Gifts can build rapport with clients but you need to know your client before you give a gift.  Some companies don’t permit employees to receive gifts.  Some companies limit gifts to a certain dollar amount.  You also need to make sure your gift is appropriate.

Here’s a story about the importance of knowing your client and giving a client the right gift.  An insurance company client of our Circle City Outdoor affiliate was renewing an out of home advertising contract.  I brought the company chocolates from a local gourmet chocolate company which also advertises with Circle City.  I figured it would be win-win.  One client gets some business from us.  Another client gets a gift.  When I stopped by with the chocolates and artwork our client said, “Thank you very much.  Did you know I’m a diabetic?”  He was a good sport about it and we laughed but the lesson is, know your client.  I’ll forever be the guy that gave the diabetic guy chocolates.

What’s your approach to giving gifts to clients?  When do they make sense and not make sense.  Do you have a story about a gift you’ve given a client?  Email davewestburg@billboardinsider.com or us the form below.  We’ll run a followup story.

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