Business

Six rules to corporate gifting

When it comes to corporate gifting, there are certain things business should and shouldn't do
When it comes to corporate gifting, there are certain things business should and shouldn't do When it comes to corporate gifting, there are certain things business should and shouldn't do

CORPORATE gifting is estimated to be worth $175 billion across the globe, and Northern Ireland companies will be making their own small contribution towards that sum this Christmas.

The small gesture of a gift, particularly around the festive period, is recognised as a way of building relationships and saying thank you, whether to a client, customer, colleague or employee.

As one of the leading local suppliers of corporate gifts, witnessing a five per cent growth in the sector year-on-year, independent wine merchant JN Wine ( jnwine.com) has issued a range of corporate gifting advice in advance of the Christmas period. Its top six corporate gifting tips include:

:: Stick to a budget – You can make your budget work for you, whether you are a Northern Ireland company benefitting from the growing economy or one that is feeling the pinch of Brexit uncertainly, there are perfect corporate gift options for you. With wines starting from £7.89, special popular duos to magnums and festive cases of twelve, ask for expert advice to fit your budget and you may be surprised by the choice you have.

:: Find out likes and dislikes – Even a small bit of thought or investigative work can go a long way. Don’t just send a gift for the sake of it. Finding out what they like or dislike, from their tipple of choice to food pairings, will really show that you care and adds that special touch very easily. Don’t forget about non-alcoholic wine, which has been popular choice for people buying for teetotalers, women who are expecting or even those on a health kick.

:: Personalise for the perfect gift – Personalisation is one of biggest trends in corporate gifting. From bespoke beautiful packaging to a handwritten note, the personal touch can be very powerful. In the business world of electronic messages, a handwritten message will stand out.

:: Try before you buy – Take the opportunity to do some wine tasting, either in stores or at various events (such as our ‘Meet the Winemaker Portfolio Tasting’ in the Merchant Hotel in November). Why not make an occasion out of it for you and your team? It brings the whole team into the gifting experience and it adds to that personal touch of gifting your team’s personal favorites.

:: Think outside the (wine) box – As well as gifting high-quality wines from around the world, there has been an increase in gifting spirits such as whiskey or gin. Local produce is particularly popular, such as the Shortcross Gin or the Mourne Dew Gins. Recently, we have also started pairing the drinks with a small additional gift such as local chocolate or cheese. The complementary delicious delights have gone down a treat!

:: Check the policies – Before you spend, it is worthwhile checking the recipients’ policies on corporate gifting. Particularly in Northern Ireland, with almost of third of workers employed in the public sector, a quick check can ensure that your client or customer can receive the gift.