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Business gift giving rules
Q: I'd like to send thank you gifts to my clients. Are there any hard and fast rules about what I should or should not send? I don't want to send them junk that they'll throw away.
A: The most important rule in business gifts is to be careful not to get too personal. It is the same as invading personal space, when you are talking to someone face to face and step over the closeness boundary. When it is too personal, the recipient worries if the gift could be as a "pay off". Think of things that can be used in an office or work related environment. You also want something that they won't mind showing their fellow colleagues without guilt.
There are executive gift services that specialize in this type of gift giving and they have a lot of experience in this area. They are not anymore expensive than any gift shop and they completely understand the sensitivity issues.
Some issues discussed in the expert forum are complex and continually changing.We recommend you consult a professional advisor about your specific circumstances, needs, and applicable laws. More details.