Tips on Showing Thanks this Holiday Season

Well the holiday season is fast approaching (heck, it's here!) and while I'm sure you're busy building your business and getting ready for family gatherings, I wanted to remind you to thank your own valued clients, especially after a year like 2009!

Not only is holiday gift giving a way to show you're loyal customers and supporters how much you appreciate them but it does wonders for fostering long term relationships. Gift Marketing is a powerful brand builder, a great way to appreciate accounts both old and new and a terrific reason to "touch" your customer in the 4th quarter.

With everyone working on tight budgets, I've been asked "To whom should I give gifts this year?" I would like to offer a few suggestions:

• Long-term clients who are continuously loyal and pay their invoices
• Inside collaborators and "point people" in your client's organizations with whom you work closely on client projects (gate openers, referral friends, you get the idea),
• Your accountant and other professionals who ensure you stay on the right side of the law and keep the IRS at bay

If you can't afford to give gifts to all of your clients, try segmenting out the ones that gave you the most business this year and give gifts to that list. At a minimum, I encourage you to send appreciation cards (send Thanksgiving cards to beat the holiday rush!) or email thank you notes to all of your clients, friends and family for their continued support! Let me know if you need ideas, I would love to help you come with something fabulously affordable!

I'd love for you to share your stories of memorable gifts you've received. It might give someone else a great idea!

My Pashmina Addiction

Hello, my name is Lynn and I am a Pashmina addict.

Actually, my problem (or passion depending on your perspective) extends to shawls, capes and coats in general. Of course, I'm not the first one to claim an obsession for a fashion accessory; for some it's shoes, for others it's handbags or designer label clothes, but give me a beautiful shawl and you've found your next best friend.

What's really nice about this flexible accessory is its stunning beauty. Thanks for innovative fabrics and creative design, you can own a shawl that looks more like a piece of art. Plus, there is more than one way to wear it and when there's a light chill in the air and a coat is too much, a Pashmina or shawl will do just fine, thank you.

I can't tell you how many times I get stopped when wearing one because they are just so darn eye catching. Of course, what I love about them is they make really great gifts:

1. One size fits all. Whether it's for Aunt Matilda or the Administrative Assistant that opened the door to that big account you got this year it's perfect.
   
2. They are multi-seasonal. You can be stylish from Fall through late Spring!
3. They make great conversation starters. Choose an interesting print and I guarantee you'll strike up a conversation in an elevator, waiting in line at the grocery store, church...just about anywhere! Become a social butterfly (or not, but at least you'll get noticed!)

You can now find my favorite accent (my very favorites) in our web store. I want others to experience my joy. Fabulous can be affordable!

I hope you will check them out and share them with your friends!

Twenty Ways to Reward Your Staff

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the number one reason people leave their jobs is because they don't feel appreciated. Many polls say employees often rank "feeling valued" above their pay and benefits.

With the season of Thanksgiving upon us, you can't underestimate the power of recognition. From a sincere "thank you" to a holiday bonus, making employees feel cared about builds your bottom line because they'll produce more and better work.

Discover 20 ways to reward one of your company's most valuable assets-your staff. Many of the items won't require the company any money!

Twenty Ways to Reward Your Staff

1. A hand written thank you card that details what they did right.
2. Telecommuting or flexible working hours as schedules and workloads allow.
3. A bag embroidered with your company name filled with their favorite treats.
4. Opportunities to attend special training or skills-building seminars.
5. An extra day off.
6. Donuts and coffee for early morning meetings.
7. Picnic lunches or dinners out.
8. A Family Night on the company: movie passes or stay home gift set for a date night at home!
   
9. A framed certificate of appreciation.
10. A gift certificate to their favorite store.
11. Share praise from inside and outside the company. Forward positive email and voice mails.
12. An employee of the week, month and year program.
13. A designated parking space.
14. A delicious treat filled gift baskets (preferably from us!) 15.
    
15. A t-shirt, sport shirt or jacket decorated with the company logo and their name.
16. Informal retreats and team building activities.
17. A personalized cooler filled with an assortment of beverages.
18. A subscription to a journal or magazine that relates to their job or outside interests.
19. Swap a task with an employee for a day. His/her choice.
20. Free chair massages at the end of a stressful but successful month.

2009 Holiday Catalog is Now Available

We believe this holiday season should be all about spreading a little bit of "comfort and joy." It's okay this season to treat your friends, clients and loved ones to the little indulgences everyone enjoys this time of year; delicious cookies, decadent candies, chocolates, unique and personalized gifts.

Our 2009 Holiday Gift Guide will showcase some of Our Favorite Things this holiday year. Whether it's your office family, your extended family or circle of good friends, let them know how much you care about them with a thoughtfully designed gift made exclusively for them! Gifts that can be shared by the group brings them together in the warmth of holiday camaraderie! We'll do all this and make sure you stay within you budget too. You can download our catalog here, or visit our website

Give us a call today at 1.800.399.3175 to start planning your holiday gifting or check out some of our offerings in our Focused on Family Holiday Showcase!

Custom Gift Design: We take the boring out of Board Meetings!

How does one spice up a board meeting? Add gifts!

Recently, we were contacted by our new clients to come up with a custom take on our best selling "Welcome to Georgia" Gift Bundles.

What we came up with was a custom gift box in our client's corporate colors filled with our traditional Georgia treats; Coke Cola in the classic eight ounce glass bottle, Georgia made pralines, Georgia Peach Cookies and mints.

Since we were dealing with high profile executives we wanted a souvenir that would make a beautiful memento as well as a long lasting statement outside of our usual mugs, playing cards or magnet options. For this design we chose our beautiful and affordable America Photo Series book featuring our great state! This beautiful coffee table style book offers tons of full-color photos with insightful notes and tidbits. Our client was pleased with the our results, stating "...they are wonderful! Thank you so much for working with me on creating a wonderful present for the Board members to take home!"

We love creating custom designs!

Visit out new Custom Gallery and see other custom gifts we've recently created.

A Little Education Goes a Long Way...

If women don't help women in the workplace, who will?

Recently I had an opportunity to teach design and marketing classes during Gift Basket University at AmericasMart in Atlanta, Georgia. What a blast! Over two days dozens of men and women gathered to learn gift design and sales technique. Our classes covered everything from basic building to bow making to building an industry niche. I try to make my classes interactive as well as informative so that everyone takes away at least a few nuggets of wisdom.

I love helping women (and a few creatively inspired men) with design technique and marketing strategies that might help them grow their new or existing business. Occasionally, someone will ask me why I do this. Aren't I just training my competition, they chide? Well, I certainly don't think so. First, I strongly believe there is enough business out there for everyone with the drive and passion to pursue it. Second, I truly enjoy sharing my successes (as well as my mistakes) with other up and coming entrepreneurs!

I hope you enjoy these few photos of our class session. My students were intense, engaging, funny and enjoyable and I look forward to hearing about their successes in the months and years to come!

We're planning new classes in January, call or email me if you're interested!

Packaging for Profit & Other Great News

I know it’s hard to believe but the holiday season is just around the corner. That means gearing up for those all important holiday sales dollars. With consumer confidence still on shaky ground; what can gift professionals do to stay ahead of the competition? I offer one crucial word: packaging.

Raising the perceived value of your holiday gifts is much easier when you offer creative and affordable packaging for all of the fabulous new gift and gourmet items you’ll pick up at the September show. Here are a few tips:

• Create Gift Bundles - this is an excellent way to move slow to sell merchandise while giving customers a new and exciting way to appreciate your product offering.
• Offer Creative Gift Packaging - gift stacks, gable, gift and candy boxes are all easy ways to offer upscale packaging at budget friendly pricing.
• Add Value Services - free gift wrapping, hand delivery and custom ribbons are all great additions to service that can be an affordable incentive to purchase from you.

Want to learn more? Join me September 12 and 13^th at Gift Basket University held in Atlanta at the AmericasMart and learn more tricks and tips on packaging for profit. We’ll also discuss how creating a specialty (niche) business can mean a boost in sales!

Sign up here!