Number 1 Rule: Always follow your company policies and your client's company policies while giving or receiving gifts. They are in place for a reason.
Achiever
Acceptable Gifts
18
Did something happen that inspired this post?
A colleague wanted to take a client on expensive dinner..
I donโt know, maybe Iโm alone here, butย think an expensive dinner is MUCH different than an expensive giftโฆ
I love taking clients/prospects out for dinner on the companyโs dimeโฆ get the seafood tower, drink some nice wineโฆ
I guess much would depend on how expensive the dinner in questionโฆ.??
I love taking clients/prospects out for dinner on the companyโs dimeโฆ get the seafood tower, drink some nice wineโฆ
I guess much would depend on how expensive the dinner in questionโฆ.??
Moderation is the key. Use company dime to the limits prescribed. There's nothing wrong in doing that. Use your money if you want to do more. A good client will respect you even more.ย
A dinner? That's pretty normal in this industry.ย ย What happened? Was it a gentleman's club...?
"Normal" is subjective ๐
Is going to gentleman's club to wine and dine clients considered normal now, lol?
Thats why I said normal is subjective ๐คฃ๐. But honestly, companies generally do not allow company money to be spent on such activities.ย
Lol, takes the creativity out of sales!
One time I had a colleague (that I barely knew) send me a dozen chocolate covered strawberriesโฆ I thought that was a bit of an inappropriate gift.
I try to avoid any gifts thatโs could be seen as romantic in natureย
I try to avoid any gifts thatโs could be seen as romantic in natureย
Sometime people just don't know what an appropriate gift is. He/she might not have bad intentions ๐. I love chocolate covered strawberries!
It's funny because it's literally just fruit with chocolate on it but it does feel inherently romantic/sexual for some reason. Yet if you sent someone just chocolate or just fruit it would be 100% appropriate.ย
I kinda see where you're coming from. An Edible Arrangement would have been better.
What type of gifts have you received?
I generally give gifts. But have received a few from some nice clients. Point worth noting is none of my clients ever exceeded their company prescribed limits. For e.g. a nice lunch/dinner, first round of drinks, a small souvenir etc.ย
Not everyone follows this rule, unfortunetaly.ย
Going overboard to impress clients is common, but creates a bad ecosystem overall. I know a very senior procurement leader of one of the largest US corporations was fired as he misused his suppliers for personal favors.
Couldnโt agree more with you.ย
Sounds like something bad happened
We go through compliance training for this purposeย
this is one that - much like the Salary Cap in sports - tries to keep the playing field level and procurement process honest.
Doesn't work, but it is for those who play the rules.
Doesn't work, but it is for those who play the rules.
You can totally show clients and partners that you care, that they matter and play a big role in your business without showering them in stripper glitter and 3 day old crab legs.
Nice dinners, gifts with thought behind it, etc.
Iโve had clients send me bottles of nice bourbon, meat boxes, etc for going above and beyond.
Agreed! As long as limits are adhered to ๐. Good companies have sufficient limits without squeezing options much.
Also, $25 should be the de minimis limit.ย As in small enough where it doesn't need to be reported.ย ย
Different companies I worked with have different limits. Some more generous than others. Limits can define differences between various types of gifts - a lunch/dinner per person, travel, other types of gifts etc.ย
A smart sales person should be able to work with those limits. ๐
A smart sales person should be able to work with those limits. ๐
That's right! I'm in finance, so regulation and gift giving is more strict.ย We can't even do referrals, heaven's sake! Or talk about current logos >_<
How's that possible you get can't a referral?ย
Referrals as in offering any type of incentive.ย We can't offer any type of monetary incentive (discount) for clients who give us referrals.ย :(
Okay, that makes more sense.
I once sent a client a nice meat package from Omaha Steaks. Had done it to a few others and had a lot of incredibly positive feedback....unless I sent it to a vegan ย
Government cannot accept gifts. They can however sample products and give feedback.ย
Yeah, it s just not worth it.ย
The content of this post is pure and utter bullshit. GTFO you mormon.
Under Armour expensed strip club visits for a period of time. You are a sheltered sales professional. Grow up.
Related posts
Members only
34 comments