We’ve all been there. On the receiving end of a corporate gift giving attempt which leaves us cringing. We’ve either received a generic gift such as a branded pen or mug, adding to our endless collection. Or we’ve received something that we’d like to, unfortunately, throw away at the first opportunity.
Needless to say, tasteless corporate gifts leave a poor impression. On the other hand, thoughtful corporate gifting takes things to a whole new level; it comes with many advantages, solidifies business relationships, and can be a powerful tool in business.
With this in mind, we’d like to help you avoid some common corporate gifting mistakes. That’s why we’ve created this post as a helpful guide to ensuring your gift makes a positive impression and has the desired impact. Let’s take a closer look.
What Are the Most Common Mistakes Businesses Make in Corporate Gifting?
Corporate gifting could go either way. You never really know what the recipient’s reaction will be. These things can’t be predicted. But, if you take the time and effort to understand your recipient’s interests and needs better, you can leave a powerful lasting impression. So, without further ado, here are the top five most common mistakes that businesses make in corporate gifting.
Generic and impersonal gifts
Let’s start with generic and impersonal gifts. Examples include gift cards and vouchers but they can also extend to that 17th branded coffee mug you have in your collection or yet another corporate pen. It goes without saying that generic gifts lack the personal touch and fail to resonate with the recipient. You’re more likely to cause frustration and annoyance than genuine appreciation and lasting connections. So, when you are looking at corporate gifting, be sure to go beyond the norm and foster a warm culture of caring that says you’ve put time, thought, and effort into the gift as opposed to going for any old easy option that everyone else is doing.
Ignoring recipient preferences
The second mistake we’d like to focus on is ignoring recipient preferences. This boils down to a lack of research on your part. To avoid this mistake, you need to consider and find out what your recipient’s interests are, if they follow any dietary restrictions, and what their cultural background is so that you avoid unwanted or offensive gifts. Taking the time to understand your recipient better means that you can find something that truly resonates with them, making for a positive and memorable experience.
Poor timing
Random gifts are great and everything, but sometimes receiving them makes you feel like the gift giver is going through the motions without considering your situation. That’s where poor timing comes into play. And that’s why the importance of sending gifts at appropriate times is much more impactful than random gift giving that seems as though you’re trying to offload excess stock under the pretense of caring. Examples of appropriate occasions include milestones, achievements, and common holidays. Avoiding sensitive occasions is a big deal, too.
Overspending or underspending
Next up on our list is the importance of your budget. You need to set aside a budget that’s specially dedicated for your gift giving purposes. That way, you’ll avoid giving gifts that are too extravagant or which are too cheap. If you buy extravagant gifts, you’re creating a sense of expectation that the gesture should be returned with the same value. Naturally, this can make people feel uncomfortable. Not to mention that there are tax restrictions and often company policies in place that limit the value of gifts before they are taxable. On the other hand, choosing gifts that are too inexpensive shows lack of thoughtfulness and effort and signals a half-hearted effort at gifting.
Rushing last-minute choices
Another mistake that many corporates run into is rushed, last-minute choices. To avoid making impersonal decisions that will only create a sour experience, you need to plan ahead. This means taking the time out to consider who you are gifting, within what budget, for what reason/occasion, and how. If it’s a client, you may want to express gratitude for their business when you’ve reached a certain time frame in your professional relationship such as a year of doing business together and them trusting you. If it’s an employee, consider occasions such as their work anniversary and plan ahead of time to ensure you get them the most appropriate gift.
How Personalized Chocolates Can Help You Avoid Mistakes
Having covered the major mistakes made in corporate gifting, we won’t leave you without a solution to the problems mentioned. This is where we introduce you to the ultimate corporate gifting solution that can help you avoid the mistakes mentioned above.
The answer lies in customized and personalized chocolate. Yes, while they are universally loved, they also enable you to cater to individual preferences, such as dietary needs or favorite flavors. What is more, personalization of the chocolate gift helps create a unique and memorable sensory and taste experience for the recipient, releasing those happy hormones.
And if you’re wondering where on earth you’ll get all this done in one, considering timing, personalization, affordability, and delivery, you don’t need to worry about a thing. We at Totally Chocolate offer a wide variety of customization options.
From adding your company logo on the chocolate to writing a personalized message on the chocolate and even taking every care to ensure the packaging is absolutely perfect — we’re the trusted partner for all corporate chocolate gifting needs.
Making the Right Choice: Tips for Success
As we wrap up, we’d love to share our tips for corporate gifting success with you. Here’s a brief breakdown of what you should keep in mind:
- Research and personalization: Research and gather as much information about the gift recipient as possible. When you know more about them, you will be better able to tailor the gift accordingly.
- Consider the occasion: Give gifts on special occasions and consider your timing. Whether it’s a holiday, a milestone, or an achievement, these events should influence your choice of gifts.
- Presentation is key: Another key element to consider is the way in which you present your gift. At Totally Chocolate, we’ve learned about the importance of attractive packaging and presentation to create a positive first impression.
- The power of a handwritten note: Finally, don’t forget to personalize the gift with a heartfelt message.
Each of these factors, when combined and done holistically, will make your corporate gift pop out and create a lasting positive memory and impression and have a deep impact on your business relationships.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are some common mistakes that businesses make when it comes to corporate gifting. But with a bit of time, effort, and research, they can be avoided. To give the perfect personalized business gift, make sure to explore our selection of chocolates for any occasion. At Totally Chocolate, we believe in creating a lasting impression and that’s why we encourage you to explore our custom chocolate gifting options by browsing our extensive selection today.
