What In The World Are Executive Gifts?

Executive gifts aren't exactly promotional items -- although they could qualify as promotional items if used to attract clients.  An executive gift might be appropriate in the following situations:

• You would like to reward excellent employee performance
• You would like to show appreciation for established clients
• You would like to attract new clientele
• You would like to build better employee relations or help induce better employee performance

Types of Executive Gifts

Executive gifts should be of better quality than promotional items such as ballpoint pens or key chains.  Ideally, executive gifts should represent several things. First, they should have good quality that corresponds with the recipient.  By way of example, it would be in poor taste to give the president of your largest manufacturing client a ballpoint pen that you bought in bulk for $0.23 each.  Executive gifts for those in high corporate positions should be more along the line of engraved pen sets with gold leafing, or a marble paperweight with gold or platinum veining. It can be appropriate at times, however, for expensive executive gifts to be given to non-management employees if the gifts are a reward for outstanding performance.

Executive gifts, especially those given to clients or potential clients, should reflect the business of the people who are giving the gifts. A company that sells boats could give gifts with a maritime theme; a real estate company could give gifts such as decorative home items or ceramic or crystal house figurines. The key is to make sure that the gift will always remind the recipient of a particular company.

Executive gifts can be quite elaborate, depending on what they are for. Incentive or appreciation gifts for top level executives can include such high-priced items as cars, boats, or even the use of a company vacation condo for a certain period of time. On the other hand, if your executive gifts will be given during the holidays for various employees or clients, you might want to be quality gifts at wholesale prices.