The annual Giftex show embodies the creative, trend-setting spirit that defines the corporate gifting industry. The ability of bringing the best in business under one umbrella can be attributed to the fact that the event is conceptualized and managed by a team of experienced professionals.

Specialists in the gifting industry belonging to Trade & Technology Exposition Co. (India) Pvt. Ltd have conceived it as a complete and comprehensive exhibition and event management platform. They have successful hosted several events on different themes, and Giftex is a testimony to their capabilities.

Even in the season of lean corporate spending, the importance of corporate gifting has by no means diminished. Corporate gifting is vital for the purpose of reviving and reinforcing crucial business contacts! The consolidation phase of a business can perhaps be the best opportunity to appreciate the association with them.

Top businesses also understand the importance of sticking to employees who provide excellent service and bring value to them. Presenting a gift will only enhance ties with them. This is the perfect time for a meaningful corporate activity. The times are challenging, but such challenges call for dramatic measures.

In this context, Giftex is a one-stop shopping event for bulk purchases by corporate entities and traders, giving everyone access to India’s top sourcing hubs. All the earlier Giftex editions had been a huge hit, and this year’s edition to be held at Mumbai’s Nehru Centre in just about a week from now, promises to be a blockbuster.

And here is a word of advice to make the most of your gifting program: Tuned to the changing times, look to experiment and come up with innovative ideas. Personalization is a vital factor in gifting to select top-level executives, and even your employees. Generic promotional items are passé because people are trying to get be more personal with things. It is often seen as ‘unfashionable’ to be extravagant with gifts today, especially in international context.

For many more such ideas and gifting options, visit Giftex 2012!

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Giftex is here again! The 2012 edition is set to underline why the event is without doubt among the most keenly awaited and highly valued shows in its domain. It’s truly one of its kind event not only in Mumbai but across India.

Indeed no other exhibit revolving around the theme of gifting manages to generate so much buzz and excitement as this annual show. What are its features that make Giftex so special and unique?

•    Giftex acts as a one stop shopping event for bulk purchases by corporate entities and Traders, giving buyers access to India’s top sourcing hub. It will have on offer among the most dynamic and contemporary gifting themes ever seen. All the innovative gifts can be sourced under one roof.

•    Despite the looming recession world over, India continues to do well as a nation. The country’s industry and corporate houses are doing reasonably well. Giftex 2012, to be hosted at Nehru Centre, worli, Mumbai will sure reflect the vibrancy of India’s resilient corporate scene! It is going to be the Season’s biggest ever buying opportunity professionals and marketers cannot afford to miss…

•    There are going to be several new gifting ideas on offer at Giftex 2012 for those looking for creative options. With hundreds of stalls and thousands of gifting items, you can get a catchy corporate gift portfolio – in retail and in bulk.

•    Considered India’s biggest and the most ambitious corporate gifting exhibition, the event is sure to live up to the hype, which it has generated over the years, providing the perfect opportunity to build an exclusive gift folio.

The truly overwhelming response to the previous Giftex edition was because of extremely enthusiastic participation. This is another exciting aspect of the event. Top business professionals cutting across a diverse spectrum of business industries, domains, brands and domains is a testimony to the rising popularity of this hugely successful event.

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On the eve of Giftex 2012, where you are all set to get a kaleidoscopic view of the best gift ideas on offer under one roof, we also feel it is pertinent to know some of the key norms – dos and don’ts of corporate gifting – generic or those given on special occasion.

1. First and foremost, check the company policy on giving and receiving gifts. Know whether they prefer token gifts or something fancy or jazzy as well. Putting a logo on the gift is important, but do so in a subtle manner!
2. One should remember cultural and geographical barriers. Each state and country has its different values on basis of which gifting strategy should be devised. Follow the local conventions or else you might end up offending your international clients.
3. When giving a gift to individuals, it’s always a good idea to give a gift that is personalized in nature. Cost is not always the factor; try to follow the person’s tastes and know about his or her tastes. For example, if a client enjoys a particular sporting activity, he or she should be given free tickets to that game or a souvenir.
4. Gifting activity should not be too personal or centered around only few individual as it may create a misunderstanding. It should not be politically incorrect. For example, you should not be gifting a weight loss certificate to a fat person or a box of sweets to a diabetic this may create a misunderstanding. Avoid gifts that are based on religious themes. Generic gift ideas work best.
5. Do not repeat a gift idea year after year. Rotate them skillfully so that each year the program should arouse interest, thus making the client appreciate it more.

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Specific rules and norms are set by respective advertising standards authorities in different countries. The same are monitored by committees that keep a tab over advertising practices that can often be misleading. These bodies are independently administered and serve like a watchdog.

For example, Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) functions as a self regulatory voluntary organization. The role and functioning of ASCI encompasses addressing complaints received from consumers and industry against advertisements and claims that are considered as false or misleading. It is important in this context that we consider the difference, albeit subtle, between a prize (awarded to a lucky few winners) and a gift (available to all or a majority of entrants to a promotion irrespective of the fact whether they win or lose).

This distinction should always be made amply clear to consumers who are being targeted or approached through promotional offers. If all or almost all participants are entitled to an award in a promotion, it should not be termed a prize. In such a case, it may preferably be denoted as a ‘gift’, ‘reward’, ‘award’ or a similar such term as long as the context does not get misleading to consumers.
For example, promoters should not make a claim that respondents will get to ‘win’ a ‘gift’ because the terminology is improper, confusing and inconsistent. Rather state they would get to ‘win a ‘prize’ or will be ‘given a ‘gift’. Let’s take a practical case. A few years ago, the UK based Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) mulled over a peculiar promotion that involved the promoter offering several prizes and gifts.

The promoter considered that since recipients got one of two or three gifts on offer with no single gift going to ‘all or most’ of them, each gift could well be described as a prize. However, the authorities stipulated that since the vast majority of respondents would get one of two or three low-value items, they should be termed as gifts. The promoter thus had to withdraw the claim that these were rather prizes and not gifts.

So make sure that you promote the program in a proper context so that it is not perceived to be misleading consumers. In other words, drawing a fine line between a gift and a prize is vital.

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One of the great ways to bring vitality into the office environ is a perfect piece of wall art. You can also consider it as a gorgeous gift. We shall consider handy tips for the purpose:

Gauge the space available

When hanging anything, gauge the space available. Hang your pieces two feet away from each other in a straight line. When hanging along the staircase, too, the pieces should follow a straight line, preferably along the banister. If a piece needs to go above a sofa in your room where you would meet clients or guests, hang it six to nine inches above the sofa, at eye level.

Consider the office settings

Try and understand what kind of atmosphere and ambience the office generally has. Does the owner prefer a dynamic and creative setting? Or should it be minimalistic with a stark color play? Choose the theme according to the client’s tastes and personality. Creative jobs like advertising need a stimulating environment; jobs that are more desk-oriented can have a relaxed feel to relieve employees of their mental pressure. Similarly, rooms where brain storming happens can be bold and dynamic.

Figurative, landscape or abstract?

There are many kinds of wall art. Choose those that become talking points without being too garish or something that could appeal to only a niche few. Abstract wall art might not be very popular and most might even feel repelled by it. Opt for contemporary wall art – dancing figures and pictures in metal panels. You will find that more people can relate to this category of objects and they give a modern feel to the office. Masks are a common way to add character to any room. You can also install wall vases at strategic points and grow different varieties of foliage to add freshness and greenery to the room.

To sum it up, you can pick and arrange wonderful wall art pieces to please eclectic clients. You can be creative by creating one of your own and customizing it.

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The Valentine’s Day is round the corner. It’s the most ‘loveable’ day of the year, literally. And this is your chance to express your feelings through some gorgeous gifts. Archies has come up with a fabulous range of Valentine’s goodies for your beloved. We recommend some of the cute combos to celebrate your everlasting love:

You can express yourself in a unique way with an exquisite love mug combo. It comes with a colorful ‘love Mug’ that carries musical and lighting effects.  A handwritten Valentine greeting card will make it truly personalized. You can express your heartfelt feelings. Add sweetness to it with ‘Five Seasons Premium’ chocolates.

There is another combo from Archies for you to thank your love for having filled your life with so much joy. You can do so this Valentine’s Day by expressing your warmth with this lovely combo: that comprises a cute ‘n’ charming bear proudly holding a red love heart. Again, a handwritten Valentine greeting card to go with the gift will add a personal touch to it.

For the bond that is full of lasting love, this is a true tribute. Wish someone close to your heart Happy Valentine’s Day with this heart throb combo that comprises musical love spring in a gorgeous gift box with a tender “I love you” message. It carries a handwritten personalized Valentine card. Add juicy sweetness in it with ‘Five Seasons Premium’ delicious chocolates range.

It’s just perfect for your darling who means so much to you. Gift him/her this lovely combo and unravel your innermost feelings. It will treasure his/her attractive photo in poly-resin heart shape cupid photo frame to make it personalized.

Every time you happen to be with him/her, there is a tinge of romance around. Why not thank your beloved for making your life rich with love with this combo. It carries a crystal love angel sitting pretty in a heart box with a nice love message.

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Valentine’s Day is approaching fast, and you must be wondering what to gift to that someone special. But maybe, budget is a factor as you do not want to buy something very expensive. However, you also want the gift to look classy. How can you make this possible? Well, you should look to innovate to bring a pleasant surprise to your lover or your best buddy on the Valentine’s Day eve.How, you sure would want to know! Here are three off-beat gifts crafted out of routine objects with a touch of personalization and imagination.

Personalized CD: Burn a CD of her or his favorite love duets or solos or touchy poems. Do not forget to customize the CD cover. Do so with a nice picture of both of you. Isn’t it all romantic, albeit economical? Music CD with a personal love messages subtly sneaked between songs will also have a magical effect. Record your voice on a cell phone or a recider; transfer it onto your comp with a data cable and arrange it along with his/her favorite songs to be burnt. It cannot get simpler than this!

Personalized piece of art: Gift her or him a beautiful painting (if you are good at drawing and painting, nothing like it) or some intelligently scribbled conversation you cherish in a pretty frame.

Personalized mouse pad with a special message: A personalized mouse pad is a good gift idea. Many gift shops are willing to add sayings as well as photos on just about anything. If you do so, it will impart a personalized product. Come up with some lines that are touching and catchy.

If you wish to make it that much mushier, a love-filled poem could be considered. You could try this trick with a photo frame, mug, penholder, etc. A personalized gift is bound to touch your beloved’s heart! What you will get in return… well, we won’t ask to share the details with us. It must be something very personalized…

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You might have been advised that you need to ‘think beyond the boundaries’, to make your gifting ideas work. But by no ways this would mean going overboard. Be creative and not careless.

Let me give a practical example. Say, you’ve decided to present food baskets. But You should not gift basketfull of yummy chocolates to a person on a strict diet or suffering from diabetes! It’s like indirectly mocking him. You need to know the person better before finalizing your choice, or else the whole idea will backfire.

Work out budget

Depending on your clientele along with your marketing budget, you can either go for elegantly designed high-end objects or basic ones. In effect, gifting should be planned in advance, there by having sufficient time for negotiating the rates for the gifts and also availing discount facilities

Know the intangibles

Apart from the tangible aspects, other intangibles are equally important. Try to ensure the appropriateness of any gift or favor you give or receive. Be grateful to the person who gave a gift to you, with a nice note like: “You have really understood my taste. Mention how you plan to practically use the gift.

Want to refuse a gift…

In certain circumstances, you might not be in a position to receive a gift. However, its giver would perhaps refuse to take the gift back. This can be other way round, and the client might show unwillingness to accept a gift. Maintain a proper record of your formal or official interaction with the person. Make sure the appropriate authority next in your chain of command is always kept in the loop if such a situation emerges.

Be discreet

Being discreet is another important aspect while gifting. If you decide to only give gifts to some employees who are your friends, do so out of the office. Last but not the least, remembering everyone while giving gifts can go a long way in building and maintaining relationships. When gifting to staff, accommodate even the lower hierarchy. This passes a message that each person is valued in your organization and is treated as a vital part of it.

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Don’t assume things! Just because you like a gift idea doesn’t mean your recipient will! Think hard before you finalize a gift idea. Once you have done so, the task of choosing from a wide array of corporate gift possibilities is not so difficult. Let’s consider the pros and cons of some of them:

It’s great when a corporate gift has personality, but the core issue is whether it reflects the personality and interests of the receiver.
Is he or she a sports car buff? Does the person love art and craft? What’s her favorite color? What is that he or she avoids or dislikes?

It is necessary to discreetly find out all these things instead of randomly picking a gift. The gift can never be bigger than its recipient?
When you make a thoughtful choice, your gift invariably reflects your sensibilities, and gives the impression that you indeed care about the person beyond business relations and hence have taken the time and efforts to understand his or her style, taste and even moods. In other words, you need to be doubly sure of your client’s choices and preferences.

Tickets to live entertainment and sporting events can make great gifts. Scarce seats for a sold-out concert or show can enhance your standing in the eyes of a client. Office-related items like pen sets and desk blotters are the safest bets. Exercise caution when presenting art prints and other decorative pieces, since tastes in office decor can vary.

Gift cards are preferable, if you want to take out much of the guesswork of giving. They are available from a wide variety of FMCG companies, super stores, malls and book stores that offer the buyer freedom of choice. The only problem is the amount printed on the face, which, for some, can be discomforting. In essence, the key is treat your gifting program as a full-fledged target-marketing and relationship-building strategy

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Gifting can prove to be an effective public relations strategy, if employed creatively, even refusing it, at times. Though you have decided not to accept a gift, make sure that the person knows the reason for your doing so. This will avoid any misunderstanding. In case, you are thinking to decline a gift, do so in a courteous manner. Here’s why and how:

• Accepting overly generous gifts is not usually the proper thing to do. And if there are certain unavoidable circumstances under which a gift needs to be returned, there is a way to do it. For example, write a tactful note to the person acknowledging his or her gesture even while refusing it politely.
• If receiving a costly gift makes you feel uncomfortable or you think it can cause a potential damage to a business relationship, it is correct to refuse the gift. Doing so is perfectly acceptable. Accepting gifts as favor from clients is among the most sensible things to do. Refusing generous giving, however, must be done in a respectful way.
• Approach your ‘generous giver’ in person. If the person might feel offended, try to sooth his or her frayed nerves by writing a letter. Thank the giver for his or her gift. Though you are refusing it, still thank the person for the kind gesture.
• Explain carefully your position to convey why you are refusing the gift. If it is your company policy to not to accept expensive gifts, have a copy of the same on hand or incorporate that part of your company policy statement in your letter.
• Express your regret in a genuine manner for refusing the gift. This is important if you need to maintain a continued business relationship with the person so the latter does not feel awkward.

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