Small businesses are in need of a boost (just like everyone). As the holiday season approaches, think about giving items that will allow other business to grow their business. And who says you have to wait for the holidays. By giving these items, you are creating possibilities for the recipient to make new connections, add team members, increase productivity, and reduce stress.
- Gift cards- With the vast amount of items an business owners or entrepreneur needs to keep a business running (from pens and pencils to computer software and hardware). Giving gift cards allow the entrepreneur to focus the money you are providing on the gift card to purchase what they really need for their business at the time. Some ideas: Staples, Office Depot, Microsoft, Best Buy, Home Depot.
- Headset with Microphone – If you are a person who networks at online web or teleconferences, a headset with microphone is an valuable tool . This headset allows you to communicate easily with the other attendees in the web conference room or on the phone A headset with microphone can be purchased at Radio Shack or office supply store for under $25.
- Industry Memberships – For entrepreneurs or small business owners, gathering new ideas and being current on the latest products and services is helpful. There are many great online community and membership sites. You can surprise your team members, friends or family with a new membership to an industry specific membership site.
- Business Books or Magazines – Reading is one of the vital ongoing tasks all business owners can do to help grow & stimulate their business. Be aware of books or magazines your clients and team members are interested in and purchase one of their favorite books or a year magazine subscription. Some ideas: Inc., Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Consumer Reports, Pink, Working Mother.
- Self care items – As business owners you work countless hours to get your ideas out their to your target market. When you are giving gifts for this holiday season, be sure to remember to remind your customers or clients about taking care of themselves. By you sending these types of items, it will bring a smile to their face because it is a bit more personal. Some ideas: Gift basket with green tea w/ mug, lotion and soaps, candles and holder, spa day gift certificate.
- Recorder – There are many times (well for me) when I get a fresh idea for my next blog post, article or project and don’t have a piece of paper handy. A recorder is great to have in your car so when those great ideas or reminders come into your head, you just pick it up and record the ideas. Once you return to your office, you replay the tape and start typing the idea to keep in your computer. This way you don’t have an excuse for forgetting your great ideas. These can be found at places like Staples or Office Depot for about thirty dollars.
When you are selfless and give someone else a gift, you will find it will make you happier than the receiver of your gift. For entrepreneurs and small business owners, it seems like the list of items needed to maintain a business increases. Remember that every day is a good day to give a gift to someone who needs it.
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Jim Pearson has spent more than 25 years helping small and mid-size businesses find solutions to their business problems. He specializes in sales, marketing and rapid revenue growth and has helped hundreds of companies make more money.
Gene Culver has more than 15 years of diverse business experience across the music industry, telecom network marketing and business coaching. His specialty is helping individuals with marketing, their internet presence and lead generation.
Those are all great ideas, Wendy! Thanks. I’m always happy to receive Starbucks cards because so many clients say “Meet me at Starbucks”. Having a card makes it easy to pick up the tab. Knowing how much I appreciate them, I should give more.
I particularly like the headset/microphone – a good one can be expensive and considering how much more productive you can be when your hands are free – it’s a great gift. So, now you know what to send me
Shailesh Ghimires last blog post..Should I Blog or Run a Pay per Click (PPC) Campaign?
Personalized gifts work great as well. We often help our clients with nice leather Padfolios or Personal Planners debossed with the recipients initials.
These also work as great door opener on sales calls. You do have to know the recipients name before you order:)
Jonathan Martin
http://www.AndrewsInc.com
Excellent ideas. I would add to the list; items that stay on a businessperson’s desk. For example, clocks, calendars, calculators, pen and pencil sets, etc. These can have your company name on them or not. This way, every time the person sees the item on their desk, they are reminded of you!
Is it appropriate or tacky to give your own book as a gift? I always thought it was tacky but I don’t know.What do you guys think?
Susan Payton, The Marketing Eggsperts last blog post..Great Ideas for Branding Yourself
Ofcourse the best gifts are those that are tax deductible. One can go the the irs website to find information on what gifts are and are not tax deductible.
Emilys last blog post..The Work At Home Marketing Process – WAHM Marketing
Nice to see some one giving something away{Great tips} that is worth something for a change.
Andrew Greens last blog post..Podcasting Explained
Number one on the list above is the headset with microphone. I received one as a gift a few months ago. I had never purchased one because I thought they looked “goofy” and would pick up noise and be hard to use. Boy was I wrong! I don’t know what I would do without my headset. I can now type and take notes instead of holding a phone, and my neck isn’t always bent from leaning into a handset. Whoever you get one of these for will love you.
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Giving your own book can be viewed a couple of ways but I don’t think any gift would be viewed as tacky unless it was a regift like the famous sitcom episode.
I like these ideas and I would only add that many of the suggested purchases, in addition to gift cards, can be made at a local small business.
Susan Payton:
I think if the book would either be helpful to the recipient or if they would really enjoy it then it isn’t tacky.
Great ideas and perfect time of year to start thinking about what business gifts we will be giving out.
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