December brings the year to a close and gives us the opportunity to thank our customers and colleagues.

Giving corporate holiday gifts has a long tradition in the United States.  The idea always makes me think of Chevy Chase receiving the jelly of the month club instead of his yearly bonus in National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.

Since none of us want Cousin Eddie rounding us up in the middle of night on Christmas Eve we invest a little more time in the gifts we send to our employees and customers OR we hire a professional…

Tips to help you communicate with your gift basket professional:

1.  Know your budget. A gift really can fall within any price range, but it is difficult to create a custom gift basket for under $35.

2.  Shipping costs. Packaging and shipping gifts can eat deep into your gift budget.  Organizing gift giving in early fall allows you to take advantage of shipping ground, which will cost much less than next day shipping.

Other options to reduce the cost of shipping could be to deliver your gifts yourself or do give them out at the office or during an event.

3.  Design. When giving custom gift baskets- colors, treats and containers are all up for the choosing.  You’re free to use your corporate colors, suggest treats the receiver may enjoy and pick containers that reflect the quality of your business.

If you’re looking for ideas for this year’s holiday season please don’t hesitate to contact us… the earlier the better!

Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville

Be Original! Give Original!

The holidays are a great time to thank your customers for their business and loyalty. And with a vast selection of online choices it’s never been easier to pick a corporate gift that matches your quality and brand!

In the last few years we’ve seen a lot of ups and downs in the corporate world.  In this economic climate it’s important to recognize loyalty and believe it or not the IRS makes it a little easier for you to do just that.

In most cases, business gifts in the United States are tax deductible up to $25 per person for the tax year.  Please note this doesn’t include the packaging or the delivery of the gift and certain business structures may be subject to different rules.

Learn more about Publication 463.

Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville

Be Original! Give Original!

MY FAVORITES – PRODUCT PICK OF THE WEEK!

One of the great perks of owning a gift basket company is meeting and trying all the gourmet foods. My recent discovery (via Eric at Willa’s) is Willa’s Shortbread. They are “Traditionally Southern”.

Willa Allen started baking her traditional shortbread cookies for special events from her home in the Highlands of North Carolina. Before long her legendary shortbread cookies and cheese biscuits were being shipped via mail order across the country. Soon gourmet stores, bed and breakfasts and gift basket shops began carrying Willa’s products.

Now in business for over 30 years and owned and operated by the Rion Family, Willa’s was relocated to middle Tennessee where the southern tradition continues.  Willa’s offers a variety of southern flavors and designs perfect for a Tennessee themed basket, Corporate Gifts, Thank You Gifts, and Wedding Treats.

Flavors: Gingersnaps, Lemon Pecan Bites, Spicy Cheese Bites, Shortbread Bites, Praline Bites, Chocolate Macadamia Bites, Mocha Almond Bites and my favorite Key Lime Almond Bites.

Ask us about using Willa’s treats in your next basket order OR as a stand alone gift tin silk screen imprinted with your company’s logo, corporate colors and special message.

Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville

Be Original! Give Original!

I love that we celebrate St Patrick’s Day!  Created to celebrate Saint Patrick it is most definitely a day for beer lovers!

Besides the overflowing of GREEN and the fact that Spring MUST be right around the corner, it’s a great to come together and celebrate… period!  Lots of Irish pubs and non-Irish pubs will be celebrating on the 17th.

If you’re looking for a unique “We’re Lucky To Have You As A Customer” gift this month, may I suggest a little green to go with the amber.  From speciality “green” treats to Celtic symbols and grow your own four leaf clover kits, there’s something for every interest and budget.

Tami Ross
Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville

Be Original! Give Original!

As a gift specialist I’m involved with various types of recognition programs and on occasion have been involved in the creation of such programs.

Although Employee Recognition programs on the surface are created to reward competencies and work performance many of them also hope to motivate under performers.  Unfortunately this mindset usually never works and can lead to unfriendly competition within the company and shouldn’t be considered when creating or continuing with an Employee Recognition program.

Creating a successful program that both rewards and recognizes performance starts and ends with communication:

1. Employees need to know what is expected.  Define what meeting expectation looks like and what exceeding them looks like and the impact it has on the business.  Are you going to reward for meeting, exceeding or both by offering a tiered awarded system.
2. Is recognition open to all employees? Recognition tends to relate to sales goals which can be easily tracked.  Does your program recognize support staff and non-sales employees?  Creating a program inclusive of all positions and levels is a challenge because it starts with clearly defined roles and performance expectations.
3. Peer and customer nominations. In some businesses, peers and or customers can nominate employees whom have gone above and beyond the call of duty.  This can be a great way to create a bottom up recognition program that highlights and encourages both the vision and mission statement of the business.
4. There is no “I” in Team. Offering individual, team or department rewards is something to consider.  A team may have its own set of expectations and through combined strengths stand out in the organization.
5. The reward. The options are endless.  From monetary to a paid day off.  From gift baskets to cruises, car leases and more… companies have a variety of options to reward their top performers.  And as pointed out on the Terryberry Employee Recognition Blog – Recognition letters are one of the top workplace motivators!

Tami Ross
Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville

Be Original! Give Original!