Appropriate Holiday Business Gift-Giving What you should know to ensure your gifts are suitable and appreciated

Business gift-giving is more than a way to show you appreciate arelationship, it's also a smart way to strengthen your corerevenue stream. That's why it's very important that thegift you choose is appropriate. So what's the right choice whendeciding on a business gift? Or better yet, what question shouldyou be asking in advance of purchasing anything for your clients?Michael Dermer, president of 1-800-GIFT CERTIFICATE, offers thefollowing advice:

• First and foremost, determine if your client can even accept agift. Often, companies or industries institute policies thatprohibit employees from accepting gifts from business colleagues.You'd be embarrassed to have your gift returned because youwere none the wiser. A simple phone call to an assistant or theclient himself can resolve this question.
• Find out the client's home address. If sending a gift ispermitted, send it where the recipient's co-workers won'tnotice. Again, call the department and just ask. If you'requestioned, it's all right to say that you're compiling aholiday gift list.
• Try to narrow the field of the recipient's interest andhobbies. For example, you wouldn't want to send a vegetarian asampler of frozen steaks. If you don't have the type ofrelationship where such personalization is possible, choose a giftthat will never offend and will always please. For instance,1-800-GIFT CERTIFICATE offers their own gift certificate thatallows the recipient to choose gift certificates from hundreds ofnational retailers.
• Acknowledge hierarchies. It's important to get a gift forthe most senior person who is your main client, but don'tforget that clients are often comprised of a team of people whoshould be acknowledged as well.
• Don't forget assistants. They're often underappreciatedat holiday time but can be powerful allies all year.