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Showing Appreciation for Corporate Gifts

Have you recently received a gift from someone with whom you do business? Were you the lucky recipient of a basket of gourmet foods, a plant for your office or a gift certificate for your favorite restaurant? Businesses are constantly looking for ways to show appreciation to their customers. Corporate gift giving now occurs not only at holiday time but also throughout the year. It is way to let clients know that their business is valued and also to keep the company name in front of the client.

However, there is a growing problem with corporate gift giving, and it is occurring on the receiving end. All too often, the recipient of the thoughtful gesture fails to acknowledge the gift. There was a time when this would have been unthinkable. That time seems to have passed and many business people are happily accepting gifts from other professionals without a word of thanks. The corporate gift-giver is left to wonder whether the item was ever delivered.

Anytime anyone-personally or professionally-spends time, money or energy on you, that person or corporation needs to know that you received the gift and that you are appreciative. Some people think that because the gift comes from a supplier or vendor, it doesn't require a thank you. It is absolutely necessary to acknowledge all gifts. Being the customer is no excuse for bad manners.

Your thanks should be made in writing. A handwritten note does not take any longer than a phone call or an email response if you keep correspondence cards as convenient to your work area as your phone and computer. In fact, depending on your typing skills or how chatty you are, writing your thank you note could take less time.

A handwritten letter gives the appearance of extra effort. So do yourself and the generous person who sent the gift a favor-pick up pen and paper without delay and send a personal note. When writing the note be sure to mention the gift, how you will use it and genuinely express your appreciation,

If you receive a gift and the card reads simply, "From your friends at XYZ Company," with no personal name or address, call the company and ask to whom you should send your thanks and verify their address. Your other choice is to contact the vendor who delivered the gift and request that information. Don't let ignorance be your excuse for a lack of response.

One final word-you may use the Internet to acknowledge receipt of a gift, but follow your email with a written note as soon as possible. An e-mail message lacks the personal touch that the thoughtful corporate gift deserves.

© Lydia Ramsey. All rights in all media reserved.

About the Author

Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author of Manners That Sell: Adding The Polish That Builds Profits.  She has been quoted or featured in The New York Times, Investors' Business Daily, Entrepreneur, Inc., Real Simple and Woman's Day. For more information about her programs, products and services, e-mail her at lydia@mannersthatsell.com or visit her web site http://www.mannersthatsell.com

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