End of the year gifts

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Permalink Reply by Dental Sales Rep on December 10, 2008 at 8:33pm

I have seen everything from chocolates (not very original) to taking or bringing in a holiday breakfast or lunch. If you are doing your top 20 then the lunches will put you in the poor house.

Try to be different (easier said than done). Give the office something that makes them think of you. Maybe they know you are a good cook or you are creative, artsy person. Sometimes something that you make for an office means more than something store bought.

By the way, great idea for a discussion.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Haas on December 11, 2008 at 9:46pm

Ha ha
Twenty years ago (when there as Patterson and Healthco)...during the holidays reps with children would deliver candy and cookies and I needed a draw, a "get me into the party" holiday gift!

So armed with 6 lbs of Shrimp I went to the two parties and was the hit "for being different". Within 4 years dental dealers increased to over 5 and now I was carrying coolers (remember this was AZ) and taking two days!
Now I had my first daughter and Katie would ride with me in a holiday dress carrying napkins!

When she was 3 she asked "Daddy can you take me to Apples to Zebras (preschool) today?"
I said No Katie, I have the dental convention this week.
To which she replied "Oh you are selling fish to doctors!"
Mark
P.S. When I relocated to MI in April of 2003 I thought-GREAT no more shrimp!! I walked into Patterson here and the first thing said to me was WHERE'S THE SHRIMP? Shrimp Day this year is 12/19

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Permalink Reply by George Webb on December 11, 2008 at 3:29pm

Try this, you'll love this stuff:

http://practicon.com/Gifts/c/1000/c2c/ln/

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Permalink Reply by Shawn Nowak on December 13, 2008 at 8:06pm

Here's another good site:

http://www.hagerworldwide.com/HomeOffice.html

We were discussing this the other day how so few MFG's give out gifts during the Holidays. All year long we work very hard pushing these products and increasing our number tremendously with there company and don't even get a Thank you. Not saying every MFG should send us a gift but if our numbers go up over 50% over the previous year we should at least get a card.

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Permalink Reply by Mindy Paine on December 16, 2008 at 8:09pm

Hi, Robyn,

Regardless of the size of the account, I try to leave something the client can keep that has my name, number, and company on it. This way throughout the year they will have a constant reminder of me and my company, and order from me when something comes up. For example, a desk clock with my contact details on the back. Or if the client does international business or travels frequently, I might fill a silver globe with Godiva chocolates, and then engrave my info. on the back side of it. As others have said, anything that is different and makes them feel remembered, but doesn't put you in the hole, is a winner. Just some ideas. Hope they are helpful.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Donohue on December 17, 2008 at 1:43am

As you can probably imagine, women love flowers! It's a sure thing! For me, I have had great success with proflowers.com. For a male client, chocolates can work. However, I would only recommend chocolates for special gifts aside from the holidays, and I would suggest giving a very unique chocolate. Being in Chicago, I would recommend Vosges Haute Chocolate. They are very unique, and any chocolate lover will be thrilled to receive them.
If you have seen your client's break room, I would suggest some sort of magnet for their fridge if it isn't already covered with other items. If your give them something funny to post on the fridge with a magnet, you can assume it will be placed on the fridge for quite awhile. I know my office has had some things on the fridge for years because none of us ever take the time to remove what is on it.

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Permalink Reply by sher on December 17, 2008 at 7:52pm

My local grocery store has the large pizza size choclate chip cookies (12 inches). They personalize them with anything I want! The personalization is what I like best! The cost is $11.99 each. They are always a hit and very reasonably priced!

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Permalink Reply by Barbara Russo on December 18, 2008 at 10:03am

Robin, a breakfast basket with muffins, bagels, etc, Etible fruit basket, fruit/candy/cheese basket are always a nice gift. Suggestions:
* Set a sales volume dollar of offices that you give a gift (ie: offices doing $75,000 - $100,000 + per year) As your
business grows your gifts will too.
* Decide on how much you want to spend for each office (ie: $75 - $100) You can't get a great gift basket for under $75.
* Purchase a gift that includes the entire office, as no one wants to be excluded.
* Offices talk to each other and staff can work in additional offices so be consistent to who you give a gift to!
* Find out what your competition is doing.
* Once you start this they will expect a gift every year. Make sure they understand you only do this for your "Preferred
Offices". If the office starts dropping off you can remind them of all the benefits you bring to their office.

Hope this helps. Good Luck.

Barbara

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Permalink Reply by Dental Sales Rep on December 30, 2008 at 3:26pm

Maybe next year we can try this company out. Susan is member here at DSP. Here is her website http://www.popcorngreetingcards.com/promotional-items

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