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.

Bookmark to:

Corporate gifting is very important to maintain good relations with your key clients. If you do come up with an idea of a novel gift for them, it will do the trick for you. Conversely, if you give a gift that really looks silly or makes them feel awkward, you may even stand to lose the deal. All of a sudden you find yourself in an unsavory situation. So you need to be careful and judicious. Of course, with a good selection, gifts can help to build lasting corporate relations.

Corporate gifting is done to promote relationship with our employees, clients and others, as we all know. Imagine presenting a beautiful cross pen to a prime customer with his name on it. It’s the ultimate excitement one can get from a gift and render it the most memorable gesture. In essence, corporate promotional gifting is an expression of appreciation of the client’s importance to your business. Here are some important things to keep in mind in this regard:

• A key aspect of corporate promotional gifting is ‘customization’; i.e. just the manner in which the company’s brand logo can be impressed upon the gift, the customer’s name can be embedded upon the gift too.

• As a rule, the person gifting his/her client must know some very specific details about the client. These specific details could be major characteristics, like/dislikes, habits, age and other facts.
• Getting acquainted with your client’s personality and thinking patterns would make up a great deal while choosing the right gift for a corporate client.
• Every person may love a certain gift and might dislike a certain gift. It is better to know your clients and then choose specific gifts for them rather than pick a random item without knowing the clients’ personality and characteristics. It would do more harm than any good.

Corporate gifting is a gesture that in a small, albeit significant way acts as a recall medium - when the client has to make a decision; your logo appears automatically in front of his eyes thanks to the timely and pertinent gift. Even little things that are personal in nature and spell the difference between you and your competitor will help generate sales and build long-lasting relationships. Corporate promotional gifting will always remain as a premium business etiquette and relationship-building activity.

Bookmark to:

In this article, we shall go through some unspoken norms of giving and receiving a gift in the corporate world:

• Even though your intentions may be honest and it may just be a small gift, if the client firm objects to receiving any gift, giving a gift should be avoided. It will be inappropriate on your part to force a gift on the person.
• Conversely, if receiving a gift makes you feel slightly uncomfortable or you believe it can cause some damage to an important business relationship, it is correct to refuse the gift, but in an appropriate manner.
• Do not ever think of recycling a gift that you have received, at least, within the same circle of friends or else you will be caught. (Remember, that TV commercial of the same gift changing hands, doing rounds of different homes, and ultimately landing with the first person who had gifted it, to start with.
• On other hand, if you receive something that you know is not original, try not to look dejected or disappointed. Accept it with a smile on your face and set your mind to it. If you want to return the gift, do so without opening it, if possible.
• Avoid the temptation of what the ‘generous’ giver has opted to gift. This gives the person the option of recycling the gift. In fact, it always makes sense to check your office policy on accepting any kind of gift from clients.
• Though it might just be a small gift, if your company’s policy says that accepting any gift from the clients is not appropriate, it should be returned. If a gift from one of your business associates looks like a favor, it should be returned.
• In certain cases, a giver might refuse to take the gift back. In such a case, do not make a coworker or a client feel embarrassed about giving. Keep a formal record of your correspondence, if any. Make sure you’ve notified the senior person in your office about the chain of events.

Bookmark to:

Find gifts that are unique in terms of appearance and usage. The next step is elegant packaging and actual presenting with grace so that the receiver is happy and not embarrassed. Last but not the least, avoid a gift in cash – either giving or receiving it. Following are few more important codes and ethics of corporate gifting:

• It is essential that you first review your office policy on accepting a gift from clients. Even though it may be a small token gift, if your company policy states that accepting favors in form of gifts needs prior permission or is inappropriate, it makes better sense to return the gift. If a gift from one of your business associates is questionable in nature, it should be preferably returned or refused.
• As far as possible, never make a co-worker or client feel embarrassed or ashamed about generous giving. It may happen that a generous giver refuses to take back his or her gift. In such a scenario, keep a proper record of your correspondence with the person and try to make sure that you have notified the appropriate authority in your chain of command or hierarchy.
• There’s also a way of taking a gift back from the person whom you happened to send a wrong gift item by mistake. Now this leads to a dilemma whether to take it back or let it go. If you indeed have made such a mistake and have ended sending up a wrong gift to a wrong person, the best recourse would be accepting it and explaining the mistake you made and apologize for it. If you wish to take back the gift given for whatever reasons, be polite in talking to that person.
• On other hand, while giving a gift first check what exactly the guidelines are for corporate gifting in your company and also of the person to whom you are planning to gift. If there are any stipulated norms for budget, logo printing etc, understand them clearly. Once you have done so, you can start looking for an appropriate gift.

Bookmark to:

In its special Diwali gifting series, The Mint focused on families giving away some unique Diwali gifts for friends and relatives. Anindita Ghose in an essay made mention of such off-beat gifting ideas. 

“What do you gift those who almost have everything they might need?” the writer asked, referring to the Sharmas - Jyotsana and Arjun – who decided to buy potted basil plants in lemon, camphor and tulsi varieties as Diwali gifts.

Their festive gifting plans reflect the austerity debate. But for them it’s more a practical option since the two increasingly find extravagant gifting a pointless exercise. Jyotsana testifies to the undesirable phenomenon of gift recycling. One gift she would though, never pass on is an orchid a friend gifted her. Nurturing it has become an engaging experience, which is why she chose to the green gifting idea.

She approached a local herb store to source their plants from a wide range of medicinal and exotic herbs. The couple opted for basil for its sociological ties with Indian tradition. In fact, the family has almost done away with the whole concept of gifting since the last couple of years. Instead it donates to charitable foundation.

Diwali is an occasion that prompts more donations, which would go to each family member’s chosen charity. Arjun supports Chintan, an NGO that is part of Project Arman. His mother, a doctor by profession, manages a charitable dispensary. Wife Jyotsana supports two animal shelters. A foundation named after Arjun’s father funds a hospital, temple and school in their native village. Every year, the dotting donors throw a party for the rag picking children after Diwali.

Instead of lavish gifting, the family tries to revive the tradition of get-togethers to strengthen the bonds of love. The message here is that, you can celebrate Diwali not just by splurging, but also by donating to charities, and going green. 

Bookmark to:

If you are still unclear about what to really gift him or her to strengthen the bond of your relationship on any special occasion, here are some simple yet interesting gift ideas.

Generally speaking, giving your partner something he or she might have been thinking to get is a perfect way to show your love. It’s indicating that you care about the person’s tastes and understand what makes him or her truly happy.

Whatever the gift, make it a point to personalize it with some engraving. This will add a romantic touch to it. You can think of a gift like cuff links or a locket engraved with the person’s initials or a message. It’s not really about how much you can spend, but rather about the personal touch you add to it. A picture perfect photo frame will also work.

You may make a scrapbook of special photographs defining various milestone moments of your lovely relationship. Sift through old albums to collate those memorable moments on a romantic occasion This will indeed make a beautiful gift.

And just one passing thought; why do you have to wait for a special occasion to shower someone you love with gifts? Gifts are great, anytime…

If you are in the early stages of a relationship, but are serious about it, be more thoughtful and choose your gift with greater care so that he or she appreciates your gesture and accepts the apparent or subtle message regarding your desire for long term relationships.

If you are still confused, and cannot still make your mind, gift vouchers will do. They are available in variable denominations – from Rs 500 to Rs 10000, and you can pick them depending on your budget.

Tags: Corporate gifting India, Worst gifts, Popular corporate gifts, Best corporate gifts, corporate gifts companies, Gifting events, low cost gifts, Business etiquette, gifting to clients, Best business gifts

Bookmark to:

In the previous post, we sneaked into marvelous Madhuri’s happy married life. Ram, her husband gives her gift on her birthdays and other special occasions. It does not really matter what the gift is. Madhuri is happy receiving them.

As you would agree, there is no such a thing as perfect gift. Tastes of different persons obviously are different. Also, it all depends on the current state, shade and intensity of your relationship!

Basically speaking, the thoughtful gift is the one that counts and creates a space for you in the person’s mind. If you take the effort to work out what the person is aspiring for, and give a gift accordingly, the price tag won’t matter. It might be a book by the person’s favorite author or his/her favorite singer’s music CD. If the person loves collecting certain memorabilia, you can add to the collection.

With a bit of planning and innovative thinking, you can get a perfect gift that conveys your sentiments and adds value to the relationship. Instead of pushing a rushed delivery of flowers, or last-minute reservation request at a restaurant, think of your gift and locate your favorite romantic spot well in advance for any special occasion like a birthday or anniversary.

A loving husband may opt for a set of soft silk sheets in conventional colors like dark maroon or silver would make a good gift. Dress your bed and decorate a vase on a bedside table with some fresh flowers. When she walks in, she will get a real surprise!

Love charts its own undefined course. Yet you can give a definite direction to it with timely gesture to match your level of involvement and the intensity of your love. 

Bookmark to:

There are those timeless scents - spicy and warm for winter, and Fruity or minty for summer. Here’s looking at some new smells spreading around for breathing a new life in your relationship. You can choose from a whole range of perfumes, which are ideal to spread romance in the air.

Smell of lilies: Body Shop has launched a new fragrance range ‘Aqua Lily’. It’s a fresh, delicate and water floral-based fragrance. This does not merely reflect a product that smells like lilies. Body Shop has moved a step ahead, to dig up some history, to mix it up with the smell. To the Chinese, lilies symbolize ‘forever in love’; the Greeks termed it the ‘flower of flowers’, whereas the Romans often blended fresh lilies with roses and scattered on their beds.
There is a whole range including Aqua Lily perfume oil, eau de toilette, body spray, etc. The fragrance is a blend of watermelon, dewy bamboo, green apple, pink pepper and tangerine in harmony with floral notes of rose, violet, muguet and, of course, lily.

Burberry The Beat: Nothing to beat flower power in a hot, humid weather for women who wish to smell their best; Burberry The Beat is a cool option, which instantly energizes with a youthfulness thanks to its sparkling, woody and floral fragrance.
Bvlgari Omnia Amethyste: This is a young fragrance typically Bvlgari in its subtle sophistication. The perfume is inspired by the amethyst gemstone’s aura. The floral scents exuded by it are refreshing. They remind one of rose gardens and morning dew.
Burberry The Beat is sexy, feminine and vibrant, with its smoky, sensual musk and wooden tones, blended with the aroma of traditional Ceylon tea and bluebells! This gift is an ode to nature and flowers.

Chrome Legend: Azzaro’s new fragrance for men is packed with scents duly extracted from nature- flowers and forests. It is a fresh, intense smell with notes of citrus that reminds one of sea spray and green frosted leaves. There are also under-notes of woody, musky amber essences.

Tags: promotional gifts, Business Gifting
Corporate gifting, Worst gifts, Gifting events, business gifting, Corporate gifting India, , gifting india, Gifting occasions, Best business gifts

Bookmark to:

Archies perfumes: Archies has on offer a range of perfumes that are classy, yet affordable,, including Black Magic, Stupid Cupid Parfum, Voce Men, Stupid Cupid Deo, Lovely Chastity, Happy Days.
NafNaf (for women): A recently launched version of fragrance NafNaf brings a feeling of happiness highly accentuated with fruity accords. It heralds awakening of enthusiasm, and new adventures.
NafNaf fragrance, excitingly romantic, opens a new door to emotions. It creates a fruit cocktail with mouthwatering pear and mango, leading to elegant heart that introduces a floral bouquet of orange blossom, jasmine and iris with hints of watery fruity aromas as well as peony.

Gaultier 2 Perfume: This Perfume by Jean Paul Gaultier, the famous design house, possesses a blend of Vanilla, Musk and Amber. The seductive tones are nicely blended through a smoke screen of myrhh and incense, for a fragrance that impart sensuality.

I Loewe You: This women’s fragrance is aimed at an innocent, extrovert, spontaneous teenager. It belongs to the family of fruity and floral fragrances. ‘I Loewe You’ would serve as an exclusive gift for the lively and ingenious female you want to get cozy with.
Elle: This fantastic fragrance from Yves Saint Laurent will win the hearts of young, modern, urban girls. It is tender and brings joy with luminous lemon’s crisp notes of along with litchi on the peony petal. Elle is perfectly wearable!
The Hugo XX and XY: The Hugo style, the version XX for females, brings gourmand fruity notes, whereas that for men (XY) fetches an aromatic rhythm. The former is available in golden campaign tones, whereas the men’s is metallic grey tone. They are created so for emphasizing the differences between both sexes, also highlighting the mutual magnetic attraction.

Davidoff Adventure: The Davidoff Adventure, a men’s perfume, has been inspired by adventure - the concept of wild nature with hot spices and bright colors has been blended to remind the wearer of the sensuality of exotic woods and the humid freshness of the rainforest.

Tags: business gift baskets, promotional gifts, low cost gifts, corporate gifting for employees, Corporate gifting India, Cheap corporate gifts, Gifting occasions, Business etiquette, , Best corporate gifts

Bookmark to:

If you are planning to gift perfume, here are some basic facts to be kept in mind:
Alcohol content in perfumes makes them emanate sweet smells from one’s skin. Without it, only the wearer would know about it.
Find a fragrance that complements skin type and natural aroma of body of the person whom you want to gift it.
The scent should be pleasant enough and subtle enough to enhance the wearer’s personality.
A perfume lasts longer on some individuals than on others owing to differences in our skin (dry or oily) as well as in our PH levels. Try layering your perfume to ensure a longer effect.
Apply perfume low on the body and on your neck so that it gradually rises and won’t be lost quickly. Just a light spray on the hair can last whole day. It can be sprayed on the inside of the elbow, on the wrist, and back of the knees.
The best time to apply perfume is after a shower or bath, when skin pores will be open and can soak up the fragrance.
Keep perfume - gifted or bought - in cool, dry area. Keep it away from direct sunlight since it can unbalance the various ingredients.
An opened perfume bottle should be put in its box, when not in use, to ensure a longer shelf life.
Use non-deodorized soap where perfume is to be applied. Soaps and deodorants can affect how it will smell on your skin!

Certain types of jewelry like costume or pearl jewelry can get discolored owing to perfume alcohols. Some can also lose it outer coating. When wearing perfume with such f jewelry type, spray it away from the jewelry.
You can gift a variety of perfumes for different seasons that go with the person’s body and personality type.

Tags: Worst gifts, Gifting occasions, Gifting events, , gifting to clients, gifting etiquette, Corporate gifting India, Business etiquette, business gift baskets, Popular corporate gifts

Bookmark to: