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

Bookmark to:

Corporate gifts is a perfect way of expressing appreciation since convey your genuine sentiments. It can be anything from a pen set, a calendar, and a diary to more expensive items such as plaques, personalized consumer products, crystal ware and gadgets. But the core idea should always be to create a lasting impression in the mind of the people directly or indirectly attached to your organization and imbibing in them a feeling of pride to be a part of your business.

The gesture of corporate gifting helps build goodwill and in turn make the prospects aware of your brand. A Corporate gifting and incentive plan is also necessary to enhance team building. This can be achieved in numerous ways. Choose a corporate gift idea that would be appreciated by the recipient and will be cherished for a long time.

As companies try to make sure that their employees give their best to sustain their growth rate in today’s challenging times, they must take steps to ‘motivate’ them by offering small but timely and ‘real’ incentives so they deliver quality results. After all, motivation is what makes a business grow.

The best way of motivating people associated with your business is to offer products of their choice as special incentives like T-shirts, pens, cell phones, diaries, bags, a holiday package or even a treat to their favorite restaurant. This will prompt everyone to view your business favorably.

A gift properly wrapped in a silver shining paper laced with a superb ribbon will add extra glitter to it. It would be a good idea to write a small handwritten note appreciating the person along with the gift. Ultimately what really matters is the sincere efforts made by you to bond all the members as part of a spirited and united team.

Remember that anything you do to motivate your business stakeholders will have a rewarding effect in the long term. A corporate gifting plan is your best option for this. A customized and properly presented gift will do wonders for your business

Bookmark to:

Sunflowers, lilies, orchids, roses etc, they all seem be in full bloom on the streets of Mumbai. Well, we are referring to some trendy hair accessories that have given way to new ‘flower girls’ in 2012. You may be wondering what this piece of information has got to do with gifting…Read on!!!

The point this writer is trying to make that you cannot ignore the current trends and the in-things while deciding what to gift and in which form? Now a drop of hint here: As far as hair accessories are concerned, the ravishing retro look has found another expression in them as well. You might have noticed this if take a casual stroll down the city’s main fashion alleys.

You will get to see an array of fascinating floral hair clips, hair clutches and head bands - in feather, cotton, silk, or chiffon.  The fabulous floral hair accessories - large and small, minimalist or otherwise – are clearly the fashion du jour. Most experts and ardent fashion trend watchers reveal that a maxi dress coupled with a floral hair clip can make a perfect pair.

Tie-up head bands mixed with floral accessories is also a unique fashion statement. Floral pins can well be teamed up with an outfit as a befitting brooch or they can form part of your sizzling shoes, lending a feminine touch to the overall appearance. What adds to their popularity is the wide range of captivating colors in which they are available.

You may consider hair accessories like floral head bands of all kinds to suit your woman’s look and outfit, which jell with her personality. This, I am sure, will sure warm her heart. It makes her realize that you are taking efforts to make her feel special. If one of your friends or relatives is visiting a foreign country, you can ask them to get such accessories as a memento that you may opt to gift later.

Fashion is a way of expressing your attitude. And gifting some amazing accessories on an occasion or just casually is always a nice gesture.

Bookmark to:

Now there are a host of online platforms are perfect to make a last-minute holiday list. However, they will come in quite handy year-round especially as online registries for a number of special or generic gift-giving occasions. Prime among them Amazon.com, is one place to compile a list of DVDs, coveted books, and whatever else under the sky.

While Amazon.com is a great resource for the users who already are well aware of exactly what they want, it tends to fall short in terms of turning up interesting and unique items you perhaps not have thought of otherwise, like a military lace-up boots pair trimmed in fur, a vintage Polaroid camera or a high-tech juicer

Wantful is a site that serves just like a virtual personal shopper, which is assigned to skillfully pick a selection of items for each visitor on your exclusive holiday shopping list. Here’s how it works:

• After signing up, shoppers will answer queries about the individual they are seeking a present for, describing the recipient’s gender, tastes as well preferences, like whether he or she enjoys cooking or reading. The relationship to a gift recipient is also considered.
• The website generates 16 items in your specified price range it thinks might well be appropriate gifts; it will print a physical book listing the items and also mail it to recipient of the gift. (Those last-minute gift givers in a hurry can also send their catalogs by mail.)
• The recipient then will choose a gift from the list; the giver is charged. Wantful has populated its lists by teaming up with various vendors and merchants. It offers hundreds of gift ideas; the lower-end ones starting around $30, whereas the most expensive topping out around $500.

Bookmark to:

Women are increasingly dominating the corporate world and gradually taking over the reins from men at the workplace, which is indeed a healthy trend. According to experts, they are doing exceedingly well! In fact, gone are those days when having a female ‘boss’ was considered an oddity. As is evident, more and more women are leading the charge in every sphere of life.

There was a time when men felt apprehensive of their being pushed to the sidelines, but this perception has changed with the greater acceptance of the women march into the professional arena. Along with the changed scenario, the context of corporate gifting has changed too. Just to elaborate, there are certain unspoken rules or norms for gifting a female boss simply because women are different from men.

One doesn’t necessarily have to give them anything that is gender-based; the defining aspect is the utility of a gift. For instance, consider a classy leather purse that has more compartments. Women like to compartmentalize everything and have a special place for their lipstick, pens and hand sanitizer. So go for a sleek handbag that packs a punch.

On eve of her birthday politely ask your female colleague/ boss what kind of tastes they have and the kind of hobbies they pursue. Surf the net for new trends and buy an appropriate present accordingly. There are many snazzy options to select from as leading brands aptly ‘feminize’ their products.

Decorative objects and works of art with women-centric themes can also be a great idea. Something like a personalized coffee mug, white tea for health, flower infusions for relaxation, flavored teas, aromas and perfumes for the trend-conscious will also be perfect. Tall elegant floor vases for her office cabin will also a good gift.

Bookmark to:

Wonderful gifts to convey your inner feelings
This Valentine’s Day you can say aloud ‘I’m in love with you, my sweetheart; accept my love and be my valentine forever’. Convey your feelings to your love with a wonderful white & pink teddy along with a handwritten card.
Indeed, everything just seems to be so beautiful and just so perfect when your love is around. This is the occasion to celebrate your eternal love! Express your heartfelt emotions and make them vocal with some fabulous objects from Archies that serve as romantic symbols of love.
You can choose to gift a smiling red heart soft toy to your beloved with a personalized valentine card.
Archies has many wonderful gifts on offer for this Valentine’s Day. Gift one and be in love forever! For instance, you can gift lovable soft toys to your sweetheart along with a touching Archies ‘Love’ GREETING CARD.
Why not go for a ravishing red loving heart soft toy comes with an apt inscription of “love Couple” on it. A handwritten personalized greeting card will express your heartiest feelings. Share the beautiful bond, which carries a priceless feeling. It brings a special joy to your heart, and the feelings are simply beyond words.
You can express your feelings though with this cute ‘n’ charming poly-resin bunny with love-filled heart. Send your love and charm with a gifts combo that comprises a poly-resin water ball with bunny lover; a handwritten card and a box full of delicious chocolates.

There is another way to make this Valentine more special. We are referring to a fine photo frame range from Archies that will allow you to express your love. There are different varieties like a heart shaped pink color photo frame or a majestic metallic photo frame full of embossed roses spread all over it. You can adorn it with your romantic snap. As the day approaches, we shall get a glance of several such gifts to let you express your sentiments courtesy Archies!

Bookmark to:

Artists belonging to the new-age, dynamic India, greatly influenced by global developments in contemporary art thanks to greater exposure to the international art world, now work in a diverse range genres, styles, subjects and mediums. Their works are worth collecting:

T.M. Azis: His work is figurative in nature. The paintings may revolve around what might be outwardly ordinary, everyday occurrences, deeply contemplated over.

Samit Das: Space or rather lack of it in the burgeoning cities is his primary artistic concern which he expresses through his visuals loaded with metaphors.

Murali Cheeroth: His involvement with theatre coupled with continuing interest in cinema helps him in presenting his images through dramatic ambiance for an unusual perspective.

Hindol Brahmbhatt: He treats his work as a documentation of historical reality in contemporary context, and looks for clues of social changes.

Nitish Bhattacharjee: His work is a documentation of his memories, his impressions, and perceptions of his surroundings.

Sudarshan Shetty:  He takes apart ubiquitous objects without dismantling them, and decodes them, by revealing their inherent mechanical being.

Bharti Kher: Her practice revolves around pangs of dislocation and transience, involving an autobiographical examination of identity.

Reena Saini Kallat: She is known to be deeply influenced by the never-ending cycle of life and nature, as well as the extremely fragile nature of the human condition.

Anju Dodiya: The self is often at the center of her work that explores various possibilities within it. Her practice is rooted in the figurative.

Rekha Rodwittiya: Her female protagonists are often elevated to iconic proportions. They can simultaneously occupy multiple avatars.

Navjot Altaf: Known for her multimedia work, largely interactive sculpture, photo and video based installations, she tackles varied themes of gender/memory/ history and loss.

Nalini Malani: Her artistic world, largely constituted by visible overlays, is fluid with everything in a constant state of metamorphosis.

Anita Dube: Her aesthetic language incorporates ubiquitous objects, everyday materials and images that together resonate with a meaning far beyond perceived local and prosaic associations.

Chitra Ganesh: While firmly rooted in a Western, postmodern discourse, the artist’s cultural references let her convey the principle of a multiplicity as a spirit, which draws together, and not breaks apart.

Bookmark to:

With the sun just rising on the horizon of the Indian art world, it’s time to soak into the creative journey of emerging talent! We provide you a glimpse of some of the most promising artists from India, bound to be in limelight in the coming years…

Highly talented contemporary Indian artists have attained appreciation and applause on the international art scene for their propensity to express current concerns through quaint and recognizable motifs. In this context, the fascinating works by our female artists deserve a special and separate mention.

Here are some of the noteworthy female artists who have won the nod of collectors and critics…

Jayashree Chakravarty: For this sensitive artist, painting is a process and means of making sense of the chaos around her.
Mithu Sen: Known for unconventional themes and forms, she represents the new wave of talent in contemporary Indian art. She puts to use a wide range of media.

Schandra Singh: She mostly works in the medium of oil and gouache, touches upon shared social and political realities.
Meetali Singh: According to the artist, she treads a fine territory between real-life emotions and sheer imagination. Hence the images are surreal, dreamy in nature.

Heeral Trivedi: Looking at history and connecting past histories with present, the artist looks to draw parallels among women in different eras.

Anu Agarwal: Bold lines, stark contours and fantastic female forms are the hallmarks of her oeuvre.

Jignasa Doshi: She focuses on the showbiz for depicting the increasing showiness and shallowness, as she terms it, under the garb of sophistication.

Suhasini Kejriwal: At first casual glance, her beautiful works -tend to camouflage the more disturbing view one begins to notice after further analyzing it. Startling juxtapositions and unconscious associations, which transcend habitual thinking to reveal deeper alternate levels of meaning, emerge.

Sonia Mehra Chawla: Her work encapsulates and inculcates the ever-fluid essence of the organic. The ambiguous, hybrid forms often suggest the generative and the sensuous.

Parvathi Nayar: Her practice largely revolves around drawing and painting; conceptually it is rooted in ideas of narrative, at different ways of looking, perceiving and the privileging of sight.

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:

Below are the vital factors that are extremely essential for chalking out a corporate gift program:

1. Determine your budget first to get a clear understanding of your corporate gift program. Once you set your budget and scope, next you should define the exact purpose of giveaways.  This will depend on what domain you are and your end user.  Your budget will though, will largely dictate how much you should allocate for the gifting program.
2. When deciding how much to spend, key thing to take into account is the intrinsic value of your business relationship. Based on it, you should make sure you give an ‘appropriate’ gift. Also, consider specific guidelines of that corporate entity and industry. You would never want it to appear as a favor.
3. Just reverse the roles. What if you receive an over-expensive gift? Talk to the giver in person if you think that the gift is too costly, too personal or not really suitable to the occasion or the relationship you share with the person. However, never discuss these things in public with the person concerned.
4. Corporate gifts can serve various roles like Thank You gifts for clients and colleagues; motivational gifts; recognition gifts for employees; new client acquisition; retention of business clients; building brand awareness; promotional products; holiday gifts for clients; trade show giveaways; premiums incentives and incentive programs; award programs; advertising specialties; service and safety awards; and general purpose business gifts and awards.
5. One discreet way to place your logo is leather portfolios. It is normally de-bossed on the cover. Some people prefer to customize with the recipients initials. If you believe you have selected a gift that will make a lasting impression on the recipient, there is absolutely no need to place your logo on the gift. The person will remember you by the gorgeous gift itself.  Also work out how you will distribute it - in person or by courier mail.

In other words, sourcing, packaging and dispatching the gifts demand an on-time and high quality solution providers to manage the specialized gifting related tasks on continual basis.

Bookmark to: