It does seem that each year, the holiday season comes around more quickly – Christmas décor in stores before Halloween does tend to hasten the yuletide experience. But for most folks, business as usual takes precedence, and spontaneous events often kick plans to the curb. New hires, new clients, employee milestones, etc. and even unexpected windfalls may all create the need for last-minute gifts.
It may not be unusual for one or several of your clients to call you at the 11th hour, exclaiming and pleading for you to find them some last-minute holiday gifts. Such frenetic requests can also catch you off guard and add strife to your life, as you also need to prep your holiday events while also taking care of business as usual.
You can’t pass up such an assignment, even if you do want to pass it off or say it’s just not possible.
Daniel Webb of Webb Company exclaims, “I say ‘deal!’ Take this as an opportunity to build trust with those clients by offering a variety of products that you know are successful for the holiday season.”
Suppliers such as Webb Company can certainly help you help your client find the most suitable promotional gift for the situation. Call your go-to suppliers with the request and also apprise your client you are working on it and should have a short list of potential products within 24 hours. “This will send a message to the client that you are willing to put thought and effort into their holiday giveaway even when you have little direction,” he says. “By doing this you are making their life easier, which will strengthen that relationship with your client. Having great supplier partners to turn to in these situations is key.”
Rick French of Polyconcept North America suggests that for such “help me” situations tell (do not ask) the categories and price ranges you’ll be presenting and why. This leadership approach will demonstrate that you not only know the client’s business but that you are a solution provider.
Katelin Simons of Chocolate Chocolate believes that such last-minute requests are golden opportunities for you to show clients why you are so valuable a marketing specialist. And Chocolate Chocolate should know, she asserts. “With our business being the true fourth quarter rockstars in the holiday promotions segment, we get a lot of last-minute requests where we can sense panic but that is where we do very well in getting an order done promptly.”
She explains that gifts of gourmet chocolate don’t require a specific gender, size, or demographic to be taken into account, and also because nearly everyone just loves chocolate, it is a universally loved holiday promotional gift. Simons explains that if you provide the client’s business name, Chocolate Chocolate will root around social media and the internet to hone in on several most appropriate suggestions.
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Further, some clients may not provide you with enough details, leaving you to guess and sort through hundreds of items. Instead, Simons advises, instead of showing 120 products, focus on three examples of any given product or line by presenting a premium price option, mid-level option and less expensive option. She explains, “Psychology notions that most people will go for the mid-level selection based on our programmed instincts to not indulge too much but to not cheap out either – so keep that in mind when thinking about what the mid-level option should be. Don’t be afraid to show higher-end items if the quality can back up why you think it is a worthwhile item,” she offers.
To arrive at an idea to narrow down options, Dan Kielman of American Made Cutlery offers examples of clarifying questions: Who is the average person receiving the gift – what is his/her age, gender, interests? Does the client want a gift with short-term impact such as food, medium term utility such as a wearable, or long-term use and “ad value” such as a household item? Finally, how and where will the gift be distributed? “The answers to these questions will start the conversation and help narrow in on what the giver/client wants to accomplish and the types of promotional products to present,” he explains.
Margit Fawbush of BIC Graphic notes that technology is always appreciated, and the company has several portable chargers and power banks, “which continue to gain popularity as gifts in a variety of industries,” she says, adding, “Why not personalize them with the recipients’ names?” The myCharge® AMPMINI Portable Charger (#31878) is an example of a high MaH power bank offering 15 hours of power with a UL Listed lithium battery and the versatility to work with any device. Using britePix® imprint technology, BIC Graphic can add both a full-color, photographic quality image and the recipient’s name for an amazing gift they’ll never want to lose.
The Arnold Aluminum Power Bank (#32029) is an 8000 mAh aluminum power bank that is powerful and portable. It is UL listed, has a built-in LED flashlight, and dual outputs which allow you to charge multiple devices at the same time. Comes pre-charged and ready to use. Or try the USB Hub Organizer (#32025) which is a USB pend holder and desk organizer with 3 USB ports for the computer.
Then there’s the classic high-end pen, Fawbush says. Ask your clients about anyone that has had a major milestone, a new board member, retirements, and so on. “A classic – the BIC® Worthington (WCCR) is the perfect example of an elegant chrome pen that allows for brand and recipient personalization. Sometimes, old-school is still the best approach,” she describes.
Webb Company’s Candy & Sweets line offers a huge variety of candies, chocolates, mints, and snacks, all available in “tons of packaging options that make the perfect last minute gifts,” Webb describes. “We have everything from high-end bento boxes for your corporate clients to numerous classic holiday tins that are popular each year for many businesses and associations.” Webb Company offers more than 50 candy fill options for any of its candy packaging, to fit a wide variety of price points and perceived value, he added.
French’s four favorite last-minute items include: Backpacks and duffles, many of which are retail brands (what he calls the number-one branding tool in the market), tech items such as audio, power, and novelty products like drones that range in price; drinkware, “capitalize on retail trends like copper insulation and craft cocktail accessories,” and bound journals that mimic what’s hot at retail coupled with a pen in gift box.”
No matter the gift, it’s always about the thought – so ensure that your client base knows you’re there to help them put those thoughts into something memorable.
CASE STUDIES:
Rick French of PolyConcept North America: “My favorite case study was a high-powered law firm that needed gifts for 20 partners. The partners are high-end shoppers with high expectations and really like brand names. Kenneth Cole to the rescue! Women received the Kenneth Cole Saffiano Computer Tote (9950-82) and men received the Kenneth Cole Manhattan Leather Messenger (9950-12). In only 48 hours from the time the inquiry was made with the distributor, the law firm was handing out 20 $100+ bags that were branded!”
Kateline Simons of Chocolate Chocolate: “Last year, a California-based distributor contacted us saying that out of the blue, a client decided on presenting something unique to staff at its internal Christmas party – which was exactly in four days – and he had no idea what do. The client was a high-end watch manufacturer and the only information the distributor was given was the owner wanted something unique to give to all employees at a price of $20 or less. We presented item #1004 5x9 Shape etched with an exact replicated image of one of its watches into chocolate which the distributor thought was a brilliant idea to run with. The distributor was thrilled that we pulled off a production turn around in two days and shipped it overnight without a single hiccup. We were very proud to see several photos on social media showing elated people pretending to wear their chocolate watches and holding them next to their faces. Another win, win, win for our company, the distributor and his client!”