{"id":2776,"date":"2014-11-17T12:14:59","date_gmt":"2014-11-17T16:14:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/timandrewsblog-asicentral.com\/timblog\/?p=2776"},"modified":"2014-11-17T12:14:59","modified_gmt":"2014-11-17T16:14:59","slug":"give-big-or-go-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timandrewsblog-asicentral.com\/timblog\/2014\/11\/17\/give-big-or-go-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Give Big or Go Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

The results of ASI\u2019s just-released corporate gift-giving survey show six in 10 companies plan on thanking clients and employees with holiday gifts this year. What\u2019s most surprising to me is that the number isn\u2019t 10 in 10. Smart business owners know the best way to keep clients coming back \u2013 or to court new business \u2013 is to show appreciation.<\/p>\n

Gifts don\u2019t have to be extravagant, but according to Advantages<\/em> magazine annual \u201cGift Guide,<\/a>\u201d gifts that are thoughtful, cool, unique or useful will provide the greatest ROI.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

While I admit I lingered over the celebrity robotic avatar<\/a> offered in the Hammacher Schlemmer catalog (asi\/59444) for a mere $345,000, a more reasonable choice for clients might be titanium luggage tags<\/a> from Eddystone Designs (asi\/51666). They\u2019re terrific \u2013 indestructible, color laser-printed and shimmery to boot. I expect to own mine forever.<\/p>\n

According to our survey, the main goal of giving gifts to customers is to express appreciation and develop relationships, as well as to generate good will and increase company awareness. I know whether I receive a Swiss chocolate tower, etched bottle of wine or a bacon-scented iPhone alarm clock this year, I\u2019ll remember the giver for months, if not years \u2013 especially if it\u2019s logoed. After all, phenomenal advertiser recall is what promotional products are all about.<\/p>\n

For 2014, survey respondents told us that when choosing a gift, they consider an item\u2019s attractiveness, durability and usefulness above all else. This year, nothing says \u201cuseful\u201d like an imprinted power charger \u2013 a high-tech item that\u2019s riding the rage wave. Give it to clients and they\u2019ll carry it everywhere they go, from home to office to airport lounge.<\/p>\n

Sure, you might consider giving a few top clients a case of lobsters or a branded (and memorable) Adirondack chair from AAA Innovations (asi\/30023). But our survey results show most companies plan to spend an average of $43 per customer or prospective customer, with food\/beverages, desk accessories, writing instruments and calendars topping the list.<\/p>\n

When it comes to rewarding employees, most companies are spending about $50 per worker, with gift cards, food\/beverages, apparel and cash bonuses as the most popular choices. Here at ASI, we thank each of our full-time employees with a check at our annual holiday party. You might consider a high-quality optical crystal slanted block clocks from Best Deal Awards (asi\/47791).\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re still unsure what to give, or what to suggest to clients planning their holiday orders, here are a few tips culled from the pages of ASI\u2019s magazines:<\/p>\n