Big Business

Many people find assembling gift baskets to be a great way to express their creative flare and some even manage to turn their hobby into a profitable past time by selling gift baskets at craft fairs. Some have turned their love for this art form into more than just a way to make extra cash and have started their own business selling pre-made and custom gift baskets complete with delivery to the lucky recipient.

The internet has become an extremely popular outlet for this market as entrepreneurs are able to reach out to potential customers all over the world. While the potential profitability of selling gift baskets online is highly appealing, navigating through the numerous websites can be extremely time- consuming and frustrating for many buyers. The key to building a successful online business is finding a way to separate your business from the competition. In the business of selling gift baskets, one approach might be customizing gift baskets with hard to find items such as collectables or sports memorabilia. Affordable and convenient delivery options are another way to edge out the competition and increase your customer base.

Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D has made a mark for herself in the area of designing gift baskets for prominent companies such as Disney, Borders and Kodak. Flora is known by gifting companies and gurus throughout the world for her exceptional and unique designs. She not only works to develop her own ideas but also is considered the authority by many professional gift basket designers, florists and retailers to whom she lends her advice.

Gifting has always been an important part of showing appreciation in the business world. From large sign on bonuses and paid apartment leases to fruit baskets and concert tickets, gifting is the custom when acquiring new clients and showing appreciation for the hard work of dedicated employees. The popularity of giving gift baskets on a corporate level has risen dramatically during the last decade. It is very important to know the etiquette of gifting on a corporate level. Gift giving done right can reaffirm business relationships, maintain good rapport, increase loyalty and stimulate referrals and sales. Gift giving done wrong can alienate clients, harm already shaky relationships and ultimately jeopardize future business.

Because of the implications and potential negative repercussions of giving a gift improperly, it is important to know and adhere to the guidelines of such. The top four reasons for giving a corporate gift are typically to say; thank you, congratulations, cheer up, and I’m sorry. Most corporations choose gift baskets as they offer an impressive presentation and can be customized to appeal to a recipient’s personal interests and hobbies. Gift baskets given to an entire office often include a variety of easy-to-eat items that can be shared and enjoyed by all.

Below is a guideline on the etiquette of corporate gifting:

1. You may give gifts to your employees or colleagues but not your boss.
2. It is okay for your gift to portray your company logo but you should keep it small as it can easily be conceived as a blatant advertising ploy especially in Japan.
3. As a business gesture, you shouldn’t give a gift that touches the skin such as perfume, lingerie or jewelry.
4. Always include a card identifying yourself or your company as the sender so the recipient is not alarmed.
5. When giving a gift to a business associate of the opposite sex it is important to avoid unintended implications such as sending roses.
6. When giving a gift across the globe, it is very important to learn the international rules of the recipient’s country to avoid gift giving potholes.

Whether you’re giving a gift on a business or personal level, you should keep these courtesies in mind as well. You should always choose the gift with the recipient in mind. Giving a gift basket filled with items the recipient is allergic to or simply doesn’t care for will leave a lasting negative impression. If you don’t know the recipient very well and cannot acquire the information necessary to truly personalize the gift, giving a fruit basket is often the safest choice since it doesn’t violate Kosher boundaries. When choosing a pre-made gift basket or selecting items to create one of your own, it is important to give thought to your selection. Staying within your budget should also be an observed practice as it’s better to give a simple greeting card than a lavish gift that breaks your bank account.

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