Any sales person will tell you that a large part of sales is in building relationships with people – the people who decide which products and services and companies their business will pay for. Corporate gifts can play a role in helping build those relationships at a number of different points. Here are five unusual occasions where a corporate gift can help build relationships and improve your bottom line.

1. A New Business Opening
There’s no better time to introduce your company and your services to a potential customer than at the very start. Keep an eye on your local business news to stay current on new business openings that can offer business for YOUR company, and drop them a “Congratulations!” gift. Make it something practical to stand out from the rafts of plants and flowers, and include a personalized coupon for a discount on their first order or consultation.
Special Suggestion: A bottle of sparkling wine with which to toast their opening


2. Thanks for the Referral
Did a current customer refer a business associate to you? Did you pick up a new account on the strength of an introduction from a long-standing associate? Let your business boosters know that you appreciate them by acknowledging their referrals with a thank you gift.
Special Suggestion: Corporate apparel is in vogue. Say “Thanks” with a gift that marks your associate as an ambassador for your company. A rugby sweatshirt or jacket embroidered with your company name and logo will say Thank You in high style.

3. On Reaching a Landmark
Every firm has special events that few outside the company acknowledge. It may be the traditional company summer picnic, or the successful launch of a new product. When you send a gift to acknowledge those events, you are saying “You are important enough that I notice these things” – and that is the cement that holds business relationships together.
Special Suggestion: Order a batch of balloons imprinted with “Congratulations from Gareth Parkin is the co-founder of Ideasbynet, the UK's leading online corporate gifts supplier and based in the north of England. Established in 2001, he has taken the UK gift market by storm by the application of modern business thinking and the latest search engine marketing techniques. For more details visit www.ideasbynet.com