer loaded onto the drive. Take it one step further and enhance the packaging of the drive - that's what will give your flash drive the extra attention, must open and look at now factor! Flash drives come in all sorts of shapes, forms & memory sizes. Designs range from your common sticks to bracelets, pens, necklaces & even drives that are die cast mini vehicles.
  • Posted by Marla on 11/13/2008 at 12:09 AM Member
    I am all for off the wall unique gifts. Those are the ones that get used and your message retained. Select a product/gift that ties into your business or theme. Promoting your services by offering a discount is a wonderful idea, but rather than sending out a gift card that is (ultimately) disposable, why not distribute flash drives with your logo printed & your company information and offer loaded onto the drive. Take it one step further and enhance the packaging of the drive - that's what will give your flash drive the extra attention, must open and look at now factor! Flash drives come in all sorts of shapes, forms & memory sizes. Designs range from your common sticks to bracelets, pens, necklaces & even drives that are die cast mini vehicles.
  • Posted by aaroncagen on 11/13/2008 at 11:28 AM Author
    Well, the gift cards will be free services provided by OUR company. So that clients can distribute them to our clients.

    Has anyone done this before?
  • Posted by MarketGoGo on 11/13/2008 at 2:09 PM Accepted
    I like the idea of the gift cards. I used to work for a big consulting company. The best thing they ever sent out to the company (in my opinion) was movie tickets and a gift certificate to a restaurant! How's that for simple. The message was terrific: "You've been working very hard to make us all successful. Please take some time with your family and friends and go on a movie night."

    Similarly, when I was in the airline industry and things were tough about 3 years ago (not as tough as today mind you), they gave out "discount coupons" that you could give away to your family and friends. It wasn't the bonus everyone really wished we had, but it was a great gesture and very much appreciate. Additionally, the upside for the airline was that it put more people on their planes, and it also gave more people the experience of trying this relatively new airline.

    So - I say GO FOR IT. Send those gift cards. They will be appreciated by your clients and will bring you more business.
  • Posted by aaroncagen on 11/14/2008 at 1:53 PM Author
    Thanks for the feedback. Any thoughts on how to present it to the customer - from a copy perspective - without sounding like we're trying to get them to promote our services?

  • Posted by MarketGoGo on 11/20/2008 at 4:13 PM Member
    I'd do exactly what you are proposing.
    - Gift basket
    - Book / Magazine
    - Tastefully displayed gift certificates

    The copy I'd go with would be along the lines of:

    "Thanks very much for your business. We really appreciate it. To show you how much your business means to us, we'd like to invite you, your team members, or other any of your associates to take part in a "x" free training sessions courtesy of . You can take this training anytime this year. Please check out our website at < class="resplink" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www....com> for our course offering, and call me personally at to book it."

    Maybe in fine print down below you could have something like:

    "In the true spirit of the season, this is a gift, and there are no extra fees, or any other obligation along side it. We at just simply hope you enjoy the training."
  • Posted by aaroncagen on 11/20/2008 at 6:04 PM Author
    Thanks Tandembike,

    Great ideas. My thought was to offer them training AND offer security assessments or training sessions for their friends and associates to spread the word.

    Your thoughts?
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